INTRODUCTION Teachers and leaders that we have encouraged or trained to observe and sketch the heavens often provide us examples of their recorded observations. In a very real sense, all of us are students as we observe the created heavens, but these sketches are from those who have responsibilities to provide instruction or example or leadership to others. These functions usually mean that we (we include ourselves) are interested in others, curious about what God has made, and want others to appreciate what He has done. Hence, when these ladies and gentlemen provide us samples of their work, it is our distinct pleasure to show them. In many places we go, there is no internet or venue where these sketches and their observing/sketching learning process can be seen. We may only see some of these people once, so the opportunities to get samples of their material are few. We hope you enjoy their work.
UGANDA, NYAMABUGA We have worked with three teachers at the Nyamabuga Primary and Secondary School who are charged with teaching astronomical observing from a Biblical view to their students. None of them had ever observed the skies in a practiced manner, used optics (telescopes or binoculars), or sketched as a means of recording observations. During our trips in 2008 and 2009 we began to train them to train their students. As they got excited, we got excited. These men also directed the on-site observing contest that we sponsored that was responsible for children submitting sketches for us to judge. One sketch paper is shown from each gentleman.
TEACHERS FROM THAILAND We met Thawai and Keo Chaisuk from Thailand in late summer 2009 at a friend's house. During our conversation they expressed interest in the AOBV training, which they wanted to incorporate into a little but expanding Christian school in a small village in Thailand. They returned to Virginia a few weeks later and we worked with them 3 days and nights with the curriculum and equipment. We also had 3 clear nights, so they were able to learn the equipment and observe. Thawai is also a pastor of a church; both are teachers in the little school; they have nine children--most of them adopted. When they left, we gave them an equipment set and the curriculum so they can get started upon returning home.
