Fluegge Prayer Update (June 3, 2011)

Posted on June 4, 2011 by Susan

Dear friends in Christ,

Greetings in Christ’s name from Dapaong, Togo!

Sorry it has taken me so long to get out this update…it was only yesterday that I finally got a workable internet connection.

First of all, I want to draw your attention to two videos that Susan has put together. As promised, here is the video of our kids reciting the small catechism for their confirmation. They worked hard on this, so we thought we would record the moment:

http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=fluegges#p/a/u/0/iDcc9G6q_mQ

The second is my recent visit to the NEEMA Lutheran College in Matongo, Kenya:

http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=fluegges#p/a/u/1/whSa2p-RZ6c

Thank the Lord with us that travel from South Africa to Dapaong went smoothly with no hiccups. I left May 28 (Sat) for Ethiopia, spent the night, flew to Togo on Sunday, spent the night, and took the 12 hour bus ride to arrive in Dapaong on Monday evening. Three days of travel with no hassles (accept swollen feet and a sore behind!). Dieu Merci! (Thank God!)

What a joy to see dear co-worker and faithful laborer Dr. Dongo, Director of the CLET, and the other staff and faculty of the CLET. It has been nice to be back “home!”

Tuesday class started. Four hours per day with a half hour break in the middle. Before class even started the students came to the door of the guest house to greet me (the guest house is on the seminary campus). Much to my surprise, I have had all of the students before! It was again a happy reunion. And I remembered most of their names. In fact, the Lord has led a student from Ivory Coast, Paulin, who did his first year back in 1999, to come back and finish his studies. What a joy to see him! I had taught him way back in 1999! (By the way, please keep Paulin and Galo, both from Ivory Coast, in your prayers as they are understandably very apprehensive about the difficulties they will have in traveling back home through a war-torn country).

There are 21 students here at the moment studying in the pastoral program which finishes in two weeks. There are 19 wives who attend the “Ecole des Femmes” (School for Women) where they learn reading, writing, and basic catechism and theology to support their husbands in the ministry. There are also 56 children. My friends, that is a seminary community of around 100 people! When Dr. Dongo told me, I was a bit amazed. I have always found that when pastoral students go through their training accompanied by their wives, it makes a tremendous difference. Right now, eight of the students still in their first year of the pastoral program are attending a course on “Christian Family” (taught by Pastor Dean Christ from the U.S.). The husbands and wives sit together and are going through the class together. (I do not have photos yet, but will send some soon.)

There are students here from partner confessional Lutheran churches in Guinea, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, Togo, Benin, and Congo-Brazzaville. This seminary is touching the lives and ministries of Lutheran churches all throughout Francophone Africa. I deem it a true blessing to be a part of it!

I’m in Skype contact with Susan and family back in Pretoria. She tells me it is below freezing and the family is COLD (there is no central heating, so all the kids wear winter coats and scarves around the house!). How strange it is for me to see them in winter coats when I call on Skype while I am shedding clothes as much as I can to withstand the 105-110 temperatures right now in Togo! Please keep Susan and the kids in your prayers.

I hope to send photos soon and will be posting regular updates on our website: www.flueggefamily.com .

The Lord bless and keep you!

Glenn

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Glenn’s visit to Lutheran Seminary in Kenya

Posted on June 2, 2011 by Susan

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Fluegge Family Letter 30-May-2011

Posted on May 30, 2011 by Susan

Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.  Ephesians 6:10

Dear Family and Friends in Christ,

South Africa.  The place where one puts on their winter coat to go INSIDE the house and takes it off OUTSIDE the house.  The low for today was 2 (celsius) but the high for today is going to be 24 (celsius).  It is absolutely beautiful outside with bright blue skies and lots of sunshine.  However, inside the house we are at 12 degrees celsius (around 55 farenheit) and I can’t get it to be any warmer.  Thanks to friends, family, and supporters we are more prepared this year than last with warm clothes, hats, scarves, coats, mittens, and gloves.  Glenn also took three weekends and put plastic on all the windows to keep as much of the cold air outside as possible.  That plastic has helped incredibly.  Pretoria would be the “perfect” place to live (weather wise) if the houses were insulated.  Thankfully the winter is only 2 months long.

