Originally posted by Mike Katkus on the Bulletin Board

Hello everyone! I hope you are all well. I am so sorry it has taken me so long to send anything out to you, things have been most crazy/exciting here in Africa. I can't wait to tell you all about the work we are doing here and the amazing things God continues to do here daily.
So just to give you a heads-up on everything that has happened so far and is currently unfolding, I am going to share with you some of the events that have taken place so far.

Story #1
On the 1st day I was in Africa, I was in the airport in Johannesburg trying to get to my next flight, which was leaving in 10 minutes (I had just arrived) And as I was weighing my bags (which I discovered where too heavy due to the new requirements in Africa and switching everything from lbs to kg) An airport employee told me to follow him, and as he walked towards my gate my curiosity was sparked and I pursued. He came past the line through the security (which had at least 100 in it) and told me for twenty dollars I could put my bags on and board my flight immediately. So I paid the gentlemen and went on my flight on time and was warmly and safely received by my fellow teammates and coordinators in Port Elizabeth.

Story #2
So after a week or so of getting settled into a temporary house, we received a call from our coordinators that there was a beached hump back whale near us on the beach and thought we might want to check it out. So about 8 of us (there are 12 AIMers here 6 from my team, and 6 from the previous team) went to examine this new information. After walking down for a few minutes the girls gave up their search, but the 4 of us guys pressed on and were greatly rewarded. we found the dead whale, and it was HUGE! And after a few minutes of taking pictures and poking its skin, we did what any group of 19 year old guys would do.......we climbed on top of it and jumped around. It was like a giant water bed! it was so amazing! and there was no one else around. Just a big whale and 4 guys. Eventually some men came over and to take care of the whale and we asked them if it was OK that we were on the whale (we where half scared we might fall through the skin and be over our heads in whale juice). They laughed and said it was perfectly fine. So we continued to jump. They eventually cut up the whale and harvested the blubber a long with various other useful things.
Who jumps on a whale???... we do haha

Story #3
It has been about 4 weeks and I have been getting pretty close to some members of the church here. So a couple of them, two women named Wendy and Anthia invited us to go to the Cango Caves and to a giant Ostrich farm about 5 hours away. So after two weeks of planning, two guys and myself, along with two girls from my team went. It was an awesome experience. The caves were larger than I can describe, We walked through giant cassums and had to literally suck in all of your stomach and crawl through some very very claustrophobic passages. We then we to the Ostrich farm where I received an opportunity I never though possible. They asked me If I wanted to RIDE an Ostrich...and of course I earnestly accepted. So after the blind folded one of the giant birds, (which was at least 2 or 3 feet taller than me) and instructed me how to ride one. I climbed on top of my feathered steed and took off! It was glorious. It was so fun and I encourage any one who gets a chance to ride an Ostrich. The trip as a whole was a blast and I bonded well with my teammates and the two African women that went with us

Now to just fill you in what I am doing on a weekly basis.
Sunday- We have Church service in the mornings. Tyler and myself go to a separate congregation than the rest of our team. There are about 40-50 people here. Tyler and I have been given the privilege and honor to preach at least ounce a month each. Along with other roles such as leading singing, Lord's supper, Sunday and Wednesday night devo etc. This has been a blessing, and a great growing experience. Before we head back for evening service, all of our teammates from both teams meet with our coordinators for lunch and just have a team meeting, to encourage, discuss, and plan events.

Monday- Monday is usually a more casual day. Tyler and myself live together in a small house on the other side of town (about 30 minutes away from the rest of our team). And because of the rest of the week, Monday tends to lean towards more of a day where we relax, plan out personally what we want to achieve this week, have some personal time with God and just pray and re-focus ourselves. however Monday is a flexible day and if something urgent arises, we are more than on top of it.

Tuesday- Now things get really interesting. About 3 weeks ago, one of the men in our congregation (Reginald) asked us what we where planning to do in Africa. We told him we would like to eventually be working in the school system, preferably older grades (high school). To our surprise and because of God's wonderful control, Reginald informed us that he is the Principal of a high school with over 1000 students. He was very willing to accept us in as aides at the school. So now, Tyler and I, along with Sasha and Neysia (they are two of my girl teammates) are teacher assistants all day long at the school. Tyler and I work at the school Tuesday and Wednesday, and the girls work Wednesday and Thursday. I spend most my day at the school, tutoring kids, making copies, typing up papers, and occasionally breaking up fights. But the thing I love most about serving there, is that we are building up so many strong relationships so quickly. We have bonded and become very close to all the staff. At break we sit in the teacher's lounge (a place I never thought I'd be. haha) and converse with the teachers over every kind of topic. Then during school hours and in class, we spend the time helping the kids in all kinds of ways. Before, in between classes, and after school, we build up relationships and get involved in the kids' lives. We are leading the after-school chess club (in which I lost my 1st chess match in nearly 3 years to the Eastern Cape champion). And we also are going to soon be assisting a lot in the school's sports departments. We will be helping coach and train with the kids in rugby and soccer. We will also be TEACHING the students how to play basketball. The kids here are wonderful and they have accepted us, look up to us, and we truly love each other. And I can not begin to explain of the doors God has opened just in the school a lone.

Wednesday- Wednesday is about the same Tuesday, we have school, and then Church on Wednesday night. We are currently having a lesson series on "Adversity" by a local member of the church named Sean. I will tell you more about him later.

Thursday- Thursday is mostly taken up by helping out at "the office". Because there are 12 AIM students here, we are divided into 3 groups of 4 and have one specific day in which we help our coordinators print, sort, package, seal, and distribute a school curriculum that uses biblical stories to promote and teach positive character traits. We hard at the office from 1-7 PM. So many children are being effected in a Godly way by the curriculum. This is the main reason our missionaries that we are being mentored by (which they are our coordinators) are here.

Friday- Friday mornings and afternoons are usually filled with random events will present themselves and things get quite exciting. For example, I am going fishing with some of my African friends on Friday. Hoping to make this a routine thing, you never know what you might pull up to shore. Friday evening, however, is when all the youth from all the congregations around here get together. Port Elizabeth is about 1.3 million people and the Friday Youth Night usually consists of about 50-200 kids. It varies where it is being held at due to lack of transportation. We pick up as many kids as be can and sometimes make multiple trips. The driving age here is 18 and some kid's parents are not Christians or can not take them due to circumstances. The youth nights are fun and exciting. Sean, the man I mentioned earlier, is in charge of the youth. He is a very cool man and I completely enjoy working with him. We have also been blessed to have the opportunity to lead the youth in devos and songs.

Saturday-The last day of the week is always fun. Tyler and myself along with a few other AIM students here have joined up with Sean in making our own little acapella singing group. We meet every Saturday at one and sing and learn songs till at least 4. It is so nice and pleasant to worship God and encourage each other in song.
As soon as singing is over, Tyler and I head over to some nearby soccer fields. Thanks to one of our new African friends Kuda, we have been introduced to a large group of guys (20 or so) who meet every Saturday and play a few hours of hardcore soccer. I lover soccer and I love playing with these guys. They are challenging and have good sportsmanship. We are continually building up relationships with people and trying our best to portray Christ in all that we do.

This in a very summarized version and gives you just a glimpse of whats going on in my life right now. PLEASE ask questions and I will be sure to make quick replies. I miss you all very much and you are all in my prayers. Let me know how things are with all of you too! I miss Alaska...I am most curious to hear about the new building but more importantly how all of you are doing. I Can't wait to hear from you all, as all of us continue our walk towards Christ.

In Him,
Mike