And then December Came

Looking back I just can't fathom how 2010 just passed us all by so quickly. It was just exactly a year ago when i started the waiting game for this job in Korea. I still can't believe I'm actually here one year later.

I grew as a teacher and I hope to strive for better and more effective ways to teach next year. I've learned that my students are one of the best in my region. Although at times they just don't have the energy to sit still.

I'll definitely remember all the delicious food I've eaten and can't wait for the new discoveries of authentic Korean cuisine in the year to come. I hope to use more Korean words and just be more Korean in how I live my day to day.

So thankful for the church I found in the city. They have been such a great blessing to me. I've now helped out with their music ministry and even attempted to practice with the Men's Choir group at the church. I think my reading skills improved because of all the Korean songs.

Overall, I give God thanks for this wonderful opportunity to live out my life and still acknowledge HIM in everything. I think that's what makes my faith in the LORD Jesus Christ so sweet. It's because our relationship just doesn't start and end in the church pews...Our time together is just getting started...

Happy New Year to all of you.

My Chuseok Holiday

My Chuseok Holiday
By Anthony Rosero

It will almost be eight months since I first arrived in South Korea. It’s an interesting feeling to know that I have been here for that long. I remember feeling so in awe about everthing. The people in the shops selling various Korean food. I was enamored by the food. The spicy taste of Kimchi and the mouth watering Bibimbap. I loved everything about Korea. I look back now and so thankful that nothing has changed much. I still love the food. I still enjoy the people but more importantly I’m beginning to understand my students. They are all special to me. I understand how much pressure they feel from the world around them that to see smiles on their faces is enough to make me glad to teach here. I can see how tired they are and how much they want a well deserved break. And so when I heard that Chusok was fast approaching I knew that my students can’t wait to sleep in an extra hour or two in their beds. This made me happy for them.

Chusok truly is a very important holiday in Korea. It’s a time when families could get together and remember their ancestors. Occasionally, they would visit their ancestor’s tomb offer various food and just be with family. It is almost very similar to Thanksgiving in the U.S. However, still very distinct in it’s root. This was also a special time for me because I was able to explore one of Korea’s beloved national park- Soreaksan National Park in Sokcho. This park has amazing mountains that tower high like mighty cathedrals. I could only imagine the magnificent view during Fall season. Unfortunately the clouds were hovering that when we reached the top peak no view was in sight. Regardless, I enjoyed my hike up the mountain. It is definitely my best hike yet. It took 3 hours to climb up and 3 hours to get back down.
I didn’t have much time to explore the city of Sokcho however I did visit the Abai Village well known as a place for North Korean refugees to settle and live. I rode a mini raft to get to the village island. I paid 200 Won. I also discovered that a really popular Korean drama show was filmed in this location. There were quite a few visitors there. But what I especially loved was the stuffed squid the village seems to sell in every corner.




Overall, I would really love to venture to Sokcho again. I like to see the mountains again and see the beautiful view. Korea truly is an amazing country. I love the people, the food and now I’m beginning to fall in love with its landscape.

An email from my students in Africa.

Dear,
Anthony,

We are so happy tto write the letter to you. Back to us we still continu well in our studies.
We would like to remind you, for your promise of coming to our school again. Actually we are really waiting for you. We know that may be you have many things in your life programmes but have heart tto come during our form IV graduation .
We have hard time now because there is no any volun teer which make us into dificult situation in learning more English. Again we would like you to come in Africa especiall;y in Mauluma.
Our school is still being known by many people since new comers in our form three class, almost seven students some thing that encourage us.
There fore tell your p[arents, friends and the church members that we are loving them. Teacher if you would find for us the friends whom we can communicate and have changing our ideas it will be better for us.
We wish you good jobs and we pray to God to keep you well for the next year journey.

Greetings to where you are.

Prepared by Teen, delitus and Oliver.

