Wednesday the 3rd: 9 am

Hi again, thought I would write a little note and share some of what is going on. First thank you all for praying the elevator is working and the lights keep going out. Lela and I were at the mall yesterday and sure enough the electricity went out as we were looking for towels. We happened to be on the second floor. Talk about an interesting time trying to find our way around to the now stopped escalator and walk down praying it would not start up until we were on the first floor. PTL the lights came on shortly after arriving on the first floor.

My classes are interesting and lively. The students would not make it in the states bot because of their intelligence but their inability to sit for any length of time in class. They come and go at will but hopefully that will change this next week as the add/drop time is over this Friday. Because of this flex I am not exactly sure how many I have in class. I broke my Marriage and Family class into two separate classes Monday and Wednesday. Hopefully this will help on classroom management as I will be able to implement some guidelines for attendance, tardiness and their talkativeness. Not having textbooks for the sudents poses a different problem. the students now copy my notes, and agendas. They are wonderful kids and very respectful so you don't know if you have offended them or not. Five of them want me to be their grandma. they also have some real hardships. Some are experiencing abandonment from their parents. Once they are sent to school regardless of age, the parents place the rearing of their children in the hands of their teachers. They fell rejected and hurt and do not understand why? Other students have mixed faith parents like one girl whose father is Muslim and mother is a Christan. She says there is not any arguing or apparent conflict in there home so I am having her interview them as her couple. She is a sweetie and it is very hard not to love these kids, even the goof offs. Most of these kids are bright but have no idea about what t0 do with their education. I'd like to bring some of them home with me.

Our apartment is very nice even luxurious but they only use a bottom sheet, no paper towels, and one fry pan was supplied. thank God for air conditioners though or I am not sure I would make it for very long here. We are fortunate to have a washer and dryer because most people do not have a dryer as they are a luxury. We do our own laundry but had a sweet gal offer to do it at a very reasonable price and she irons it as well. So, I gave her some cotton skirts and a top, they were done very nicely. So, I gave Jim Hills the gals name and number and he is thankful he no longer needs to wash and iron his own shirts. All of us eat out alot because it is cheaper than buying groceries.

Now for anyone who wants to come next year here are some suggestions: don't bring much in the line of stomach and diarrhea meds you can buy them here. I left several of skirts at home thinking they would be too hot, wrong. Close toed shoes a must. Have not used my sunblock, too muggy to stay outside. Be prepared to buy or bring an extra towel. hey do furnish one bath towel and hand towel but nothing more. You can tell this is a very poor country as they earn about $4000 a year. Television is another area you might want to bring DVD's to watch as there is very little on our TV. Fox news and CNN have no access for us. But on a brighter note they have Saturday Night Market where small vendors bring there wears. It is surprising to see how many come to the open square. Prices are good as well but finding something in our sizes can be a challenge. For entertainment there are singers with their bands, and a man covered in sparkled gray makeup with a peasant hat and fishing pole in pantomime. What a treat to watch.

We did discover a Wendy's always good for a baked potatoe vs rice and salad. Lee and I went to eat these the other night and a couple from Arkansas joined us. Sharon, the wife, suggested a beverage called Shanghai something, Let me see if I can explain the taste .. It was very colorful red on the bottom and the rest was green . Now as I sucked up the concoction through my straw the first thing to hit my taste buds was the odd flavor of corn, yes corn. On the bottom of this sweet drink was beans and corn. On top was a scoop of ice cream with chocolate syrup drizzled over it, the ice cream was good but the rest? Well needless to say horrible would be too mild word unless you added yukky with it.

Last night i met with Sarah and Angeline from the High School as they have asked me to do some training in how to help their students. Lord willing I can help some. But anyway we went to a restaurant,sports bar, for dinner. It was nice but reeked with cigarette smoke. The burger, yes a good old fashioned burger but no mayo, and fries. What a treat. Afterwards as we were leaving a horrible thunder and lightening storm occur ed. Scary!!!

They have Sunday church service at 7:30 am and Chapel on Tuesday's at 7 am. I have really enjoyed both. They sing all old hymns and use an interpreter most of time for us yanks. The Proctor spoke yesterday and it was a great reminder about Joshua, Nehemiah and Peter's calling in spite of their fear, present position or personality to always trust in Hm who does the calling and supplying of strength for the task at hand.

I will close for now but please write as it gets rather lonely for news from home. Very little news of the world around us and although everyone is friendly and nice I miss my family, friends and Church staffers. In case that is not subtle enough it would nice to hear from SHC pastors and staffers...

My love to you all,
ellen

P.S. pray I will not run into a cobra snake.