2012 Parenting Seminar

On Monday September 24^th forty-six parents gathered for this year’s five day parenting seminar.  Mavuno puts on this seminar every other year for Mavuno parents.  The seminar is a great opportunity for caregivers to come together and share experiences as well as challenges in the ministry of Mavuno Village or any other related ministries.  It is a time for parents to be trained in biblical principles pertaining to family, the vision of Mavuno, and practical skills to be used in their homes.

This year’s conference was a huge success.  Parents learned from various teachers about entrepreneurship, nutrition, parenting, bio-sand filters, marriage, and the vision of Mavuno.  Parents were excited and amazed to learn about nutritious food that is available locally.  They were intrigued to learn the reasons businesses prosper and the reasons they fail.  In the parenting session they learned that if parents do not teach their children then world will teach them, and whatever the world teaches them it will be contrary to the word of God.  They learned about bio-sand filters and purifying water.  Parents were challenged that strong families require strong marriages and if families are strong, the church, and the nation will also be strong.  They were also eager to learn more about Mavuno’s policies and vision.  Very few sessions gave enough time for all everyone’s questions.

 

All the parents left the encouraged, refreshed, and excited to put all they had learned into practice.  We thank the Lord for all facilitators who came well prepared and excited to teach.  We are also thankful for all the parents who were ready and willing to learn.

 

 

Musa and Lucy

Saturday morning three cars left Mavuno for the three hour drive to attend the wedding of Musa, one of the Mavuno staff, and Lucy.  The day began with a breakfast at the house of some of the groom’s family.  Once we had finished and everybody was ready we packed back into the car to head to the church.

We sat around, talked, and listened to the choirs.  Eventually a bus arrived carrying the bride and the ceremony began.

After the ceremony the wedding party ate a meal while the rest of us hung out outside where there was talking, singing, and even dancing.  Once the wedding party had finished eating everybody crowded into the cars headed to the reception.  All four cars spent the hour drive honking and swerving back and forth on the road as much as possible.

When we arrived there was more singing, dancing, talking, and sitting.  Eventually the cake was cut and the gift-giving began.  Everybody came dancing and singing up with their gifts which included kongas, soap, buckets, and even two goats.

 When all the gifts had been given it was almost dark.  It was time for a meal of rice, meat, and bananas to be served.  Once finished we all got back into the cars and headed home after a wonderful day.

New House, New Family

           

  The building of a new Family House is well underway.   Several men have been busy erecting the steel trusses before the mesh and plaster stage begins.

            The Sh’tungulu family has recently moved on campus for a probation period of three months. After this time it will be decided if they will become the second on-campus family of Mavuno. Daudi Sh’tungulu is from a farming background and will be helping with the agriculture program.  We are excited by the prospect of a new family. 

VBS

 Water balloons flew through the air and little children sang their hearts out…thus started four fun-filled days of Vacation Bible School two weeks ago, organized by Alicia Hazlett, Stephanie Swanson, and Kaylen Tanner for the all of the younger children at Mavuno. Kaylen, the oldest child of Dan and Bethany Tanner, is visiting from college for a few weeks and Stephanie came to visit her friend Alicia.

VBS consisted of puppet shows, skits, songs, and games that all revolved around the central theme of obedience.

  The missionary kids and on-campus children were divided into four teams and competed against each other throughout the week.

  They finished off their time with a performance for all of the parents, singing songs and reciting the verses they had memorized.  All the children are hoping this becomes an annual event!