Reflections on Africa

A Wonderful Investment!
11/26/08
Dear Friends and Family,
First, I want to give God thanks this morning. He continues to show his grace in the everyday events. Thank you for those that reply to my updates. Although I am limited in replying, it is still a refreshing moment to read your shorts notes of encouragement.
It is to my knowledge that Tanzania, in its heyday, was once a colonized country by Germany and England. It is a major part of history taught in school curriculums all across Tanzania, especially in the Form 5 and 6 levels. As I read some textbooks, I could not ignore the perspective angles it takes on colonialism. Overall, the bottom line is that colonialism might have done more negative effects than positive ones. One of the "negative" tools they used to exploit the African people was "religion." The textbook said that the colonizers considered the people's customs and culture pagan and so they initiated their own religion - "Christianity" into the society. Obviously, today, the "Christian" religion has become an integral part of Tanzania. In my village alone, there are about five Christian denominations. It did make me wonder, "What are the perceptions of various groups of people here about Village School Tanzania?" Then I asked myself, "What are my motivations for joining VST?"
This is what I reflected:
From the very first time I heard about VST, I felt the need of schools in Tanzania. I also believed that education should be a fundamental right given to all children and not just to the few on top. I then reflected on my own background as a boy, who being raised in a third world country was shown the importance of education - even if it meant struggling and sacrificing to find the money to pay the tuition fees. Then, I thought of James 1:27: Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.
It made sense – I came to Tanzania with this religion!
I like the statement that VST makes about their organization. It says something about living (eating, celebrating, surviving, worshipping) with the students and villagers that sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ just becomes a natural result of loving them. It is true! You have to show you genuinely love and care before anyone could even consider your message worth listening to.
Two weeks ago, I went with Delitus to his uncle's village in Sadan, which was a three-hour walk from Lugoda Lutalli. As Delitus and I shared about VST-Imauluma, I sensed some doubts about the school's presence and its intentions. We even met a "religious" man who started sharing some negative things about Imauluma, and who directed the conversation to Delitus, my student, so of course, I was left out of the loop until later, when I asked Delitus what the man shared. Apparently, "religion" class is part of government schools - at least here in our Ward. Imauluma does not exactly follow the same format.
They gave me the task of filling in for the chapel service where we sing songs, pray, and I read from the Bible. So far, I think it is going well. I have been sharing a series on the life of Joseph. They seem to enjoy this one-hour period of time. I even have a teacher and some students like Tenim, Delitus, and Jonefredy who translate for me. Do pray for me with this given opportunity. Pray that God would give me the right words to say and that it would give God the ultimate glory. It is every Thursday at 11:00 AM.
It was rather sad that the man from Sadan did not give a good first impression. However, the trip was far more of a blessing than I could have thought. It was in Sadan where I met Vincent.
Vincent is a twenty-four year old young man who is fully blind. He, on the other hand, gave a wonderful first impression. He also encouraged me and inspired the rest of my stay in Sadan. I was delightfully surprised to listen to him and converse in English with him. Here is a young man, who despite his condition was able to get an education. Nothing was about to stop him from getting an education. He finished Form 6 this year and is already preparing to go to the university next year. One of the first questions he asked me was, "What is your view on the entity of the Holy Spirit in our lives?" Wow! I drew close to him at that point. He continued to encourage me as he took out a copy of the Psalms in Braille. He also brought out a copy of the Gospels. Delitus and I just sat there amazed at his ability to read in Braille. On Sunday, we sang in front of his church. The song was "Kombolewa!"-a Swahili translation of the hymn, "Redeemed, How I love to Proclaim It." He also translated the pastor's message in front of the church for me. Everyone in that church was just deeply encouraged by his ability. Even the pastor said, "Our village can be proud to know that we claim some of our own bright future here in Sadan."
Delitus and I seized the opportunity to share about Imauluma and its true intentions. I saw some of those doubts clear away that day...
I want to leave you with a final request. When I asked Vincent what he plans to study in the university he said, "Law." However, he requested for something quite profound. He held my hand and said, "I love reading from Psalms and the Gospels, but one of my greatest passion is to study Theology. Is there any possibility that you could help me get a theology book?" I told him that there are many of you praying and supporting me to be here in Tanzania and I will put forth this request to you. I want to challenge you with this request: Vincent desires a theology book in Braille before he pursues his dream of becoming a lawyer. I hope that you sense the magnitude of this investment. I do not come across a twenty-four year old young Tanzanian man, who is 100% blind and desires to read and own a theology book very often! It must be one of those God things.
If this challenge moves you, please email Vicki Bickel or Steve Vinton to know the best way of getting it here.
And if you are the one who read my October email and donated $500 to VST for bricks, I want to thank you . We have the bricks and we are almost done with our administration building.
To all of you praying and giving I want to thank you. Continue to pray especially with my relationship with fellow housemates. Right now, that seems to be the hardest thing here. Pray that I would be patient, kind, good, loving, joyful, peaceful, and longsuffering... They are the blossoming leaders of Tanzania and I am striving to work as part of the team.
To my loving mother and awesome brother, Timmy: I am beginning to miss you. Timmy, Belated Happy Birthday to you! Sorry I cannot call you, but know that I am thinking of you. Hope you have a wonderful 16th B-Day. Keep loving God, living life and do not give Mom a hard time, ok? Love you all.
Clinging to HIS Grace,
Anthony

