Prayer meeting and schools

Popped into the Cathederal at Cape Coast the home of Ghana Methodism where the first church was built. There was a prayer meeting going on , but more like a deliverance service. The place was full and very, very loud. So I sat there as a guest in the communion area under the pulpit which is built over the graves of the first missionaries who died bringing the gospel. It certainly gave me much food for thought. The battle for peoples hearts and minds requires engagement with the culture out of which they come. With deep rooted fears of a sense of evil that still pervades the culture, the church seeks to channel those fears into a more creative place. What many need is the time to be listened to. Just as in the UK peoples fear of mental health cannot just be addressed by just being given drugs. They too need to be listened to. Its all about creating wholeness in peoples lives which is what I believe Jesus brought and brings to many people still. The Gospel is one of wholeness no point saving someone's soul if we dont save their minds as well.

Later had chance to pop into the university of Cape Town Primary school. Its a private school and gives an education that is not available to all. Amazed to see a white board and  multi media projector so different from the wall with just a blackboard in the previous schools I have entered.

Of course much laughter as a white face appeared at the classroom door, but I was welcomed and had a look at a childs work book. Fairly traditional style but you have to pay to get your child opportunities that many state schools just can't provide. Its all a question of resources as always. 

Why then in the UK are we fragmenting our excellent education system? Free schools built in some places where there is no need taking resources away from where there is. And the insult of employing untrained teachers. All driven by a misguided ideological policy. I pray for a government that will stop this development which feeds off peoples selfishness and the loss of a sense of being a community. If we dont we may find ourselves back in an era where christian communities will have to provide quality education for the poorest in our society. Surely we thought those days had gone!