Wednesday, November 8


Yesterday afternoon and evening the team gathered at the hotel and shared our various experiences at our assignments for the day. The stories were so wonderful I’m sure we’ll find a way to share at least some of them here in this forum. Even something as simple as installing pencil sharpeners in classrooms is so appreciated and meaningful that we all felt valued and useful in some way — and ready to go back the next day.

Today began with an energetic Chapel service at Africa University, complete with several US Methodist bishops in attendance, and then we all split up again to go our separate ways.

I spent the morning with a discussion group composed of some students in AU’s intensive English program. These are students from neighboring countries such as Angola, Mozambique, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Burundi who need to improve their English some before studying at AU. So we spent the morning practicing their English by talking about topics like war and peace, economic development, political corruption and elections — all issues of the day both for their countries and for mine.

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November 8th, 2006
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Comment Number:
1
Written by:
Stephanie
Posted on:
8 November 2006 at 11:24 am

Peter a.k.a. Daddy-O
Sounds like you are getting to do all sorts of exciting and new things. I’m jealous! Make sure you take too many pictures and please be safe - I miss you and i cant wait to see you on Gobble Day - Praying, loving, and thinking of you always.

Steph-a-roons

Comment Number:
2
Written by:
Gina
Posted on:
8 November 2006 at 3:33 pm

Type your comment here.
Hello everyone. I just wanted you all to know I miss being there. Keep bringing the experiences you all are encountering. Tell Megan I said to keep all the stories because when she return I want to hear everything. How is the weather? Enjoy Enjoy you all. Thanks for bringing a smile to my face.

Comment Number:
3
Written by:
Kelly Ogden-Schuette
Posted on:
8 November 2006 at 9:21 pm

Sounds like a very interesting day. Just a quick update for those who are interested. Democrats regain control of BOTH the House and Senate. Donald Rumsfeld and Rep. Hastert resign. Gates, a former CIA director, is replacing Rumsfield. Rep. Pelosi (D) becomes the first woman Speaker of the House. In Minnesota, the first Muslim is elected to Congress. Unfortunately, diversity didn’t win everywhere. The ban on affirmative action passed. The University of Michigan has decided to fight the decision.
Granholm retains her position as Governor.
Thanks for the updates on your end. It allows us at home to live vicariously. Kelly

Comment Number:
4
Written by:
Kathie
Posted on:
8 November 2006 at 9:49 pm

Type your comment here. It is exciting to hear about what you are doing. I hope that you will be able to say a few lines to let us know how things are. I am interested in hearing a line from you. What is your task and maybe we can hear from some of the others about their task. I am praying for the whole group. Stay well. Love Kathie

Comment Number:
5
Written by:
Jan Harris
Posted on:
9 November 2006 at 7:47 am

Thank you Mark for keeping us updated. I am so glad that you read out messages because I wasn’t sure if they would be able to be accessed there or not.

For Peter Harris,
Hi dear! It sounds like you are having a wonderful and rewarding experience! I am so happy for you. I wish I was there with you! Instead I will be having 3 root canals tomorrow morning! YIKES! We are all doing well and the dogs really MISS you and of course we ALL do!
Love you bunches! Jan

Comment Number:
6
Written by:
Rosanne Haselschwerdt
Posted on:
9 November 2006 at 11:08 pm

Type your comment here. Hey, Pete, and all the others. It is very interesting to read your daily schedule and to try and visualize all of the people with whom you are interacting. Please bring back lots of pictures of the area and the people whose lives you are changing! Love and blessings to all… Rosanne

Comment Number:
7
Written by:
Renu Weiss
Posted on:
14 November 2006 at 10:28 pm

Type your comment here.

I enjoyed the last sentence - “…all issues of the day both for their countries and mine.” It reinforces that we are all more similar than different. So glad the experience is going well. Pls tell young Christopher Taber (at age 14, the youngest member of the group?) that Naren and Navin in India say Hello, and that all of us are happy he is enjoying his time w/ those who cannot even take drinking water for granted. Keep writing, Mark! Best to all there, incl. Ann and Morris.

Comment Number:
8
Written by:
Gina
Posted on:
17 November 2006 at 8:26 am

Hello Everyone, there’s two more days left and I know everyone has a story to tell. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone. My prayers are with you all as you travel back home. Peace and love from everyone back home. See you soon.

Comment Number:
9
Written by:
carolyn vanRooyen
Posted on:
18 November 2006 at 9:08 am

I’m proud of what you are doing .
Fran Mohnke this is mom and I love you and miss you . All is well