Friday/Saturday (27/28 of May)  I had the privilege of attending the first ever Lutheran Education Association (LEA) conference in South Africa.  I went because I was curious.  I took my parents along so they would have some more “cultural experience” and see a bit more of South Africa and a friend of mine came along as well.  Since it was the first one ever it was more of an introduction to the LEA and to Lutheran Education.  A small group from South Africa attended an LEA conference that was held in Bethlehem so they could see what was happening there.  Another group attended the recent LEA conference in Cincinnati to see and experience what was happening in the U.S. in terms of Lutheran Education.  Both those groups gave us a small presentation.  The director of LEA was here, with his wife, and he gave a brief history of Lutheran Education in the states and showed how it has grown and changed and is even now getting smaller and smaller as Lutheran schools are closing all over the U.S.  He also gave a brief look at the Lutheran education system in the Asian countries.  The point of the conference was to show Lutheran Education, how it’s working all over the world and that, yes, South Africa can make it happen too.  The enthusiasm and the excitement was evident as was the desire.  I asked one of the men in my group (who is a headmaster/principal in a small rural government school) if the funding was possible and he said yes.  And that is the most important aspect of this conference.  They weren’t seeking financial aid and funding.  They want to know how they can make it possible themselves.  The Lutherans of South Africa want Lutheran Education and they want to make it happen with their own resources.  At the beginning of the conference we noticed that the attendees were mainly men and not women.  The men were Pastors, teachers, Headmasters, farmers, business men, fathers, and grandfathers.  It was nice to see so many men interested in and excited about Lutheran Education.

On Tuesday, 24 May, Pat Fick came for dinner.  Pat Fick has been a friend of the family for years.  She and a group of students from Concordia Austin, TX were here learning about South Africa and helping out in orphanages, schools, and other places.  It was fun to spend some time with her and reconnect.  However, we did miss having her husband, Steve, around.

This past week (24, 25, 26 of May) Crawford Preparatory in Pretoria (that would be grades 4-7 which encompasses 400 students) held their musical/play.  The musical was written, organized, and directed by teachers at Crawford.  The story line was simple.  It was about a girl who followed her dream and became a hollywood star (she was from South Africa) but didn’t forget her friends or where she was from.  All the songs were “pop” songs that are familiar to all (or at least most of) tweens/teens or anyone who listens to the popular “rock” songs on the radio at the moment.  Grandpa and Grandma were fascinated with how “South Africans” view America (and Americans).  It is interesting to live in another country and view the U.S. from their perspective.  It gives one an interesting perspective.

Just incase you are wondering we are all doing well.  Samuel is now on the B team for Rugby.  Caleb is participating in a Cricket “academy” (I’m still trying to understand his “love” for Cricket).  Jesse is still playing soccer and spent Saturday evening watching the finals for some Soccer/football thing with the Rodewald men.  Eliana hangs out with me and Abby is hanging out on the Tennis courts a couple of days of week.  Glenn is still trying to learn Latin/German and get as much reading done as he can while teaching 4 classes at the LTS and traveling.  He is in Dapaong, Togo for the next three weeks teaching an intensive at the CLET.   Samuel and Abigail have exams starting next week (6 June).  Samuel is very apprehensive about his and is really wishing Dad was around to help him study.  Keep them in your prayers as they both want to do well.

In Christ
Susan Fluegge
(Glenn, Samuel, Abigail, Caleb, Jesse, Eliana)

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Fluegge News Update (May 26, 2011)

Posted on May 27, 2011 by Susan

Dear friends in Christ,

FLUEGGE NEWS UPDATE (for more info, see www.flueggefamily.com)

Greetings in the name of our resurrected Lord and Savior! We give deep heartfelt thanks to all of you who continue to support our work in Africa through your sacrificial gifts and faithful prayers on our behalf. The Lord continues to take care of us through you. We are planning a short trip to the U.S. this coming Dec-Jan (wish we could be there longer, but our children’s school schedules make it impossible). More details to come….

