April News: A bit about the SOIP
The Class!!
Let me tell you about the students!
The puzzle of our names together with Ezk 37: 1-14 which is the verse for the school
There are 10 of them. They come from all over, which is great. We have people from France, Canada, America, New Caledonia, Switzerland, Chad. The staffs are from South Africa, France, Switzerland, Togo and Cameroon. Three of us are full-time staff but we have some brilliant people just coming in and out to help out.
The class is doing well. They are so much fun to be around. The youngest is 19 and the oldest is over 60. So there is also a great diversity in the class age wise, and culture wise. Something that stood out for me and really made me laugh is that I am like the 4th tallest person here! Out of 15 there is only one staff member, and 2 students that are taller than me. And bear in mind that 6 of the students are guys! I laughed so much when I realised this, because those who know me are aware that I am not the tallest guy, actually in South African culture I am considered short. More and more I believe it when they say Napoleon was not the tallest guy around.
We are going into week 4 of lectures this week. And I am really happy for the progress of the class. Last week we had a very special moment, one of the students had his 35th Birthday, and he came from a Family that was not the best to grow up in. And he said that this was the first time he had ever had his Birthday celebrated in the Traditional way that we have become accustomed to. And when we bought a Cake out with candles on it he just looked at it for about a minute, realising that this was another first for him. That moment bought water to most of our eyes as we witnessed a man starting off a new chapter in his life, knowing that he has a new family around him in this school. I am glad its a small school, because it’s really clicked and become a great unit. I will be sad when I leave.
Please Pray for Finances! There is still about 5000 euro’s that need to come in to cover both the lecture and outreach phase for the students.
