The Sahelian

Ever want to escape to the jungle to be wild or relax? The latest Student Council event gave everyone the opportunity to do just that. Jungle Juice was a WILD evening with the Dining Hall decorated like a jungle, full of plants and wild creatures. The specialty of the evening was WILD juice drinks prepared by Uncle Brian. He came up with many interesting concoctions including the “Miss Carriger” which of course was a purple drink, the “Niger River” which was kind of brownish but delicious, and the “Cry Baby” which was a little heavy on the lime juice. There were a huge variety of fruits, juices, and concentrates which when added with some ice and water in the blender created some delicious and interesting tastes! There was plenty of food including a zebra decorated cake and some salty snacks to offset the sweet.  The evening’s events consisted of door prizes, a “Chubby Monkey” game, and the big competition for who would be the “King and Queen of the Jungle.” The competition was fierce and animated. The guys had an arm wrestling competition with Rufus Dewanou taking the crown! The girls they had to come up with a good jungle call and Bethany Sim was crowned Jungle Queen for her unique noises. There was time to play some games, do a jungle jig and just enjoy being together. A WILD time was had by all! ~Cathy Bliss

Sahel has a WONDERFUL new addition to its campus, a beautiful building called the Media Center. This building project went on for over a year, and it was with much joy that it was dedicated on the first day of school this year.

After many delays of building materials being out of stock and a change over of building supervisors, the end result is very worth the wait! In looking back over our progression of photos, we are especially amazed at all the finishing touches that happened during the summer months. At the end of school in June, the roof was on but the inside still had a lot of work left to do. We were extremely blessed to have Seku and Lasso, carpenter friends of ours from Cote d’Ivoire, willing to come to Niamey for three months during which they worked solidly doing all the carpentry. They did an amazing job and built all the book shelves, computer desks, librarian’s office furniture, circulation desk, table tops, magazine display shelves, desks and cupboards in the computer lab, and many other smaller projects. They set up shop right in the building so things could be made to fit perfectly. At the end of July we had a celebration dinner with all the African workers who had a part in the construction. It was wonderful to have Jonathan Moore back since he started the construction, and also Chad Winsor who took the project on to completion. It was a fun time of celebration of work well done and also praise to God for the safety He gave with no injuries during all the hours of work!

Many of you remember the old library tucked away (“So far away!”) on the other side of campus. This new library is four times the size of the old one, so there is a feeling of spaciousness and freshness. There is a large sitting area where the students can relax with a good book and many tables to sit at to do studying or research. The kids section has a nice rug with pillows to plop on for a fun story time. The shelves are full of books and there is room for more! On one wall we have three computers available for research or accessing the library card catalog. On one end of the building is our new computer lab, complete with its isolated server room, work tables full of computers, and an improved internet connection. Both elementary and secondary classes sign up to use the computer lab, and at any time of the day, the lab may be full of students.

The other side of the building has a teachers’ resource room where the teachers’ helps are kept. There is also a conference room with a long table which is used for special meetings or small classes. Out in front of the Media Center is a paved area which is great for pulling up a chair in the shade to study or visit with friends. We have one beautiful iron table and chairs set which was a gift from the Class of ’08 and we hope to add some more as funds are collected. All in all, it has been a wonderful new addition to our campus and student life. ~Cathy Bliss

Dateline: June 5, 2008 - For the first time, Sahel’s graduation ceremony was held on the “green”, a beautiful patch of grass in the center of the campus which stands out from all the sand around it as a cool green oasis.  Especially unique this year: instead of ceremoniously marching down the aisle, the graduates arrived from across the campus on camels. This year’s graduating class consisted of three boys, all of whom have grown up in Africa since they were infants. Each one in some way commented that he was not at all saddened at what he had missed by not growing up in North America, but felt that he has been blessed by all that he has gained by growing up in Africa. Pray for these three graduates who are now saying good-bye to their home of the last 18 years.

The following 2008 Staff Commendation was written and delivered by secondary Science teacher Ray White.

“The seniors three are very unique individuals in that they have spent most of their lives in Africa. Matt was born in Sierra Leone, Adam was born in Tennessee and came to Africa at a very young age. Jonathan was born in Montreal, Quebec and came to Benin at age 3 months. Adam entered Sahel Academy in the 1^st grade, Matt in the 5^th, and Jonathan in the 12^th. I have had the privilege of teaching all 3; Matt and Adam chemistry and all 3 physics. I have seen them mature quite a bit during that time…

“All made significant contributions to class; most were good, but some were not so good. Matt and Adam had the most accidents during lab but were very good at helping others with math problems, even me. Adam added tremendously to the class atmosphere with his constant sarcasm and dry wit.

