February 5, 2013



PROUD STREET SWEEPER



ENGLISH CLASS WITH THEIR JOURNALS



Check out the road to English, it looks better in this pic



Mick, is this one of your satellite schools?



Typical transportation to church - who knows where



I can't keep up with him

This past week we made an error in judgment.  We chose to visit a family out in Motupa Thursday evening.  It was daylight as we traveled there and we are getting use to the roads, so when we turned off the "tar" road and started on the dirt road it was no problem.  However, the dirt road ended and we were left with an open field to navigate before finding their home.  We made it, had a wonderful visit and then said our good-byes.  As we walked out to the car a visitor in their home, who had joined us for the evening, pulled Ed aside and very quietly said, "I want to go to church, but I'm embarrassed because I have nothing to wear."  Ed listened, showed concern, made no promises, and then we started on our way home.  It was dark by now.   Dark is an understatement, it was pitch black.  I prayed all the way to the tar road and made up my mind that ALL visits from now on will be made in the light of day.  Such was our mistake; however, safely home the next morning we went to Woolworths and bought church clothes that looked like they would fit a 17 year old young man.  We delivered them.  I'm happy to say that when we arrived at church Sunday morning he met us at the gate in his new clothes.  He then greeted everyone else who came and personally opened and closed the gate with the largest smile you have ever seen.  

English class is going well.  Above is a picture of some of our students and a look at just one of the roads that we travel.  The rain has made huge ruts in most of the roads, making driving a bit of a challenge.  This particular day we were driving along slowly and a few children, who come to the class, saw our car and started running alongside us.  They were so close that we had to stop.  I rolled down my window to talk to them and they reached their arms inside and started hugging me, kissing me, and running their fingers through my hair as they said, "English teacher."  I couldn't help but get out and walk the rest of the way with them.  We feel so loved. 

We  visited with a few young Father's this week who are dealing with the pains of unemployment (85% in our area).  As we talked with Chiromo in his home the topic of blessings came up and he told us that he thinks the Lord has forgotten  him.  I was holding his adorable one year old son and hugged the baby as I told Chiromo that I was holding a very precious blessing.  He smiled and couldn't help but agree.  We had a good visit.  Ed has since arranged for him and a few others to attend a career workshop.  We keep our fingers crossed as we all look for employment opportunities and talk about possible education options.     

If we haven't had a chance to tell you, our church services are in English, but most of the members in Motupa speak Sotu or Zulu and have a very difficult time expressing even simple thoughts in English. (Another challenge) Last Sunday Samuel struggled to tell all of us that God loves us, not necessarily because we are so good, but because He is so good.  We appreciated his sweet message and would like to share it with you.  We love and miss you!!   

Ed and Jolene