Last day at the school and teacher dinner

Yesterday was a fantastic ending to the two weeks at the school. I went into the standards 1-8 and got them to sing a song so that I could put it into GarageBand and then I showed them the pictures from the safari. They really enjoyed it, as did I. We had to leave around 1:00 because everyone else had to pack for their trek to Tanzania. It went by SO fast! I was the last one on the bus because the students were wanting my email address. It was heartbreaking leaving. It was a long way back to the Methodist Guest House. I spent the time reflecting on what I had seen, heard and what I can do to help there in the future.

When we got back here, it was showers and getting ready for dinner. Since almost all of the teachers live in either Mathare or Kibera (another slum), we wanted to get them to dinner early so they would not have to travel in the slums so late at night. We got to the African restaurant around 4:30. We waited and waited for the teachers to arrive. They were late because they had to wait for the teachers who went with the students to the competition. I haven’t spoken much about the competition because I decided not to go. I kind of regret that decision because I did not get to share in the joy when our students took several 1st places and get to go to nationals!!! The competitions were every day for different groups each day. The students would walk up to the competition grounds about 3 Km away. The secondary did take a bus yesterday because the grounds were farther away. Frances, the music, math and P.E. teacher all in one, told us how well the children did! It was great to hear.

This restaurant was really unique! It had different little open air “huts” for dinner parties to sit in. They placed us in a long shelter. There were beautiful flowers everywhere and a playground.

We were so large – 21 visitors and ALL the teachers and staff came! 29 of them. It was so wonderful that they all made the sacrifice of time with their families to come to dinner! They are at the school from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. at least. Most of them have to travel a long time to get to the school. That doesn’t leave a lot of time with family. It was great to see all of them.

Helen came up with a great idea – an ice breaker if you will. Joy explained that we were to ask our partner – a teacher questions. What is an interesting fact about yourself? What is your dream? What is your calling to MCC? Things like that.

Penina sat beside of me. Her smile is so contagious. She is so beautiful inside and out. It was great getting to know her. We quickly found that we had a lot in common and that we were truly sisters or dada in Swahili. She milks a cow in the a.m. and p.m. just like I used to. She could not believe that I knew how to milk a cow and that I used to train horses. We laughed and talked all evening. It was great. We did discuss many deeper things like slums in the U.S., politics, violence and many other subjects. She lost a son to pneumonia but now has a daughter that is 2. Penina glows when she speaks of her daughter, Noreen and husband, Moses. Even though I wish I would have gotten to know the teachers better the first week, that was the best way to end our week!

Well, we have had many adventures while we were here. I must say though, the trip has been pretty smooth. There were some exceptions like the trip home from Ester’s family as well as the bus ride home last night. We did not get to leave until late because the bus had to go get a leaky hose fixed….should have been the first clue. Peter came and picked us up for the bus ride home. About half way home, Joy says frantically but firmly, there is a fire get off the bus. We could see the smoke, but then I looked towards the driver and saw the flames. You have to understand that the traffic here is completely crazy. People will cut you off honk horns, go around you even if it means running through a sidewalk, you get the picture. We are in the middle lane and people start going around on the left side of the bus (they drive on the opposite side of the road from us). Joy waited patiently with me for 2 cars and then just stepped out in front of a car and said STOP. She stood there while everyone crossed to the side of the road. Well, it was really dark and I went to the side of the road first and turned around to see if the bus had caught completely on fire yet, but as I turned my foot slid and I ended up in a mudhole downhill. I just cringe to think of what was in that water. So I washed my feet A LOT and my flipflop when we got back. Bethany took a picture of my foot! YUCK!

The funniest thing was when Peter , who is very shy and humble, was laughing at us and told us everything was okay and we could get back on the bus. He was talking on the phone to someone and I said he is probably laughing at all these Mzungu – which is what the Kenyans call white people which means something that goes round and round in a circle! J We definitely lived up to our name! We giggled the whole way home.