Logo Production

We started out the term by studying graphic design and logos in art. The kids designed logos for nonfiction sections of our little learning center library. They really caught onto the idea of simply communicating a clear idea, which was satisfying. Later in the term they will work together to design a logo for our learning center! ... I'm hoping a Lake Victoria sea monster makes it into the logo.

The Gerth Family: Translating Jita Jonah (part 3)

This is a post from one of the families I teach for, about current, on-the-ground Bible translation in Musoma!



The Gerth Family: Translating Jita Jonah (part 3): This is part 3 of a series about how we translated the book of Jonah into the Jita language. Step 1 - DRAFTING - the Jita translators adap...

Glimpses of Our Day

Again, the week was full and fun yet not draining. I'm very thankful.

Picture #1: Each morning we start with writing praises, thanks, and prayer requests on the white board. (Which color do YOU like to pray in?!) Then we read a devotional and pray together.

Picture #2: Each afternoon we study science, which really IS as exciting as the kids are showing you... because we're growing radish seeds. There's something breathtaking and magical about seeing new life spring from a dead-looking seed. Marvelous God. I'm so thankful to get to start with such an engaging unit.

So yes, this nontraditional teaching seems to be a good fit for me.

Picture #3: Also, the policy-writing portion of my job is a good balance to classroom time. I'm so glad that our meetings have included some laughter along with the hard work, once due to a sea monster drawing activity!

First Week of School!

It's here. After six months of travels in the USA, language school in Iringa, and settling in Musoma, I am here, at Lake Victoria Learning Center, doing my job!

Here you see my four students and the (entire) teaching staff.

As I think about the week and this new job, these are some of the highlights:

• The kids are engaged, curious, and full of personality, just the way I like them.
• My teaching role: I lead a devotional for all four in the morning, then teach the two boys Language Arts for an hour each. After our chai (tea) break I have some planning time, science with all four, and art on Wednesday.
• I really like Chai Break. I could always drink tea at other schools, but having it called Chai Break means that everyone does and part of the break is spent relaxing together!
• My other role: I am leading the formation of learning center policy, to help incoming parents and teachers understand what we do here. The first meeting I led went well yesterday. It can be a stressful topic, but we were actually laughing at the end! 
• Exciting learning this term: Reading The Phantom Tollbooth with the older LA student; Entering the creative world of the younger student's writing; Observing radish growth in science; And, designing logos for the learning center in art.
• Each day has been fun and full, but not exhausting. I have NEVER said that after a first week in all seven years of teaching! The smaller student load and shorter day make a difference. Also, spreading out to policy work means I get to shift gears, which is energizing.

So there you have it. Week one. Thank you for your prayers, some you can see here God is answering. Praise for His love, faithfulness, and plans. Thank you for your support of me and the Bible translation that these kids' parents are working on daily.

Scripture for All Languages

Here is a big picture look at progress in Bible translation world wide... and a magnifying glass look at Bible translation down this dirt road in Mpanda, Tanzania. The following text is from a recent SIL prayer email.

Two hundred thirty miles northwest of Mbeya as the crow flies (much further by road) is the town of Mpanda where Wycliffe/SIL is beginning Bible translation projects in four languages. This is an area of Tanzania reputed to be deeply affected by traditional beliefs and witchcraft. In 2011 we had four families heading that way to pioneer the work. But the teams have en-countered many difficulties.

On 16th August 2010, there was a meeting of church leaders from 8 denominations at which the churches, with much enthusiasm, agreed to work together with SIL in starting a Bible translation and language development project to include Bende, Tongwe, Pimbwe, Rungwa and possibly some other languages in the area... It seems to me that almost as soon as families started to move to Mpanda, the spiritual attack started... The spiritual battle continued and now two years later, due to health and other factors, we only have one out of the original 5 SIL families based in Mpanda. We have a strong church partnership, which is very committed to the project and we know that God has a plan for the Katavi languages, but we are struggling to staff the project. Humanly it seems we are stuck, but I know God can do the impossible, so I’m asking us all to pray that God will show us His way... Prayer is our spiritual weapon, let’s use it!

Peace Before the Storm :)

I just got back from ten days in Kenya. Some of my new Musoma folk invited me along to a retreat. It was held on a verdant campus, neighboring a tea plantation. The speaker was very encouraging, acknowledging that life is full of struggles and storms, and exhorting us to have faith in God in these times... because He is worthy of our faith. I also enjoyed spending time with the kids and families I will teach for. And, it was fun to have some urban time... shopping, frozen yogurt, and admiring this Kenyan art installation (a modern Masai man). I'm ready to buckle down and prepare for the school term, which starts January 15th... and may or may not be the next storm!

May the God of hope

fill you with all joy and peace

as you trust in Him

so that you may overflow

with hope

by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13