A Day of Meetings

Today we held a meeting of the SMC, the school management committee or school board as it is called here. This means calling people from their regular jobs for a full day of meetings. It went very well and we accomplished much. They ask good questions and give a lot of good advice and direction to JT the principal. We did some planning for the future as well as reviewing what seems to have been a very successful first year. There will be a meeting with the parents this Friday and then they will come back on Monday to receive their children's report cards. And unlike us it seems the new year gets started pretty quick with new registrations and exams for potential new students. This will determine whether or not they get accepted or at what grade level.

Sunday was a wonderful day of worshiping with this community. John had an exellent sermon about the man at the pool of Siloam. He does such a great job of preaching and doing development work at the same time. One reason the man did not get into the pool to be healed is that in 38 years he has not moved himself any closer to the edge. There is a lesson there. We got to church at 9.30 for Sunday school and didn't get home till 1.30. We did some lazing around before dinner and then went to watch a football game. The team, all in blue, due to Jordan's donation of jerseys. They looked sharp and played to a 0 0 draw.

Jenny spent most of her time in the classes today working on bookmarks for the students from Surrey Christian School. They were thrilled to receive the ones from their partners in SCS.

Council Election Day in Kabala

It is a rather quiet Saturday in Kabala today. We walked to the market this morning and it was not the usual bustle that Kabala experiences on a Saturday. It is election day in SL for council positions, sort of like electing members of parliament in Canada. There is a larger than usual presence of policemen and observers and also a number of military police added in for show. A little strange to see people carrying automatic weapons in the open. We then walked to JT, the Headmaster's place to see where he lives and visit for a while. Then to the tailor for some measurements and then home again. We are enjoying a bit of a slower pace today. The week was busy and so will next be. We begin with an important school board meeting Monday. Lots on the agenda. It was another wet rainy night and there are lots of muddy puddles to jump but we are getting around and have the use of one of the 4X4's which helps. We are off to a soccer game.

lightning

Last night we had a terrific lightning show. The whole sky lit up for seconds at a time and then torrential rains. The whole day was beautiful; a day of connecting with JT and the staff, visiting with children in classes for stories and lots of laughter and excitment. What a treat to be here. We feel much welcomed and honored. Last night a feast for us hosted by Johanna Kuyvenhoven. The whole thing cost a sacrificial goat and a lot of rice. Singing, dancing and lovely speeches and stories. This school means so much in this community, so much so that it is difficult to put into words. We are ready for a bit of down time. We have been working through some budget questions and preparing for the SMC meeting on Monday. There much to do and think about and both of us lie at night with our heads swimming with questions, possibilities and thoughts. But all is well and the plans are being laid to end this school year and plan for the next.

Oh Can it Rain

Last night we had a terrific lightning show. The whole sky lit up for seconds at a time and then torrential rains. The whole day was beautiful; a day of connecting with JT and the staff, visiting with children in classes for stories and lots of laughter and excitment. What a treat to be here. We feel much welcomed and honored. Last night a feast for us hosted by Johanna Kuyvenhoven. The whole thing cost a sacrificial goat and a lot of rice. Singing, dancing and lovely speeches and stories. This school means so much in this community, so much so that it is difficult to put into words. We are ready for a bit of down time. We have been working through some budget questions and preparing for the SMC meeting on Monday. There much to do and think about and both of us lie at night with our heads swimming with questions, possibilities and thoughts. But all is well and the plans are being laid to end this school year and plan for the next.

School in the Rainy Season

Another day at CRC Primary School Kabala. Things are well here at school and we are well also. It rained all night, heavily but as we walked to school the last showers were ending and the sun was coming out on a beautiful day here surrounded by the hills in Kabala Sierra Leone. The day was spent in organizing some of the materials that we were able to bring, reading stories to the children, and sitting with JT to organize an agenda for the School Management committee and to talk together about the future of the school, next year’s budget and the many other details of good things happening here that he is so eager to share. The district education inspector came and was full of praise for the school and is holding it up as a model for the community. He wants to invite government representatives to come and see it. He was also full of praise for JT the Headmaster and the quality of teaching going on. But it continues to strike us so profoundly that life is hard here. Nothing comes easy and poverty is very complex. We saw little Nyima last night; still shy and beautiful. Her mom was in a great deal of pain from a foot injury and infection. Quite worrisome. Please pray for these wonderful and resilient people.

Canada Day In Kabala

Our hearts are full!! What else can we say except that we are humbled to see this thing that has come together so wonderfully in this beautiful part of world. We were greeted yesterday noon by a mob of 120 children in blue and pink who had heard that we were on our way and would greet them before the school day ended. We left Freetown at 6.30 am in the morning and headed up north as the rainy season made itself felt; downpours at times and the road ahead a stream of red water 6 inches deep and 20 feet wide. The sun broke through now and again and we are falling under the spell of this tropical rain forest once again.

The children sang their hearts out for us and gave us a spirited and lively display of all the things they are learning. They seem so proud to be students at this school and though I had my doubts about the pink and blue I must say it really stands out. This morning as we made our way to school we could spot them coming from the various lanes and paths toward CRC Primary. The school seems to be the only one that is seriously in session and JT and the staff are determined that their students will do well on the year end tests. So great for us to see them as well even though the regular classes have stopped. We will have lots of opportunity to be with them.

Everyone wants to extend warmest greetings to Kabala Team #1, Jordan, Hannah, Chrissy, Evelyn, Melanie and Leah. They loved all the pictures and cards and are greatful that you remembered them. Everyone is asking about you and about Asher. There are still guys here from the construction crews who want to know about Gino and Hans. The friendships that are growing here are by far the best gift to us all. There is such a sense of pride and amazement about the school.

This morning we had to stand on the flag podium as the Canadian and Sierra Leonian flags were raised and anthems sung. Quite wonderful on this Canada Day to see children singing about the country they love. And to have them sing their hearts out on the Canadian anthem as well. To think about what these children could mean for SL is quite overwhelming. God keep this Land, glorious and free. May He stand guard over it, always.

Ending Year One in Kabala

Jenny and I are leaving for Kabala on Saturday and will be visiting the school as it ends its first year of operation. We feel blessed to be there for this important event. We will be able to spend time with the children until school lets out on July 10 after which time we will meet with teachers and the School Management Committee and do some planning for the future. We are excited to pave the way for Johan and Adrienne Melissen who will arrive in late August to take up teaching and nursing positions in Kabala.