Yes, we are alive AND well.

Hello friends and family.

We are halfway. (as of Friday)

I must apologise for the loss of contact. We've been out at the shamba for two weeks now. The last time we were in the city we were unable to get an internet connection anywhere.

Tanzania is good. Crazy, but good. There have been many changes at Shamba in the past few weeks, but that's what happens when you're trying to develop a secondary school in a third-world country.

There have been a number of volunteers coming in. The peak wazungu (American) count was 16- way more than we could accomodate. It was tough, but we made it through. A group of high-schoolers from Gainesville (super-short-term-youth-missions) came through for 6 days. Way too short in my opinion, but they fell in love with the place and the students of Hananasif fell in love with them.

Hope Runs has started their running program, which has really surprised me. The girl students especially have really taken to the program, and the volunteers are kind, upbeat, and humble about the conditions. The guest house is pretty much finished. All the remains a bit of touch up paint and some windows.

Life here is completely different than the US, but the fellowship here is amazing. I can certainly see myself working at a place like this some time in the future. There is an atmosphere of learning always, and I have so many people to pray with and talk to. Mr. Pig, one of the teachers, has taken a fire to teaching me Swahili, which has been reletively successful. I can hold conversations, handle my own in the market, and make jokes. It's been pretty incredible.

Chris is doing wonderfully, as always. He killed a snake on Friday- a viper, very poisonous. He has been pressing some pretty remarkable flowers, also. He is at Shamba now while I am in the city to type and print the students' term examinations.

Thank you for the love and patience and prayers. We love you all and cannot wait to see you again.

Love love love,
Scott

(PS- the first place I'm going when I get home is Satchel's. I hope you can join me.)