October Updates

It seems that there is always something going on around Angel House and Angel Secondary. October is no exception to the rule. Even with students and teachers wanting the chance to bask in what was the success of the graduation ceremony, life has a way of moving forward and going on.

After several times plowing, we were finally able to plant the Angel Secondary Shamba, with corn, beans and sweet potatoes.  Headmaster Mwita Samson predicts the crops yielded from the shamba should cut down on food costs by 30% at the least. That is some math everyone can get on board with. In addition, students are being taught sustainable agriculture practices, so that they may know how to grow food for their own families some day. Plus, how proud they will be when they are eating things they contributed to.

Form four students were allowed a week to take it easy (relatively speaking) before their national exams. They went into town, sat through exams, and then came home. It was less time in a classroom than a typical school day, and yet they came home totally exhausted. The students from Angel House at least felt that they did well and are fairly confident.

The other students, pre-form I, form I, form II and form III have been busy preparing for exams as well. Form II from Angel Secondary scored the highest in the Tarime district, and in the top of the Mara region on their mock exams. The students have been working hard, and are almost too busy to take time out to have a little fun. Their work ethic astounds me.

Salome, Neema, Grace, Joseph and Paulo

Working in the shamba

The kids say thank you !

On a bittersweet note. Individual Volunteer Savannah Swanner said goodbye. Her time in Tanzania went by too quickly, and she promised to be back one day. On her last day, the kids danced for her and affirmed her  journey from this point in time. It was a hard day for me too, because it meant I was losing my partner. Also, it made me think of my last days here, and that is an unbearable idea. I'm going to think happy thoughts now. ON the bright side, the kids worry about me being alone, and so have invited me to spend the night at Angel House, something I enjoy so much. They are a wonderful addition to my already great family.

And yet, life goes on. The kids now know I am the one with the backpack full of bandages, and will invent any injury to get one, especially a pretty colored one. They find it hilarious that I learned about nursing from dogs and cats. We have had a really low malaria month, only one child, so that is a good thing. And Leah Wilfred got some good news. After several months of pain from ovarian cysts, she and I are traveling to Nairobi tomorrow evening to have it checked out and surgery. Prayers for her please. She is so happy to be having it taken care of!

Savannah and Salome take time out to play. 

A decision was reached in July, to ask the Form IV students at Angel House to move back home with their relatives after exams, so that they can take the skills they have learned, and contribute to family life. They have a few months to wait for exam results which will tell them which direction is best for them. Most of the students are already thinking about something they would like to do, be it driving a pikipiki, raising chickens, or learning to fix cars. No matter what, they all have higher education aspirations. They left Angel House last Thursday, and there were many tears shed, especially by the younger kids. But they know this is not goodbye. They are a family, and nothing will keep them apart for long.

The little kids hanging out

Having a moment with Neema and Grace

Dinner time

Playing in the corn field

The recent graduates

The very pregnant milk cow

The kids love when I wash their heads

I can't get enough of the African Sunsets. 

I have been thinking about family a lot lately, maybe because my parents and sister are coming to visit me soon. It just makes me think, family is great, because there is always room for more. There is the family we are born to, and the family who we choose for ourselves. Both are great, and both function as one, as the brothers and sisters in Christ who lift us up and reasure us and make life worth living. They are a gift from God. It makes me so grateful, because of the this project, to be able to add so many new people to my already wonderful family. God Bless.