Times 2

Have you met Ibrahim yet? I can't remember if I've introduced you. Both
of these boys would not only do great in a photo shoot for an album
cover but both are named Ibrahim, both are new this term and both are in
my Transition classroom. They have almost all of their alphabet down,
and can write their name with out 'copy copy' as we say here. I think we
can all relate to being a 'newcomer', these guys impress me all the time
with their courage and skill and ability to absorb all that happens on
our compound. A mixture of tribes and cultures, new languages, exposure
to a different religion, new food, new people, new everything. I think
you'd be impressed too if you had the chance to meet them. One is very
quiet, while the other learns through experience- he wants to touch and
be a part of everything.

Stephanie, what's.....

We really love to read around here!

this is the way I wash my food?

Cleaning cassava is a team effort- eating it is too.

Welcome Back

Kadir, a boarding student here in 2009 returned this week after a two
year absence. He left to help his family- his brother was sick. But now
he's back, wracking his brain to remember everything he knows. Praising
God that he found education and our place here important enough to return.

Time

This week Primary Two learned to tell time, thank you dollar tree for
your contribution :)

wedding

Devin and Bridget looking very Nigerian while celebrating with our staff
at a teacher's wedding this weekend.

Wedding

Our PN teacher got married yesterday. It was a beautiful celebration of
their commitment to choosing God's best, which just happened to be one
another. I would have thought that the wedding party would have been
more interesting than the whites but I guess not everyone agreed.

show and tell

Bridget and about 20 kids in our kitchen, sampling vegetables in a tin,
testing out the blender, learning about the oven and asking about all
the other little gadgets we have around- like spatulas and kitchen
knives and potato peelers.

jealous?

This is who we spend our afternoons with...

Nature walk

Collecting flowers from the bush.

I'm thankful...

That many hands make light work and for Abubakar who can heft more
planks of wood into the back of the truck than me.

Meet Abu

One of our new boarding students. His brother, who has been our boarding
student for the past couple of years, screamed in delight when he saw
his brother driving up in the car to come to school. Surprise!

Meet and greet

Yesterday we waited anxiously for the return of our friends, three
boarding students returning to school. We were so happy to see not three
but 5 drive to our place. Two small brothers were brought along to
school. They are young, maybe 5 or 6 years old and have been sent to
live with us (we do not take that responsibility lightly mind you) sent
to learn from us and share life together. Maybe they know this or maybe
they don't but this place changes lives, we've seen it time and time
again. Your belly is full here, your physical needs are met and
everything is new- ceiling fans, monkeys as friends, three solid meals a
day, sitting in class and so much more. Pray for our boarding master and
his wife who now have 22 kiddos under their care, some old and some new.
Day by day our family grows.

community

The beautiful part about living in community is that they don't only
care for you when you're well but when you're sick too. Last night I was
down with the flu and all 16 of my boarding student friends came to wish
me well, individually shaking my hand and visiting me in bed, plus our
two security guards. If I ever doubted their love before I can be sure
of it now.

Hope Academy on parade

Oh so cute

Participants at our brand new school inside, inside the bush. Never to
early to learn.

Prayer wins

We thank God for Nyaliru, we thank God you joined us in prayer. He is
happy (despite the culturally appropriate no smile photo) and healthy
and back at school.