I am having the time of my life! So much has happened since my last post- so bear with me if I jump around alot. I have accepted a job here with a local tour company. Not only are they paying me, but I have a free house to stay in beginning July 10th! I was just walking in Stone Town one day and this very well dressed Zanzibari and I began exchanging greetings (which can take a few minutes here). After just meeting, he tells me I'd make a good manager while he's away on business for the next couple of months 'Because all Americans are good businessmen' was his reasoning- and who am I to correct him? It happened that fast- I am now self supporting here in East Africa.

     The other night, I spent hours talking with the President of Zanzibar's son! It was just a chance meeting (by that I mean God has some reason for it), and we discussed everything from politics to economics. He has some great ideas and we see eye to eye on many issues. He kept making me promise not to repeat any of his stances on certain things- but trust me when I say he has a great head on his shoulder (studied in the Boston for five years and speaks perfect English).

     Last Friday, a group of graduate school students from UCLA arrived to take classes at the Taasisi ( language school I attend). I'm living with one of the guys- really cool art major named Michael. This has been the best gauge of how well I'm learning- even though I've told the students I've only been here since early May, they swear I'm fluent by how I converse with the locals- I really can see a difference now between where I was (just like them , asking tons of questions and looking confused 90% of the time), and where I am now in my Kiswahili. It's really energized me to keep learning. I've spent the last couple of days pretty much being a tour guide for them- I have to admit it's pretty cool feeling like I live here-  Last night, Michael and I helped a girl find her way back to where she's staying. If I wasn't there, there's no doubt she would have slept on the street- the only landmark she gave was "I remember a big pile of rocks near my street". Michael and I responded with "This is Stone Town, do you have any other clues?" Eventually, I got her home through the pitch dark alleys of the maze I feel completely comfortable in.

     An insane amount of (tourists, filmakers, musicians, etc.) are showing up this week for ZIFF (Zanzibar International Film Festival). It's an annual event that's growing extremely fast- it should be alot of fun- the UCLA students are psyched. For me, it's just more icing on the best cake. I've made so many friends, danced about a thousand miles, had the most interesting conversations, and learned the greatest slang that cracks the locals up- there are a few phrases that only a small percentage of the youth have coined here, and when I use them, sometimes I feel bad because they laugh so hard they hurt themselves.

     A quick Jesus note: Everyone I meet pretty much finds out that I'm a Christian and learning Kiswahili in order to do future missions here- but I know I'm planting seeds even now (been able to share the Gospel with tourists, locals, and other students). Last week, my friend Hashim brought me out to the country on his scooter to meet his family (like many here- huge with tons of kids everywhere). He has a brand new, beautiful two week old daughter (We had some great ndizi na nazi- cooked bananas with coconut milk). After the meal, like countless other times, I was offered one of the teenage-twenty-ish girls as a fiance. They asked me if I married her, would I stay here and convert to Islam. I said definitely not as politely as I could. The next sentence kind of shocked me- "Well, if she goes back to the U.S. with you she would convert to Christianity". That was pretty surreal, but I'm finding more and more that it's more a cultural thing than a true love affair with the Lord. To be able to say on a whim that you'd switch religions certainly says something about your commitment level. Any way- there's much hope that the people involved in this oppressive religion (and after seeing many things, I'll be happy to debate anyone on whether or not Islam is in fact oppressive) are having their hearts softened by the Lord in many ways.

     Sorry this one was like a book, but too much has happened in a short amount of time. Have a great July wherever you are! I'll be here, chillin' with the President's son,  watching amazing sunsets, hanging out with adventurers, and making the Zanzibaris laugh. I know... rough life.

In Him,

Evan