Samuel & Abigail confirmed. Our two oldest children, Samuel and Abigail, were confirmed on May 1 at the church we attend here called the Evangelical Lutheran Congregation of Arcadia by our dear friend and Pastor Axel Wittenberg. This was a special time for both of them. It was made even more special by the fact that both of them recited by heart Luther’s Small Catechism in front of Grandpa, Grandma, and Pastor Axel and his wife. Two years ago we started studying the Small Catechism and the Bible passages behind it, because we were not sure how, when, or where they would be confirmed (church services and instruction in Togo were done in French and our kids don’t speak French). Part of this was to recite a small part of the Catechism every morning with the result being that they memorized the entire Catechism! Of course, the deal was that their Dad also recite it by heart, which he dutifully did. See the attached photo and watch the video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78Z7vzEgQQk (the video for the reciting of the Catechism will come later…)

Upcoming travel to TOGO. The Centre Luthérien d’Etudes Théologiques (CLET) in Dapaong, Togo is in desperate need of teachers. They have no missionary present and because of the French language barrier, they cannot benefit from visiting professors or pastors from the states. I’ve been asked to teach a two week intensive course at this seminary on “Early Church History.” I’ll be leaving this Saturday on May 28 to make the trip (two days of flying with a night of sleeping in the airport in Ethiopia!). I plan to stay three weeks in order to attend the graduation ceremonies on June 18. As many of you know, we spent over ten years working with this seminary. This will be a time of intense teaching (4 hrs/day!), but also of renewing friendships. Please pray with us for safe, hassle-free travel, transformative teaching (with limited resources!), mutual encouragement, and protection for the family staying here in South Africa.

Semester ending at LTS. I’ve been very busy teaching four courses at the Lutheran Theological Seminary here in Pretoria, South Africa – Beginning Greek, Intermediate Greek, Advanced Greek Readings, and Church History in Africa. We are nearing the end of the semester with final exams just around the corner. This is always a tough time of year as temperatures fall to around freezing in the month of June and seminary rooms have no central heating. Those of us from tropical and savanna Africa have a bit of time adjusting! Please continue to pray for the students and faculty. You can see a video that Susan put together of the LTS at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCfA-kDgNvs

Dr. Dongo (CLET) retiring. Dr. Dongo, the Director of the CLET, has announced his impending retirement after this year. He has been a teaching and leading figure in French-speaking Africa for over ten years at the CLET and will be dearly missed. The Lord bless him and his wife as they return to Congo and use him as mightily in retirement as He has used him over the past years in Togo! It is always difficult to say good-bye to someone through whom God has worked to do so much good for so long and the case of the CLET is no different. Please pray that God would raise up the right Director who will lead the CLET into the future.

Grace Place Retreat in Kenya. We spent the end of March and beginning of April in Kenya. The first week we attended a retreat graciously offered to LCMS missionaries in Africa by Grace Place Retreats. This organization offers retreats to church workers and focuses on health (spiritual, physical, psychological…since church workers are especially prone to “burn out”). It was a good opportunity to meet many of our fellow missionaries in Africa whom we haven’t seen in many, many years. Our children also enjoyed the opportunity to gather together with other MK’s (missionary kids), which is a good thing as MK’s always have a particular bond. See the attached photos.

Visit to Neema Lutheran College, Kenya. After the Kenya retreat, Susan and the kids flew back home and I took advantage of the opportunity to visit Neema Lutheran College in Matonga, Kenya, with two fellow missionaries. This institution of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Kenya has a theological college as well as a teachers’ college. Dr. Joseph Omolo, the Principal of the Theological College, received us warmly and shared with us the courageous plans they have for developing into a full-fledge university. They already offer registered diplomas (equivalent of three years) in theology and education and a Bachelor’s in theology in partnership with another university. Dr. Omolo studied at Concordia Theological Seminary in the U.S.A. and has a vision for offering confessional Lutheran training for pastors, teachers, and deacons. Pray with us that God would bless this institution. See the attached photos.

