We pulled into the village around 5pm on Monday. Not a lot of people were home yet from their various activities, but we did get some shouts and waves welcoming us from the courtyards that we drove by. Tuesday morning we went out early to give our condolences to two families that lost a family member since I was here last November. Then we went around and greeted each family in the village, which is the custom when you have been away for a while. And you have to do it very early. We actually woke up some people out of their beds. Sounds rude, but that is the custom here.
After the greetings, which took an hour and a half, we returned to the house and had coffee and baguettes. Then we worked for 9 hours. I worked with my team checking the first four chapters of Galatians with Mr. Burmeister (a translation consultant). Benjamin worked with Pastor Firmain in another room training him on the new audio equipment we brought out. Later in the day as we worked in the next room we could hear the Bakwé singing and drumming group raising their voices in the recording studio.
We are making good progress and the weather is nearly perfect. Today we should finish Galatians and start checking our translation of James. More on translation checking another time. For now I hear breakfast being made in the kitchen, so off we go for coffee and French baguettes.
