Issue #70
October 3, 2000

Dear Friends and Family,
There is much happening these days. I will try to keep it brief and ask that you do remember us in your prayers this week. I'll start with the humorous part.

We had a little excitement last Thursday morning when a snake was seen going into the women's restroom. Mr. Johnson, Sam Parham and Uncle Jim searched for a while. It was seen a little later and this time Mr. Johnson was able to take matters into his own hands. Literally. He came out of the restroom with the snake pinched between his fingers and coiled around his arm. Several classes excitedly left their classrooms to watch the event. The science class quickly measured it at 20" and identified it as a black and white cobra. Later, many students and staff curiously looked into the specimen jar to see the catch of the day. The snake has since been frozen and now has been returned to Mr. Johnson's Science classroom to add to his collection.

The Cousineau's finally received their crates the other day. Deleen asked me if I would like some of the things they brought out. She gave me a bag of marshmallows. It is amazing how excited I got over something as simple as marshmallows. Deleen had left them in my mailbox. I immediately opened them and popped one in my mouth. Not only was it a marshmallow from America, it wasn't sticky and gooey like they get once they have been out here for a short amount of time.

Last Saturday, another missionary family had their car hijacked. They were leaving a hamburger restaurant that people from ICA frequent. As they got in their truck, armed men came up to the windows. At first, the thieves told the dad and brother to get out leaving the mom and sister in the car. The guys refused to get out, so they took them all drove them across town and dropped them off. Thankfully, they were all safe. They lost quite a bit of stuff that was in their car. Please pray for the family is they work through this.

Please pray for one of our dorm parents and their family. One of the daughters is having medical problems so they are going to return to Canada this week so she can receive more tests and medical attention. Pay for the family as they make this sudden adjustment and that replacements will be found for the dorm. It is possible I might be filling in for a couple of weeks to help out since my student teacher is teaching full time right now.

Pray for the political situation. The candidates are supposed to be announced by Saturday. It could be as early as Thursday. It is uncertain what the response will be to the announcement. We have been asked to stay on campus for the weekend in case demonstrations do occur. One of my kids is leaving on Wednesday. His parents are here, and they decided they would rather have him home for this next month while all of the uncertainty is happening.

Thanks for your prayers and support. It is always comforting to know that God is in control!

In Christ,
Traci Epps