Rev. & Mrs. Alfred Ebel (Grandpa and Grandma). Susan’s parents arrived here at the end of January and are filling a vacancy at English Lutheran Fellowship (ELF) about a 45 minute drive away. The congregation has enjoyed them so much that they have asked them to stay for another five years (though I’m not sure that their family and church obligations in the states will allow that)!.  We are enjoying have Grandma and Grandpa around and being reminded of the advantages of having family around. (Since we began to serve with the Church, God has always called us away from them…will He call us to serve near them at some time? In His time and in His place….) We have until the end of July and, alas, they leave us. See attached photo.

PLEASE PRAY WITH US:

  • Thank God for those whom God has raised up to support our ministry and His work in Africa. God takes care of us through you.
  • Thank God for the confirmation and first communion of Samuel and Abigail and pray that they now grow in their faith in Christ and their understanding of what it means to be God’s Church.
  • Thank God for the many Lutheran seminaries throughout Africa (LTS, CLET, NLC, and others) and pray that He strengthen these seminaries, the faculty, staff, and students, and that He use these institutions to train up excellent servants of the cross for the Lutheran churches throughout Africa.
  • Thank the Lord for Dr. Dongo’s dedicated commitment to training up the next generation of pastors and pray that God continue to use him in his Kingdom in Africa.
  • Please pray for my trip to Togo over the next three weeks. May God grant me safe travel and bless my teaching.
  • Thank the Lord for Grace Place Retreats offering us the retreat in Kenya and for the time to be renewed and reconnect with friends and co-workers.
  • Pray for Susan’s parents as they finish up their time here in South Africa. May God continue to use them to build up God’s people at the ELF.
  • Pray for our continued acclimation to our new work and life in South Africa and continued protection from crime (the crime rate is quite high in South Africa).

ABOUT US: We (along with our five children) have served with LCMS World Mission since 1998 in Togo, West Africa where Glenn taught at the Centre Luthérien d’Etudes Théologiques, a seminary that trains pastors for Lutheran churches throughout French-speaking Africa.  In 2009, we accepted a call to continue serving as missionaries, but this time in South Africa where Glenn currently teaches at the Lutheran Theological Seminary (LTS) in Pretoria and works with Lutheran churches throughout Africa to help develop their pastoral training programs. Please visit our website to learn more about us:  www.flueggefamily.com or   www.revglennfluegge.com.

SUPPORT US: Susan and I greatly appreciate your help in making our ministry in Africa possible. LCMS WM missionaries are now responsible for raising 100% of our own support (this was not the case in the past…), so we continue to need your help. There are many ways to support us:

  • Give a gift easily using the secure online giving link: www.lcms.org/fluegge .
  • Give a gift using the attached “Prayer Card.”
  • Your ongoing support assures of God’s provision on a regular basis :
    • If you are an individual, please use the attached “Prayer Card.”
    • For your congregation, school, or a group within the congregation, please consider a “Together in Mission” (TIM) partnership – please contact me for an “Adoption Form”.

The purpose of this update is to keep you informed. We do not wish to clutter up your inbox. If you receive this email more than once or wish to no longer receive these updates, kindly send us a note.  Thanks.

The peace of the Lord be with you,
Glenn

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Pray Request

Posted on May 27, 2011 by Susan

Dear friends in Christ,

I’ve been asked to teach an intensive course at the Centre Luthérien d’Etudes Théologiques (CLET) in Togo and plan to leave this Saturday. I’ll be away for three weeks returning in the latter half of June. Please pray with us for safe and smooth travels (both in the air and on the ground – I have to take a 10-12 hr bus ride to reach the seminary…). Please also pray that God grant me wisdom in teaching. It’s rather intensive – four hours per day – and the subject is rather new for me: “Early Church History.” Pray that my French skills return quickly. And please pray for safety, health, and protection for Susan and the kids who will stay behind in South Africa. It’s rather strange, but it seems that something always comes up while I’m gone. We pray that all goes smoothly at home.

