Tyndale -- a Sunday Morning Group at OMPC: Greetings from Africa from the Thomasons

September 17, 2008

Greetings from Africa

Our time over the past few weeks here has been a blur of activity and many things have been accomplished.

Five of the seven college buildings are in full use and one floor of the two-story classroom is functional. The other three unused levels (classroom and administrative buildings) are at the 70% completion stage but will be functional, though not finished, by early to mid October (85-90%). Finishing this portion of the project has been hampered by lack of available funds. Some funding earmarked for this project was committed as an end-of-the-year donation, which is normal and understandable. That fact, coupled with significant inflation and spiraling material costs, has caused us to reduce the construction pace to compliment the income.

Sub-contractor compliance here is considered one of the extreme sports and as we move into the wet season, much of our time is burned up re-cleaning buildings, covering work in progress and un-sticking vehicles. Having students and staff families on the site has assisted us with increased supervision and no lack of activities in the suggestion box area. I also now have a three-year old assistant project manager who joyfully attends me whenever possible.

In summarizing my thoughts concerning the project I would have to say that, while these buildings are not perfect, they are extremely well built and above par for this region. God will, I believe, use these facilities for years to come as a launching pad for the Gospel pointed at East Africa and beyond. Thank you for being a part of this effort through your faithful prayers and finances.

The first singles retreat for Zana Presbyterian was a blessing and it was fun to watch them pull it all together in true African fashion. (Eleventh hour and 59 minutes to be exact!) The retreat was well attended and several churches were involved. The teaching was excellent (the theme was Guarding Your Heart) and we are seeing changed lives, in evidence a week later. It has been a joy to work with this group and we hardly remember the involuntary blood donations made to the mosquitoes at the camp. Our son, Ben, joined us for the festivities as the game-miester and what a hit he was. Africans are intense making a living six days a week but for this weekend they learned how to play. We saw many smiling and laughing faces that we had not seen before. We are now called Momma and Ta Ta Ben.

As I mentioned Ben is here for our last weeks and we have the joy of exposing him to the country and culture as we have been exposed ourselves. He is learning to eat matoke and his exposure to public transit here should be televised on the X Games. Ten passenger vans are licensed for 14 passengers but in rural areas, a minimum of 18 people is normal and over 20 is not unusual.

Sally has spent a large part of the past few weeks caring for a number of kids with special needs using funds many of you have provided. Cataract surgery for one child that has never been able to see much at all, tubes in the ears of another, glasses, medication for many, supplies for the Smiling Faces Club, paints and brushes for the new art class beginning at Zana School, help for the little boy newly diagnosed with cerebral palsy, and much more. We will even have a little money to leave behind to ensure proper follow-up where necessary. Sally went to visit Frida, the lady with the artificial leg from our last trip, who lives in a village way out in the middle of nowhere. She was able to take her some wrenches to tighten her prosthesis and also some dark stockings to better match her skin color. Frida was overjoyed with the visit. It is simply amazing how she survives but God continues to be faithful.

As our time draws to a close here we are truly amazed at what God has done because of your faithfulness, and in some cases, in spite of us. He is truly worthy! We leave here on September 23, returning to California to connect with Ja Ja and family. We then return to Alabama from the left coast on October 2. Please pray for our re-entry to the U.S. and reverse culture adjustment. The longer away, the more difficult the adjustments. We are tired, but it is a good feeling to be used up in a worthy endeavor.

In the Lamb,

Gorden, Sally, and Ben