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 
Hello Seth and Nicole,
Wow, what an update!! Praising the Lord this morning for all you guys are doing!!
Yours in Christ, Jeff Buckman President, Buckman’s Inc. 610-495-7495 x201 484-638-0251 Cell JeffB@BuckmansInc.com
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God bless you guys. We are so grateful you are God’s hands and feet there and are doing such wonderful work for the kingdom of God. I love your creativity and it is a blessing to see the connection you are making with the people you are serving. May God continue to bless and prosper His Word among those to whom you are ministering. May you know the joy of His salvation in the midst of all He is calling you to do. Blessed be the name of our God and may He bless you.Thank you, Maria
I love getting your messages and pictures! I pray for you regularly. What a treat for the kids to find out about snowballs. I bet the cold as it hit them was a totally new experience. Your being away from home and family during the holidays has really been on my heart lately. I know that would be terribly hard for me so I’ve been praying specifically about that.
What a neat treat for the kids to experience the side effects of defrosting your freezer! How cool! Did you plan that, or realize the potential once you began defrosting? I’m so glad to see the work done on the dorms! Are they complete now? Ya’ll have been on my heart and mind, and I’m keeping you in prayer, especially as we go into the holidays- praying that God’ll comfort and strengthen your hearts and give you refreshed enthusiasm to mitigate the longings for family at home. Oh how I wish I could give ya’ll a huge hug! May God give you extra big, extra special blessings this year! ❤ -Shari
It’s great to hear what is going on in your lives so far away, especially when the report includes things that Russ/your Dad has done to help. The photos are fabulous and so is the total of tasks accomplished to help with the teaching you will be doing next year. Amazing! It’s wonderful to have a handyman around the house/village.
Loved the “snowball” story…so creative.
Thank you for the goodies you sent to me thru your mom. I love them all and especially appreciate your thoughtfulness to select them for me.
Please pray for difficult family issues here.
Love, Aunt Catherine