Update from Africa

I know that most of us received this e-mail from Stephen and Joscelyn, but I wanted to put it on the blog for those who may not have. Keep the Hills in your prayers!

We have had a busy week so far. The Translation Training courses have begun. Joscelyn's literacy course meets all morning this week so we have been very busy. Stephen has been an immense help, taking some of the lectures. I was surprised at how stressful it is to teach with a translator. I didn't realize how many idioms I use that can't be directly translated. Stephen's teaching will begin next week. I have been impressed with the eagerness these translators have for literacy. They see clearly that for their translation to be read, we must have literacy.

In addition to our academic excitement we have had some exciting linguistic developments as well. Caleb has perfected a bilabial ejective (the raspberry) and Micah has mastered the use of possessive pronouns. Okay, so he had mine down a long time ago, but your, his, and hers are new!! He has also expanded his Swahili vocabulary as well. Both the boys are loving their ya-ya (babysitter) and she seems to love them too! Caleb is still finding much enjoyment just from staring at his fists. Just like God's mercy, it's new every morning!!!

Please remain in prayer for the students of the course. Be in prayer for the rightt people to feel called to both translation and literacy. Lift up the Kagulu translation as it is priority 1 for literacy. Keep our health in your prayers as well. We should find out today if Micah's and Stephen's lab work shows any amoebas or worms!! We have switched Malaria meds for Micah. Pray for Caleb too, a mosquito was in his net last night and he is now peppered with bites. My first thought was the Chicken Pox!!!

Attached are pictures of our recent trip to the Berega orphanage. Caleb is making friends with Stella, one of the quadruplets born in early may. Ute, a German woman who helps run the orphanage, is holding her. The toothbrushes were just too poetic!!

Praise God I am becoming a more accomplished Driver, the roads are still terrible but Micah has stopped asking for Nicki (our hosttess) to drive instead!!Thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers.

The traveling Hills

Toothbrushes at the orphanage

Caleb making friends!