It was Friday afternoon.  Late.  At the end of a v-e-r-y intense, week-long "intensive" course.  The other students in the class had said "thanks," "great course," "good-bye" and "God bless," over a half hour earlier.          


Even so, it took awhile for me to appreciate the value of what was happening, as I worked with the group that had asked for some additional time.  I get so "into" what we are working on together--especially when it comes to seeking a shared understanding of the text of Scripture--that I can lose track of time.

But suddenly it hit me:  all of the people in the classroom were facing a drive home through Friday rush hour traffic that would be at least as long as mine.  Some were actually looking at several hours' worth.  And yet, they stayed.  More than that, they asked questions and shared insights.  They were definitely engaged.  I know they had many other things screaming for their attention--to say nothing of a very well-earned need for rest and relaxation--but they were still eager to learn.

Wow.  It is simply a delight for a teacher to have the chance to walk alongside such a dedicated group as they learn!  I thoroughly enjoyed all the students in my summer Bible & mission course at Philadelphia's Palmer Theological Seminary last week.  But when over a third of the students asked if I would extend the final day and spend an additional hour with them in Mark's Gospel, that was a special treat!

So, I am very grateful for a great experience last week.  Thanks be to God.  And thanks to all of you who responded to God's prompting to pray for this ministry last week.  All of us were blessed.

As I give thanks for last week, I am also gearing up for the coming week.  Once again, people will be gathering from up and down East Africa to spend a week in Bible study and fellowship.  The team of Kenyans and Americans who have worked on the logistics for Berean Safari 2010 have been doing a great job, and it looks like everything is set for another excellent experience.

I am especially thankful, as I write, to see the early reports from today's voting in Kenya.  You may recall that there was an unusual-for-Kenya flare-up of ethno-political violence in Kenya in 2007, after some hotly disputed elections.  Today, Kenyans have been voting in a referendum on the new constitution that is meant to address those problems.  So far, everything seems to be going very peacefully.  So, it looks like those of us who are traveling from the U.S., Uganda, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Rwanda, South Africa and elsewhere will find a peacefully-advancing country when we land in Nairobi. 

It is certainly my prayer that Kenya will be both peaceful, and also advancing toward greater justice and improved lives for all its citizens.  Please join me in praying for Kenya, and for the group that will gather around Scripture at Berean Safari 2010 from the 8th to the 14th.

Thanks for your company on the journey--and your support that makes the journey possible!

Blessings,
Stan

p.s.  Some have asked me how the support-raising is going.  The truth is that I have been greatly encouraged and humbled by your generosity--thank you!  At the same time we still have a ways to go to meet our goal this year.  So, if you have been thinking about helping to support this ministry, please do!  My friends and colleagues on the staff of International Ministries have received still more funds to be used as matching gifts for monthly pledges that begin during the rest of August and all of September.  So, a commitment now will go farther.  Additional details should appear on the IM website by this Monday, August 9th.