“At the end of the 2^nd semester of chemistry, I told the students that the exam would be open book and open note. That didn’t help Matt and Adam that much because they didn’t have any notes. When Jonathan joined the physics class, I gave him the option of choosing lab partners. He made a questionable choice when he selected Matt and Adam. When they turned in their lab reports, Matt and Adam’s met minimum requirements but Jonathan would submit a book. I don’t think that Matt and Adam ever allowed Jonathan to become a yak brother.

“All three contributed significantly to their softball team’s taking first place in the NUTS tournament. Adam was the leader of the Gray Goats who won the overall competition for field day. All three are interested in going into a math or physics related field.

“Now for some information about each one:

“Matt went through 3 evacuations, two of which were serious. The family lost everything. When Matt and his family were getting settled in Michigan when he was 5 years old, he asked his mother if they were going to stay until the rebels arrived. Matt likes most anything that deals with numbers. He likes computer strategy games. He is quickly becoming a fan of the Detroit Pistons and Red Wings. He looks forward to spending time with his older brother and sister back in Michigan. He has enjoyed going to the bush with his parents while here in Africa. He is a University of Michigan fan as is evidenced by the hat he wears most of the time. He despises red clothing. Last year when he was placed on the red intramural team, he had to go searching for a red shirt. Matt plans to go to a community college in Michigan and eventually end up at the University of Michigan where he plans to go into the math/physics field. I think he will end up being a statistician for the University of Michigan and also an entrepreneur for “M go Blue paraphernalia.

“Matt, I would like for you to take these verses with you. Be joyful always; pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not put out the Spirit’s fire; do not treat prophesies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil. 1 Thes 5: 16-22.

“Jonathan likes tennis and softball, working on the computer as well as reading. He is very friendly. Normally, every morning he and I would arrive at school at about the same time and he would always greet me. He likes to organize events for people. He is very considerate of others. He worked with a church PA system in Montreal as well as the one here at school. He has worked on a yearbook committee and done public service to raise funds for an orphanage in Cotoneau. At times he has suffered with asthma and allergies.His favorite foods are pate rouge (a corn dish), spicy foods and pizza. He hates rawvegetables, onions, agouti (a field rat delicacy) and gombo.Jonathan plans to do a gap year in Montreal, get involved with a church youth group and then pursue a co-op program at either McGill or Concordia University. He would like to also attend Bible school for a year. He hopes to end up as a mechanical engineer. I think, because of his eloquence and language ability in both English and French, that he should become a speech writer for the Canadian Prime Minister, Stephen Harper.

“Jonathan, these verses are for you: Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Col 3: 16-17.

“Adam has been at Sahel the longest. His first time to live in the dorm was in 1991. He likes cheese and meat but hates vegetables. He likes softball and football, most computer and video games, math, Tennessee Titans, cars, wrestling, dry humor, the color black, hooded sweat shirts, Harry Potter and Ted Dekker, and quips on T-shirts. He dislikes soccer, people who are oblivious, waking up (alarm clocks), the color yellow, manual labor, Idrissa’s fried rice, and Chantelle’s tea. Adam plans to go to technical school in Iowa to become a radiologist. If you want to glow in the dark, look up Adam in 3 to 4 years. I’ve encouraged him to become a physics teacher but he doesn’t think that he has the patience.

“Adam, take heed of these verses: But you, man of God, flee from all this (the love of money and possessions), and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. I Timothy 6: 11-12.

“May the Lord richly bless all of you and keep you close to Him all the days of your life.”

The 9-10th graders are swamped with IGCSE exams. The Yearbook team is desperately trying to have the Yearbook printed before the year is over. The Drama class is getting ready for a last-minute mini-production at final assembly. In a word- it’s chaos!

In the midst of all the pressure from teachers, the tests, the final projects and the goodbyes, it’s nice to have a break. The “Water Extravaganza” youth activity and “Mission Impossible” were two events that gave the students a chance to relax and just have some fun. Organized by Pastor Dave, the youth activity included some fun water games like relays, water balloon volleyball and “basket bash”.

Mission Impossible took place on Friday the 16th of May. The winning team was the “blue” team, composed of the field day teams “Blue Wolves” and “Killer Bees” However; it was a very close game, decided by the turning in of one agent bracelet at the end of the game. Despite a few minor injuries, the evening was a success, enjoyed by all.

