First Day of School

April 9, 2007

hello prayer team!

my students have arrived! i am so blessed by who God has brought here to learn English. We have people from Arusha, several from Kilimanjaro, three Masai, and many more. There are 25 total. I believe four of them are pastors. Yesterday we had base orientation and today we had class orientation. Some of the guys came dressed in coats and ties for their first day of school. When I was leading the class I was looking out on all these bright faces! They are so excited to learn English! One guy told me I should discipline them with work duty if they don't speak English around the base! Another woman asked me to help her read a book in ministering to street children. So I think they really do want to learn. Most of them speak a little English, but pray that they will understand and that it will come easily to them.

Tomorrow I will proctor an assessment exam to find out their level of English. This will involve a written test that I was given and a 2-3 minute one-on-one conversation. I'm excited to spend time with each of them individually!

Things are going well on the base. Two of my friends here, who were doing the Bible school, are leaving tomorrow. Even though i've only known them a week I feel like i've known them forever, so I'm sad to see them go. The girls are throwing them a surprise going away party tonight...which involves fruit, candy, and soda from town.

I am living with a woman from Korea and she made me Korean food for dinner! It's so fun experiencing new cultures while being in Africa! God's not limiting my cultural experiences to the country i'm in, but expanding it through the many countries represented here on base.

It's also amazing to meet people who have been working on the mission field for years: people who are called and have dedicated such a major portion of their lives to serving others. I have so much respect for them. Knowing I am only here for three months makes everything a lot easier to adjust to and work within, but being in another country indefinitely really is a big sacrifice.

Another interesting wedding detail: after weddings the cars drive through town in a really slow procession. The lead car is an open jeep with guys standing up in the back playing horn instruments!! It's a wedding parade! Do you think we could get away with that in Point Loma for Ashley's wedding? Maybe some dancing down the aisle too?

Please also pray for my students who are away from their families for this course. Many are making a lot of sacrifices to be here....personal and financial. Pray that this will expand their ministries, give them more opportunities, and bring glory to God.

A final tid bit: One of my students, Solomoni, is a Maasai and my friend Hannah asked him what he does at home. He told her that he and his friends kill lions! Then they keep their tails to dance with. He is such a gentle and respectful man....but he kills lions!

Thank you for your prayers, and I hope this finds you all well,
God bless,
Christina