News from Mozambique

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: I received this email from Kathe (Katherine) Johnson, and thought I'd post it for all to read. Kathe is now a missionary teacher in Mozambique. I know she'd LOVE email from any who know her. : Hey, Bill--write her in Portuguese. : - Pastor Steve : ************************************************************************* : From: "Kathe Johnson" <architeuthis22@hotmail.com> : Subject: News from Mozambique : Date: Thu, 01 Mar 2001 1:18pm : "The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. . . If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it" (1 Corinthians 12:12, 26-27). : Dear Family and Friends, : It has been too long since my last letter. And there has been so much change that I hardly know where to begin. Perhaps the best place to begin is with the Christian Academy, which brought me here. : Second semester began on January 22nd. A lot of CAM's students make transitions with their families in January, leading to major semester to semester changes. Although we lost three teachers and four students, two teachers signed on full-time, and we gained six students. Corine, my former roommate, took on two additional children at different levels from the rest of her class and was trying to teach K through 3rd grade. The range from K to 3rd was too much for one teacher to balance the attention these children need to flourish. To top it off, Corine is South African with students representing five different nationalities: 4 American boys, one British/American boy, an Indian girl, a Brazilian girl, and a girl from New Zealand. The solution: I have become a 3rd grade teacher, taking on two of Corine's most demanding students, Caleb Grabowska and Daniel Gibson. Since October, I had been teaching them science and tutoring Caleb in reading. The rapore was already established between the three of us. The boys were so excited about getting a classroom and teacher all their own that they were constantly peeking their heads into my room on the Friday of the announcement. I was just as excited as they were. I revitalized my classroom, ironed out my schedule, and arranged for a broader variety of learning opportunities for ALL my classes from 3rd to 9th grade. My schedule now consists of the following: : 1st Prayer and Bible (alternating with planning) : 2nd Language Arts (Grammar, Writing, and Poetry) : 3rd Penmanship, Spelling : 4th 7th grade World History : 5th 9th grade World Literature : 6th MWF Science, TTh 9th grade Art : 7th Reading and Phonics : 8th Planning (or Games for PE rain days) : My new schedule is ample. Increased responsibilities have increased my joy. Having close involvement with this a variety of students, I am amazed observing how much my students are learning and growing. I see their characters developing DAY by DAY. Every morning in prayer-time with Caleb and Daniel, I am astounded to take part in and witness their communication with God. : Although I still see Corine in school, I have missed her like crazy ever since she ran off and got married in January. Madalena and I welcomed a new roommate at the beginning of February. Erin is here with CoMission and Campus Crusade for Christ to teach English, lead Bible studies, and evangelize. Having spent last year in South Africa, she is quickly adjusting to Mozambique, although she isn't yet sure how she feels about Portuguese. Erin attended a Bible college in the States and has a degree in psychology with an emphasis in juvenile psychology. As crazy as Madalena and I are, we both benefit from Erin's expertise. . . : Speaking of Portuguese, I have acquired enough of the language to have educational conversations every morning with Eduardo, our guard. He is picking up some English, too. On a humorous note, yesterday evening when Eduardo arrived for duty, I was sick and thoroughly confused him by slipping into speaking French. "Quelle heur a t'il? Desculpe. Je suis un peu mal. Je esto. . . Aaach. I mean. . . Um momento. . . Okay. Eo esto um pouco mal. Que horas sont?" At that point I was stumbling over my English, too. : I have been doing a lot outside of school. It will be no surprise that I have been editing the OMS Mozambique Field Manual. I also send a weekly prayer report by e-mail to headquarters, although I have been negligent the past few weeks due to technical "aarrrgg." If you are interested in receiving a copy of the (nearly) weekly prayer requests and praises, just let me know. The report gives a fairly detailed account of the work and concerns of OMS missionaries here in Maputo. YOUR PRAYERS ARE EFFECTIVE TO HELP ESTABLISH GOD'S KINGDOM IN MOZAMBIQUE. : During school break, I had some exciting experiences beyond the city with Madalena in the new mission vehicle, a huge red 4 x 4 truck which I like to call "Beastie" (but don't let Madalena hear you call it that). The truck has freed Madalena of dependence on other people driving her to work and has proved to be a valuable weapon against the giant red mud puddles that get in our way in T-3. Madalena has been working harder than ever these days. Since the opening of the Maputo Bible Theological Seminary down the street, this dedicated woman has been working Sunday through Saturday. Please, pray for God to protect her. : How is that for a healthy dose of Mozambique news for now? I could write a 500 page novel about third grade, but I doubt many people would be THAT interested. There are a few more things I would like to share, but they merit separate letters. : Love from Mozambique, : Katherine : P.S. I almost forgot to mention the worms who took up residence in my tummy a few weeks ago! They moved out very quickly once I delivered an eviction notice.

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