Facilitating Relational Learning

On Sunday 5 November 2023, I returned home exhausted, but bubbling with joy after attending a week-long training in Nairobi, Kenya where we learnt to facilitate relational learning. This training was another module of the Entrust program I signed up for earlier this year.

The Entrust program is based on the Scriptural calling of 2 Timothy 2:2.

“And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people
who will also be qualified to teach others.”

“Facilitating relational learning” (FRL) is actually the first module of Entrust, but I had completed the second module, “Developing a Discerning Heart” (DDH) in May here in Zambia before attending FRL. I personally think this is the better order because DDH deals with heart matters and helps us look inward, while FRL guides us to look outward as we prepare to lead Bible studies and teach others.

When Ramonda Lunsford asked me if I would like to attend the training in Nairobi, I was hesitant. We had limited funds, and I knew it would be quite a stretch to make the trip. I told her I would talk to Michael about it and see if we could make it work. Michael, however, said that it just wasn’t going to be possible under our current financial situation. I went back to Ramonda feeling disheartened, but she reassured me that scholarships would be available if I wanted to go and that money should not be a factor in holding me back. I was ecstatic, but still couldn’t help but anticipate something going wrong. It was only when I held my flight tickets in my hand that I truly believed my dream was going to come true.

Journey to Kenya

My flight to Nairobi was at 2 AM on Saturday morning. Michael dropped me off at the airport the previous night, and I had no chance to get any sleep. When I arrived at the venue, I was looking forward to catching up on sleep before our classes started in the afternoon. Unfortunately, our rooms weren’t ready, so we spent the morning getting to know each other and trying to find a place to rest.

That evening was a welcome to Entrust and an opportunity to meet the other participants. I was so exhausted that I slept soundly that night and woke up feeling refreshed and ready to learn.

I expected to learn a lot from the training, and I was not disappointed. Actually it exceeded my expectations by far! Every day was packed full of lessons, with just enough time for lunch and tea breaks. There were four facilitators in my group – three from the USA and one from Kenya – and participants from 10 different countries, including Namibia, Chad, Ghana, Uganda, Kenya, and South Africa. We learned how to dismantle a passage of scripture and identify the who, what, how, and where of the passage, in order to define the big idea of the passage and its original message. We also learned to develop good open questions and create a launch, transitions, and a summary for our devotions and lessons. 

Taking a break

Although we worked hard, we also got a wonderful opportunity to take a mid-week break to go on an outing. They took us to a forest in Nairobi where we enjoyed a hike and good fellowship with the other participants. Our day out was concluded with a picnic lunch in the forest which turned out to be quite a buffet-like spread. On our way back we had opportunity to do some shopping at the Kenyan Maasai market and shops where I stocked up on good Kenyan teas and tea masala spices.

When I returned home, I was overflowing with joy and knowledge. I am filled with gratitude for those who have given funds to make the scholarships possible. I am grateful for the opportunity to attend the training and excited to use my newfound skills to lead Bible studies and teach others.