Also, I wanted to give you an update on Pastor Tadé Désiré who had to flee to neighboring Liberia from the civil war in Ivory Coast. This is an excerpt from an LCMS World Mission Area Facilitator who works with Liberia: “In March, President Bolay and Rev. Baicrah Gaye (men we work closely with in Liberia) collected funds from Lutheran congregations in Monrovia and traveled to the areas of Liberia that are close to the Ivory Coast border. After much searching, they found refugee, Rev. Tade Desire, President of the Lutheran Church in Ivory Coast. They also distributed the bags of rice they had taken with them. In addition to all of the relief efforts in Japan and other places, LCMS World Relief and Human Care has given a grant of $17,500 for refugee relief in Liberia. The church in Liberia hopes that this aid will enable them to reach out to people in desperate need with both physical and spiritual care. (If you wish to contribute to this cause, call 1-(888) 843-5267.)”

Finally, fellow missionary Beth Heiney (in Guinea) has been working hard on a website dedicated uniquely to LCMS World Mission’s work in Africa. When you get a chance, please take a look: www.lcmsinafrica.wordpress.com. The purpose of this website is to let you know about the many “projects” that LCMS World Mission supports all throughout Africa. Beth will try to keep the website up to date. There has also been a change in the funding of these projects – Beth does a good job of explaining the changes on the “About” page. The fact of the matter is that many of these projects are not fully supported. If you would like to support a specific project, there is information on how to do that on the bottom of each page or you can call LCMS World Mission at 1800-433-3954.

Thanks for you continued prayers and support on our behalf.

The Lord bless and keep you.
Glenn

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Fluegge Family Letter 8-May-2011

Posted on May 8, 2011 by Susan

“Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great:  He appeared in a body, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.” 1 Timothy 3:16

 

Greetings in the name of our Risen Lord and HAPPY MOTHERS DAY to all you beautiful/wonderful mother’s/Grandmothers/Great-Grandmothers,

Yesterday was the “big game.”  Pretoria Boys High (English) vs A.H. S. (or Affies the Afrikaans highschool).  Samuel’s Rugby game was at 10:30 a.m.  He is on the form 1 (grade 8) D team.  He started out on “G” team and has since moved up to “D” team.  His coaches think he has the potential to be a very good Rugby player.  He just needs to learn “how” to play.  He needs to learn the strategies and plays.  After Samuel’s game I took the kids and Grandpa home and then returned to watch the form 1 (seniors) A teams play.  It was quite the “cultural” experience.  Boys High lost all games played.  Affies was just better at Rugby than Boys High.  I have to admit that I enjoyed watching Rugby.  I haven’t really enjoyed it, yet, so was glad that I enjoyed the experience.  Now all someone needs to do is invent something to protect the players neck and spine from injury so I don’t worry so much and can enjoy, more, watching Samuel play.

We had a combined service this morning (Sunday May 8) with the German congregation and the Afrikaans congregation.  It was nice to hear all the hymns sung together in all the different languages (ok so it wasn’t really ALL of them.  Just the 3 “big” ones; English, German, Afrikaans).  The readings were also done in different languages ( one of them was isiZulu).  It’s enjoyable to see the three congregations trying to work together and come together.  The “youth” also had some time together today.  My children had a good time but it was hard because the German kids spoke to German to each other even though know English and were supposed to speak English.  It’s going to take awhile but at least they are trying and the effort is there.

On May 1 Samuel and Abigail were confirmed.  I did send out some video clips so that you could feel apart of the whole experience.  \”/  We had great fellowship afterwards with our South African “family”.

My first class in my Masters Program ended on April 29th.  I did ok in the class and thoroughly enjoyed myself and learned a ton.  However, it became very clear that the timing for this just isn’t right.  So, I have put the whole thing on hold and will maybe try again next year when Eliana is also in school.

