A CALLING – Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” Isaiah 6:8
ANNETTE BAIDOO – PRINCIPAL OF ELIM SPRINGS ACADEMY
I was born and raised in London, now I am living and working for the Lord in Ghana, West Africa. I never thought in my wildest dreams that I would be working in Africa. It was twenty years ago that the Lord impressed upon my heart to start a school; He didn’t tell me where, but I knew one day I would own my own school. During the years of raising my family and getting on with life, I qualified as a psychiatric nurse, which opened many doors in the health services. It led me to work with the elderly, people with special needs, and the terminally ill. When I look back now, it was quite evident that the Lord was preparing me for the bigger picture that I could not yet see. The vision is for an appointed time!
For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. Habakkuk 2:3
Years rolled by while the Lord allowed me to gain all the skills I now need to manage the school. Can you also identify with this Divine way of preparation? I was trained in Childcare development, and I managed a nursery school in London for 6 years. It was a great and joyful eye opener. During this time the Lord led me to the Accelerated Christian Education programme through a student who was on her work placement. He has now taken me through years of things I did not understand, to clearly seeing the bigger picture.
It was at that moment that my spirit cried out “Yes! This is what the Lord wants me to do.” I booked myself (and subsequently my husband) on the ACE training in London.
Meanwhile, over years, my husband and I planned for and built a retirement home in Ghana when we toured the country on holidays. The many little children not attending school always troubled my heart. In several dreams, the Lord showed me that I will be amidst African Children. So, we went!
Exodus 15:27 – The Israelites came to Elim
Elim Springs Academy opened its doors in Accra, the capital of Ghana, in 2016, for children from 6 months to Preschool. We do not have the 70 palm trees or twelve springs but there are trees surrounding the school and a little waterfall in the front. Soon, we registered more than 70 children.
We are an inclusive, Christian learning community in partnership with a contemporary home and church family where students are inspired to discover and develop their God given gifts, abilities and character for a life of service to the Lord. Children are encouraged to pursue excellence in all they do.
Could we sustain this during the Covid-19 lockdown? As many of you can testify with me, challenges strengthen us and give us new ideas. Indeed, we survived by encouraging parents to collaborate with the teachers. Teachers learned, like anyone else, to be more creative in the ways they use technology such as WhatsApp video and diligent daily communication with the children via Zoom. I ensured quality by checking the videos and work sent out. Lockdown soon eased but the children have not yet returned to school, so the online learning continues. LearnCloud has also been helpful.
WHERE IN AFRICA IS GHANA AND CAN YOU VISIT US?
The Republic of Ghana is a West African country on the Gulf of Guinea. Previously named the Gold Coast, Ghana gained independence from the UK in 1957. It is surrounded by Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso and Togo. Ghana has a population of over 31 million. English is the official language. Among eighty other languages, Akan is the indigenous language most widely spoken. You will find Ghanaians proud of their culture and they love to welcome people from all over to enjoy the mix of their local customs and way of living. I believe our school is such a success because Ghanaians value the family as an institution, have respect for the elderly, honour traditional rulers and understand the importance of dignity and proper social conduct. Elim Springs is a happy place to be. Children do not want to go home at the end of the day; they have great fun and learn from the time they enter the gates of this child friendly school where the equipment is within their reach and they are taught how to look after it. You can view our different innovative ‘rooms’, namely the Mustard Seed, Sunshine, Rainbow, Ark and Rising Stars Rooms under ‘About’ on our web page. I hope this testimony would inspire someone. If God has spoken to you to do something, just obey. He will equip you to fulfil his plans! Ghana, Accra, West Africa https://www.elimspringsacademy.org/
