Christianity and Isalm

His Majesty's Christian School is exactly what it sounds like: a Christian school. Ghana is at least 60% Christian and there are signs of it everywhere. People name their shops in ways that bring attention to God (for example: Nothing formed against us shall prosper cold store, or God be praised salon, or something of the sort) and no one can miss the deafening sounds of extremely loud music and praise on Sunday mornings throughout the entirety of Asamankese (and Ghana in genera). We were told that the majority of the Muslim population is in the north of Ghana, so I didn't expect to come in contact with it much.

Earlier this month I received a rude awakening when, after Wednesday morning worship, my co-teacher started to explain the religious differences between Christians and Muslims, calling one of my favourite students, Mardiatu, up to the front to show the class how Muslims pray. My heart fairly stopped as my brain grasped the reality that she is a Muslim. I had to leave the classroom to conceal my tears as I learned that in fact  five of my students are Muslim. There are two more in Karen's class and one in Steph's class. I was not prepared to teach Muslim children. I had been going through some of the stories in the Old Testament in "The Beginner's Bible" during Language and Literacy class but I have since switched to New Testament stories, emphasizing the importance of Jesus and the fact that He is God's Son. These 5 year old children don't comprehend the theological differences that I am trying to overcome as I try and reveal the truth about Jesus to them, but I figure that maybe something will stick with them and maybe years down the road they will remember something small that they learned in kindergarten about a man named Jesus who loves them. All that I can do right now is be a positive influence for them, doing the best I can to show them the love of Jesus, patiently teaching them English in a way that will make sense to them and letting them simply be what they are...children (even if that involves letting them run around a bit longer than they probably should or playing with something in a way that they probably shouldn't or talking at a time when they are supposed to be quiet).

"The Beginner's Bible" often sits on my wobbly table in the front corner of the classroom as I refer to it before classes. The box of story books from Canada is also located right by my table and some students will often want to leaf through the Bible instead of grabbing a story book. There have been a few times when one of the Muslim children stand at my table and ask me, "What is this?" as they point to pictures of Abraham, David, Jonah and Jesus. Their attention spans are short, especially in their second language, so I have about 10 seconds or less (often only one sentence) to relate whatever story they are currently captivated by to them before they flip the page. I'm pretty sure I ran through Jesus' life in about 30 seconds for Ramadan as his eager eyes quickly scanned the pages of his unknown Saviour. It breaks my heart that these children I love are currently being raised in a different religion, but there is hope since their parents have allowed them to come to a Christian school, to learn the Bible stories from the Christian point of view and sing songs that testify to the greatness of our God. Every time that I wrap my arms around them or give them a big smile or a high five, I hope that the Holy Spirit is doing the exact same through me and that the children can see how important Jesus really is. I will be leaving these children to return to Canada in a few shorts weeks (which is coming far too quickly and pierces my heart every time I think about it), but maybe I will see them again on the other side of eternity. One can only hope and pray. And give lots of hugs and encouragement in the meantime.