At the end of March/beginning of April we spent a week at a beach resort in Kenya called Turtle Bay.  The Grace Place retreat people (Dr. Eckridge and Dr. Ludwig).  The people from Grace Place held a dinner one night and asked people to support their efforts in giving the missionaries a Africa an incredible spiritual retreat led by Grace Place.  The people responded by raising the funds in one evening.  It was an amazing week spent in spiritual retreat and renewal, playing in the pools and the Indian ocean, and having good discussions with missionary friends and colleagues we hadn’t seen in a while.  Glenn was also able to spend an extra week in Kenya and visited the Lutheran Seminary there.  When he came home he had nothing but amazing things to say about what is happening in Kenya with regards to Theological Education.

 

And that is it in a nutshell.

 

In Christ

Susan Fluegge

(Glenn, Susan, Samuel, Abigail, Caleb, Jesse, Eliana)

 

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Presentation of the confirmands

Posted on May 4, 2011 by Susan

I apologize. This one should have come before the confirmation.

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Confirmation

Posted on May 4, 2011 by Susan

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Lutheran Theological Seminary Tswane in South Africa

Posted on March 25, 2011 by Susan

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Fluegge Family Letter 23-March-2011

Posted on March 23, 2011 by Susan

Stand up, stand up for Jesus; ye soldiers of the cross.  Lift high His royal banner; it must not suffer loss.  From victory unto victory His army He shall lead till every foe is vanquished and Christ is Lord indeed.  Stand up, stand up for Jesus; the trumpet call obey; stand forth in mighty conflict in this His glorious day.  Let all His faithful serve Him against unnumbered foes; let courage rise with danger and strength to strength oppose.  Stand up, stand up for Jesus; stand in His strength alone.  The arm of flesh will fail you, ye dare not trust your own.  Put on the Gospel armor; each piece put on with prayer.  Where duty calls or danger, be never wanting there.  Stand. stand up for Jesus; the strife will not be long; this day the din of battle, the next the victor’s song.  The soldiers, overcoming, their crown of life shall see and with the King of Glory shall reign eternally. (LSB #660)

 

 

Greetings to all-

 

Once again another month has gone by but it didn’t go by as quickly as Feb.  I just haven’t had a chance to get to a letter.  It’s been awhile since I have been this busy and am not able to get everything done.  Or should I say it’s been awhile since I have had to let the cleaning of my house go. Clarisse where are you…?  \”/ At this moment it’s been almost two weeks since I have mopped my kitchen floor and it’s really grossing me out.  Thankfully, I have children who help clean, even if it is not up to my standard.

 

On Feb. 25th I was asked if I wanted to accompany a friend of mine to a wedding that she and her husband had been invited to.  My friend’s husband was out of down that day and she wanted to know if I wanted to tag along.  The wedding was a “mixed” one.  This meaning that the groom was from Botswana and from the Kalanga people group (with whom my friend and her husband had lived and worked for over 15 years) and the bride was from South Africa and I think from the Zulu people group.  I really can’t remember about the bride so don’t quote me on that.  It was an amazing day.  I had no idea what was being said and I didn’t know anyone, except my friend however, I was introduced to some amazing people.  I was also able to witness the dancing in the aisles that I miss from Togo and hear the trill emanate from the mouths of some women which I also miss from Togo.  It was good to spend some good quality time with this friend of mine.

 

The first week in March was supposed to be calm since 3 of my children had off from school.  However, it ended up being very busy and I didn’t get done all that needed to be done that week.  I was, however, able to walk around the mall with my mom and spend the money I had gotten for my birthday.  Abigail spent the night with a friend and I learned a bit more about Pretoria.  Samuel also had his birthday that week.  I allowed him to invite over a few of his friends for a sleep over. They had a good time together and I enjoy having Samuel’s friends around.

