Things have been on whirl wind speed here. Our first thing to do was a trip to Moshi, before we came home, to the grocery store and to exchange money. Exchaning money is a never ending process because of the amount we are allowed every day. Then the task of unpacking the bins we store here , washing all the dishes and unpacking what we had brought with us.

Sept is the most expensive time of the year for us. With two graduations and buying sewing machines for thirty-four girls graduating from the Rescue Center plus our regular school budget makes for a lot of trips to town to the ATM.

When we arrived our original solar system was in a crisis and needed major parts replaced. It reminded us of our days of living in town where you either had power, or water, or internet on any given day and could be without all three for days on end.

Preparations for the first graduation here at our home base were in full swing. Domenic and his team do an amazing job.

Graduation on September 7th was by far the best we have ever had. Because of our difficulty in finding enough robes for fifty-four graduates Domenic had the girls in the Rescue Center make more. They had designed them to look very professional. This was our 17th class to graduate from ISOM. When we graduated our 1st class people had told us we would never have enough students for a second year, but the Lord’s purpose obviously has been for greatness to come forth from the wilderness. The building was packed and the same amount of people were outside. People traveled great distances to see their children graduate. There was a tremendous spirit of joy and excitement, far greater than we have seen before.

After commissioning the seventh graders, one of the parents came forward and rallied the other parents to give an offering to the teachers for the amazing job they continue to do, year after year, to prepare their children for secondary school. There was such joy and excitement as the people actually danced forward to give to this cause. The whole audience was caught up in this. No one has ever seen anything like this happen before.

Every year the seventh graders give us a letter. This year they were so positive about their school and all the progress it has made. They are very proud of their 500 trees; thankful for their 8th classroom and the new teachers housing. They feel the support we have given them in their Christian walks has helped to reduce the traditional “Maasai Youth Dances,” called “Esoto,” that take place at midnight with drinking and drugs and introduce children as young as eight to sex to prepare them for early marriages.

They listed the challenges they had faced this year, as, a lack of their parents support in paying for school fees, text books and school supplies. Many parents don’t even provide a uniform for their children. They feel their parents don’t feel the need for education and will just take them out of school for early marriage or tending the flocks. This class only finished with Seventeen because of these issues. They want their parents to understand the benefits of education and be more supportive of them.

Last of all they thank us all for what we have done for them and mostly God for all the success’ He has given them . Their moto is “God is Everything, Lets Work Harder.”

Tomorrow Sept 13th we will drive to Ol’Gulului for the second graduation. The second class will graduate Fifty-one on Saturday September 14th. It is amazing for us to comprehend the we are seeing 115 receive ISOM Diplomas this year.

I will send two more shorter letters with more pictures.

Advancing the Kingdom in the Frontier of Africa,

Harry and Kathy