Report on First Catalist workshop.

Place: Botswana, D'Kar

Participants: D'Kar, East-Hanahai,Tshobokwane, Shakawe, Ukwi, New-Xade

Language groups: Naro, Dcui, Dxana, Khwedam, !xoo

Facilitator: Durk Meijer Trainee: Rogers Ambe

Translation consultant: Hessel Visser

SE Coordinator: Coby Visser

Sponsored by SEED company

Participants:

Scripture Engagement : Catalist workshop - content

This was the first Catalist workshop amongst the SAN in Botswana.

San people and translators from 5 different languages were together

The goal of this workshop:

How to communicate Scripture when it is not written available.

There for we used this three days to learn more about

1. Why am I here
2. Communication
3. How to learn a story from the Bible
4. Practice a story from the Bible

Why am I here: To learn about bible storytelling and to use it in my community amongst my people

                              To learn from others in our different culture groups

                              To communicate with translators from other language groups

                              The mission takes us to Matt 28:19-20

Discipleship through stories and anecdotes. Gods want to restore relationship. John 3:16

God deserves the praise and glory and honor.

Communication: We discussed what do I want to communicate. When we want to communicate about the Scripture we should realize, that it is not us, but that God communicate through us. God will use us, our skills. There for we have to be a good listeners, reading the Bible ourselves, and stay in close relations hip with our Creator through prayer.

Communication is more than speaking. There are several ways to express communication. This was discussed and explained how we can use the Bible in this way. Several times it was said that we should remember the goal, that God is glorified amongst people.

Communication to who? Everyone. God's word is not for the ones we like, but for everyone. God use people to spread His word. Storytelling by using the stories of the Bible is one of them. God has given you several gifts and maybe you can tell stories for the Bible to others.

How to learn a story from the Bible:

The story Daniel and Darius was chosen as a learning tool.

General information, what is needed for learning the story

• How do you learn the story
• Study the situation of the story, where it was in the Bible
• The story needs to have a clear start and clear end
• The story needs to communicate a biblical truth
• Ask questions about the story
  • What is good in this story?
  • What is not good in this story?
  • What did you like about the story?
  • What did you not like about this story?
  • Who are the characters in this story?
  • Who do you want to be? The satraps/regional leaders? Darius? Daniel? Are you ready to be thrown into the lions’ den?
  • What does that mean for you today? What will that mean for you today?

• We are not telling the people what we want them to do but they themselves begin to see what it means for them.
• Using questions drawing people back into the story to correct when people draw the wrong conclusions.
• Considering how, to whom and when should a story be told.

Day 2 and 3

The next two days was practicing the story and in between the following topics were discussed:

• Different stories in the Bible, making wise choices on where to begin
• Advantages use your heart language
• Essential things that always have to be in the story
• Difference between Bible story-telling and oral Bible and sermon
• Story sets (themes, church issues, community issues, become disciple, etc.)
• How to shorten a story if needed
• How to get the message clear
• The use of technology (pre-recorded stories audio and video) and pictures
• Ways to express this story (other communication art forms like song, drama, etc.)
• Other forms of media (book, computer, TV, radio, cell phone, MP3 player like from Davar partners etc.)
• Different settings for using the story (church, farms, home, around the fire, etc.)
• Empowering people (story clubs, etc.)

Scripture Engagement: Availability amongst the present SAN group

What is available in the language?

Naro      New Testament, children books, stories from the gospels, bible studies, encouragement cards, calendars, tapes, etc.

!xoo       Chapters from Genesis in print and some portions in draft

Khwedam Chapters from Genesis, Job and Mark

/Gui       Some stories on tape

//Gana  Some stories on tape

Conclusion

This was an eye opener for several participants.

It was very good for translators to meet other translators.

A big encouragement especially for the !xoo people who work very isolated.

A great opportunity for the /Gui and //Gana. They feel their language group is small, but the need big and they are not left out. Something can be given to them through them.

A stimulants for the Naro group to see, how advantage, their skills and knowledge can means a lot for the other groups.

There is laid a foundation to start in spreading Gods word by storytelling amongst their own people.

Recommendation and Follow up

1. Orality workshops should follow for all the different language groups
2. Have a list prepared/homework for the people who has to prepare for the next workshop
3. Supervisor should follow up the groups and help to prepare for the next workshop

Report prepared by Coby Visser, D'kar 02-08-2013

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