Mende Church

Our second Sunday, we traveled by motorbikes to a Christians in Action Mende speaking church. I had the privilege of preaching that morning. As I preached in English, Pastor Alfred Barnes translated for me into Mende. (Pastor Barnes oversees several churches and is also part of the Mende Primer Construction team).







We had a time of singing, prayers, and communion. Ana Marie read the Scripture and I preached on Mission Possible (Luke 4:14-21). After service, Pastor Barnes invited us to his home for lunch.
We are excited about the potential for partnering with Christians in Action churches to develop literacy classes and help reach our Sierra Leone Challenge of raising the literacy rate from 39% to 50% by 2015.

Experiencing the Culture

This year, after over 20 years of traveling to Africa, I felt led to try something totally different. For 5 hours one Saturday, I sat under the flying fingers of Putsy while she put hundreds of braids into my hair. The time began with Putsy preparing extensions to braid in with my hair. Then, the endurance contest began.

I don’t have a mirror in my room, so I don’t see myself too often. However, when I catch a glimpse in a window, or someone’s mirror, I still take a second look. It feels very strange to have all these braids in my hair. However, it is simple to take care of. The ultimate in wash and go. The braids (if care is taken) can last upto a month. I can honestly say this is probably a once in a lifetime experience. (I took the braids out before arriving home).













Cooking Adventure
We give great credit to our cooks, Sue, Esther, and Putsy who kept us going through the challenging and tiring schedule. These three women spent 3 weeks away from their regular schedules as their "mission". What amazed me was that they cooked three very good meals each day in the conditions you see below. (I promise I'll never say a bad word about my kitchen again!)
I don't think the Canadian Health Inspectors would approve. But... we ate good. Breakfast consisted of white bread with an egg in various forms with tea or coffee. Starch was the name of the game, we had rice, noodles, couscous, broken rice or white sweet potatoes for lunch and dinner each day with a sauce of some variety: sometimes tomato based, sometimes greens (cassava leaves or potato leaves). We feasted with a piece of chicken (leg or thigh) or fish (about 3 inches) each meal. Many of the participants enjoyed the pepper sauce made fresh each day (I stayed away myself).

One Week in Sierra Leone

One Week in Sierra Leone!

One week ago Lori, Patty, Kenyan, Ana Marie and I arrived in Lungi, Sierra Leone. We met up in Brussels, then flew on Brussells Airlines to Lungi, a peninsula near Freetown where the airport is. We met up with Maxwell, Daniel, Titus and Joseph all traveling from other parts of Africa. After dinner at Gregory’s house and a night at the guest house, we set off for Bo the next day.

Travel to Bo involved 2 jeeps and 1 taxi to carry all of us and our things. We took the Ferry from Lungi to Freetown. Enroute to Bo, the one jeep had two breakdowns. Each time, we were at a village. At each village Gregory spoke to the elder and found out of a need. At the first village, Gregory talked to them about building a nursery school if they donated the land. We handed out candy and cookies to the children. At the second village they need a cover for the well. Time will see how God will use these Breakdowns to bring his word to the villages.

In Bo, we are staying at the Sahara Hotel. Gregory has us there because the water and electric are more consistent. When the government electric is off, then the hotel has a generator start. So far we’ve had some rain each day and as the rain comes the electric goes off. So at some point each day we’ve been without. Note: always carry your flashlight with you!

We have completed the first week of training for the International Primer Construction Institute. We have a large, airy room at the Catholic Centre. The LCD projector doesn’t like the power, so we’ve gone back to the basics: chalk and chalkboard.

We have 13 participants (9 from Sierra Leone, and 4 from other countries). During the first week, myself, Lori, Ana Marie, and Daniel have been teaching the basics of primer construction and desktop publishing. Kenyan has been documenting the class with his with video and camera. This is the first time for Patty, Lori and Ana Marie to be in Africa.

We travel to and from the Catholic Centre by motorbike. For 1000 Leones (about 25 cents) we can go just about anywhere in town!

Monday we begin the practical section of the training. We begin development of the 82 lesson literacy materials for the Mende and Themne languages. The writing teams have been part of the training this week.

Internet is spotty and slow, even at the Internet Café where they have Wi-Fi. So, hopefully we can update again next week. Please keep praying for us, our health (we tend to wilt a bit in the heat, temps about 93 in the shade with humidex of about 300). Pray for the trainees as they learn, and prepare the primers. Pray for good contacts with local churches and national organizations who can help implement the Sierra Leone Literacy Vision – from 39% to 70% literacy by 2015.

