Computer Insanity

For some strange reason, God blessed me with some technical skills. Maybe the only reason I can understand technology is because I'm a product of my culture and generation, or maybe I really have a little bit of gifting in that area, but either way, I've been wondering how on earth that would come in handy on the mission field.


Well, I have my answer. Or answers...there are multiple ways computer and techie skills have come in handy already.


First, I got to play internet wiz when we tried to set up one of the first wireless internet connections in our city! A few other businesses and government buildings have unlimited monthly wireless networks set up, but I'm fairly certain we were the first people to purchase the router and set up our own network in our house. We did this because it's much cheaper than buying prepaid wireless cards individually, but anyway the point is that even the guys who work for the internet company didn't totally know how the whole deal worked! I learned really quickly how to set up a network and get all of our laptops to connect wirelessly (I still haven't gotten Esther's to work, sadly). So now I know a whole lot about all the technical stuff behind the internet connection!


The next answer is...a computer literacy class for teachers! Yay! I was asking around at a local school to find out what they needed and how I could fit into the ministry there, and my supervisor mentioned that they had a couple of computers at the school that weren't in use because no one really knew how to use them. So, I started looking into the computers and the head teacher, who's like the principle, asked if I'd be willing to teach a class on computers first to the teachers and maybe to the kids as well!



So I've discovered they have 5 laptops and the majority of the teachers have never really used computers and the students definitely haven't. I started last week by gathering info about the teachers' skill levels, and grouping them into different classes. If I had realized what a pain it would be to organize this, I might have given up before I started! First, I grouped them into 3 classes based on skill levels, beginner-never used a computer before, intermediate-taken some classes and use a computer occasionally, and advanced-taken classes and use a computer frequently.



The next step was the worst; I had to find a time to hold classes. The teachers come to school around 6:30AM and the last class ends at 5:00PM, so I didn't want to keep them at school any longer than they already are. The only other option was to have class while the teachers are on break. Each teacher gets a period off every few hours to do prep and grading...wait I have to explain something...the teachers are the ones who move from class to class here, not the students. So each teacher has a schedule of when they have to be where for each day of the week. For example, Mr Charles might teach English to class 7 first, then Science to class 6, then two periods free, then English to class 7 again...etc. So after I had placed each teacher into a group, I had to find a period where every person in their group were free! GAH! I ended up breaking each group in half again in order to find times when they're all free, so I'll teach two beginner classes on Tuesday, two intermediate on Thursday and two advanced on Friday! Or something like that...



If just reading that overwhelmed you, then you feel a bit of my pain! haha! But I am very excited to start teaching when classes start up again in September, and I'm praying that nothing changes in the schedules otherwise I might have a little temper tantrum. :) Finally, God is using my most random gifted areas to open doors for ministry! Even a computer nerd can be used to advance God's kingdom!