I've got company!  Susan Dittmer, a long time friend from Jacksonville, FL is here to visit for her third time.  She'll be here a total of 18 days.  Susan, like myself, has her background in Early Childhood Education, so she fits right in with the work.

 
We've been having a great time visiting new kids to inform them they are sponsored.  That's one of my favorite parts of the work.  These families who struggle to survive and kids who may not even dream of being able to go to school suddenly learn that there is someone who chose them by name.  They learn they'll be receiving regular food assistance; if they get sick, we'll take care of them; and they get to go to school or learn a trade.  As we notify them, we've been inviting them for their first food distribution.  This past Tuesday, we had 10 kids who came to my house to write a note or draw a picture for their sponsor.  It's a great way for me to get to know the kids and for them to get comfortable with the scary white lady.  Then they get to go home with a 200lb bag of millet, some dried fish, the local 'soumbala' and soap.  

The other good news is it's raining!  We're actually starting to see green.  Everyone is happily out in the fields planting.  Thank you for your prayers and keep them coming because we need the rain to continue until the crop is in.