Since our last article, Joey and I have moved into our apartment across the street from the Colegio Americano. We are indebted to our friends Boyce and Beth Wallace for putting up with us for a month in their home and being so loving, gracious, and helpful to us. We are adjusting well to life in Cali and we praise God for our family and brothers and sisters in Christ back home who have been praying for us. We cannot thank everyone here at the Colegio and the Iglesia Presbiteriana Cumberland enough for accepting and loving us as Jesus does. We have most of our furniture and appliances we need and great neighbors in Bilmer and Blanca one floor below us. Homesickness is still an issue but not a major one thanks to email, Facebook, and our new family here.

"Tu Palabra es mi guia." Or "Your Word is my guide." This has been the theme for the month of October at the Colegio Americano. An important theme is emphasized for every month of the school year. The students and teachers see and hear this in chapel services, classroom settings, bulletin boards, etc. By the end of the month, the students know the importance of God's word being a "lamp to their feet and a light to their path." (PS. 119:105) Next month, there will be new theme focusing on Thanksgiving (of course). Joey and I are looking forward to celebrating this major American holiday with our friends at the Colegio. They have asked Joey to help prepare a traditional Thanksgiving turkey! (If they can find an inexpensive one that will feed over 200! We'll let you know what happens.)

On Wednesday, October 19, the school celebrated Race Day which is combined with Columbus Day. The Colombians celebrate all the races (nations) that make up their history. This was represented by some students dressed as the various indigenous Indians, Spanish, and Africans at the morning devotional. There were two separate assemblies for this event. The Primary Dept. met in the morning in the coliseum (gym) for "Tamba Tamba." A group of young adults came to the school to sing and perform traditional, and some modern, Colombian music and dancing. They wore traditional dress and played instruments from the various regions of Colombia. This included "Musico Pacifico" which is very much like Caribbean music. All of the music was upbeat and happy with lots of rhythm that you have to enjoy by moving with the beat. It's not music to just sit back and listen to, you have to clap, tap your toes or just dance. It's funny to watch many of the teachers get called out to dance with the Tamba Tamba performers. The teachers had all the moves down really well, too! A few students went out and danced; I was surprised at their ease in the traditional dance steps. The Secondary Dept. met in the afternoon with teachers and students having an equally festive celebration in song and dance. As you know, after fiesta, we enjoyed our siesta!