First Day of Teaching

Today was a big day! Thus far my time in the classroom has been observing and building wonderful relationships. But, today I taught for the first time. I was very excited and a bit the nervous. We are beginning at the start with Creation. Today we did Day One, Two, and Three. Teaching is not a problem but the nervous part sets in when I am trying to communicate what I can in Swahili! I love the challenge and have learned so much but at times it feels like a brain freeze! I get excited when I start to recognize what people are saying or think of the Swahili word when I see something happening in front of me. However, with that said I have a LONG way to go! Back to the teaching part. Olais is kind in helping me translate. Both he and Mary seemed very much engaged and that thrilled me as well! The kids were excited about my flashlight, balloon, water, and dirt that I used for visuals. The balloon was the favorite! For our activity we took the bottom of water bottles and the kids decorated them with African Animal stickers that were left behind by a team of the past. Placing dirt inside the kids planted peas. They seemed to enjoy the activity and I look forward to watching them see how their works of art grow. One of the kids prayed in a whisper thanking Mungu for creating the land. I thought my heart was going to melt. This is why I have come!

The additional heart warming moment of the day was taking lunch to Momma Hannah. As I knocked on the door and said, "Hodi" there on the bed was the baby. Momma Hannah is the wife of one of the church planters here with us in the training course. They have a three year old as well~ Hannah. But, while on our three week break she had another baby. A week ago to be exact. I knew she was pregnant but didn't realize she was that far along. And let me tell you about this woman! She gave birth out in the bush and the next day began to travel back here to the Center! Yes, Yes, I said the next day with a three year old on the most difficult of roads that your brain probably can't even wrap your head around! She admitted that it was difficult and painful. I GUESS SO! They probably walked and road what is called a dala dala. Which, I could make an entire blog entry about how crazy these things are on these not so grand of roads! It is narrower than a church van and they cram people, things, animals, etc. from one wall to the next and probably out the windows too. We are talkin a woman here! Anyway, back to the heart warming part~ I got to hold the little baby as she ate and even though I struggle to carry on a conversation the whole time I felt as though she was glad I was there. Of course, I was totally in my element and treasured the moment of holding my first African newborn!

Now this moment isn't so heart warming but I have to conclude my entry with my last accomplishment of cooking myself dinner. Now, this isn't the first time I have cooked however, there was a great sense of "A" when I finished. Because there were no major flaws and I created something. Now in the midst of learning even in the States I need the recipe. None of this a dash here and I think this might be good business. However, here when ingredients are are different or the real from scratch stuff things are different. Anyway, I created my dish off something I remembered from making in the States. I have no idea what it ended up being but I did it! I must also say that it was good which is the true accomplishment part! So, I took my clothes off the line and all in all a very successful day here in Africa!!