Something to be rained out
Last week the meeting was set up, but at that time there was nothing to meet about. Since our last update there still had been no resolution to a location for the Patpatar literacy class. With the class set to start on Monday, August 2nd we went ahead and spread the word through the village that on Friday, just a few days before the first day of class, we would have a community meeting to give them the details of the literacy school and to start building the little school house. At that time we didn’t have any of the details ourselves and were doubting that the land disputes would be resolved.
Thursday morning was the quickest, easiest resolution meeting I have ever attended among the Patpatar people. Getting together with disputing parties to work out a disagreement is common, but it usually involves hours of sitting and waiting for everybody to show up and then hours of discussion, arguments, and even fights to follow. After which many times the dispute is no better than it was to start. Thursday was different. Only one hour of waiting for everybody to show up. Only one hour of discussion. And at the end, the disputing parties over the land for the school house were happy, in agreement, and telling us to build the school house there. Within two hours, many months of trying to find a place to do the school was resolved.
Now we had something to meet about the next day. Now we could fill in all the details we had been waiting for. Now we could start building.
Friday morning came but the sun did not. Heavy rains set in first thing in the morning and didn’t let up until late afternoon. The meeting and work day we had planned was rained out. Though the meeting never happened we still had a few men that showed up to build desks and help with the chalkboard. We were disappointed that the building wasn’t started, but at least we had something to be rained out. At least we had details to give out and work to be done.
So on Monday, we will start the first literacy class. Unfortunately we will not have a classroom to meet in, but at least we have a place. For the first few weeks we will “get by” while the little school house is being built. Thanks for your prayers for the land situation. Continue to pray for the literacy class and the students who will begin on Monday.
So that they can read the Word of Life,
Aaron
Fact – “Teas tangs soot say tem.” Without the ‘th’ sound, the ‘sh’ sound, the ‘v’ sound, or a final ‘d’ in the Patpatar language. The above sentence is what would come out if they tried to say, “These things should save them.”
Avalon celebrated her 10th last week! Continue to pray for Blais who is getting weaker.