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Interim Academic Dean
Some Big Changes for Dan
When we arrived in Senegal almost nine years ago, Dan joined the faculty of a Bible college that had an excellent professor to student ratio and that allowed him time to adapt to the language and culture before adding him to its regular roster of teachers. Fast forward several years and not only is ITES short the professors needed to teach all its courses, it also lacks the administrative staff to keep its operations running smoothly. From over a dozen workers, it's now reduced to two full-time staff, Pastor Youssouf Danfa, the director, and Dan Thornton, the recently appointed interim academic director.
As he always has, Dan continues to teach pastors and lay leaders in the classroom setting. In fact, he just returned from a trip to Zinguinchor, in the southern region of Senegal, where he taught a course on the Old Testament to rural pastors. In addition, Dan is helping Pastor Youssouf plan the curriculum for the coming year, schedule classes, arrange for visiting faculty, organize students' records in preparation for graduation, and communicate with said students about requirements they have yet to fulfill. To better equip him in this administrative position, Dan traveled to Côte d'Ivoire, a country to the south of Senegal, to attend a training for Christian academic directors. He has enjoyed both the formal teaching as well as the informal times to build relationships with other men who are further along in this process, particularly as many of the countries participating boast large schools of theology with faculty and staff with years of experience.
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Family Update
Sad News about Angie's Father
When Angie's dad arrived in Senegal this past November, he was sick with a flu that worsened into pneumonia. Although good medical care healed the infection, upon arriving in Colombia on his way back to California, he got sick again and was treated for pneumonia. This time, however, they found a questionable spot on his lung and decided to do a biopsy. Results confirmed our worst fears: Juan has Stage III lung cancer. Apparently, pneumonia masks the signs of lung cancer, which is why they hadn't caught it sooner. Angie's parents have decided to stay in Colombia for treatment; he'll begin a six month course of chemotherapy soon. We would appreciate your prayers for Juan and the entire family.
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Dakar Marathon 2016
Angie's Once in a Lifetime Race
She's always enjoyed a challenge. She's never accepted the limitations imposed by those who say she's too old or too weak (because she's a woman, especially in this cultural milieu). So, when the billboards started popping up all over town for the Dakar Marathon, Angie decided this was something she wanted to do. To read more about it, check out her blog posts.
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