So sorry for not posting much about the kids lately. It’s been quite a few weeks here getting prepared to leave, and it’s not the leaving but the training everyone to be prepared while we are gone that’s been, how shall I say it, trying.
Anyway, the primary kids were out of school for the past 3 weeks or so due to a teacher strike but went back to school this past Monday…Praise God! Secondary students were also sent home during that time but did not stay home as long (it was basically a primary teacher strike but secondary joined forces for a bit). However we do have one secondary student sent home because the Form 4’s (our son is a Form 1) did not want to take mock exams (this is to prepare them for the real exam in a few months) and therefore destroyed much of the school property. Honestly I don’t have the whole story but….seems the principal didn’t want to deal with the students and sent everyone home instead of sending the few inciting the riot to jail! But that’s another post. Our son has asked permission to visit his grandmother during this time and we are currently seeking another school for him to attend…somewhere he can actually be taught (he was in school about 3 weeks this term and a term is approximately 3 months).
We are still ironing out details on the two girls who have decided not to finish secondary but things seem to be heading in the right direction.
On a personal level, we were able to get our reentry permits and are therefore legal to come back into Kenya in December. Just in time to start the process on renewing our visas…oh joy (yes that is sarcasm).
But back to the kids….as I sit here and write I hear several of the kids out in the play yard, laughing and kicking around (hopefully) a soccer ball! Everyone is healthy and yes, even happy to be back in school. We have attempted to ease their concerns (fears?) about us leaving and not returning by emphasizing this is GOD’S children’s home, not ours. God will continue to take care of them in the event something happens to both Chuck and I. Side note….we’ve told several Kenyans our plans to prepare everyone in case we both die and most have laughed out of nervousness. You simply don’t talk about death.
We on the other hand have talked about it openly with the kids and told them as long as you know the Lord we WILL see each other again and that is GOOD NEWS! I believe they are taking it to heart and feeling more comfortable, not that they want us to leave, but at least more comfortable with the idea of us being gone. Plus it has helped that Bosco has stepped up and taken his responsibilities very seriously in managing while we are gone…thank you Lord for Bosco and his eagerness to learn!
So I leave you with just a couple photos of the kids today:
