Hope Fellowship is privileged to partner with Sheila Dykstra, Education Consultant/Specialist in West Africa in her mission work through Christian Reformed World Missions. Sheila expressed how she feels about her mission in an article written by Marie Cooper:
“Christian schools acknowledge Jesus as Lord over all creation”, says Sheila Dykstra. “Every corner of creation belongs to Him and our entire school curriculum is a study of God’s creation, be it science, math, English or music.”
Sheila firmly believes “Christian schools equip students to see the world from God’s perspective. We can’t separate God from His creation and no knowledge is neutral or separate from God”. Put simply, she feels “our faith cannot be separated from how we do business, how we care for those around us, even how we drive our cars!”
As a teacher herself, Sheila explained that “Christian schools teach and model for students what it means to have a vibrant relationship with God. Each of us is on a journey to know God and make Him known to others. How a Christian school teacher teaches, how we relate to students, how we deal with pain, sin and disappointment must always point students to the saving knowledge of Christ.”
Sheila feels her current position in Nigeria as a Christian Education Specialist is a culmination of all the experiences God has given her up to this point in her life: a variety of Christian education experiences, a love for Africa and African culture, the ability to communicate in French, a love for teaching and children, and the opportunity to serve and walk with national teachers and friends.
“I love what I am doing now,” says Sheila, “and I find great fulfillment in seeing teachers who were struggling implement things they have learned, resulting in happier and more engaged students in their classrooms.”
When asked about her dreams though, Sheila said “Someday I’d like to be part of a school project that implements best practices in teaching from an African Christian worldview – embracing and using the great things about African culture as learning and teaching tools, like community learning and storytelling. I’d love to see a school that is built and run and funded by Africans for Africans, where all students can attend regardless of their economic or intellectual abilities, where there is a teacher training component and people can come and learn and dialogue, where students and teachers all have a deep sense of justice and integrity, and where everyone leaves empowered and implements what they have learned in each sector of society God places them.”
So what does this mean for us, as Sheila’s home church? Sheila is called by God to serve in West Africa and He calls us to be her life line—to pray for her, care for her, and support her spiritually and financially.
When I asked Sheila for something very specific to share with you, her response was, “I need to have regular monthly support.” One of the jobs our missionaries are required to accomplish is to raise about 1/2 of their own support. The other half comes from Ministry Shares. If you feel called to support Sheila in the work she does, with its far reaching consequences (teaching teachers to teach), please talk to Sheila today or check your mail box for more information. We are praying for 10 new sponsors for Sheila’s work this weekend.
- Evelyn
“Christian schools acknowledge Jesus as Lord over all creation”, says Sheila Dykstra. “Every corner of creation belongs to Him and our entire school curriculum is a study of God’s creation, be it science, math, English or music.”
Sheila firmly believes “Christian schools equip students to see the world from God’s perspective. We can’t separate God from His creation and no knowledge is neutral or separate from God”. Put simply, she feels “our faith cannot be separated from how we do business, how we care for those around us, even how we drive our cars!”
As a teacher herself, Sheila explained that “Christian schools teach and model for students what it means to have a vibrant relationship with God. Each of us is on a journey to know God and make Him known to others. How a Christian school teacher teaches, how we relate to students, how we deal with pain, sin and disappointment must always point students to the saving knowledge of Christ.”
Sheila feels her current position in Nigeria as a Christian Education Specialist is a culmination of all the experiences God has given her up to this point in her life: a variety of Christian education experiences, a love for Africa and African culture, the ability to communicate in French, a love for teaching and children, and the opportunity to serve and walk with national teachers and friends.
“I love what I am doing now,” says Sheila, “and I find great fulfillment in seeing teachers who were struggling implement things they have learned, resulting in happier and more engaged students in their classrooms.”
When asked about her dreams though, Sheila said “Someday I’d like to be part of a school project that implements best practices in teaching from an African Christian worldview – embracing and using the great things about African culture as learning and teaching tools, like community learning and storytelling. I’d love to see a school that is built and run and funded by Africans for Africans, where all students can attend regardless of their economic or intellectual abilities, where there is a teacher training component and people can come and learn and dialogue, where students and teachers all have a deep sense of justice and integrity, and where everyone leaves empowered and implements what they have learned in each sector of society God places them.”
So what does this mean for us, as Sheila’s home church? Sheila is called by God to serve in West Africa and He calls us to be her life line—to pray for her, care for her, and support her spiritually and financially.
When I asked Sheila for something very specific to share with you, her response was, “I need to have regular monthly support.” One of the jobs our missionaries are required to accomplish is to raise about 1/2 of their own support. The other half comes from Ministry Shares. If you feel called to support Sheila in the work she does, with its far reaching consequences (teaching teachers to teach), please talk to Sheila today or check your mail box for more information. We are praying for 10 new sponsors for Sheila’s work this weekend.
- Evelyn
Comments
Post a Comment