Remember the Sacrifice

Kelsi and I are enjoying some respite from the heat right now. (I'm sure those of you experiencing the cold front in Wisconsin aren't annoyed by that statement at all! :) )This week has been mostly cloudy with a heavy rain storm or two striking most days. A few of the storms created rushing rivers on campus, although amazingly the ground was always dry by the afternoon. After living in Seattle, where the rain is misty and persistent, it is still strange to see the storms pass so quickly on even the gloomiest days.

Sharon and John left yesterday afternoon for the States. We were able to enjoy one final walk with them the previous evening, capped off by dinner at a favorite restaurant. They gave us beautiful chitenges as parting gifts (our first ones!) before they headed for the airport. We will miss them a lot, but we have their email addresses to keep in touch and meet again someday.

We have had another enjoyable week with the ladies and children. The women and their children have been increasingly opening up with us, and even our shyest children have recently started reaching for hugs. Like I say all the time, it is such a joy to spend our days with them. Now more than ever, we are feeling like we are part of the community here. Yes, we still have halted conversations and vast cultural differences, but the more we get to know the people here, the more we find in common. It still amazes me how much we laugh during class. For women who claim they don't know English, they catch on to a lot of our jokes! (We are choosing to ignore the possibility that they are humoring us or laughing at us in favor of this more desirable belief. :) ) The more we get to know them and their unique personalities, the more attached we get. It is going to be hard to say good bye in a couple months!

We attended Bethel (the church just down the road) for the Maundy Thursday service tonight. It ended solemnly, as the lights dimmed and women removed the altar decorations, symbolizing Jesus' sacrifice. This time of year is very humbling as I'm reminded of my sin and the price that was paid to remove it once and for all. God does not give us what we deserve, and we praise him for that!! Blessings on your Holy Week!