If penguins are cool ... how come I'm so hot?

Potratz Misson Update May 16 2008

Dear Family and Friends,

Randy has asked me to write this update. The last few updates have been more about the ministries he is involved in and he feels bad about it. So, here goes.

About 3 weeks ago Justin and Noah were in the play "Princess Bride". Noah played the Grandfather and did a nice job. One his teachers said he will make a handsome grandpa some day. Noah continues to have his basketball in his hand and plays when he can. It's Noah's turn to catch up to Mom in height. He should be almost as tall or taller than me when we return home. Noah will also be a much better swimmer before he gets home. They are doing a swimming unit in PE and he is improving, even if he is belly breaking the water on his dives yet. He has a good instructor and he has come a long way considering he could hardly swim before coming to back to Niger. He is truly enjoying being in Africa.

Justin played the character Inigo in the play "Princess Bride". The first night he helped by add libbing while thoughts were gathered during a mix up in the scenes. He even gave some blood for the play. He was cut by some duct tape near his eye during one of the sword play scenes. He is fine. He got a lot of compliments on how well he did. Thanks to having watched old Red Skelton skits, he played a great drunk Inigo.

Justin is asking about how he can live for Jesus each day, and taking his walk with the Lord seriously. He is growing physically as well and every night before devotions he does his push ups. Justin has been swimming also. He is in the stronger swimming group. He loves the challenge. He is not as agile or quite as fearless as some of his classmates but he keeps right up with them.

Chris has been busy with his classmates raising money for their class trip. They sponsored a garage sale and provided a snack bar for intermission during the play. His class wants to travel to the beach in Benin for their class trip. There will be 10 students next year so they are getting a good start. Chris took the SAT last Sat, but is not really sure how he did. This past week he and his classmates have been praying for one of the boys in his class who was hit by truck. The young man was given an emergency passport to Paris to have surgery to reset a broken collar bone and dislocated shoulder. Chris is swimming too but not with as much enthusiasm as his little brothers but is enjoying the fellowship the his classmates. Chris has also been busy gathering information from colleges. He has some "big ideas". Oh, my! How time flies! He was a baby in our arms not that long ago and now he's almost out the door.

The Lord has something very special planned for each our/His boys. I get the privilege for praying for them and watching them grow up both physically and spiritually.

As for me, Wanda, the Lord has blessed me with a part-time position so that I can enjoy what a Mom likes to do, be a Mom. I have been busy with teaching and taking kids to the pool here in Niamey. For the next 4 Mondays the student body has swimming class. I am helping the swimming instructor in the morning and am just a driver for the secondary students in the afternoon. I am glad that I can help with the secondary students because this gives me a chance to get to know them better. I have truly enjoyed teaching half days.

Hadiza, our house help, has been able to help me with some French as we discuss things. I don't know if I remember everything I try to repeat, but it's been good. Between staff and curriculum meetings I have been able to do some gardening. Carol D., I need your green thumb! This weekend for Mother's Day, Randy and I are going to venture out to a plant nursery to buy some more plants. The boys won't like this because they are the ones who will have to water them. Randy said I should make this my home while we are here so that's what I am trying to do.

Last weekend, Randy and I were able to participate in the "Family Life Weekend to Remember". We stayed at one of the many guest houses in Niamey. It wasn't the Hilton but we couldn't afford that anyway. The facilitators were from Kansas. They lived had lived in Burkina for a number of years and pray that they will be able to return to minister to the college aged students in Burkina. He has farming background and hers was Mennonite. A nice couple and a very good weekend.

At school our summer will be filled with moving our old school media center to the new one and moving some classrooms around. I will try to keep you up dated on how the moves go. The boys are hoping mom doesn't keep them to busy because they will want to swim and be with those friends who won't be traveling out of country.

Thank You so much for your prayers because I know I wouldn't be in Africa without them. Also, because of those faithful givers, we wouldn't be here either. I miss you and would love for you to come and visit, especially for Chris' graduation next year. God Bless you all!

Wanda for the boys,

Praises

* 3 and half weeks of school left

* A/C in living area making it bearable in the heat

* good family and friends (that's you)

Prayer

* endurance to make it through the heat

* attitudes to be good at school and home

* for exams coming up