Hello from the Derse’s!  We trust this update finds you in good health and full of joy.  We have heard that the upper Midwest is slowly coming out of a cold snap.  That is one thing we are NOT missing here.  It is hard to believe we are only entering our 4^th week here.  Ironically, we are struggling to adjust to the slow pace of life here.  In the months leading up to our trip, almost every waking moment was taken up with trip preparations, work and the business of daily life.  We are learning that life here in Africa more or less plods along day to day and we sometimes feel we are living out our very own movie version of “Groundhog Day.” 

 

Kathi recently finished the Bible study on James with the grade 8 kids and has moved on to teaching on the Holy Spirit.  These young people are anxiously awaiting their scores on the nation test they completed.  Once released, they will be finding out what high school they will be accepted to and then move to continue their schooling.  Pray that God would bring some measure of peace to them now during this anxiety-ridden time of waiting.

 

I have been trying to analyze the somewhat fragmented, patchwork conglomeration of dysfunctional healthcare here in this rural area.  It is, at times, confusing to sort out, but I am hoping to have a meeting with some of the leaders of the local Church of God.  There are a group of 5 clinics in the region that they run but these clinics struggle mightily.  I hope to study how they are running these clinics and, perhaps, advise them on how to implement some things that might help them operate better and improve the delivery of healthcare to the people of this region.  

 

Matt will be visiting a mission aviation program at Wilson Airport in Nairobi this coming week to meet the training captain, have a tour of their operations and learn more about the life of a missionary pilot.

 

James has been working with the children to practice their singing parts for the Oasis for Orphans music CD.  He is discovering the challenges involved in recording a large group of kids in a rural environment with cow bells clanging, roosters crowing and donkeys braying directly outside the room where they are recording.  He remains excited, however, about this music project and what it will mean for the kids to have their very own music production on CD.

 

Sarah is doing well and helping with all of the above activities as well as just spending time with the children.  She is VERY popular with the kids and the Mamas that are on staff are quite taken with her.

 

Megan travelled home safely last week after spending an enjoyable 2 weeks here in Africa.  She reluctantly had to fly back to take a teaching methods class that is ONLY offered during the spring semester and that she needs to be able to graduate next December.  She is already looking forward to her return flight here in early May.

 

I think that is all the “news” for now.  We pray God’s continued blessings and peace for you.

 

Scott, Kathi, et.al.