Where there is a lizard there's gotta be a tail somewhere. That's what I thought when I opened the door of the school library and saw a tailless lizard run across the floor. Sure enough right there on the floor of the library was a lone tail, wiggling with all its might. How appropriate to find a tail in a room full of tales. Every since then I've been wondering about what tale to tell YOU next. Dare I tell you that sometimes I feel like that tail, severed from all that is familiar and yet still alive and struggling to find my place and do my part? That lizard will run off and grow a new tail, but what of this tail. Fortunately my life is not dependent upon a lizard, and where ever I go, I am no farther from MY life source than I was the day before. The Lord has promised, I will never leave you nor forsake you.(Hebrews 13:5) What a privilege to live for such a Master!

Today I missed my first wedding in the family. My nephew, Jared, is celebrating with family and friends as he and his Darcy exchange vows and pledge their lives to each other. Everyone will be there. Except the family nut who went to Africa. I smile to think of how beautiful it will all be and of all of the fun and laughter. I hope you have great weather!! So as I think of all my loved ones gathered together in one place, I must reflect on the reason that I am not there.

Yesterday at recess as I pinned Abraham's uniform shorts- again- at the waist - he is so skinny they keep falling down, and someone else waited with their jump rope, I knew progress was being made here. "Teacha, I jum, you coun." "One, two, three, four." Two months ago these children had never jumped a rope, held a pencil, swung a baseball bat, read a book, flushed a toilet. Well, you get the picture. They thrill with each new letter of the alphabet that comes to them with its funny story and silly song. Often I still can't understand their "English" and I know they don't always understand me but we are all learning and one of the greatest thrills is to see children 8, 9, 10 even 11, beginning to learn to read. Reading will change their lives. Not ALL of them have parents who can. What can you do if you can read? What if you can't?!

When these children can read and read well, which they will (by God's grace), they will have access to the word of God in a way that many in their world do not have. It will open doors for them that many of us take for granted. What a privilege to be a small part of that.

On the Village we now have 30 orphans. The numbers continue to grow and it appears there are more coming soon. With our 14 day students the school is now at 41. I am teaching 2 hours of preschool, 2 hours of 1st grade, and the afternoon in kindergarten. It keeps life interesting.

Our most recent additions to the village are Blessing, 4, Adam, 5, and his cousin Gabriel, 3. They are in my preschool class and it is a joy to watch them get stronger, healthier and happier. Personalities begin to appear in little bodies that previously were just in survival mode. This can be great fun and sometimes challenging. But mostly it's just fun to watch.

And so when I look in the mirror at the nut who went to Africa, I can at least be thankful that God is using it for His purposes. By His grace, eternity with all of those I love will make up for what I am missing today. For the potter has the right over the clay to make from it what He chooses and to send it where He wills. (Romans 9:21ff)

Please keep this little Village in your prayers for physical safety, for spiritual growth and for wisdom to do this work. "Just as it is written, 'Behold I lay in Zion a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense, and he who believes in Him will not be disappointed.'"