On the 26th of May, the Sahel Secondary students had their Swimming Carnival. The first events on the agenda were the races. The students were separated by gender and class level for races in the four competitive strokes. A number of the races were very close, such as the 7-8 girls breaststroke, which Jacqui Bunn won, when Melinda Morgan was penalized for using an overhand stroke to touch the edge before her friend did. Special mention goes to Esther Eiger for blitzing the 9-10 girls’ races! Her time for the backstroke was two seconds faster than the winning 9-10 guy. 

After the races, there was a relay between the four water polo teams, which was won by team C and a water polo competition. The water polo games, though tiring, were great fun. Everyone was glad to crawl out of the pool and enjoy a snack provided by Mrs. Wright when it was all over. Thank you very much to Mrs. Wright and all the other teachers and parents who helped with swimming in P.E. or with rides to the pool!

For those students, teachers (and parents) who are feeling that it’s time for the year to be over, be encouraged in the knowledge that it will be soon! And don’t give up; God has promised to be with you until the end. ~Rianna Bunn

I. Introduction

“Are we accomplishing our mission?” That is the question that the Sahel Academy board has been asking for the past several months. The role of the school board is to discern what direction the school needs to be moving in and then evaluate if we are actually going in that direction. We just completed a series of surveys and interviews with parents, students and staff to help with this work. What we found was most interesting.

II. Mission of the school

The Mission of Sahel Academy is to:

1. develop students through a holistic education
2. of the highest quality
3. while nurturing a Christ-like character
4. and a heart of service.

This guiding statement is very important. When we think of a school, we think first of academic excellence and we are striving for that at Sahel Academy. But we see our students as more than just “test passers” and “grade getters.” They are sons and daughters. They are brothers and sisters, friends and citizens. And most of all we desire to see our students become faithful disciples of Christ.

The education at Sahel Academy is designed to put all these pieces together. We want Sahel Academy to be a place where character and a servant attitude matter and are fostered.

III. Strengths of Sahel Academy

The following are the strengths of the school that were identified through the surveys and interviews.

1. Staff/Student Relations

“It is so friendly and family-like. Kids connect with teachers on a more personal level.” Comments like this were repeated over and over. This is a major strength of the school. Students feel cared for by the teachers and are at ease in approaching them in and out of the classroom.

We are so encouraged to discover this strength. We would have little chance of accomplishing our mission if this rapport with students were not in place.

2. Outreach Trips/ community service

We found that the students love getting out in the community and traveling to other parts of Niger in order to serve through the community service program and on outreach trips. This is the kind of thing that we were hoping to find as we looked for evidence that students were developing a heart of service. The community service requirement was seen as a positive aspect of school life and the outreach trips were a privilege.

3. Quality Education

Students at Sahel are above average compared with students in schools in the home countries. This was the conclusion of both students and parents. One parent said that her son found his first year at college to be no more challenging than his senior year at Sahel. Students are well prepared to go on to higher education. The IGCSE program is pushing students to realize their potential.

4. Assembly, Youth Group, Bible classes

“Through assemblies and simply fellowship, I have learned a lot spiritually from Sahel. Having other Christians around you, encourages you to explore the different aspects of God’s Word. Bible classes and youth events are good as well. The outreach program is a great way to live out who we are in Christ. Bible study is good too!”

Comments like these from students and their parents show that Sahel Academy is actively developing students spiritually as well as academically.

IV. Growth Areas

While the board was very pleased with the results of the board assessment, the study identified areas where the school still needed to grow. Mentioned was staff continuity and development, alternative educational choices, and more involvement with Niger. It is good to note that even while these areas for growth are being noted, administration has been working on possible solutions to these felt needs.

Conclusion

We give Sahel Academy high marks for making strides toward the mission of the school. We have also passed to the staff the challenge of addressing the areas where the school must still grow. Some of these issues will be addressed in the next school year. Some issues will be addressed through a longer range plan for the school.

We want to thank all who participated in the board evaluation. Your input was invaluable. We also want to thank our exceptional staff at Sahel Academy. It is their devotion to students and commitment to excellence that has made Sahel Academy the preferred educational option for many mission and non-mission families in West Africa. Well done!  ~Steve Schmidt, Chairman

Thank you to those of you who prayed for a Math teacher for the rest of the school year.  God once again has supplied beyond our expectations.  Sahel Academy has seen God do another miracle in bringing Mr. Ben Stam to us.  Mr. Stam has been teaching Math here at Sahel for one quarter now and has one quarter to go.  He has enjoyed his time here greatly and as I share about him and his impressions of life in Niger, I ask you again to be in prayer for the next Math teacher who is still unknown. God has us in the “waiting” mode as we wait again for who He has planned for next school year. 

