After being gone for an entire week, it was SO much fun to be back HOME in Kisumu,

and to be BACK AT SCHOOL.  My students are SO sweet!  I don’t think I realized how much I missed them until they came in this morning with their sparkling eyes and glowing faces!  They were all so eager to tell me stories and all of their welcome back notes and delightful little gifts (like freshly picked flowers and a tootsie roll that was likely a prized possession) totally made my day.  It was mind-bogglign to see how much the first graders had learned in just one week… the words that they can now read … and all of the new phonetic concepts that they have mastered… wow… seeing their progress is just amazing!

Today, the 1^st graders were learning the word faith… As we talked about faith and trust, I was blown away by some of their definitions and explanations for what faith is!  I can’t even begin to explain all the thought-provoking ideas that they shared, but truly, their perspective is incredible!

It is just so enjoyable to teach them so many new things!  One thing that is definitely different than teaching 3^rd and 4^th graders is simply their lack of knowledge about many things.  Over and over again, I am amazed at their childish innocence.  They also are so expressive! 

Children in general are just highly entertaining… I am constantly amused by the humorous things that they say and do.  This evening, on my way home from school, one of my little two year old buddies grinned happily as I walked by and said, “Good MORNING, Miss Carolyn!”  I couldn’t help but laugh at his cheery little greeting, even though it was almost six o’clock. 

The other evening, out on the lane, three of the little boys were demonstrating their impressive biking skills to me as they were “teaching me” how to do all sorts of stunts, such as wheelies, etc.  They were also purposely “speeding,” so that they would get pulled over.  Soon, I realized that the little lady police officer was giving money (bougainvillea leaves) to each reckless driver rather than fining them. What a unique point of view.  Not very realistic, but definitely generous! ;)

One Monday morning at school, my first grader was telling the class how his dad had taken “eleven bread and uneleven bread to church yesterday for his sermon…" Their outlook on life…what can I say? … :)

Here are a few pictures from a few weeks ago...