Monkey Sighting!

As Kelsi and I gathered our materials after morning class with the wives, one of the ladies hurried back into the room. "Monkeys!" Kelsi and I ran outside to catch a glimpse. About ten monkeys were hopping along the fence and climbing the trees right by our classroom. Kelsi took a few pictures and a video, so we have proof. It was quite exciting!

We had several good classes with the ladies this week. We are already seeing improvements in their reading and writing. Although it can be slightly more challenging, we also aim to incorporate at least one speaking activity per class.

We played Memory with our tutoring kids yesterday. Instead of matching pictures, they had to match a number to the corresponding word (1 to one, for example). We definitely underestimated how much the kids would love this game. They went crazy! One child in particular - Trust - was extremely giddy. Trust is a sweet and reserved seven-year-old. He usually has a pained expression on his face, presumably from thinking so hard. Although he works hard and is always eager to learn, Kelsi and I have seen him smile only a few times in the past couple weeks. Until yesterday...this kid went WILD for Memory. I had never heard him laugh, and he was laughing hysterically. We ended up playing three rounds with his group because it was so hilarious. Kelsi sneaked a video of Trust, and when our Internet cooperates, we will post it. So funny!

It was a gorgeous day yesterday and today. The beginning of the week was cold - about 60 degrees (cue the eye rolls). That weather is apparently pretty typical in the winter months of May and June, but abnormal for this time of year. Today was beautiful, though, and we soaked up the sun during our game of netball with the ladies. We caught on to the rules quickly - it's basically basketball without the dribbling - and we were soon running and laughing with the rest of the women. Kelsi and I love spending time with the women outside of class; they can be so silly!

Speaking of netball...shout out to my former teammates of the WLC basketball team! They are playing in the first round game of the national tournament tonight. Last year at this time, I was running around on a basketball court with them; I never would have believed that a year from then I would be running around on a dirt "court" in Africa!

It was another wonderful day and week in Africa. God is so good! Kelsi and I are grateful every day for the opportunity to be here, and we pray that God continues to equip us to serve in Lusaka.