Issue #37
November 22, 1999

Dear Friends and Family,
It has been a couple of weeks since I have written. I'll try to make the last two weeks as brief as possible and still let you know the high points.

I didn't write last week because I was out of town. I had to go to Field Council meetings and also to Abidjan to get my passport renewed. The meetings were good. It was really nice to get to spend some time with the other FWB missionaries. I was also able to get my passport renewed even though going to downtown Abidjan wasn't so easy. There were some political rallies going on so it was recommended not to go downtown. Thankfully it all cleared so I could go.

"The Butterflies" sounds like the title of some "B" movie. I guess we could make one from here. Last week a bunch of the students and stuff started getting these bites that looked like burns. We thought they were Blister Bug that we commonly have around here, but these were different. One of the parents talked to a researcher in town and found out they were caused from butterflies that land on you and secrete a solution that absorbs into the skin and causes a burn. It seems kind of odd. They said the butterflies should go away soon. They were just passing though. By now everyone's sores on their arms and faces are beginning to heal. Beware of butterflies!

The other event of this week is lack of sugar. It is not to be found in any of the grocery stores. Several people have been going around asking to borrow sugar. A group of us finally went into the market area and were able to find some sugar. You never know what you will find or not find.

School is going well. We have finished up the first trimester grading period. Everyone is trying to finish up report cards right now. We only have a week and half left of school, so kids and teachers are getting antsy.

Prayer Request:
Pray for safety of travel as everyone goes home and on vacation during break.

Pray for Shawn, one of my students, who has malaria. He is sad about being sick this weekend because he missed Friday night activity,

Saturday tournament, and couldn't come to school today.

Pray that everyone will stay focused during these last few days of school.

Thanks for all your prayers and support. Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

In Christ,
Traci