Choir Concert

We had our very first official Choir Concert last Friday afternoon. Both choirs performed for the rest of the students in the school, the teachers and staff, Mommas of the cottages, the Home Office who happened to be traveling through and a few guardians of community students. I am so very proud of our students and the hard work and extra hours they have practiced to prepare this recital. It truly was a concert of praise to our heavenly Father and you can hear the joy in the students' voice.

 

This is a video of the Primary School Choir, made of 30 students grades 4-6, singing a capella "A Canon of Praise."  They were so happy when all was said and done! 

This is a video of the Junior and Senior Secondary School students singing an arrangement of "Simple Gifts" with "Canon in D" accompanied by our great friend Julie.  She didn't laugh in my face or hit me or stomp on my toe or anything when I gave her the music just a week ago.  She should have, but she didn't.  Anyway, this is also about 30 students with Richard in the back helping the "man sound" as we have started calling the guys' section.

When everything was over, Richard pulled the choir members outside for me to talk to privately.  I called them all around in a serious voice and said I had something to share.  Then I jumped up and down and shrieked for joy and did a happy dance.  They just grinned and grinned. Now that the students have the feeling of a concert under their belt, I think they will be ready for many more to come.  So will I.



Vignettes

1.

This is Weird Plant Thingie No. 2 which grows on our campus.  I don't know what it is, but I do know you can buy these as cut flowers on the side of the road.

2.

This is Michael.  He told our Childcare Director, "There's a baby bush in that tree!"  He meant there was a bushbaby.  He's pretty cute.

3. 

This is growing on our school grounds, in a very nice flower bed.  The vine has been the main decoration there for several months, but the kids are counting the days until they can eat the pumpkins.  I wish schools everywhere would be this smart about their landscaping.

4.

This frog has been hanging out on our front verandah for the last few weeks.  It moves from leaf to leaf on the same plant.  It's a nice and shady spot for a cutie.

Kenyanisms

The longer we are in Kenya, the more cultural things I learn.  I have two funny ones to share today that have confused me to no end, but I think I'm getting the hang of!  Now I find myself saying "Yes, please" and flashing eyebrows.  Here's how it goes:

Exhibit 1:

You didn't do your homework?

Yes, please.

So you did do your homework?

No, please.

Did you or did you not do your homework?

Yes, please.

Ummm...brain freeze!

Exhibit 2:

Hello!

Fine, fine.

Are you doing well today?

(quickly rasied eyebrows)

I'm sorry, I don't think you heard me.  Are you doing well today?

(another eyebrow flash)

Oh....sorry, I forgot.  The eyebrow flash thing means yes.  I'm glad you are well!

In the 30's

So I hear the weather has been a bit on the extreme side lately up there in the Northern Hemisphere.  Temperatures in the low 30's right?  Us too!  Celsius of course. My goodness it has been boiling over here the last few weeks!

You know when your day lilies start looking a little burnt, it's hot outside.

The canna lilies were doing great in the hot and dry.  The color of this canna represents how hot it blazed last week pretty well.  It felt like the sun was a heat lamp at the beauty salon when you walked outside.

Any outside conversation happened in the shadiest spot possible.

All of our classrooms had their air conditioning running wide open.

And finally, finally after much prayer, sweat and bottled water, it rained.  Glorious, wonderful, insistent rain. 

 

It is so beautiful now.  Everything is refreshed.  My students told me today they were glad it didn't feel like we were being boiled to soup in my music class.  They are not the only ones.

Construction Zone

Construction started on our new Senior Secondary School (that's high school for all you non-Kenyans) a few months ago. The ground was cleared and trenches were dug for the foundation.

 

Walls and such were marked off with incredibly eco-friendly materials.

 

They used the branches from cleared trees as posts.

Now, our SSS looks like this. Walls are going up!

The floor has been poured!

And larger sticks are on hand as supports!  Does this count as a "green" construction site?

Yum

Welcome to Kenyan Culture 101.  For class today, we have samosas.  These triangular, fried pockets of bliss originated in India, but came to Kenya with the construction of the railroad.  Our samples have beef, onions and spices wrapped in a handmade dough.  They are a labour of love as they take a while to make from scratch, but just a few minutes to devour.  Enjoy!

Surprise Footage

You want me to stop right here so you can take a picture of me wearing my new track suit?

You need me to hold still and smile?  Like this?

Wait a minute...

(Thanks for the photos, Richard!)