Week 5 of the school

Hi all!  The school I'm leading is well under way and we are running head-long toward the end.  There are 3 students from 3 different countries with 3 different callings.  However, they are all headed to the same country in East Asia.  

So far, we have studies topics such as:

 The Character and Nature of God

Biblical Basis and History of Missions

Pioneering and Persevering

Spiritual Warfare and Intercession

AND THIS WEEK!!!! 

Church Planting

My school went to the Chinese New Year's Festival

where I sent them on a hunt to discover various aspects of Chinese Culture

As the students do lectures in the morning, their afternoons are filled with practical application.  One day, they study the language of the country they're heading to.  Another day, they go to an area of the city where there is a high concentration of Asians and they practice their language skills.  Still another day, they study the history and culture of the country.  When they're not doing something as a school, they are working on their weekly journal, book report, or Research Project.  So! as you can see, I'm keeping them busy and at the same time, keeping myself busy.  

2 students practicing their language with a local

The other student (the one on the left) learning a new phrase

God is moving greatly among my students.  I can see them growing in their hunger for Him and understanding of Him.  Please keep praying for them to grow closer to the one who Loves them most.  

This week is a delight for me since I'm having a guest speaker fly in from Asia to teach on my school for a week.  He is the same guy that staffed my SOFM 2 years ago.  With him came one of my classmates.  So, I'm being reunited with some of my old friends from the past.  Yay! 

Because of the busy schedule of the school, I rarely get to do much else.  However, last week was the biggest holiday in Australia: Australia Day.  Outside of Christmas and Easter, it's the only day we as a base take off early and go to the celebrations.  I thought Americans went crazy on July 4, but Australians put us to shame.  Everyone and their dog (literally) head down to the city to watch the massive fireworks show.  This year, we got an extra treat: God's firework show (see below).  In front of us was man's fireworks and behind us was a thunder and lightening storm.  You know we were serious when we are willing to sit in the pouring rain just to watch a bunch of rockets explode (for 45 minutes!). 

The beginning of the fireworks show

Aussie!  Aussie! Aussie!

you can see the storm brewing behind us

this pic was taken at the same show I was at

                                                                          

Outside of school and wet fireworks, the only other exciting thing happening is my birthday!  My twin sister and my birthday is this Thursday and we are turing 35 years old.  I KNOW!  I don't look it or act it, but it's true!  My mom says is true!  Of course, it's not an accident I'm posting this early......it's not too late for gift sending or even popping a few dollars into my account (I'm shameless, I know).  

I just had to put this up.....you see some weird stuff on the streets.
Oddly enough, this "pipe" instrument sounded really good

Until next time, I hope you all have a wonderful week!!!