Friday nights, a group of about fifteen students gather with me in S2West to meet for Storytelling.
The idea sprung from my love of storytelling evangelism, discovered just as I arrived on the field, and my belief that stories are among the most culturally appropriate, simple and effective ways to share the gospel. Since our students love drama, song and dance; I though storytelling would be a natural extension. We also hoped to really train them to read a passage of the Bible and simplify it into something they knew how to share. We knew our group could serve in churches around our area as children’s storytellers blessing and encouraging churches and their leaders. Perhaps this model will serve to strengthen the very weak area of ministry to children in this place.
One thing that has surprised me is that the leap from Bible reading to dramatic storytelling has seemed very difficult for the students. They are so good at drama, but perhaps because they know the Bible stories are true not fictional they struggle to dramatize them well.
We (one of the Ugandan staff is partnering with me in the club) are trying lots of fun games and methods to encourage them past their inhibitions and their shyness. This past week we tossed around a ball and made up a story as we went, each person telling their part. We talked about the wonder of not knowing the end of the story and the way it keeps us excited about listening. We talked about how to tell a story that WE know the end of to someone who maybe doesn’t yet and how to keep the excitement there.
It’s a work in progress for sure. Some Friday nights I head home late full of joy and anticipation at what the kids are doing. Other nights I feel sure I can’t manage another night in storytelling club!!
This past Sunday we went to the village church of one of our storytelling students. Bubandi New Life is a Presbyterian church, very simple and yet vibrant. Our students greeted the members humbly, sang for the church service and then went outside to teach the crowd of church children on benches beside the building. We told the story of Cain and Able as well as the story of Noah, asked questions and sang lots of songs. I think the kids enjoyed their morning and I know I learned a lot about my students and about village ministry. Naomi and Quinn got very hot, tired and hungry . . . Church here can really take it out of you. Next week we’ll have a quiet at home Sunday again.