"this year has been crazy.  i think i finally got the language down, not great but i can at least speak with some of the people.  i have to watch myself though.  a few of the kids who were teaching me were teaching me the wrong words.  needless to say, yesterday, i figured out why the elderly woman slapped me in the face when i commented on her hat.  anyway, these people are far from christian.

there customs are strange, but i am starting to understand a little more each day.  for example, upon rising from sleep, and while still in a slight haze from the "night before" the men and women of the area rub sharpened steel on their bodies, some get cut - bad cuts - and bleed for a long period of time.  while others eat, of all things, the embryos of animals.  i am amazed at their willingness to hate each other, and yet their need to join together.  they have this one custom where they gather together to watch two opposing armies throw the hide of a dead mammal around.  they inflict bodily harm on each other for the hide, and seem to enjoy the process.  while i am certain that the reason they gather is not for the gladiator event, but for the food - which is almost impossible to explain.  most spend an increasable about of money on a thing that no one is sure what is is made of, all they now is - they love it.  this gathering is amazing because i think they gather because they hate the other side more then they like their side - this hate is a powerful tool in their culture.  it seems a great deal is based on this hate and how people just never talk with each other

i am starting to learn about their economic system, which is confusing.  some are willing to barter service for service, but they do not want anyone to know they are doing this.  while others desire a straight trade, service for money.  the nuisances of the system are incredible and could take years to understand.

but, back to the people.  they are incredible.  as i mentioned earlier, they are not christian, but they seem to be open to talking about God - as long as we do not do it in public.  they have an aversion to sharing their understanding of God in public.  it seems it is best kept to a certain time and place.  i am confused, they claim to believe in a God, but they do not worship; they claim to believe God is love, yet they do not give the God credit for all the good and they hate more then they love and they do blame God for all the bad; they see God as all powerful, but they do not trust God in their daily lives.  we are constantly getting mixed messages, but at least we are getting a message.  they have had some very bad experiences with christians over the past, so i have to take it easy.  i strive to share my walk in christ, without shoving it upon them.

well, keep me in your prayers.  bringing the gospel to america is very hard.

your friend"