Yesterday there was a big step forward in our mission work. Since we arrived in June, one of the three area presidency members has been out of town on family leave, just as one came back another one left, this week was the first time they have all been together since our arrival. This is important because a unified presidency needs to present our work to what is known as the SLC "ecclesiastical side" since the area “temporal side” denied our projects. You see, there are two big YSA initiatives that were put into effect without prior approval or authorization some months ago. The initiatives were announced, promoted through local priesthood channels and garnered a lot of enthusiasm among the YSA.
The first is Gathering Places, which have been launched stake by stake since
we've arrived. There have been great parties with drums and cultural dancing,
but GPs fall into the “unfunded” category. The Gathering Place directive is
from Salt Lake, but the way it was presented across the West Africa area was
"creative" A list of goodies was sent to the stakes of what a Gathering Place
would get after they launched. Things like internet, (yes, internet is only in the
bishop and clerk offices in the chapels here—and weak), ten computers, a PA
system, money for refreshments, etc. The YSA were so excited to have
internet and to be able take classes on-line using the computers. Actually, one
of the most popular classes is keyboarding/typing.
we've arrived. There have been great parties with drums and cultural dancing,
but GPs fall into the “unfunded” category. The Gathering Place directive is
from Salt Lake, but the way it was presented across the West Africa area was
"creative" A list of goodies was sent to the stakes of what a Gathering Place
would get after they launched. Things like internet, (yes, internet is only in the
bishop and clerk offices in the chapels here—and weak), ten computers, a PA
system, money for refreshments, etc. The YSA were so excited to have
internet and to be able take classes on-line using the computers. Actually, one
of the most popular classes is keyboarding/typing.
The other initiative is bringing jobs to the area. One plan to do this is through a
business owner who graciously offered to let any YSA take the first three
classes of his medical coding and billing course free of charge to see if they
had the aptitude and liked the work. The next part of the course, the
practicum, the books, and the certification test are offered at a greatly reduced
cost. After completing the course the owner is very confident he can place the
students in an on-line job. To pay for the second half students need a PEF
loan. Unfortunately, the company is housed in the US and the owner is a
member of the church so PEF would not authorize the course.
Both are worthy and noble programs that everyone would like to see funded,
the problem is policy. There are rules that the temporal side of the church
follows that only the SLC ecclesiastical side can over-ride. Yesterday after two
months of careful planning, we met with the area presidency to review their
questions and gain their support, so they feel comfortable petitioning their file
leader for funding. Miracle: there was agreement.
business owner who graciously offered to let any YSA take the first three
classes of his medical coding and billing course free of charge to see if they
had the aptitude and liked the work. The next part of the course, the
practicum, the books, and the certification test are offered at a greatly reduced
cost. After completing the course the owner is very confident he can place the
students in an on-line job. To pay for the second half students need a PEF
loan. Unfortunately, the company is housed in the US and the owner is a
member of the church so PEF would not authorize the course.
Both are worthy and noble programs that everyone would like to see funded,
the problem is policy. There are rules that the temporal side of the church
follows that only the SLC ecclesiastical side can over-ride. Yesterday after two
months of careful planning, we met with the area presidency to review their
questions and gain their support, so they feel comfortable petitioning their file
leader for funding. Miracle: there was agreement.
Comments
Post a Comment