Dragging along!

August 8, 2008

We are starting to drag. Some of our team is sick but ok to continue. Overall, we are just tiring out. There are two days left of the institute, we preach on Sunday, and fly out on Monday morning. We have an eight hour layover in Nairobi. We are considering seeing some of the town, but it may not be worth it once we pay for a transit visa and a taxi. We will likely hang out at the airport.

If you see Trish, wish her a happy anniversary. We’ve been married for 21 years today. And, it’s a double anniversary. One year ago, the Olkowski’s arrived in Pennsylvania. We are grateful for our new friends and church family at Zion. Our launch team has been a blessing to us. And, we miss and appreciate our friends and family in California too.

Our doctrine studies included man, sin, and salvation. I did not cover this next point in Zambia, but I addressed the idea of our value just as a creation of God in his image. Everyone has intrinsic value. Doug followed up in his lesson as well along the similar lines. It was a good one-two punch. We also were able to discuss temptation and avoiding sin.

I briefly taught the ideas of free will and election. No problem! We did enjoy looking at all the accomplishments of the cross and what it did for us. Part of me does not understand why someone rejects all that God has done for us through Christ. But another part remembers how my excuses seem to make sense. I have not desire to go back to the old way of life. The pastors took detailed notes to study later.

Our illnesses are percolating. Our leader, John, is back at the hotel with some anti-biotic with some kind of flu. John Michael was sick yesterday. My throat is getting sore (it might be from dust and pollution). We are almost done though.

I’m so glad I’ve come, but I’m missing home too. Hope you all are well.

Pastor Joe