 

On March 7th the first class in my Master’s program started.  I have to admit it’s an added stress to this family and I am still questioning the wisdom of it.  That said, my first class has been interesting.  I am learning about English Language Learners and bilingual education and the importance of bilingual education in the U.S. I have also learned about some of the many methods to learning a second language and which of those methods is most effective.  I have to admit that my children (the ones learning 2 other languages besides English at the moment) are not going to be multi-lingual or even bilingual.  They will, at least, have a working knowledge of the 2 other languages they are learning.  The literature I have to read also talks a lot about preserving culture and this has helped me have a clearer picture of what moving around the world has done to our kids.  I have also realized that in Togo it was hard to really, really know what our children were missing out on because the life is just so very different.  However, in South Africa it has become very clear what “things” our children have missed out on (especially Samuel and Abigail).  I have also come to the conclusion the 80% of a person’s culture comes from outside influences.  For example, the other day I asked Samuel what the Super Bowl was and he said no but he thinks it has something to do with Cricket.          YUP!!!        Cricket!  Now, if I had asked about the World Series and he had said Cricket I might understand but Football and Cricket?  Seriously?!  Poor guy.  Glenn and I never were really into watching sports, even in the U.S. so while in Togo those things were never mentioned.  We didn’t even really know when they were happening until Facebook.  So, we can’t really blame Samuel because it wasn’t a priority for us so it wasn’t a priority for our children either.  Had Samuel lived his entire life in the U.S. he would have known, even if Glenn and I didn’t “teach” it to him.  It’s sad when he plays basketball and wants to become good at basketball but doesn’t know anything about March Madness, nor can he watch it on t.v. (or watch any basketball for that matter).  So, if there is anyone who wants to tape it for us and send it Samuel would be really grateful!  \”/  That was just an example of the many “small” things that people take for granted in their home culture but disappear when the immigrate to another country and I’m sorry but I don’t think it’s the job of the U.S. people to help spanish speakers, hmong speakers or others “keep” their culture.

 

Enough about the “bad parenting” of Glenn and Susan.  Term 1 sports have ended and the term 2 sports have started or are going to start.  Abigail ended her swimming with a Gala against the 4 other schools in Crawford’s league.  Crawford came in last over all and in about every race they swam in.  Abby did well, though, and we are very proud of her.  We had a good time cheering for her and embarrassing her.  Crawford was put in the A league this year because in 2010 they did really well.  However, with coming in last this year (2011) they have been put back into the B league.  For term 2 Abigail wants to play Hockey.  I am still trying to talk her into a swim club that will give her more experience in the pool and will give her a coach who will help with stroke correction and other swimming/racing fundamentals that she is lacking because of her 10 years in Togo.  Caleb is done with Cricket and wants to play field hockey which hasn’t started yet.  He is still busy with Chess and Robotics.  Jesse has, however, started with his term 2 sport and that is Soccer.  He loves it!  He couldn’t wait for it to start and is so thankful to be out there on the field playing.  Samuel is done with Basketball and is trying to get into the Rugby scene.  He didn’t make the A team for Rugby but he is also not on the F team either.  So, for never having played before I am pretty proud of him.  He is enjoying it.

 

There have been Professors here teaching at the LTS.  John Pless from the Ft. Wayne seminary was here for two weeks teaching an intensive and Dr. Kleineg from Australia was also here.  I have a lot of respect for both these men and it was nice to have them around.  Grace Rao, from LWR-HC, is also here teaching in the Deaconess program.

 

Other quick news;  Abigail was able to spend a week in Capetown with the grade 7′s from Crawford.  She had a good time.  Caleb had an inter-class swimming gala and I was able to get a picture from Grandma to include in this letter.  I just love the yellow swim goggles.

 

I really don’t have anything to say about Glenn.  He just teaches and studies and “plays” with the kids and takes care of all the “little” things that keep this family going.  He did get wireless into the house so now I can do internet at the same time as someone else.  It’s wonderful!

 

In Christ

Susan Fluegge

(Glenn, Samuel, Abigail, Caleb, Jesse, Eliana)

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