BEAUTIFUL GYEONGJU
By Anthony Rosero

“When the spirits are low, when the day appears dark, when work becomes monotonous, when hope hardly seems worth having, just mount a bicycle and go out for a spin down the road, without thought on anything but the ride you are taking.” ~Sherlock Holmes
It’s no surprise that this city is coined “beautiful Gyeongju.” Everywhere you turn, you are bound to take amazing pictures with even the cheapest Kodak camera in hand. Gyeongju is a city with a rich, royal history. No one can deny that the towering tombs of kings and queens, the stoic statues of Buddha, and the elegant temples are just some of the best sites to visit when exploring my city.
If you ever plan to visit beautiful Gyeongju, I suggest renting a bicycle around the city. The most important item that I wanted to have when I first settled in my EPIK post in Gyeongju was a bicycle. It has been my saving grace. Not only has it saved me money but it has also given me a deeper appreciation for the beauty of Gyeongju. We sometimes forget that the road leading to a site is just as meaningful if not more so as taking pictures of statues and monuments.
One such moment was on my way to Mt. Namsan. I saw an elderly woman who looked as someone who had lived a life of simplicity. She was dressed in a gray outfit, wore a straw hat and her strong legs were deeply planted in the wet mud. She was bent from the waist down. She wasn’t in any way seeking attention, but for some reason she got mine. I stopped and admired how she placed tiny rice stalks in the mud. All I could think at that moment was how enormous the field was and how much she still had yet to plant. It was so easy to ignore this scene and set my focus on reaching the base of Mt. Namsan. And yet, there I was truly touched by this elderly woman’s earnest work. Yes, Korea has a booming economy. When people think of Korea, many think of the fast internet services or the catchy K-Pop music. We forget that it’s from the backs of these diligent workers that Korea has propelled itself to a successful future.
When you go hiking at Mt. Namsan, you can’t help but be amazed by the history of the mountain. There are hundreds of statues, temples, pagodas and other relics scattered all over the mountain. I took trail number ten and was pleasantly surprised at how popular this particular trail was. Right at the half way point where one starts to slow down, a statue of the biggest Buddha I’ve ever seen stands serenely on the rock face of the mountain. It’s a stunning statue overlooking gorgeous valleys below. A friend of mine said, “This hike may have been a workout, but it’s the highlight of my trip in Gyeongju. There is nothing more meaningful than to feel good about what I’ve accomplished on this mountain. The reward is a majestic view of Gyeongju city.”
After the hike back down you may find it strange to eat Kal Guksu, a home-made noodle soup. But many local hikers enjoy this meal. At the base of the mountain is a restaurant called Samneung Gohyeang Sohn Kal Guksu. You will find elderly ladies kneading flour and making these homemade noodles in front of your eyes. It’s one of the best noodles I’ve eaten and it only costs 4500 Won. These noodles are so popular among hikers that once you sit down, there is no need to say anything. They just bring out a steaming bowl of Kal Guksu.
For a longer bike ride try Bulguksa Temple and Seokgorram Grotto. It’s a forty-five minute to an hour ride but I’m sure you’ll get as much satisfaction from it as I did. You’ll pass beautiful mountains and rice fields. For me, it’s an hour of just basking in the beauty of the countryside and feeling how blessed I am to have been chosen to work for EPIK.