Mr. Stam comes from Enid, Oklahoma, a town north of Oklahoma City, where he spent all of his growing-up years. He comes from a family with two sisters and one brother.  His dad is a Minister of Missions at his church Emanuel Baptist and headmaster at Emmanuel Christian School, and his mom is a nurse.  Growing up in a Christian home, it wasn’t until after 6^th grade at the Story Book Lodge, a camp in Minnesota, when he accepted Jesus as his Savior and made his faith his own. He was baptized by his dad later at a summer camp in Colorado.  All of his schooling was at Christian schools; after high school he headed off to Wheaton College in Wheaton Illinois.  Mr. Stam’s major is Math. He’s actually taking a break in his education to come help us out, but ultimately his desire is to go on to medical school to become a doctor.  His first choice would be to go into Intensive Neonatology. 

So, the question is: “How did Mr. Stam end up here?”  His dad came to Niger with a well drilling/medical team and came to visit Sahel Academy.  He heard about our need for a Math teacher and thought about his son Ben.  He suggested the idea which opened up the thoughts and wondering if it could possibly work.  Mr. Stam already was planning on a trip to Niger in January to help with a medical team from his church.  His tickets were bought and his shots taken care of; those were two of the things necessary on the long list of things to fall into place.  Amazingly, God worked out the details and sped up the whole application process, even supplying someone to take his place on the medical team.  It was only about 2 months between hearing about the job and arriving here in Niger!  We are SO thankful for his openness and that he was willing to listen to God’s call in spite of many unknowns. 

When asked about his impressions of life in Niger and work at Sahel, Mr. Stam gave some very flattering answers.  “The best thing about coming here is definitely the students”, he says.  “They have made it so easy to transition in here.” “They are encouraging, willing, open, not resistant at all, and take initiative for their learning”.  I asked him why someone should come take a job like this and his response was, “The whole experience has been life-changing as far as my worldview, and Christian perspective.”  He explained that all his life has been kind of like being stuck in a bubble and that it is hard to experience other things unless you go outside the bubble.  Here, he doesn’t understand the language, is far away from home, and in a completely different culture.  He’s had to figure a lot of things out for himself, has learned a lot and has gained some maturity.  The thing he misses the most are fully paved roads through the city.  It’s difficult dodging potholes and driving in sand on a motorcycle!  One thing that surprised him about living here is that you can buy good chocolate in the grocery store and the internet is much better than he expected.  One thing he’s enjoyed the most is the sense of “community” he’s felt since being here. People here seem to spend more time doing things together and are more open with each other.  It’s normal to drop in on people for a visit and it doesn’t feel uncomfortable.  There is more of a sense of “realness” among the people here. 

Mr. Stam is not just a math teacher, he has a variety of interests.  He enjoys music, backpacking, rock climbing, Frisbee, and going to the Opera.  We have all enjoyed getting to know him. We hate to say goodbye at the end of the year, but we are excited to see who the next answer to our prayers will be!  Thank you for praying for Mr. Stam and for the next Math teacher who is still unknown! ~Cathy Bliss

…where the grass is green, the beach is sandy and the climate is hot! The air is crisp, the weather cool and the whole community is going Hawaiian style!!  It is a beautiful day indeed as we are gathering just a couple of feet near the riverside to be a part of this great luau that Sahel Academy Student Council is hosting today.

It is 5:30 and we are all gathered here to feel - or imagine - a cool blue Hawaiian tropical breeze. Folks from all kinds of nationalities gather here today, all dressed in their own Hawaii style of clothes!! From Hawaiian shorts to complete outfits - you name it, this is one big stylish Luau!!! Even the staff are here being a part of this fun occasion to show us their good old Hawaiian grooves!!!

After chatting and conversing among ourselves, it is time to start the event!! Did you ever think aerobics and Pilates weren’t helpful - think again!! This time we are doing the LIMBO… Hawaiian style!! We all are going under a stick, flexing our backs and not bending our knees until we make contact fully with the ground! Its so great to see students and staff-young and OLD alike-test their back flexibility skills!! You can’t believe the different styles that people would even come up with to do this limbo! We are talking snake style, dance style and hip style-you name it!! Even tall people were smokin’ as they proved that they can do the limbo too!! What a great way to move your body!!

