I came across the following, and it got me thinking.

I was reading the other day Genesis and the story of Jacob interesting stuff. Chapter 47 begins with what some might call, an unusual story, of Jacob blessing Pharaoh. I mean what is a “local yokel” doing going up to Thee! King of Egypt and saying “excuse me I would like to bless you!” I suppose Pharaoh was not going to say no when Jacob’s son was a powerful man in Egypt but still it seems rather weird. This calls for the commentary.

We have just finished a great conference. Our speaker this year had the topic sacrifice one of our 4 pillars.

Trevor took the quote by C.T. Studd "If Jesus Christ be God and died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for Him", and changed the word "If" to "Since Jesus Christ be God... A reminder of the sacrifice that has been made for us by Jesus and what should be our response to that.

"God isn't looking for people of great faith, but for individuals ready to follow Him" — Hudson Taylor

I find this quote a challenge to my way of thinking. It is not about me conjuring up more faith, because I am lacking something. It’s all about me being obedient to God’s call on my life and he will give me the faith I need.

It reassures me that a “missionary” is not some sort of super-faithful person – someone who has more faith than other people, but an ordinary individual who being obedient to God’s call has had the privilege of serving Him overseas.

What is happening? All these earthquakes an ash cloud. Life is not what it seems.
For all our supposedly great knowledge, scientific expertise and smart comments I think someone up there is reminding us who truly is in control. Perhaps a closer look at Psalm 123 would help.

I lift my eyes to you, O God, enthroned in heaven. We keep looking to the LORD your God for his mercy, just as servants keep their eyes on their master, as a slave girl watches her mistress for the slightest signal. Have mercy on us, LORD, have mercy, for we have had our fill of contempt.

My heart was pounding. Van Halen’s “Go ahead, jump” was blaring. I was hooked up, standing on a ledge, about to take my first bungy leap. What on earth was I thinking? I’m not even all that great with heights! Yet I’d made a decision to take up new challenges each year of my 40’s. What if I chicken out? Worse, what if the bungy doesn’t do its job? Trust is a curious thing indeed.

Guess what! Only nine weeks to go as of last Tuesday! Still ages really, but when I think back to when I’d been here for two months and had ten to go... gosh.

A LOT has happened since my last email (yeah I know I always say that...)

THE NEW ME
I've been given a Balanta name... Almamu wanted to give me one, but before he could, one of the guys, Timbana, (Tim, our first language teacher) gave me some options...

• Diana:'shy'
• Wingaba:'don't hate me'
• Ntchomba: 'I will not allow it'

But those ones didn't thrill me at all!  Fortunately Almamu arrived just in time before they decided to name me Wingaba forever (it sounds waaay to much like a character from Star Wars for my taste, not to mention the meaning!)... and gave me Kusuma, which means Happiness :-)

Hello hello hello hello!

I am so very happy to be emailing you!  It has been SO hard to not be able to communicate, although a lovely random man with an internet-capable cellphone let me use it to read some emails a few weeks ago... I'm sorry to say this will be a bit epic, so for all you skim readers out there, be warned.  But I will try and do the old 'headings' thing so you can just skip to the good bits.
 
Esperanca English Club
So we have now been teaching for five weeks... and have one and a half weeks to go before our three week break.

So...  What happens if you speak Kiriol at school?  You get beaten 10 times.  Yes that's right, you can only speak Portuguese or suffer the consequences.

FOUR HOURS AND COUNTING
That's how long we sat on log benches for church on Sunday!  They do a long service once a month, and fast, and pray, but the benches are upsidedown half-logs so it's curved, with no back, and VERY hard to sit on for more than a few minutes!  I never thought I'd say this, but big butts are starting to seem very desirable - either that, or we need a cushion!