Bulguksa is known to be the Korean government’s historic site number one. It is recognized as of international significance by the UNESCO organization. It has a number of Korean treasures still on display. If you have a 10 won coin handy you’ll find one of the treasures-the Dabotap pagoda on the face of the coin. The temple is truly a magnificent sight. I can’t help but be happy with my photo shots when comparing it to pictures on postcards because they almost seem to look as good. This is not because of my abilities with fancy cameras, but because the structures at Bulguksa are just that picturesque!
Now you can’t visit Bulguksa without also visiting Seokguram Grotto, which is just 4 kilometers away. If you are not eccentric enough to bike up the mountain, you can walk your bike and hike for an hour to reach the site and then be eccentric enough to bike ride down the mountain instead. I’ve actually met a foreign teacher who has done just that. I could only imagine the thrill he got from riding down the mountain. I just might try that before my year ends.
But Seogkuram Grotto is probably the cream of the crop in destinations to visit in Gyeongju. Its architecture is stunning. To think that the stones were held together with only stone rivets since no mortar existed back then is just beyond me. Disappointingly, the Buddha could only be viewed through a glass wall. All I could do was stare at it for a long time so that the memory didn’t fade. Regardless, it’s a destination where visitors from all over the world visit. Some even trek early in the morning to enjoy the sunrise jutting out of the East Sea. There are also bus shuttles that go up the site every forty minutes.
One popular restaurant in the Bomun Lake area serves Sundubu(tofu stew). The stew itself is delicious, but a typical traditional meal always has colorful side-dishes. Your eyes will pop from the blend of flavors of sweet, spicy, and salty. I recommend going with another person just in case they only serve the meal for two.
Other famous sites are Cheomseongdae, Anapji Pond, and Oreung tombs. These sites are close enough to each other that riding a bike to travel from one to another should be easy. The summer season is the best time to visit these places since live music performances are held on weekends. Strolling around Anapji Pond and imagining what it feels like to visit a place where kings and queens have walked before is an incredible feeling. As an added bonus, Gyeongju residents don’t need to pay for tickets at these downtown sites. I simply show them my alien registration card and I can enjoy the sites for as long as I want.
Getting hungry? During the summer season there is a very popular noodle soup prepared with ice. Yes, that’s right. It’s not hot soup, but cold soup. It’s called Milmyeon or Naengmyeon depending on the kind you order. Two of the most popular restaurants are located downtown. These small shops have customers lining outside the restaurant just to eat these popular summer dishes. It’s worth trying and experiencing the simple joy of eating authentic Korean food with the locals.
“We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open.” This quote from Jawaharlal Nehru really sums up what it’s like to visit new places. When you come to Gyeongju, make sure to visit these famous sites, but also try to explore beyond them, too. Open your eyes and see the beauty of a strong woman working diligently in the rice fields. Eat with the locals in restaurants that are not known for their spacious seating. Ride a bike. All these things will show you more than what you hoped for. You will discover traveling in a whole new light.

Center

What a great song to remind me of what I'm in this world for....

A letter from a student....

Hey
Mr. Anthony

How are you, how about your parents, they okay? If they are okay!
Just proceed to communicating with God. Here at Madibira we're okay,
may i say we're all right.

