First full day in Makumbo = Success!

Hello all!



I've finally gotten internet here in Sierra Leone! We have had a rather interesting trip so (rather)! But, it's going great! I have been writing updates every night on my laptop, but, of course I forgot to bring a cord to hook it up to the computer in the internet cafe, so I'll just have to recap what's been happening (you're really missing out! My update the first day we arrived, and waited for 3 1/2 hours in a thunder storm for the ferry was PARTICULARY fascinating!).



Anyways, the first night was a bit rough (along with above mentioned wait, we also had police stop us and search the vehicles), but it's totaly going great now!





The next day (12th) we started out early for the American Embassy in Freetown, to try and get the visa for Yanoh. Unfortunately there are some problems, so please pray! We're hoping we can get the visa when we get in Freetown again.



The welcoming ceremony was AMAZING as usual! We were given African names, and it was pretty cool!



Today (13th) the team split into two seperate teams! Jeff, Karen, Peter, and Anna were in one group (instructing the teachers using the Story of God curriculum) and Dave, Mo, and myself were in the other one. We were teaching the kids the story of David and Goliath, and we showed them a video. It was a great success!

A word from Anna: HELLO!

Working with the teachers met and exceeded our first day expectations. Jeff lead well with the Story of God, inviting a good dialogue with them. We got through the first two stories, and then recalled it with them...having them teach it back to us in groups of two. I worked with two men and experience two very different levels of knowlege and teaching abilities. However, when they taught it to their classes, it went very well. Many of the children do not know English, only Krio, so translation is needed. We will refine the process futher in the next week as we go through all 12 stories. It was very encouraging and I'm looking forward to working more with them.

And we had a rockn' dance party tonight...Pete on DJ...we all (or Pete and I) dancing to the beats with our new friends... loved it!!!

It's Megan again:

Anyways, we could use your prayers on Yanoh's visa, the condition of the compound, patience, endurence, that the teachers would learn how to communicate the Story of God to their class, that the children would truly understand everything we are trying to make learn about God's great love for them, the baptisims tomorrow, the Jesus video we are taking to Rogbum tomorrow, and every other random thing I really cannot remember right now...a tiring day plus a large plate of chips (fries) does not make for clear thinking (and there is no spellcheck here, so....)

Thanks! We really apreciate your prayers!

-Megan