June 2002

Hello All,

The last couple weeks have been especially great. At school, we were on break, but we continued teaching anybody who would come. It was really fun to teach small classes, get to know some of the children better, and do some extra-curricular activities. We begin second term next Tuesday, and I’m looking forward to seeing everybody back at school.

The "adventure" of the week isn’t funny or shocking. In fact, it was very demure. We had a ladies’ tea for our Primary 7 girls. I started thinking that they needed to be reminded that they really are ladies and worthy of only the best treatment. A lot of girls forget that and have sex long before they should, thinking that it will get them the love and attention they want. And we know what happens from there. In the paper this week, it was reported that the group with the highest rate of contracting AIDS currently was people aged 15-25. Most of our P7 girls are 13 or 14.

The tea was no big deal, just tea (with sugar—they love sugar) and rolls with Blue Band (local brand of margarine—such a treat). It cost about $1.75 to put together, but they were very excited, and all wore their best clothes. It was really a pleasure to see their shy smiles become big smiles. And when I suggested that they should hold a tea to pass on their wisdom to the Primary 6 girls, you could see them sitting up straighter. Please pray that the young ladies of Primary 7 will become the women that God intends them to be, because they’ve got potential!

A prayer request for me: I’m going to my sister’s wedding in July! The trip will take me through Zurich where I will have to stay overnight. I was hoping that someone might have a friend who could put me up while I’m there and help with transportation.

Peace in Christ’s name,

Ruth