Dear Friends and Family,
The Discovery School's admin team meets every Friday to work through problems and make plans. I don't know about you, but when I think of school administration meetings I imagine people discussing things like assessment results, staff training, discipline issues, and budgets. Since we got back we have attended three meetings. Topics have included: the vice-president of the parent committee rescuing her cook from a witchdoctor, an employee who suffers from unpredictable insanity spells after a head injury, a good schedule for adding lime to pit latrines, several students who habitually faint (Is it hunger? heat? evil spirits?), and whether Discovery School should raise pigs and cows (for education, profit, and so the animals can eat the leftovers from the cafeteria). I couldn't make this stuff up if I tried. (Insert the sound of a happy sigh). We are back. Variety is the spice of life!
Our Burundian colleagues did an excellent job keeping things going while we were gone, but there were many issues tabled for our return and we are enjoying being involved in the assorted decisions and activities that keep the ministries here moving forward. That means a lot of meetings! Jesse is getting back into the routing of meeting with the Executive Committee most Wednesdays from 3-8 pm or later, and he spends hours meeting with individuals who have stopped by the house. However, lest we get bored, there are an array of other things to keep us occupied.
The Executive Committee Meeting with Elizabeth on the porch
APP DEVELOPMENT
This is a new one for us! Jesse and two app developers have taken Discovery beyond its roles as a school (((and microfinance institution)) and moved it into the world of technology by launching an android app on the GooglePlay Store called iTSITSO, a searchable English Kirundi and Kirundi-English Dictionary. Sadly, it isn't available for Apple devices, but this is a start. We hope it will help our students and parents as they tackle homework.
VEHICLE REPAIR AND SELECTION
Jesse also spent a lot of time this month researching and examining potential options for a new 4WD ministry vehicle. Yesterday we purchased a "new" 1994 Prado. We had a mechanic look at it, and it seems to be in much better shape than our current 1998 Land Cruiser. Thank you so much to those of you who have given towards this need. We are certainly praising the Lord for his provision through you. The last remaining need to make the vehicle ministry trip-ready are funds for new tires, a roof rack, and ladder.
TEACHING
I am currently teaching 8th grade English, as the teacher is away completing a 2-month internship for university. I am loving the opportunity to apply what I am learning in my master's courses, but it is also a little overwhelming to add an extra responsibility. You can also pray for Jesse as he preaches the next two Sundays and teaches at Timothy Bible School beginning on March 1.
CARPENTRY
Women at several Ladies' Missionary Conferences this past summer (yes, in this sentence Ladies Missionary Conference and Carpentry are intended to go together J) collected money for church roofs, and it has been exciting to hear about and see pictures of those roofs going up.
They also blessed Discovery with funds to expand our playground options. This was a huge need, because even though I stagger recess times so that not all of our 920 students are out at the same time, there are always several hundred in the small play yard at the same time, and we need some more activities to keep them occupied. This past weekend Jesse and the boys started building what I believe to be Burundi's first Gaga Ball pit and teaching Burundian kids how to play. We will keep this small model in our yard and then have a bigger one built for the school.
BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE
It was amazing to climb the stairs into the beautiful new classrooms (front right of first pic) that our contractor Côme finished after we left to go to the US last summer. We praise the Lord that the construction process went so well. However, now it is time to start the process all over again. (Until we reach grade 13, Discover will need 4 new classrooms every summer). This year we need to take off the second half of the rotten roof we started to replace last summer and add on a second story to that section of the building as well. We would love to expand the administrative offices, since we have added two administrators to the leadership team and they are without offices. We are also praying about the possibility of starting a small extension on the other side of town that would have one classroom each of grades PreK-6. (a chapel on the other end of town has asked us if we could build Discovery School 2 on the property beside their church building). Pray with us for God's guidance (we aren't even sure where to apply for grants at this point) and provision for all of these plans and needs. (The classrooms in the back right of the first photo need to be altered to look like those in the front right corner). Building the classrooms will cost about 35,000 USD, and then they need to be furnished.
HOME and HOMEWORK
We are praising the Lord for a great transition back to Burundi and to the Belgian School, and a very practical master's course this semester for me. Though they miss their "America friends," the boys are thoroughly enjoying being back to soccer with friends in the back yard. We would still appreciate prayer as we are stretched in various academic areas—French grammar for the boys, and having the sustained focus needed to write quality academic essays for me.
Thank you all so much for your prayers and support. We have a new ministry facebook page. Friend JesseandJoy InBurundi for more frequent updates and pictures. Please keep in touch!!
