After 12 sessions and 30 presentations in three days, the workshops for teachers ended at 5:00 this afternoon with the presentation of certificates and Bibles.  As Howard Young has said, "it was more than just a conference, it was relationship bonding and giving of not just information about our topics but more importantly it was sharing our hearts and our lives with colleagues who teach in very, very difficult situations.  We were truly joined in heart and spirit."  What a sweet spirit there was during these three days and we have come to love our Zambian brothers and sisters and we are burdened for these precious teachers.  

Lynn's math games using playing cards and dice were a huge hit and the teachers loved the numerous games to develop addition, subtraction, and multiplication skills.  And when she presented them with another set to take home, they were overjoyed!  

Linda presented lesson and unit planning today and the teachers were hungry for her orderly methods.  As I presented Asking Better Questions, the teachers could understand the necessity of becoming so much better at questioning skills. Brad taught rhythm activities and then had them create some activities and he was excited to experience their creativity!  And after the teachers sat listening to Howard Young share how to teach the Bible, two teachers reported to the conference leader that they now understood how to put "Christian" and "Education" together.  Their eyes were opened to what it means to integrate the Bible into your lessons.  How important this is in a country where it is strongly encouraged to teach the Bible in the schools, particularly the government schools.

I know that you all have heard me talk about Zambia and my love for these people, but I cannot say it enough, how privileged I feel to be here serving the Lord and serving these precious people, especially the teachers.  My burden for them has increased and I am so thankful for the wonderful teaching team that God brought together for this year's conference.

I am also grateful to all of you for your support and prayers.  I am humbled by what God has done and thankful for the new friends we have made.  Tomorrow we will have the day "off" and we will go to the market to try our hand at bartering.  

We serve a mighty God!!!

Love, Marilyn