Monday, August 27, 2007

Academy Day 1


Well, today was Academy day 1. The Indiana team left our hotel at 730am for the Humble United Methodist School. Humble School is a great place. It is a boarding school supported by United Methodist K-7th Grade orphans. Most of these orphans are residents because they lost their parents to HIV/AIDS. There are 204 students at the school 10 months of the year. We learned that $1095 supports a child for the entire year including food, room, teacher and staff salaries, a health center and more. It's a bargain! We were told that there will eventually be 1000 children at Humble School, but there could be more.

At 8am the opening celebration of the school began. There was a time of worship and then greetings from EVERYONE! The headmistress of the school, the chaplain of the school, the host district superintendent, the team leader, the Academy coordinator and the Bishop's representative all thanked everyone. By the time we were done it was 1130. We had to abbreviate our class sessions, but they went generally well.

There are a few students who are having a language problem. They understand very little English. (Maybe we have the language problem.) We are trying to get someone lined up to provide interpretation for the rest of our time here.

Here are some prayer concerns:


  • Bob Coleman missed half of the day because of illness. He is better now, but we are still concerned about his stomach.

  • Some of the other members have had some stomach discomfort as well. Be praying for all of us.

  • There are great needs all around us. Pray that we will be able to discern what to do, and how to do it.

  • All of the classes were very rushed (but good) today. Pray that beginning tomorrow we will have a more regulated schedule.

  • The Bishop may be coming to visit tomorrow. Pray that if he does he will not be a distraction to the students (pastors), teachers or the schedule.

There are some exciting things coming up. Be sure to check back regularly.

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