Day two with the children focused on Moses leading the Israelites out of Egypt and then crossing the Red Sea.  So we made Moses clothes pin figures and acted out the story.  As you can see in the picture, these girls were very proud of their Moses, even though they laughed at the long beards!  Each of the groups rotated through the story telling time with Lynn and Linda to the coloring book time with Donna and Sothi and outside to play games with Brad and Howard Young and also to crafts with Marilyn and Amy.  Then each child received half of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich before going home! One boy cried and cried because he did not want to go home today.  The children are very loving and kind and very mannerly, thus, very easy to work with in groups.  They would have stayed all day if we would have just played with them.

More than half of these children are orphans living with relatives or other families who do their best to care for them.  However, they are very poor; most have clothing that either doesn't fit properly or is very well worn.  But they are happy children who so want to please the adults who show love and concern for them.  As you see in the picture, several were still wearing their crocheted hats (praise God for Gerrie Olsen) today.  Our prayer is that they hear the gospel message this week and that the Holy Spirit draws them to the Father through faith in Jesus Christ.   I long for the day when I will see them in heaven and I will hear what God did in their lives.  Every day I am reminded of how much God loves them and wants them to become His sons and daughters.  

This afternoon Howard, Bill and I met with Ken and Lisa Turnbull and Ray Warwick.  The Turnbulls are here to begin the work of founding and beginning African Christian University which will begin in Lusaka next year. Ray is here visiting from California and teaching on the Biblical World View.  The University will primarily be a seminary for pastors but will also include most of the general courses found in an American liberal arts university.  Currently there are only online classes available through a seminary in South Africa.

Tomorrow we walk in the wilderness with Moses as he leads God's people and receives the manna, quail and the water.  During craft time we will "walk" in the wilderness and search for manna---which will be small crackers!  Throughout these stories and crafts we emphasize how God was faithful in protecting His people and providing for their needs.  And that God still loves to provide for us today.

Pray for these last two days of working with the children--pray for strength and stamina for the team.   Pray for opportunities for us the share the gospel and to do it with clarity and love.  Pray for the children.  Pray for the four teachers who work with these precious children every day.

Thanks for your support and prayers,

Marilyn