The aim of this message is only to greeting you. I miss you Mr.
Anthony for a long time. Oh! Mr Anthony Padal to come again at
Tanzania. The Tanzania is remembering you too much. I just remember
you and no body who can stop me ro remember you. Why? Because you
was a kind man and well teacher for English. You was a source for me
to learning English up to for this time I proceed to learning English
well (vizuri sana).

The students at Imauluma Secondary School they are remembering you too
much and also they are greeting you. Okay Mr. Anthony I'll proceed to
communicate with you. I never give up to send sms or email for you.
Good by.

Yours
BY: Felix Lova
Imauluma Secondary School

Music in Tanzania, Africa

One of the things that I will never forget about my students in Africa was their beautiful music and singing. This was during a chapel session. There were no song leaders. It was just a time for someone to just start a song. The rest just follows along. It's amazing to hear because they just sing in harmony I've also jammed with my students and I have found that to be encouraging for many of them... Music does speak to the soul...I'm just thankful I can use that gift to encourage my students all over the world.

Lunch Break Jam session with my students- South Korea

I discovered that one of my students, Ki Ung played the guitar. I welcomed him to play during class and today he brought his own guitar...Students were so eager to hear a song so we played together and the students listened. I'm so glad that the students ar e starting to feel comfortable around me. I want them to realize that I truly care about them. Despite my flaws in teaching. I hope they understand that I'm still learning and trying my best to teach effectively...

Remembering Tanzania 2008-2009

It is October Already!
10/26/08
Dear Friends and Family,
"You have to work as a slave to be rich like a king."



The students made bricks for their school. It was a hard and dirty job, but we were still able to smile to the camera. Pray for them as they struggle to make more bricks so that the administration building could be finished and therefore the school could be registered before the Form 2 Exams next year.
This was on our school announcement board this week as students returned from their Mid-term break. Many of them walk many miles to return from their villages. I have had the opportunity to visit three of those villages by foot. It took about one hour and a half to reach each one. Students like Delitus, Tenim, and Maida and many others do make great sacrifices just so they could get an education. I have a deep respect and admiration for their willingness to carry bricks, make bricks, shovel sand and haul wood to burn the bricks. This is something we probably will never see our kids ever doing now just so they could get an education. It is hard for me, as the teacher who supervises the work of the students, to just watch them. Therefore, I decided to join in the work and discovered what backbreaking work making bricks would be. As I looked around the system that each group established, I decided to ask why Delitus is smiling even though he looked tired. He said with intensity in his eyes, "Because I'm getting an education." For Delitus, this is truly a second chance for him. He was actually on his way to Secondary School in 2000, when a terrible accident caused his older brother to lose a leg. This meant that he had to stop school. He is now 24 years old and has been walking from village to village, selling cloth materials by foot. He heard about Imauluma Secondary School, one of the VST schools from his aunt. It was a dream come true for him. In our schools (VST), it does not matter how old you are. To Delitus, this truly is a dream come true for him. Delitus is a bright and strong leader, who deserves this second chance. He currently is in the number one position in the Form 1 level.
When I exclude the little irritations or uncomfortable surroundings and focus on the broader perspective of my calling here, I truly see myself quite blessed to be able to teach in Africa. To see how students are sacrificing in so many different ways just so they can get an education. It truly is a humbling experience to witness. I cannot wait for next year when our students, the ones the school system left behind, appear as one of the top school finishers in our region. That would be the greatest underdog story ever!
To all of you praying and supporting me financially, this is what you have decided to invest in. Thank you for choosing to work alongside with this special ministry that I have the privilege to witness. As both presidential candidates said in their last debate, "We are living in tough times." From what I hear over the radio, people around the world are choosing to keep or pull out their investments, and other money savings because of the risks of losing it.
I am currently reading an insightful book entitled, "Letters from a Skeptic.” There is a section in the book I want to share with you. It is about the choices we make and how those choices can either influence the areas of our lives for good or for bad. It can go either way. So take this and apply it in your life somehow.
The more we choose something, the harder it is to choose otherwise, until our decisions finally solidify in us. The momentum of our character becomes unstoppable. We create our character with our decisions, and our character, in turn, exercises more and more influence on the decisions we make.
I love you all.
Striving to make wise choices,
Anthony

Icing on the cake!

