The Headlines

So, I'm a verbose person. And the fact that I just used the word "verbose" proves it. There are loads of cool things happening right now, and I could easily write a whole posting on each of these things individually. (Probably will at some point or another!) But I'm going to flex my summarizing muscles and give you my best shot at being succinct. Isn't there a proverb about fools multiplying words? I'm pretty sure there is. The thing about me and being wordy is... aaaaaand there I go again.

--------NEWS FLASH----------
---DATELINE: BURUNDI---

HANDSOME INDIANA COUPLE COMMITS TO LOCAL CHURCH
Jim and Karri DeSelm, new interns at World Relief Burundi, have joined PTI (Partners Trust International), a local church with emphases on multiculturalism, discipleship, and local pastor empowerment. The pastor, Emmanuel Ndikuumana, leads this church which is led in French, English, and Kirundi. Jim has joined the worship team, playing guitar and trying not to be too white. The couple have also committed to serving the youth group, a vibrant community of around 20 students who try not to laugh as they butcher the French language as they teach out of the book of Romans.



ASPIRING SONGWRITER JOINS INTERNATIONAL ENSEMBLE
Jim DeSelm, a local staple at Philadelphia coffee shops, has transplanted his musical stylings to the African Continent. While continuing to work on his own compositions, he has joined with an ensemble of ex-patriates from around the world to make music. Adam, a guitarist from Great Britain, Martina, a chanteuse from Italy, and Fabien, a husky-voiced Frenchman, are just a few of the new musicians Jim will be working with. They will be playing a show this Friday with selections from French folk traditions, South American jazz, and the works of Leonard Cohen and Neil Young. The artist may also have his African solo debut!

VIRUS RIPS THROUGH BUJUMBURA HOUSEHOLD!
A nasty cold has been circulating through the Chase house in Kinindo province. Symptoms include congestion, sore throat, headache, overall snottiness, and a lot of wadded up tissues. Rumored to have begun by Isaac Barnes, a World Relief intern, it passed first to Jim DeSelm, and then to his wife. Karri, a beautiful young lady, even through her sniffles, was quoted in saying, "I dink ibs de duss," which our research experts can only assume has something to do with a new anthrax scare, or something even more horrifying. Jim has recovered fully, and Karri seems as though she will pull through, but we remain ever vigilant!

TURAME NEWCOMER PROVES WELCOME ADDITION TO STAFF
Karri DeSelm, soon-to-be MBA, Eatern University grad student, and general foxy lady, has made quite a splash at World Relief's microfinance institute, Turame. In a recent staff meeting, DeSelm was invited to facilitate a discussion about Problem Trees, a topic which she was recently educated on in Philadelphia. Reviews of the discussion were overwhelmingly positive, and DeSelm has been invited to facilitate more discussions in the future. Brains, looks, personality... her husband must be a lucky man.

HIPPOPOTOMUS TRIES TO STEAL MAN'S FOOD
A tiny yet threatening hippo tried to encroach upon a man's meal last week. The man was quoted as saying, "Back off, tubby. My fajita!"