Day of Thanksgiving

On Friday at the school we had a day of Prayer and Thanksgiving.  We celebrated that all lives were spared in the fire.  The parents of the kids were invited.  This was very exciting for the kids.  The parents could bring what they wished for them.  That means different food that they do not get at school.  The day started with the parents coming and then having a chance to meet with the parents.  Then at 11:30 there was a program were the kids got to share and sing.  There was reports about the fire as well as the costs to rebuild.  The program was over at 1 and then everyone broke for lunch and more time for parents to meet with teachers.  It was a great day filled with much appreciation and joy.

Maritha is a girl from Rwanda.  She has been going to PACE for many years and stays with Pastor Mugo and his family when school is out of session.  I have gotten to know her through them and is a part of the family.  Since Pastor Mugo and his wife Faith are in the US and Canada until July I had asked if Charity (Mugo's daughter) and Charity's daughter Imani could come to visit with Maritha.  I kept is a surprise for Maritha.  It was good to see her smile when they came.

Imani being the cutie she is.

This is Wachira's (the director of PACE) brother Ngumo (do not pronouce the N) who is the manager of the school.  Since Wachira is also in the US and Canada until July Ngumo took over as the MC.

Mixed choirs sharing in song.

This is the head teacher for Academy (Primary) 

This is head teacher for High School

This is Glenda, Pastor Wachira's wife who shared on behalf of Wachira

During Assembly 

For Top Class (age 4), Class 8 and Form 4 (grade 12) this year is big for them.  Each will right exams in Oct. that will determine were they go for high school or University/Collage.  During the assembly they were prayed for. 

Weather

This article was posted in the newspaper here today.  Thought it was interesting and funny considering what we in Canada would consider cold.  We laughed when we read it.

Library Room

I wanted to post some pictures of the room that most of the library supplies are in.

This is the box I use to but most of the things I will be transporting for after class library time.  This along with a full bag.

Kids

This week I have gotten into more of a routine.  That is as much of a routine that one have in Kenya.  During lunch times I have been able to meet with the class (grade) 1, 2 and 3.  The class 1's are mostly new to me as I  have not been with them much.  Class 2 and 3's are happy to have me back.  Because we do not have a library room I take some books and activities to there class rooms to do.  We still have a time were I read to them and they have time to look through books.  It is not the same as they had last term but it is a good lesson for us all to be happy with little instead of nothing.  Here are some pictures of the classes.

This is class one.

Class 2

Class 3

First week

I have arrived in Kenya safe and sound.  The flight while long went very smooth.  I arrived in Nairobi around 10:30 Kenyan time.  From Nairobi it is about a 3 1/2 hour drive to my home.  After having some lunch we hit the road.  It was so good to see the beautiful landscape again.  I tried to keep my eyes open but there was not much success.  Once home Dorris who is another mission here at PACE that came to pick me up wondered if we wanted to go out for supper.  So I dropped my bags freshened up.  First we stopped at the school so that I could see the fire damage from the boys dorm. It was hard to see in person but thanking God for the safety given to the boys. Supper was good as I was able to have my first coke in a glass bottle.  So much better then plastic.

The first week has brought some challenges.  Since the fire some of the boys are using the library room as there dorm.  I spent the first day transferring all the books and supplies to a much smaller room that I will be storing everything in for this term.  I will become the travelling librarian.  I will meet with grades 1 - 4 over lunch in each of there rooms.  Then after class I will bring things to a class room for the kids to do activities in.  This means that the kids will not have access to all the books all the time or any of the other resources.  But they will have access to some and it will be different each week.  My need to give these kids all that I can has been tested.  But this is the reality that we are living in and need to remember that I am still able to provide some resources.  I will continue to figure out the best ways to do this as the weeks go on.

The kids are very happy to see me back and have had many wonderful moments with them.  I have had a little time with some of the boys since fire.  Especially the younger ones. The youngest ones staying in dorms in grade 4.  One boy came and sat beside me and I put my arm around him and I asked him how he was.  He said fine which is what they all say.  Then we just sat.  He stayed and I stayed quite.  It was good to just be there.

The week has brought a few more normal challenges but through it all I am doing well.  In many ways it feels like I have never left and continuing what I am doing.

Also a highlight was to see my Kenyan sister and niece Charity and Imani.  Love being with family.

Packed

Well it was a struggle this time but what is packed will go.  And what is not packed will come later.  Feeling thankful for all the blesses that were given.

Back Home

Well it has been 7 months since returning back to Canada and it has been good to be back home.  But my other home has never been far from my mind.  God has blessed me with the opportunity to head back to Kenya again for another six months.  I will leave tomorrow (May 14th). I am excited to get back to my kids and the work that God has for me there.  I will continue my work in the library that I did last year.

As you may have seen the boys dorms burnt down this week.  The boys are safe but currently sleeping in the library.  This will change the way the library will work but God will make a way.  I am excited to get back to my kids and to continue the work that has been started there.

I will once again do my best to keep up regular updates on this blog.

Thank you for your continued support and prayers as I follow Gods calling in my life.