Before I started this journey to a new place, where I didn't know the language and other aspects of the culture, I realized how hard I would probably have to look for a group of believers to encourage me and strengthen my faith. People back home are probably praying that I find a place of worship right away but what I didn't expect was for that prayer to be answered so quickly and unexpectedly.

Today, was a lot of fun because we got to go an a field trip into the cultural sites of Jeonju. We loaded big coach buses to reach the cultural building of Jeonju. There we divided into groups and enjoyed making a cell a phone charm, a photo frame, dancing a traditional dance done with character masks and witness a traditional Korean wedding.

But what I didn't expect was a a very brief conversation about God and religion. One girl from Chicago said that she didn't believe in God. Another situation was with another teacher from Oklahoma who said she used to be a very religious person when she was young but was pretty much done with it after college. She even specifically said that it was her philosophy class that really started her from fleeing her family's faith. So why do I tell you this?

It was during these conversations that I felt like I was going to really have a hard time. Just a hard time finding a community of believers. Believers that could encourage me and strengthen me.

But on the way back, after listening to the one sitting right next to me about how she didn't really want to have anything to do with religion-an announcement from our leader went like this: "For those of you who are Christians, there will be a Christian service at 7pm. If you are interested please come to the cafeteria."

WOW...Talk about God responding at just the right time!

We sang: Here I am to Worship, Your Grace is enough, and Jesus loves me. The Scripture was Psalm 23 and we prayed corporately and in our small groups. God used this to show me that there are others here like me who are seeking that connection with the Lord. And what a neat thing it is to see other believers here!

My prayer is that the Lord will continue to be my Shepherd during this time and that when those dark times come that I would continue to cling to HIS promises of comfort, peace and goodness. This truly was an icing on the cake!

My Arrival in Tanzania 2008

Jane Rose is Leading Us!
Aug. 31, 5:36 PM

We finally made it in Dar Es Salaam although the luggage did not show up for any of us. However, we are continuing on to Iringa early tomorrow without them. Hopefully, we see them again in four days or so.

Jane Rose was waiting for us as she held a sign. She has been waiting a long time and traveled ten hours by bus to meet us. She is a product of VSI's ministry and I am so pleased to see that she is leading us. What a great testament of what VSI is all about. It is really nothing about us. It is about the people of Tanzania that we empower to lead themselves.

Sorry but this update has to be cut short since we only get fifteen minutes each. However, I want to let you know that we made it safe. Pray for the next leg of our journey tomorrow on the road. Love you all…

Anthony Rosero

We are in Mafinga!
09/02/08

Hi All,

I have fifteen minutes. After a ten-hour bus ride yesterday, we finally arrived in a small town called Mafinga. We stayed in a guesthouse for the night and we will be at our final destination this afternoon. I have so many things to share with you, but with so little time. I might not be able to share then right now. I am keeping a journal log so when I am ready to share it; I just need to type them. However, if this is the only one you get, know that I am almost there. We already have a task this morning. We are to go to the market and buy specific items. I will try to do it alone just so I can get a good idea of how to communicate alone. Again, thanks for the prayers. I am almost there. You will not be hearing from me for a while, maybe two weeks or so. Know that I love you all.

Resting in HIM,

Anthony

EPIK Opening Ceremony 2010

Teaching in South Korea!