Next up, we all gather together in prayer before we feast on Hawaiian delicacies: pineapple, Hawaiian chicken, Hawaiian rice and Hawaiian salad. So much to choose from-even coffee and sodas on this cool/hot Hawaiian day!!

Later on, after  chowin’ down food and relaxing Hawaiian style- we are treated royally to a first hand experience of Hawaiian culture!! Mr. Sauers, the all mighty hula dancer, who went to college in Hawaii, is showing us the real way of doing the hula and is explaining some Hawaiian culture at the same time!! We all gather round to see the master at work in showing us how to position our feet, hands and hips. Boy, is Mr. Sauers awesome! ~Jonathan

It was a cool night, the crowd was growing, kids were laughing - this was going to be great! As the band started playing their music, I was swept into a world filled with the words, beat and meaning of the songs. I think we all have been in a state like that before: when your favorite song comes on, or you hear a song that has memories attached to it, or when you hear a song(s) that tell you about Jesus or move you closer to Him. You become so pulled into the song. It’s like the world isn’t how it is at that moment without that song playing in the background. Then suddenly when the music stops and the song is over…it feels awkward. You may still have a sense of joy or happiness, but without the music, it doesn’t mean as much. Somehow, it seems the words have changed.

I think at the concert, we were there to have a good time and enjoy that type of music, but I think God also used the band to get the real message of what “worship music” really is. Am I singing for the person beside me? Am I singing to feel good about myself? Am I singing for God? What do I really mean when I sing “When you lead me , Lord, I will follow; where you lead me, Lord, I will go?” When I sing that, I am saying that tomorrow, I would be willing to go to Afghanistan to do missions if God honestly called me there, right?

We need to worship Jesus, and we need to feel good about it, too. But we need to be aware of what’s coming out of our mouths and what we honestly want to accomplish by worshipping. ~Jessica

At Sahel Academy, assembly period on Wednesday afternoon is never boring. Sometimes students are in charge of the assembly, sometimes parents talk about their ministry, and every once in a while we play games.

Yesterday in Assembly we played one of Pastor Dave’s extremely wild and wacky games, like Djiboutian Baseball which we played last year at the plateau. This time we played Blind Flamingo Kickball which was completely different, but involved some ridiculous and challenging rules nonetheless and really mixed up traditional kickball.

Rule one: The fielding team has to stand on one leg, hold the other leg with their strong hand, and pickup and throw the ball with their weak hand.

Rule two: The kicking team has to kick and run the bases blindfolded.

As the rules would indicate this game held great potential for embarrassment as standing on one leg the whole time actually proved quite challenging. We divided up into our Field Day teams and played two games at once out on the field: Green vs. Yellow, and Gray vs. Blue. Yellow and Gray were the winners. Both the Secondary and Elementary students got a chance to play. It was a lot of fun for everyone who participated.

Besides having fun during our usual assembly period Pastor Dave actually used these games to teach important life lessons. To help the runner run the bases, the kicking team was allowed to put coaches at each base. The runner needed to know the voice of their coach and listen very carefully to it. Many times the fielding team tried to yell at the runner and confuse them. Pastor Dave talked about how we need to be firmly grounded in the Bible so that we would be able to recognize voices that are trying to lead us astray. When it was my turn to kick I made sure I knew who my coaches were so that I could know whose voice to listen for. In the same way I think it is very important to read the Bible daily and be strongly grounded in God’s Word. Pastor Dave talked about how we need to set our hearts and minds on things above not on earthly things.

Yesterday’s assembly was a good example of how fun and games can be used to teach spiritual truth. Sahel’s integration of spiritual values into every aspect of school is something that I think many students may take for granted but will ultimately be very thankful for.  ~Matt

 The masquerade was a wonderful evening of elegance and relaxation. Considering that it was placed right before a couple of very busy weeks, Student Council did an amazing job. They worked incredibly hard to bring together a wonderful banquet. There was good food, an amusing raffle and hard to beat dancing. The grassy area was decorated with Christmas lights, glittering masks and purple, black and blue sashes. The atmosphere was comfortable, yet very sophisticated with the aroma of pasta primavera, lasagna and spaghetti with meat sauce floating in the air. Everyone started out by socializing and checking out each other’s creative masks. We all then sat down for a delicious Italian buffet. As we were eating, a raffle was held that required the ‘winner’ to do something crazy to get the prize. After supper was over, you could either watch Beauty and The Beast or learn the Waltz and Two-step. The evening ended with laughter and I would say it was a completely successful evening! ~Jessica