On the Road to Sierra Leone

Lori and I arrived at the airport. The Lord is already going before us. Our tickets didn't get booked through the Brussells Airline to Jet Airways... however, two seats were available, we have a window and aisle seat. Ken (Lori's husband) was very sad not to be going with us. He wants to go to Africa too (next time Ken).

We meet up with Ana Marie, Patty, and Kenyon in Brussells in just a few hours. 8 hours to Brussells, a 3 hour layover, then 8 hours to Freetown Sierra Leone.

Temps in Sierra Leone 81 F high. I'm looking forward to it. Pray for all our equipment to work properly (my computer cord is acting up AGAIN!).

Hopefully we can blog from there, but if not, we'll catch you up on the flip side!

Countdown Sierra Leone

Oct 28th Ana Marie Ort, myself, Lori Martin, Patty Hickman, and Kenyon Gerbrandt journey to Sierra Leone. We are part of the training team for the Primer Construction Institute which will be held in Bo Nov 1-20.

During this 3-week training, about 15 trainees will learn how to develop LEI style Bible content literacy materials. As part of the training, we will develop materials in 2 languages - Mende and Themne. With the development of these languages, 60% of the 6,000,000 population will have access to literacy and the gospel.

Check out our e-news letter about the upcoming trip and the Sierra Leone Challenge.

Please be praying for Gregory Bangura as he completes arrangements in Sierra Leone and for all who will be traveling to the training.

Another ILTI in the Books

Whew, the trainees did it! Five weeks of intensive training in developing local language literacy ministry and English language ministry is complete.

I travelled to Tulsa in July with husband Paul and son Drew. While I taught at the training, Paul and Drew travelled Route 66 between Tulsa and New Mexico and visited with Grandma.

I travel each year to Tulsa to teach "Introduction to Primer Construction". Coming in the last week of an intensive 5-week course has its challenges. Students are tired, ready to go home.

Carol, one of the trainees, told me at the end of the week, she didn't think she would get much out of the class. However, by the end of the week, she was excited and enthusiastic about how we develop our materials.

Thanks for the encouragement Carol!

It is such a privilege to meet these men and women from all over the world who God has brought to the training. The difficulties many of them face in their countries to survive, let alone do any kind of ministry, is certainly a testimony to God's mercy and provision.

Especially exciting for me this year, Lori Martin travelled to Tulsa from Canada to complete the training. As one of our volunteers and Canadian Board members, she has gradually deepened her involvement with us. She will be focusing on the English Language Ministry portion here in Canada.

To read in more detail about the training and some of the participants, check out our e-news letter .

If you might be interested in taking the 5-week training, check out the information for ILTI 2011 on the LEI website

Posting from email

Testing the email blog update.

--
Rev. Carey Jo Johnston
Director, LEI-Canada
P.O. Box 468
Bobcaygeon, ON K0M 1A0
Canada

705-738-5208

Visit our website at...
www.LiteracyEvangelism.org

International Literacy Institute Begins

June 13th - the International Literacy Training Institute (ILTI) began at the headquarters in Tulsa OK. They are expecting about 20 participants this year. One of the participants comes from Canada - Lori Martin. I'm excited that Lori is able to go. Lori is on the board of LEI-Canada and helps out with the bookkeeping. This is the next step in her participation in the ministry. We're hoping that she will be able to attend the Primer Construction Training Institute in Sierra Leone in November. (Thanks to her husband Ken who is keeping everything going at home.)

During the 5 weeks, the trainees will learn how to develop basic literacy and ESL ministries. They will learn how to teach using the LEI style materials and how to train teachers. I will be going to Tulsa for the last week of the Institute (July 12th). I will be teaching Introduction to Primer Construction with Ana Marie Ort.

Please be praying for the trainees, trainers and office staff.

BreakThroughs 2010

At our January Director's Meeting in Tulsa, we sensed the Lord saying... A year of breakthrough. So each director put forth one or two breakthroughs they are praying for. For Canada, my breakthrough prayer is for supporters - prayer, finance and personnel. We are praying for new partners 100 individuals and 10 churches to partner with us and 5 Canadian consultants to be working with us. Please join us as we pray for God's breakthrough.

