Issue #66
August 28, 2000

Dear Friends and Family,
School is started! The kids are here, and most of them seem excited and read to go. All the kids were able to make it in. I didn't hear of any troubles at the borders.

The Reierson's had their baby on August 20. It was a boy, Luke Josiah Reierson. Everything went fine. The Reierson's arrived back on campus yesterday.

Mr. Baxter had his surgery. He is now recuperating. Continue to pray that the doctors got all of the cancer, that there will be no recurrence, and that the Baxter's can return in October.

A walk around campus the Saturday before last was much different than a walk around campus this Saturday. Previously, I might run into one or two people on my walk. This Saturday, I passed several people on the road. There were a group of high school boys playing a soccer scrimmage with quite a few people watching them. Middle school and
elementary were playing a game of petit poteau (like soccer). When I started my walk a group of kids one of the dorm parents came out of a field from a walk. I'm not sure if they really walked or waded in the mud. When I got to the other side of campus they were hosing down to clean up. The commissary was open, and kids were buying cokes, candy, and chips. A basketball game was happening in the gym. There were elementary kids on the playground. A couple of guys were shooting baskets at the upper court. Some were in the library studying. When the kids are here, this is a busy place.

Political situation still seems fine. Someone from the Embassy is coming up to talk about plans with us. The staff will be meeting tomorrow. We also have our first evacuation drill for the year tomorrow. The staff knows about it but not the kids.

My class is going great. I'm feeling like I have it pretty easy right now. I only have eight kids, and they are all about on the same level. Much different than last year. I also have a student teacher that I get along with very well. Between eight kids and two teachers, it makes for pretty smooth sailing. Of course, I'll be in trouble next trimester when I have to do it by myself again.

Thanks for you prayers and support!
In Christ,
Traci Epps