Picture someone running like an Olympic sprinter in an airport terminal, with a twenty pound hiking backpack and a 16“ laptop bouncing up and down with only fifteen minutes left before Singapore Airlines close the gates in San Francisco. You guessed it! That was me today at around 12:30 pm as my delayed flight from Kansas City, MO landed for my connecting flight to South Korea. I never would have made it if I didn’t make a run for it. I guess all the running I’ve been doing this past few weeks has been put to good use. Now it would have been a fifteen minute ordeal alone just to check in where you take off your shoes, pull out the laptop, take out your little ziplock bag, but thankfully the person at the Singapore Air ticketing service spoke Filipino and was extra helpful. She must have sprinted behind me too because once I reached the security check in line, she was there ready to let me skip through pass other passengers. I was literally out of breath and beginning to sweat as I handed my boarding pass.
Although I’ll be arriving without my luggage, I’m glad not having to miss the free shuttle service to the orientation site from Incheon. Just imagine me trying to communicate alone and not knowing Korean just to get to that Orientation site by bus. I don’t think I’m ready for those adventures quite yet. I’m hoping the luggage will come the next day however since I don’t have any other clothes packed in my carryon.
So why am I going to Korea? My main purpose there is to finish a one year contract with a government run program called EPIK. It stands for English Program in Korea. The people of Korea are really investing so much in their educational programs. You will find it the norm for students of all grade levels studying their lessons in after school institutes until 9pm and sometimes later. I’m glad I’ve decided to pursue EPIK since the government is behind the program-thus making our jobs more secure than the many private institutes or Hagwons. I will know more details about my placements after the orientation.
I’m eager to learn about Korean culture. I’m also thankful that I can also pay off some of my student loans. Please continue to pray for me as I desire to be in step with my heavenly Father. Pray also that I find opportunities to worship with fellow believers here and also find opportunities to share my faith.
Love you,
anthonyrosero

Amazing News!

On Thu, Feb 11, 2010 at 4:04 AM, Anthony Rosero wrote:

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Steve Vinton <steve.vinton@villageschools.org>
Date: Thu, Feb 11, 2010 at 3:00 AM
Subject: Every single one of our students passed!
To: Susan Vinton <susan.vinton@villageschools.org>