In March we had our first Fundraising Dinner. As our first, we learned many good lessons. Like March isn't the best month to have a fundraiser (a lot of our supporters are in Florida!). Also, the Curling Club end of season banquet was that evening. So, we had a small attendance, but appreciated each person who came. Some who weren't able to attend still sent donations, or sponsored some tickets which allowed us to invite special guests. Steve Weir, the director of our board, shared an inspiring message with us. I gave a ministry update on our projects in 2009. The Silent Auction/Raffle was a success. We'll plan a bit different for next year.

In April, we had our first booth at the Mission Fest in Toronto. They had 4000-6000 people visiting the conference each day. Thanks to our board members, Lori Martin (& husband Ken) and Steve Weir for helping me at the booth. (Lori and I are at our booth in the picture). We debued our new LEI display. The visual of the chained Bible seemed to especially grip the young people who walked by. (Thanks Emily Lodes for the artwork). I had several people come to the seminar I presented on Sunday. We have future contacts there. We have some great contacts for potential ministry in Toronto and internationally. Please pray for follow-up of the contacts. We are especially interested in developing an ESL training for Aug or Sep. Also some literacy training for the fall as well.

One woman who asked for more information, her church has an outreach to immigrants in their neighborhood. They've been able to provide help for them in many ways, but the language barrier prevents them from sharing the gospel with them. She was excited about the potential for ESL ministry to open the door for deepening relationships with these friends.

Another woman who is going to Northern Africa with SIM, has been looking for ministry opportunities. She was very excited about our ministry and is considering taking the training in Tulsa this summer.

Until later, may the Lord bless each of you. Carey Jo

Welcome 2010

Happy 2010 everyone. Well, it has been a bit since my last posting. Moving through the Christmas holidays, regional director's meeting in Tulsa (Jan 11-12), and now preparing for two big events in March and April has kept me focused.

* March 27th we are having our first dinner-fundraiser at Knox Presbyterian Bobcaygeon. Lori and I have been busy developing the publicity, getting the word out, etc. We will have a catered dinner, silent auction and an update on the ministry in 2009 and plans for 2010. We hope to have around 90 people.

* April 16-18, we will have a booth at MissionFest in Toronto. This annual mission conference regularly has several thousand people who attend. This will be a great opportunity to get the word out about literacy and English language ministry. I also have the opportunity to lead a seminar on Sunday, April 18th at 1:30pm. We anticipate that this will generate interest in the ministry and open doors for trainings in Canada, as well as partners for the work overseas. If you live in the Toronto area (or within a few hours), come see us at the booth and check out the workshop. The conference is free (donations gladly received). Check out information at www.missionfest.org .

* The Lambya primers are nearing completion. The funds for printing have come in and have been sent to Maxwell in Malawi. We are doing the final checking of the manuscript now.

* A big focus for 2010 is Sierra Leone Country Literacy Project. Our goal is over the next 5 years to have a significant impact on the 65% of the population who cannot read and write. This will include developing literacy materials in the top 6 languages, training teacher trainers and primer consultants. Preparations are being made for the Sierra Leone Primer Construction training in November. Gregory Bangura, West Africa Regional Director, will be visiting each region of Sierra Leone in the coming months to raise literacy awareness.

Please be praying about each of these areas.

Winnipeg Training

Well, the verdict is in! 5 tutors trained at the Lighthouse Mission training course. We had 10 hours together. Trainees ranged from JJ who teaches language courses with the government to Davin, an intern with Teen Challenge, who says he's always struggled with reading well. Yet, each will make a wonderful tutor.

Each training situation is unique and requires some adaptation. The Lighthouse Mission building offered some unique challenges for presenting information and practice teaching. However, I've trained people underneath trees, so a turn of the century building was just another opportunity!

I checked in with Davin today. He begins to tutor at TeenChallenge next week. Teen Challenge has a strong discipleship based ministry to people coming off drug and alcohol addictions. Much reading and study goes into the program. If someone enters the program with low reading skills, then he often drops out because he can't keep up. Sean Goulet, the director of Lighthouse Mission and a graduate of Teen Challenge, understands this need.

Sean already has two clients at the mission who desire to learn to read and write. They attended the training and added a first-hand testimony to the reason literacy is needed in North America.

58 year old GD was not allowed to return to school after grade 3 because of discipline problems. He wants to learn to read so he can read his Bible. He doesn't attend any church because he can't read his Bible when the others do.

P is from Guyana. He left school when he was in grade 2. He immigrated to Canada and now struggles because of his low literacy skills.

