Hey good morning to everyone.  I have been in the course called field methods and data management (six credit hour grad. level course) that ties together everything we've learned the first twelve weeks by having us go and explore the language we've already been learning for the second language and culture acquisition (SLACA) class (Kenyan Swahili is my language) and with the data elicited from the native speaker produce a description of the phonology (sound system) and grammar of the language.  It has been really keeping me hopping because we are doing in an eight week course what would normally take years to do - for example Nathan Esala did a good part of the phonological write up for Komba a couple of months ago after four years of being exposed to the language (see his website www.esalas.org for more about that). 

Besides all that everything is going well.  I will post some pictures soon of the little monsters that came out at our house on Reformation Evening.  The family took some tourist time last weekend in Dallas, going to visit Dealey Plaza (site of the JFK assassination) and Texas Stadium (where the Cowboys play football) with Flat Stanley from one of Katherine's friend's classroom back in Kettering OH.  It was a lot of fun.

Maya will be going on a short term mission trip November 17-21 to work in an orphanage in Matamoras Mexico - so we request your prayers for her.  This will be her first exposure to life outside the U.S. so we are thankful both for the opportunity she will have to share and serve, as well as the opportunity for her to get a different perspective on the world. 

I'm sure I'll write again soon, but certainly want to wish you the Season's Greeting as we get into all these holidays the next couple of months.  Peace to you in the name of Jesus, the King of the Universe.

Rich for Maya & the Crew