asante sana

Our first week at Mama's is coming to a close! We have said that we can't decide if it feels like we've been here for ages or since it's so new everyday, it seems like everyday is just as new and exciting as the last.

I don't think I can quite put into words how much this opportunity overwhelms me. Teaching in Africa is something I've hoped and dreamed of my whole life! I have been so flooded with amazement every teaching session I've had so far. God is so good.

I've had a bad bout with some intense sickness the last few days. (Darn you, doxycycline!) I have never been more thankful for fever-reducing and pain killing medications! Thank you to everyone who's prayed for me, I finally have been able to eat food other than crackers and haven't had a bad visit to the bathroom in awhile.

We've had our first rain experience today!   We haven't had running water since our first night and have had trouble getting ahold of a plumber, so God sent us a nice downpour instead. No complaints from me about bucket showers, after being sick it's made me feel like a new person! 

The way it works here is we all teach our subjects throughout the day to children that are nursery age to Standard 4 (about 12 years old). The rest of the older children go out to schools in the area. Since it is a registered orphanage some of the older kid's schooling is payed for by the government, and others are on sponsorship from donors mostly in the UK. In the evening the students have required homework time, which we help out with and do specialized tutoring sessions.

This is Eunice. She was dreadfully shy to us (me) on the first few days, running and hiding whenever we would speak to her! It took her a few days but she's warmed up to us, and she helps us out a lot translating for the younger kids. In exchange for some math tutoring, Eunice, along with some other girls, have been working on Swahili with me! They laugh at me a lot, but I'll get there.

I wish so badly that so many of you could be here. There's always a baby to hold, some cheeky 4th years to play empty-water-bottle-volleyball with (that is, volleyball with anything from the garbage heap), someone who wants to braid your hair, or even just someone who wants their hand held. I am so grateful to be experiencing this, and appreciate all the love and support from back home! Cheers for now, much love, and asante sana!