October 25th 10:23 pm (UTC +1:00)
>
> This morning Kadiatu, the African lady who cooks for the Asher’s
> (usually with Karen) came for the first time today. She made breakfast
> for Tom and I, as well as for Lisa the lady from World Hope. It was
> nice to have pancakes and bacon for breakfast. Lisa had to set out for
> Makeni pretty early so she left right after breakfast, it was good to
> meeting her, in the time she had here she shared stories of the places
> she’s been and the conditions she’s had to deal with and it made me
> really appreciate what we have here in Kamakwie. Anyway, after she
> left I spent some time reading and then Saidu came over. We ended up
> playing monopoly which was really funny because Saidu was a very
> gracious loser. Anyway, after finishing that I had to get ready for
> school. I got to teach biology again today for the second time since
> I’ve been here. It went pretty well but it’s like pulling teeth. I’m
> going over material they’ve had before hoping to get a quick review
> and it’s like having to teach it all over again. Class went well
> overall, and after class I had to get ready for this evening, I was
> supposed to begin teaching a literature class tonight with SS3
> students and other people trying to prepare for the WASSCE. The Ashers
> have decided they want to have a nightly class where people wanting to
> review and learn for the WASSCE can come. I have to teach literature
> on Monday nights and Biology on Tuesday nights and Tom and Karen teach
> the other three nights of the week. Then Tom and I went to see if the
> mattresses that are supposed to be coming were arriving. Apparently
> there is a donor from my church who helped make getting these
> mattresses possible, but I don’t know who. Anyway Tom thought it would
> be great for me to get some pictures as they arrive and were unloaded
> and such, but then we found out they won’t be in till about midnight
> so we will have to wait till tomorrow to do that. We returned to the
> house to wait for 8pm when I would have to reach the class. One kid
> showed up, Foday, who is one of my science SS3 students who don’t need
> to study literature so Tom and I just worked on math with him. Right
> as we were finishing that, Karen called letting us know she was almost
> here with the medical student, Rebecca. We got the car unpacked and
> got her all settled in, since she got in so late she just went to bed
> so I didn’t get a chance to talk to her but she seems really nice.
> Anyway, that’s about all for todays activities. I brought some group
> study books and stuff and I’m thinking about starting a bible study,
> but I haven’t had a single regular week where something wasn’t going
> on yet (having only been here for just over two weeks) so I don’t know
> when a good time would be. Well, I hope all is well in the United
> States keep writing me either e-mails or on face book, I love hearing
> from people.
>
> Blessings from Africa
> Ryan Brooks
>