We are well into the rainy season, with temperatures going well into the 110’s every day for the past two weeks, one day we clocked it at 115F, and humidity going into the high 80’s, how could we possibly have a white Christmas? Well, we defrosted our freezer and scraped the ice off its walls and had a snowball-fight with some of the local kids. 
Many of them had never held ice before, we taught them that where we grew up, this falls on the ground for month’s at a time and then we hurl them at each other in a ball-shape and call it a snow-ball fight. They stood amazed and confused at this concept; because all they know is hot, more hot, and rain. It was a fun and yet short-lived event… until the next defrosting!
Happy (belated) Thanksgiving to you all (yinz), we had a somewhat “American-style” thanksgiving with about 30+ Americans from various organizations in town this year, it was a nice change of pace since we are far from our families. As we reflected upon this holiday season, we realized nothing can substitute or lessen the pain from being with family (Matt. 19:29) during the holidays or hard times… nothing. Only acknowledging our mission helps, which “transforms” our minds and compels us to think of other things, and remember the Reason for being here.
We had a great time with Nicole’s family being here, we were able to get a lot of projects done on the Bible school property, beauty-up our house a tad bit, and make some good memories as we took a break together for about a week; that helped refresh us and get ourselves ready for this next 6-month haul of being isolated in the village during the rainy season, with cyclones and flooding rivers which can come at a moments notice…
Enjoying family!
Another recent highlight was that our home church sent our Pastor, Deacon, and another friend along to visit us and encourage us! Seth got the privilege to co-teach with our pastor and translate for him as we taught many leaders about prayer; this truly was an amazing time! Especially since they had to hike and swim to get to us because the rivers were flooded!
Our Pastor and his brother visiting us
We got a lot of remodeling done thanks especially to Nicole’s father! He and Seth worked a lot together and remodeled 3 dorms for married couples, and built a brand new dorm, with new bunk beds.
Side view of double dorm for couples…
Double dorm for couples
Another dorm for couples
Brand new boys dorm!
A lot of work has been accomplished and there is already buzz circulating about the Bible School and many new prospective students are expressing interest in coming… we will have to wait until May 7th to see who shows up!
Pray that God brings the right group for this first year… Please continue to pray for the 4 men who are currently training to be Pastors. They are all back in their villages with their families. Two of the men live on another island, so Seth plans to write and call them on a weekly basis to encourage them, and the other two men live nearby and we will see them regularly. Continue to pray for their growth and maturation, the world, Satan, and the flesh do NOT want them to succeed.
Your feet to the Tiale People,
Seth and Nicole Stokes
Stoking The Fires 