It's been awhile

Hello to everyone! I understand that you are beginning to feel that winter is coming to a close. It is still hot here, but the extreme temperatures might be over.

I wrote an entire entry a week ago, but somehow the computer couldn’t post it & I lost the whole thing.
Now, I am finally getting smart. I am writing this in Word & I will just copy onto the Blog & save internet time. We have run out a couple of times--I am spending a lot of time looking up information. Since I am teaching Social Studies, I have to learn about the history & government here. I am glad we came to Africa a year ago--I actually had picked up a fair amount of information then, so this isn’t all totally foreign to me.

Classes are getting better. I am writing out the text information on newsprint, then the learners copy it into their exercise books. It’s okay for the sharp ones, but those who are struggling have a harder time with copying correctly. Texts are on order. The store called a few days ago, but we couldn’t understand them. Asked them to fax the information, but apparently they didn’t understand us. We will need to make a trip there as soon as we have time.

Jim is gone on a 3-day trip with the Grade 7 learners (science, I think). They went to see some falls & I don’t know what else. I’ve seen enough falls, so chose not to go. Besides, I didn’t want to miss my classes. I took Jim’s Grade 5 English for him. He has so much trouble with them, but they were absolute angels for me. I still have my struggles with the learners, but they are becoming less & I think that they really are trying to behave. There are several student-teachers here now & I have noticed that the severe punishments have subsided…wondering if their presence is making a difference. Quite a few in Grade 8 are beginning to show interest & ask questions. They will even catch me outside to clarify points. Grade 6 is asking if they can get books to read. I think I will check some out of the library for them, but they are in such terrible condition. They are yellow w/ age, falling apart, not at all appealing. Most have another school’s stamp in them, & frequently it is an American school. Apparently used books are donated. That’s fine, but like everything else here, they are being used beyond what is reasonable.

I’ve been looking into the possibility of getting desks & chairs. Most are broken. It’s not unusual to be interrupted during class by a learner from another class looking for an extra chair. Or an eraser or cloth to clean off their chalkboard, or a pen or pencil or ruler. They borrow them from each other & when they don’t return them, they have to scrounge.

Last Sunday we finally connected with the nearest Catholic community. We had to take a flashlight at 6am to find our way though the mud from our house to the road & then hail a taxi for the ½ hr trip. When we got to the town, we thought we knew how to find the church, but we didn’t, so after driving up & down several streets, we happened upon it--& the service was just about ready to start. I was so excited! It was so wonderful. It was in English. The deacon led us through everything in the Mass, except for the Consecration. When we received the Eucharist, I realized just how much I had missed it. I couldn’t stop the tears, which became embarrassing when the deacon asked us to stand & introduce ourselves. We will be going there every Sunday, & occasionally there will be a priest. There is supposed to be one on March 28--Jim’s birthday. What a way to celebrate.

Next week we will be celebrating Independence Day. Each class is asked to perform. Hoping to see some interesting tribal clothes, dances & songs. Several have been practicing behind our house. These kids are really talented in music & art. One tradition that I am aware of is that when a young person gives something to, or receives something from an elder, they do so with their right hand. It is a sign of respect. They usually take their left hand and touch their right elbow as they are handing off with the right hand. The girls also do a little curtsey--haven’t noticed if the boys bow or not.

I‘ve rambled on long enough. Keep the prayers coming.
sharon