Once again, no news is good news. We’ve had no new muggings or political unrest, and most everyone is beginning to feel ‘safe’ again. 

This is a very busy time for the students. They have 5 more school days left in this trimester, so final projects are due, and final exams are being given. The computer lab is constantly occupied with students working on papers. Although everyone is tired, anticipation of the coming 5-week break keeps us all ‘sane’.

Here’s a glimpse into our lives today. Bob is working with his 8th Graders who are making ‘ancient artifacts’ out of clay. I don’t know who is having more fun – Bob or his kids. I am overseeing some local technicians from whom the school has purchased 3 computer systems as they assemble and load these new systems. Kids and computers are the same all around the world.

Pray for students and staff as we finish school work and prepare for different ministries over the break. We thank you for these prayers; we get a ‘warm, fuzzy feeling’ when we think about your praying for us. Those prayers reach across the miles.

Praises were offered yesterday in our All Staff meeting for improved conditions in the local area. As most of the bandits who were responsible for the recent robberies have been apprehended (and killed), we aren’t hearing of any more thefts taking place in town. Some have even felt safe enough to venture ‘out to eat’ in the evenings.

As our trimester is coming to an end (only 2 more weeks), we are amazed at how quickly time has flown. We will soon be 1/3 of the way through our first year. We praise the Lord for the warm reception we received here and for being able to jump right in to the ministry without being made to feel like rookies. (Although at times, our rookie status definitely shows.) Adjustments have been less than expected, and we’re sure this is because of the willingness of all around us to help wherever they can.

But the tough times are coming, and this is what we ask you to pray for. Holidays have always been very special for us as we gather with family, especially at Thanksgiving. We are told that there are some wonderful traditions here at ICA to help us through these times. We are also planning on traveling with a missions team from our home church to Mali over the break; this will help fill some of the ‘void’.

Pray for our families back home, also. Although we all rejoice in how the Lord has placed us here, we will all still feel the ‘missing’. I know your prayers will go a long way in helping us through this time of celebration.

It’s so good to come back to you each week and thank you for the prayers we know you have offered on our behalf. We have been able to complete the purchase of the vehicle God has provided for us, and now we feel like real career missionaries, rather than short-termers who borrow school vehicles (which aren’t always available). 

Spiritual Emphasis Week is over, but if the testimonies at the bonfire Friday night were any indication, the impact will be lasting. The students were challenged to be humble, to be more sensitive to others, and to be encouragers – good lessons for us all!

Christmas has already arrived at ICA since Leaving Day is Nov. 21st. Some dorms are decorating and making cookies, while Student Senate is planning next week’s Christmas banquet. The high school boys are being extremely creative in asking the girls to the banquet. Invitations range all the way from a singing telegram at meal time to an individualized quiz with the big question (teacher cooperation) to having the big question on an overhead during song time in chapel. One guy even came charging up on a borrowed horse to sweep his girl off her feet. I think the invitations are actually the fun part; the banquet will be anticlimactic.

Thank you again for your prayers and for being faithful where you are. We like to think of you all as you meet on Sundays and Wednesday; they are special times during the week when we know what our loved ones are doing. It feels like we’re connecting with ‘home’. Thank you for being there.