Greetings from Tanzania where the rains have come early, most of the crops have been planted, and a general attitude of optimism has taken hold. As many of you know, last year was a year of drought across most of Tanzania. The region right around Waama was spared this drought and we actually had a very good harvest, but many of our students were not so fortunate. We are all very thankful that the rains have come, even early, and have been in great abundance. We serve a good God!
We are already almost done with the first semester here at Waama! It is amazing how fast time is flying. Classes are going really well despite a very heavy work load. I'm teaching 8 credits of new material this semester (plus 3 credits of old) and have had to prepare all this material from scratch. God has been gracious and I feel like the students are learning a lot. I have been able to write all my notes in Swahili so future teachers won't also have to start from scratch. A couple weeks ago we received our last student (I think!), bringing the total to 52. Capacity is 72 but we are trusting that God will provide for the financial needs of the school despite the low attendance. Finals are in two weeks then all the students will return home for a two-week Christmas break before returning in early January for the start of second semester.
Jesse and I decided not to try to do any Jesus Film ministry this semester. This is mainly due to our heavy class load, but Jesse also had a 1.5 week trip to Dubai in the middle of the semester which also disrupted our plans. So in the end we decided that we would just wait and start this ministry 2nd semester.
Jesse and I "celebrated" Thanksgiving last week... by making coffee cake and strawberry cheesecake (from a package we brought from the States)!
Not much of a celebration, but our cook was at home taking care of her husband who had been vomiting blood and was in the hospital. We are thankful that he is back home now and doing better. We are also thankful for so many things! We are very thankful for each of you who keep Jesse and I in your prayers! We are also very thankful for electricity here on campus - it has totally transformed the school. Everybody is so much more productive and the school's energy bill is a fraction of what it used to be (buying diesel for the generator was extremely costly!).
In a week and a half I will be boarding a plane bound for the US! I will be spending almost a month in the States spending time with Adela, her family, friends, and my whole family! This will be the first time in over 5 years that my whole family will be together! I'm greatly looking forward to being back "home" for Christmas and New Year's. In early January I'll be returning to Tanzania to finish out the school year.
Praise God for...
- rain! This is such a huge blessing and will help alleviate the suffering from last year's drought.
- getting us through 1st semester. It has been a ton of work, but both Jesse and I feel like it has gone very well. 2nd and 3rd semesters won't have such a heavy work load.
- God's protection - for us, for our cook's husband, and for all the students and teachers.
Please pray for...
- a strong finish to 1st semester and a good start to 2nd semester.
- Christmas Break. For me as I travel back to the States. For Jesse as he's not sure yet what he's going to do. For the students as they head home, visit their families, and plant their fields.
- the future. It appears that this will be our last year at Waama, but neither of Jesse or I have any clear direction for next year.
Thank you for partnering with us in this ministry. May God bless you,
Ben
