Children's Bible Class

We've had a variety of things going on the last couple of weeks. One of the things I'm doing this month is teaching the small children's Bible class. The students range from about 18 months to approximately 6 or 7. I really enjoy teaching these little ones; it has been quite a while since I've taught this age. The ladies have it set up where the same teacher teaches for a month, and so I volunteered to teach the small class during the month of May. Last Sunday I taught a class on "Jesus Wants Us to Be Good Workers". We had a lesson on the ant, from Prov. 6, and the lessons that God wants us to learn from the ant. The children were fascinated with the jar of ants that I brought to class. The children also did a craft, which included making ants from their thumb prints. I'm almost sure that was the first time they had taken a thumb print before! I demonstrated first, so they would know what I wanted them to do, but it was humorous trying to get some of their thumbs to cooperate. :) They seemed to enjoy it very much, and even the shyest one was very anxious to take her paper to her mother.

The girls and I have been doing some deeper house cleaning. We do not have a usable vacuum at the moment, and so we have to take other measures to clean our big braided rug. On a sunny day, we decided to take it outside and give it a bath, since sweeping just wasn't doing the job. We beat it with sticks, then washed it with the hose, and let it hang dry for a couple of days. Reminded us of stories we've read about pioneer house cleaning!

Campaigners will be arriving in two weeks! We've had a lot of busy work, getting ready for Safari for Souls 2008. Personal work booklets have been printed and are ready to go, tracts have been brought to Moshi, last weekend the missionary ladies had a meeting to discuss our work during the campaign, and later that day, the men met as well to discuss details pertinent to them. Julie Richardson and I have planned out which days we will eat where, to help distribute the work load as far as feeding our guests. Julia, Lindsey and I are beginning to think about things we can cook and ahead and get into the freezer, to make our days a little easier. Lessons are being prepared, especially for the seminar week, which is the second week of June. In addition to all that we are doing here in Tanzania, a number of people in the states are making preparations to travel here. We'd really appreciate your prayers regarding this effort, both for the spiritual impact that we can have on others, and for the safety of all. The roads are dangerous, and we will be traveling even more than usual.

Over the last few weeks we've had to deal with some particularly stressful challenges, and with these challenges come the reminder that human nature is much the same everywhere. Some people may view the mission field with rose colored glasses, thinking that we are always working in an environment full of people who are thirsting for the Word, and always interested in doing what is right. Such is far from reality. However, we do know that there are many people who are sincerely desiring to do what is right, and that we are blessed to be where we are. We love the work here, and are thankful for the opportunity to serve God in this place.

We are also getting anxious about our furlough, for which we have begun making plans. We have domestic tickets purchased for some travel in the States, and hopefully we will be purchasing our tickets for the international segment of our travels soon. All of us are anxious to spend time with our family and friends. We are particularly mindful of several who have so generously sent funds to help with our furlough travel. Thank you hardly seems adequate in expressing our gratitude.

May God continue to bless each of us, as we strive to do His will.

Love,
Joy

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