Child Sponsorsip Program... now called... Child Development Program... and some news about life...

... so we had our first official child sponsorship meeting this past week. it was so good, we called all of the church leadership and talked to them about child sponsorship. the leaders expressed a great need for sponsorship not only on linigira island but also across all buvuma islands. they stated they want to implement their own program versus asking an organization like compassion to come in. they stated they know their own need best, and would like to create their own program. We talked about creating one that not only meets the financial need of a child but looks at the child from a holistic perspective; looking at a childs physical, spiritual, emotional, and mental well being. In the past sponsorship programs that have been initiated have been thought to be only for christian children... and although the tenants of any organization i work with will be Christ centered, i believe it should be for all children regardless of their faith.... so some beginning steps have been made. We have four children being sponsored so far which is a good number to start with as we begin to establish this. this program will need a lot of support from all around and were taking this one day at a time and just making sure that the Lord's hand is working here...because if it is not, the program will never last. we have our next meeting set for Oct. 10th

I have begun teaching in the discipleship class again... i almost forgot... two of my students (it's weird calling them students because they are both older than me and one is a pastor in a small village!) brought me fresh fruit and veggies one day.... only to realize that day was thursday and it was time for class!!!! ahh, good thing i had already prepared earlier in the week!

So as I am here in Africa and while i travel around on the mainland, i usually try and go to the same places so i can make friends and build relationships.... so i always go to the same internet cafe. yesterday they bought be lunch! Julius, Tracie, and Flavia gave me rice, meat and a soda! it was so nice because i was so hungry!! Later Jess and I were craving something familiar and that brought comfort..... so we found a place to watch 'Walk the Line' ... great movie if you haven't seen it yet. we sat and watched while eating some chocolate wafers!