Before I share about the web-based teaching I want to say thank you for those who prayed for my health. I am doing much better. Theophile is better. Stephen, the interpreter, and Alex, the driver, is better. I have energy and my appetite is back. Thank you for praying.

The week has been a great success so far. On Monday Gene Andrews taught the Introduction and Chapter 1 of Philippians. I was able to give assignments for the Rwandan leaders in the morning. At 2 PM (Rwanda time) we connected with Gene in Washington, NC (7 AM in NC). In the two and a half hours we lost connection three times, but after a few minutes we were reconnected and Gene continued to teach.

Tuesday, day 2, Tim Turner taught chapter two of Philippians. I think we had an occasional scare, but only lost connection twice (at the very beginning and just before the conclusion). Winfred Felton sat in and briefly added to the teaching several times. Winfred will teach chapter four on Thursday. Gene will take us through chapter 3 today.

The Rwandan church leaders are very excited about this opportunity and what it can mean for them and the Church in Rwanda. We are praising God for a great beginning to the web-based teaching.

This morning we were teaching our second group in Ruhango. I had heard about a young man from New Hampshire who had become part of Manchester Christian after I had transitioned in 2010. So, who walks in? Ryan Sandford had a free day, traveled to Ruhango this morning to spend the day with us. He had worked at International Justice Mission (ijm.org) in D.C. for a year before transitioning to Rwanda to teach English for two years. Although this was our first time to meet, it was a joy to discover our common connections and commitments. I believe God will bless many in Rwanda because of Ryan.

When I departed New Hampshire on December 18th there were reports of sickness. It seemed I was coming down with something, but hoped to fight it off. Arriving in Poland I knew I was sick, but hoped it would not last the four weeks some were experiencing. Second day and I felt much better. I attended many meetings and spoke for several churches.

Then we arrived at the retreat in Wisla, Poland with Messianic Synogogue leaders from Israel. There was another sickness that was putting people in bed. By the time we left Wisla, it seemed I had it. So, once again, I boarded a plane sick, this time headed for Rwanda. We taught for five days the first week of January. Theophile did not feel well and went to a clinic. The test came back positive for malaria. Stephen, our interpreter went to the clinic. Test results were positive for malaria. Then our driver went to the clinic. This time the test results were positive for typhoid.

We cancelled preaching for last Sunday and rested. Now, we are in Ruhango where we will teach three groups in six days. We sent the driver home to rest. Theophile and I are getting better. I still have some sinus issues, but my energy level is increasing each day. I have two more weeks to teach in Rwanda after this Saturday.

Yes, it was a rough beginning, but I feel like I am almost back to my normal health and Theophile is doing much better. Thanks for praying. Please continue to pray for the remainder of this trip.