Publish Post

Winnipeg Arrival

Hello from Winnipeg,

I arrived safely this afternoon. Sean and Jennifer Goulet have given me a warm welcome. I am staying at their home. I had a brief tour of the Lighthouse Mission facilities this afternoon. The mission feeds about 80-100 people each day, plus has some clothing to give away in a building pretty much original to downtown Winnipeg. Many of the clients are homeless or close to it. I will see more of the operations of the mission tomorrow.

The literacy training will be Tuesday and Thursday evenings and Saturday. Please be praying for those who are taking the training. Pray also for those who will be learning to read. I've heard a couple of stories this evening about the lives of those who struggle with not being able to read. I'll share more about those in another e-mail. Sean already has a couple of clients who want to learn to read. Many of them need to learn, but they have to want to learn as well. I'll try to post some photos later in the week.

Keep praying! A very needed ministry, and one our group is God-created to assist with.

Heading to Winnipeg

It has been a busy fall. God continues to broaden the ministry opportunities here in Canada. I head for Winnipeg this Monday for a basic literacy tutor training workshop. The Lighthouse Mission director, Sean Goulet, has a vision for providing literacy classes for the clients of the mission. He has about 8 tutors coming for the training and several clients already waiting to begin tutoring.

While in Winnipeg I hope to visit with several churches in the area to let them know about our ministry. Please pray for all that God is doing.

Lambya Literacy Primer

We arrived in Chitipa in Northern Malawi to assist with the development of the Chi Lambya Bible-content litercy primers (a 2 book series comprised of 72 lessons).

Before we work with a group to help them develop literacy materials, first there must be some Bible in print. The Chi Lambya Bible translation team (pictured left) affiliated withWord for the World has made great progress in translating the Bible into the Chi Lambya language.



We worked on the campus of the Presbyterian Church in Chitipa. Their facilities worked well for our team of 12 people. We had 6 team members who speak Lambya, plus 4 LEI consultants to assist them in with writing their literacy books.







To write the books, the LEI consultants guide the Lambya speaking team members in putting together the lessons. Each lesson the team chooses letters to be introduced, two picture words using those letters, and a story for the lesson. It is definitely a team effort.

We spent 8 days working with the team. We had representatives from 5 different churches in Chitipa. Each team member worked diligently during the 8 days, essentially volunteering their time to see this work come to fruition.

As the Lambya speakers worked on writing the lessons, our consultants assisted as required. We also put the lessons on the computer. The first book is ready for proofing, and book 2 is almost ready. Please pray that the checking phase of the Lambya literacy primer construction will proceed smoothly and we will catch any mistakes.

Emmanuel Kasisi (right), one of the Lambya team members will be training with Maxwell Mpitanyanga (left) as the literacy coordinator for the Lambya literacy program. Our hope and prayer is that the churches will continue to cooperate together to develop a thriving literacy minisitry in the area.

Travel in Malawi

April 25 we left Blantyre in the south enroute to Chitipa in the North. We took the "long way" around and a variety of vehicles to arrive in Chitipa (Blantyre-Lilongwe-Mzuzu-Karonga-Chitipa rather than the direct route Blantyre-Karonga-Chitipa)...
1. Maxwell's Minibus from Blantyre to Lilongwe (he uses this minibus for ministry and as a taxi in Blantyre to help fund the ministry and provide for his family).

2. Regular Bus from Lilongwe to Mzuzu (7 hours), then by another minibus crammed full of people to Karonga (5 hours). We were the first people to enter the mini-bus, but after 20 minutes or so, others joined us we had 13-15 people, plus all their baggage. It was a tight squeeze for sure.

3. Pick-up Truck from Karonga to Chitipa. Nancy Sue and I rode in the cab of the truck. Patrick Malasi, John Kadalinga and Maxwell Mpitinyanga rode in the back. We had 100 km of dirt road to travel - taking us 5 hours.
As the pick-up made its way to Chitipa we stopped and picked up more passengers and bags until the back was crammed full.

4. After 10 days in Chitipa, we had a pleasant surprise on our return to Karonga - they now had regular bus service from Chitipa to Karonga! As always Nancy Sue and I watch in amazement as people bring all kinds of things onto the bus, including their live chickens!

From Karonga to Mzuzu and Mzuzu to Lilongwe we had regular buses on our return trip. We give thanks for God's protection as we traveled. Also, Nancy Sue and I are thankful for Maxwell who had to take care of these two white women along the way!