Welcome to the Fourth Grade!

These eager (not so) young fourth graders are our students during our two weeks here in Awassa.  Actually, they're highly competent and motivated health extension workers and educators who are participating in Lifewater's WASH (WAter, Sanitation and Hygiene) in Schools training.  We model the lessons for them, and they play the role of primary school students (and obviously have a great time doing so!)  After practicing lessons on each other, they will go to a local school and teach lessons to real third, fourth and fifth graders next Thursday.  Today I visited the school with the two team leaders, Misrak and Teshale (left and center in the front row), and the school director is very excited to have us come.  It should be a great day for all of us!

The training has gone very well.  We've been at it for five long, hot days, and everyone is tired but very happy.  We have a great mix of training "veterans" whom I know very well, and new folks who have fit in wonderfully.  Tomorrow (Saturday) is a short day, then Sunday is a brief R&R.  Back to a full schedule next week, concluding Friday afternoon.

Our team is great.  Judy and I are old (she won't like that term) friends, Christine is the new Volunteer Programs Officer at Lifewater, and David is a retired fourth grade teacher with wonderful teaching skills and a great heart.

God has been moving powerfully here, and we're just along for the ride.  We appreciate your prayers, and you can trust that they've been answered in amazing ways!

Tesfalem