We’ve been in our new ministry location for 3 weeks now. We arrived right before this country’s biggest holiday, followed a week later by another holiday (Independence Day.) As a result, most shops and businesses were closed for a good part of our first couple weeks here, which has slowed down the process of getting our house set up and getting into a routine. But at the same time, the holidays gave us good opportunities to start getting to know our new neighbors here.
Julie and Naomi (Jennifer’s sister and cousin) have been here visiting us since we got to our new home, and they plan to be here until November. It has been such a blessing to have them with us as we’re adjusting to very different schedules and surroundings.
Areli, Galilee, and Tyndale started school at the international school here on August 14. So far they love their classes and are making new friends. After looking at their assessments and talking with their teachers as well as with them, we made the decision to have Areli and Galilee repeat third grade. This seems to have been a good choice for their needs right now. Tyndale is in kindergarten.
For our first few months here, we will be back in language and culture study. The methods and layout of the language and culture acquisition program here have changed quite a bit since we were here studying the national language 8 years ago, so we plan to take this opportunity to practice using the new methods. That way once we take on coaching and consulting roles for new missionary families, we will hopefully be better equipped to guide them through the program. We’ll be studying the regional language and culture of this area, which is very different from the languages and cultures on the island we were serving on. We hope this time of studying will also help us to develop new friendships and renew friendships from when we lived here before.
Please be praying for us during this time of transition. Some days we feel pretty overwhelmed by all the changes. Thank you so much, and God bless all of you!