Alli's Blog
Visitor - April 2006
This is a time of transition for us. Sometimes I feel like my whole adult life (so far!) is a life of constant transitions. Chuck loves change...I'm not so sure about it! We are coming to the end of our internship, and we both desire to complete our Master's Degrees now, before returning to Africa. I'm looking at programs that offer a M.A. in Intercultural Studies, or an M.Div with an emphasis on missions and cross-cultural ministries. I've also seen some Theology degrees that I like. My problem is, I want to study at least 18 hours of Greek (plus some Hebrew, too) and 18 hours of Theology along with the Missions/Intercultural Studies emphasis!
Chuck is planning on completing his degree on-line. He is interested in CIS, as well as getting certification as a web-designer. So many decisions!
We had two significant experiences in the last couple of weeks. We have just started the rainy season, and a big storm blew through. Chuck, Papa, Nana and I were all looking out the window when the roof of the building directly across from us (the women's dorm), blew off! It happened in an instant, and yet we were all eye-witnesses. Huge sheets of tin ripped of and burst into the field opposite, nearly hitting a woman and her four-year-old granddaughter. It was a frightening experience, but no one was hurt. They started repairing the roof the next days, and within just a few days the women were living back inside their dorm.
The second event was almost as dramatic, but in a positive way! We witnessed a total solar eclipse! It was amazing, as I have never before viewed a total eclipse. About 9 in the morning, the sky started turning dark, and the staff and students of PACUC all stood outside and took turns looking through some special viewing glasses. The total eclipse lasted about 4 minutes. The atmosphere was great-people praising God and rejoicing! I'm just glad I was in the right place at the right time to see such a wonderful sight! Sometimes the little things can mean so much in this life.
I'm still teaching Bible classes once a week at the nearby primary school. The students are quite wild and undisciplined, but they seem to enjoy the classes. We did a unit on the Armor of God, and now we are talking about the life of Jesus. These children are so easy to entertain compared to kids in the States-it makes my job a lot easier! Here I don't have to compete with television, internet or gaming systems. Just acting out a simple drama is quite enthralling!
I am also still teaching the Children's Church at our church, rotating with another teacher. The hardest part is just coming up with the entire curriculum. I am very thankful for the free internet resources available, but it is still a lot of work. The past couple of months, I have also been teaching the adult Sunday school class at our church. Chuck jokes that I am the assistant pastor.
We are preparing for the first graduation and dedication of the Pan African Christian University College. It will be quite a momentous event, with visitors from around the world attending. I am on the refreshments and decorating committee, while Chuck is a part of the traveling and accommodations committee. We are also busy trying to prepare all of the seniors for their graduation; making sure that all of their classes are in order.
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