February 9, 2010 Two days ago Godfrey began getting messages of congratulations and phone calls from around the country concerning the rumors that were spreading everywhere about the national exam results for our Form 4 candidates. But it was not until yesterday that we were able to get the official results that indeed every single one of our students had passed! We've been holding our breath, hoping that the rumors might be true, but wary of celebrating because what people were saying seemed to be too wildly good to really be true. But now that it has been confirmed, it is with a great deal of thanksgiving that we want to share with all of you who have helped in this effort the great news that a rather extraordinary thing has indeed happened. The first of our schools to ever present candidates for the Form 4 examinations outperformed by wide margins every government school in our district and the celebrations going on everywhere are massive indeed. Had even a handful of these kids passed it would have been, by any standard, quite an achievement. After all, the government chooses all of the best students every year from among the kids who finish the primary schools. Our schools are designed to take all of the rest -- we take the kids with the Bs, Cs, Ds. We even take the kids who have failed and our doors are open to the orphans, to the poorest of the poor. Our schools are for those who have been rejected and passed over, those who are known here in Tanzania as "the unchosen ones" -- and we purposefully seek out the poorest of the poor, the kids who have lost their parents, those who are in the most difficult of straights, who have often been out of school several years. So when vast numbers of those in the government schools designed for the best of best end up failing, it would only be reasonable for most, if not all, of our kids to fail. As one government official said, if even a mere quarter of our students had passed it would have to, under the circumstances, be considered a real miracle. So what do we call it when every single last one of them passes? All you can do is laugh and cry and jump and dance and that's what everyone is doing, because it simply is unexplainably wonderful. I have often asked myself what it would be like if I had been born poor in a village, if my parents died when I was still young, if I weren't among the chosen few who would get to go to secondary school and I had to face a life with nothing more than a 7th grade education, with younger brothers and sisters to try to help survive. There are many times of course when I've asked God to help me, but I only remember twice in my life crying out to God in utter helplessness because I felt totally trapped with absolutely no way out. Once was during the war in Congo, and once when Jonathan was born with his heart problems that looked totally hopeless -- and I remember the exhilaration afterwards when God had heard the cries of my utterly desperate heart. I remember both times my whole body going hot and cold at the same time. Years ago at a conference I explained to people that one of the things I learned after living so many years with the poor of this planet is that they often cry out in utter helplessness somehow believing that God will open a way where there is no way, believing that God will somehow answer, because they simply have no other option. My faith unfortunately ends up by comparison becoming weak because I am so self-sufficient in many ways that just like muscles that I seldom use, my faith atrophies and I miss the exhilaration of watching God do the impossible. And so I imagine the cries of the poor in these villages who see no way out of their situation, simply no hope. And then out of nowhere, the bombs and the guns stop, the doctor tells us the surgery has been successful, the child sees his whole village work to build a school and suddenly he has a place to study. And so yes, our teachers do teach harder, we do have discipline at our schools, we do teach Christian principles, we do concentrate on English, we do do everything we can and more to help these kids. But just as there is something that changes inside of the man who doesn't die in a war, something that changes inside of a parent whose son lives, there is also something that changes inside of a kid who never believed he'd get to go to school and then inexplicably gets to go. Last night we slept in the village of Kising'a. Later this morning after the sun comes up we'll meet with the parents and the students and teachers at this school. But last night I got to meet with one of our students who is doing his internship at this school. I had of course seen the results, I knew that his school had beat out all of the government schools, and I knew that he was the one who had graduated first in his class. But I said nothing then of his results because we were here lost in the middle of nowhere and word had not yet reached this village and so he didn't even know that I knew. So I limited myself to just asking him how the internship was going. He beamed as he told me of how he loved to teach math. He told me how he had the students come after school to do extra math problems with them. He was clearly so excited to teach. Where do you come from son? He told me that the name of his little village was Ikwega and I knew it was quite far actually from our school at Sawala. Why did you come all the way to Sawala to go to school? I failed, I didn't get chosen, but I wanted very much to go to school. Your parents? They're farmers Mzee. I knew it was a huge sacrifice for them to send their son to school. He stared at me and I stared back at him. How proud his parents are going to be when they learn that their son, the boy who wasn't chosen to get to go to school, would end up confounding everyone with his amazing results! You could tell looking into his eyes that he was bright. He had that look. And how I wanted to blurt out the news right then and there and let the celebrations begin! Instead, we talked about what he wanted to do in the future. If I get to go to college Mzee, I want to study economics and then I want to help Village Schools Tanzania reach our goal. Our goal. How wonderful it was to hear that. You know over the last two weeks the results for the Form 2 exams have dribbled in and brought us all great joy. In Godfrey's home village of Nankanga, every single student had passed and the school had taken third place in the entire Rukwa region. Susan almost cried when she learned that all of our Form 2 students at Madisi had passed. Overall out of 516 Form 2 students in our 8 schools, we had 490 pass -- 95%. But those Form 2 national exams, as important as they are, are not the real benchmark. What schools are measured by are the results of those who finish -- those who obtain their Certificate of Secondary School Education -- and while the wonderfully printed certificates won't come for months -- the fact that 133 out of 133 of our students will receive their certificates is a matter to marvel at. So my friends, please know that your efforts in helping us build these schools, in giving so that girls, and orphans and the poorest of the poor in these villages get to go to school, have not been in vain, and I write to you all today with sincere thanks. Those who have a chicken will kill a chicken tonight, but even those who have no chicken will celebrate in their hearts tonight. For a great and good thing has come to the students of Madisi and Sawala. But as word spreads throughout all of our other schools, it is clear that this victory is the victory of all of those who were without hope, those in village after village who rejoice today with the knowledge that if the students at Madisi and Sawala could do this, then there is hope for them, there is hope for their children. So all of you who have had a part in this, sometime in the next couple of days, maybe you don't have to kill a chicken, but you can find something a wee bit more culturally appropriate to do to celebrate wherever you are -- celebrate and know that the Lord has taken what you did and blessed it and multiplied it and caused it to bear great fruit. You did something good for those who used to have no hope.

Steve & Susan Vinton

Village Schools International

Box 1929 Tomball Texas 77377

www.villageschools.org