Final Update From the 2008 Trip

Dear Mother,

Our adventure is nearing an end, and I look forward to seeing you soon.

Saturday was an extreme high for us. We drove to a mountain village where we celebrated with a Christian family whose father had recently become a believer. The family then burned his spirit shelves, cups and tokens that had been made to the spirits (Many of the people live in fear of "the spirits" that they have to keep appeased to avoid misfortune). We made a fire in his yard and watched a lifetime of fear get consumed by the Great Comforter. We took part in the baptism of four people that afternoon! It was a beautiful day in so many ways.

We've been teaching about 8 hours a day. Our good friends Ahtapa and Leah are starting a Christian school and the students are very eager to learn the English language. Once they learn the language, they can begin using a Christian curriculum that they have chosen from the US .

A typical weekday goes something like this:

• Devotions with the kids is at 5:00 AM. This is lead by us (well, I usually get left in a bag or on the table in the hut, but they seem to handle it okay). We've been going through the Fruits of the Spirit.
• Devotions with the team is at 5:30ish. We've read through the book of John, and now we're in Job. This involves (requires) some sweet coffee.
• A wonderful breakfast with eggs, bread and jelly, and/or fresh fruit is usually waiting for us after devotions.
• Classes begin at 7:00. I hadn't realized how easy it is to confuse "R" and "L". And how do you explain the difference between how "chin" and "shin" are pronounced?
• Lunch is 11:00-1:00 and is a much needed break for everyone.
• Afternoon classes are from 1:00-4:00. We've decided that in the game "hang-man," the man never really has to die; you can just keep putting clothes on him, an umbrella in his hand and things in the back ground, like bicycles or trees.
• From 4:00-6:30 we have free-time to play with the kids.
• Supper is served around 6:30 and is always wonderful.
• We lead devotions with the kids at 7:30. This involves songs, Bible reading and a story through an interpreter.
• We usually crash by 10:00 PM (to be ready again by 5:00 AM).

So we've stayed very busy, but we managed a few trips to the market and other adventures.

Tuesday we taught at the public school. The teachers were so happy to have English teachers/speakers they gave us the freedom to teach however we chose, so we taught Christian songs (One song, for example, explained that Jesus is the "King of the Jungle" and he created you and me).

We also visited a ministry called "Partners" that is teaching people how to make soap and grow a fast growing tree called Maringa whose leaves can be eaten as a nutritional supplement, like organic vitamins.

Anyway, your favorite green and yellow dinosaur is having a wonderful time. I've been dropped (or thrown rather) in the dirt a couple times, but all in all I'm better for it.

Blessings to you,

MEBS (Mercedes, Emily, Brian, and Sarah)