A Good Bunch

There’s always a bit of milling about after English club ends.  People have questions, want to borrow books, or just talk a little bit.  As we were saying goodbyes, we were all joking with each other—all good friends, with us and with each other.  This recent club group has been a special joy.  They have a camaraderie, gentleness and kindness that make them stand out.  We wish you could get to know some of the regulars.

An English Club meeting at our house

Moro has become something of a leader of the group.  Moro is 26 years old, always well dressed, but not ostentatious.  He has a wide smile and a friendly demeanor that help him to make people feel at ease, the sort of person you would love to have as a tour guide or host.  He loves to tell the story about how when he first came to English club he could barely speak.  Now he is an English teacher and one of the most vocal at English club, encouraging others to come and participate.

Swafu is in highschool but he seems to have a self-awareness about himself not common to highschoolers.  He loves to joke and is not afraid to laugh at himself.  He is tall, but still has a boyish face, usually with smile, quick to laugh and make jokes—even in English—harder to do in a foreign language. He helps to lighten up the club.

Three old regulars at an event using their English

Bako is our resident statesman.  His features more chiseled and less inclined to smile, he has been around the longest and he knows it.  He speaks with pomp and eloquence, slowly and deliberately, in his deep, rich voice.  He sees himself like a benevolent older brother or uncle.  He often leads the English club, and though his creativity is not impressive, everyone accepts and respects him as an elder.  He is a dependable, old friend.  When a smile does break out across his face, it’s like a great fissure that transforms his countenance and is quite endearing. Thankfully, English club often draws out such smiles.

Sabila is petite, light skinned, and conservatively dressed.  Another highschool student who shows a maturity beyond her age.  Verbally she is smart and clever and strong, ready to defend her positions and not take any guff, but her eyes are soft and she is clearly a thoughtful, caring person who desires to do what is right.

These are just a few of the ones who make English Club a joy right now.  We have been leading a weekly English Club at our house for over ten years.  We never know what kind of people will come.  There was a time when we had some of the strongest English speakers around—a bunch of proud and showy men who made conversation interesting but not so friendly.  Other times we’ve had people of lower levers of competency, resulting in a lot of shy, labored conversations, more games, and one or two dominant players.  Our club has ballooned at times to 25 or 30 people and shrunk down at other times to just 3 or 4.  It has a tendency to be mostly men, but there have been seasons when women have equalled them in numbers, and we always seem to have a couple women who come consistently, unafraid to stand up and say their piece in front of the men.

Family time this past week

With a majority of them, we see our conversations go deeper and our friendships strengthen over time.  Many of the ones who no longer come we still regard as good friends.  The majority have shared with us at one time or another their struggles, their dreams, their questions, their faith.  This is certainly true of the 4 listed above.  Tom has had many discussions with Moro on the subject of kingdom life.  Swafu has expressed interest in studying one day, when he’s not so busy.  Bako has allowed us to pray for his children on many occasions and has faithfully prayed for Megan’s health concerns in return.  Sabila has asked us about what we believe, and has noted the difference in our lives and our marriage.

We have been away this month and have taken a break from English Club until September.  Such breaks usually result in the group of club regulars shifting.  We will see if these four will continue to come faithfully.  We hope they do.  But even if they don’t, we are thankful for them and look forward to seeing what God will do in their lives.

PRAYERS ANSWERED
We had a good week as a family, getting all the school shopping done and having fun together. The orientation day at the kids’ school was full and reassuring, though the final goodbye was hard. We’re thankful for all the great staff at the school and how intentionally they look after the kids in their care. Praise that the island brothers and sisters have really rallied behind the big island brother that had the accident hurting his back, raising a lot of support to for his medical needs.  Moreover, his family who have been hostile towards him have warmed towards helping him and advocating for him before their village. Praise for opportunities the medical team has been having to share good news with coworkers.

PRAYERS REQUESTED
Continue to pray for the island brother with the hurt back. He needs to travel to get an MRI and specialist advice/care. Some of his symptoms are concerning. They are working on renewing his passport and making arrangements. Pray for healing!  Pray that he would continue to have peace and a voice for truth into his community during this trial and for the logistics to come together for him to travel.  Pray for our children at boarding school as they transition to life there, making new friends, finding healthy routines, and learning from loving adults.  Pray for the three of us as we return to Clove Island as a family of 3 and all the change that will be for us. Continue to prayer for Megan’s continuing recovery from back surgery, that pain would continue to diminish and go away.