Issue #89
March 24, 2001

Dear Friends and Family,
Howdy! I have let a little more time pass then normal for writing a newsletter. This time of year time just passes, and then you look back and wonder where it went. We are now down to only five weeks of school left.  It will be here before we know it.

I got a new student in my class today. His mom is coming to fill in for one of the dorm assistance that left to go on furlough. He has been going to the missionary kid school in Gabon, West Africa.  He seemed to do fine in class today.

There is a snake story for this week. Apparently a big, black snake has decided to take up residency in our yard. One of the workers saw it day before yesterday, and one of my neighbors saw it yesterday. I don't know if it has been spotted yet today. I'm just hoping it gets spotted while someone has a machete handy. We are being a lot more cautious and using flashlights at night. At least the grass is short so it is easy to see it.

Part of Go and Be team (short term missions team of college students) came through on Monday.  Shane and I had supper with three members of team and the Morgan's at the Cousineaus on Monday.  They were leaving on Tuesday morning but arrived back on campus around lunch time. They had had car trouble.  Car trouble and police stops are always a good way to break in new people visiting out here.  They were able to leave again on Wednesday morning and make it to Bouna.

My class is getting anxious for school to be over. I have already heard the prayer request that "the days go by fast" several times.  I can't say that I blame them. I have mixed feelings at this time. I do have the usual "I'm ready for this school year to be over" feelings for this time of year, but also knowing that this is my last year, it does bring a tinge of sadness.  It has been a great four years.  The kids are wonderful and working with them has been a great experience.

Tomorrow I am taking my class out for lunch to I.F.F.  It is our equivalent to McDonald's.  OK, it is a far cry from McDonald's, but when you have been here for awhile, you really appreciate it.  A lot of times instead I.F.F standing for International Fast Food, we call it International Fast Flies, if that gives you any ideas.  The food is good, and it is a real treat for the kids to go.  This is their reward for being well-behaved while I was gone to the conference in Atlanta.

Pray for the kids during these last few weeks that they will stay focused on school and as there will be a lot of goodbyes.  Pray especially for the seniors as they are going off to college and are separated from their families.  Pray for my roommate, Celeste.  She received a call that her grandmother passed away yesterday.

I hope you all are having a good week and experience the many blessings that God has to give. 

In Christ,
Traci Epps