yep, i'm still here . . .

I hadn't realized how long it's been since I've posted anything here!  It's been a busy few weeks.  I've added some extra responsibilities at work (an interim scenario), began as a volunteer teacher with an ESOL program, and have been helping to prepare for this Friday's Indego Africa fundraiser in DC . . . plenty to keep me occupied!

I am very much enjoying my experience with ESOL (ESOL means "English for speakers of other languages").  I can't remember the exact number, but I think DC is one of the top 5 destinations in the US for immigrants.  I have enjoyed the diversity of languages & cultures while I've lived here, although most of that has been somewhat of a peripheral experience for me.  ESOL has provided a way for me to engage with that on a weekly basis, which is great!  I'm co-teaching an intermediate class and it has been a lot of fun so far - believe me, you've got to be willing to laugh at yourself when learning/explaining vocab & grammar is involved ;-) We have 12-15 adult students who are from at least 7 different countries.  I have loved learning about our students' lives and pray that we may be an encouragement to them as they work on their English skills - and that doors may open for conversations about faith.

Indego Africa is the organization I've been involved with for the past two years - and I continue to be such a fan!  Some really great doors have opened for them in the past few months, which has created more avenues for product sales and development.  The women in Rwanda who are Indego's cooperative partners have handcrafted items for Polo Ralph Lauren and Anthropologie, and designer Nicole Miller is creating an item for the women to produce that will be introduced later this month.  Exciting stuff!  And you can always purchase Indego items via their online store.

This Friday evening will be the 3rd annual fundraiser that we have hosted in DC.  ("We" meaning the DC Board.)  If you live in the DC area, make plans to be there on Friday night!  It's going to be a fun evening - and Indego is certainly an organization worth celebrating & supporting.  If you don't live in DC, please take a minute and buy a raffle ticket online.  This is an easy way to support Indego's work - even from far away :-)  To buy event or raffle tickets, go here.