MARRIAGE SEMINAR & THANKSGIVING @ 26 Nov 2011

First, let me publically apologize to you (especially George) for taking a break from my journal. Getting back to work, I have been a bit overwhelmed with everything and just have not found the time to log in. I will not try and catch you up on all what has happened since September...I will just begin again. Two weeks ago, we invited the Basic class back to LBBI. I taught through Homiletics and I had the best time with the guys. Trying to teach proper sermon preparation, outlines, and delivery was a blast. They told me afterwards, this class taught them more than any other they have studied. Last week, we held our 5th annual marriage seminar. Pastor Julius and Violet Kalande came back to teach. It was a very challenging week. There were many direct discussions about dowry, multiple wives, spouse abuse, and sex. Pastor Julius shared with us that the marriage situation in our churches down country has changed after 20 plus years of following Scripture. It is our prayer, that the same testimony will be found among the churches in Turkana too...one day! I took the Kalandes on a tour of our churches and the villages where we are working after the seminar. The eye effects the heart. I also used my new trailer to carry benches out to Nangolipus LBC. There are 6 more here in Lodwar, and I hope to bring them out a week from today. Thanksgiving was a quiet day at home. I told the guys it was a big holiday in America and I would like to take the day off. I grilled a t-bone and enjoyed a relaxing day. I also was able to talk to my kids while they gathered at my sister's house with her family and my grandmother (their great grandmother). Breanne actually picked her up at her house and drove her to Brenda's. Nannie told me she felt very old when her great granddaughter showed up driving a car. It has rained the last 3 days (off and on) and Turkana is in full bloom. We had 2 weeks of consistant rain the first of the month and now 3 more days of rain. It is actually cool here and grass (and weeds) are everywhere, including my yard. If this keeps up, I may have to get a lawnmower...LOL! Well, that catches you up on what is going on here. Please say a prayer for the parents of my friend and fellow missionary, Ernie Hopper. He and Cissy are back in the States and both of his parents are near death. His mother has cancer and his father is in heart failure. All of the Hoppers could use our prayers. Much love, Ekiru