Lately

Just wanted to update you on our activities of late...
One exciting development is that we have started an English corner at our house.  The first one was last Saturday evening--we invited students that we've met who attend the college.  All of them came and some brought friends, so we had 11 students come.  Most of the students are English majors and hope to teach English in the local public schools after they graduate. Right now their opportunities for practicing English with native English speakers are very few, so we thought since we live across the road from the college, we could provide a comfortable environment for them to come practice with us.  Each time we meet we'll have discussion, games, and skits all centered around the topic of the evening.  Then David and I will do a voice recording of a dialogue about the topic, discuss the recording together, and then send it home with them for them to listen to for more practice.  We hope it will be helpful for them, as well as comfortable and enjoyable.  This past week at least was fun... the kids were ready for bed when the students began arriving, so they had fun meeting our friends and showing them their room and toys, etc.  The "aunties" enjoyed reading to and talking with the kids, and singing them bedtime songs.  Then some of the girls helped me finish baking cookies before we got started.  The topic of the evening was "Learning a Second Language" and we talked about things that are helpful, frustrating, difficult, etc.  It's fun to have a mutual understanding with them in this area!  Anyway, we're really hoping to deepen our friendships with these young students and have an impact on their lives, so be thinking with us about that!
Another happening of late is that David got his driver's license (which was quite an accomplishment!--Go Dave!) and this past weekend we bought a van!  We'd been really considering this for a while, and are excited about being able to more easily visit new places and get to know about the situations and opportunities that are around us. We're going this weekend with a friend to a nearby village and looking forward to what comes out of our time spent there. Thanks for remembering us as we get out and about more.. and ask for safety as we go!  =)