An Island of Fun

 

 

The first week of this month was the last week of school for the first term.  The second term doesn’t start until May 7, so I decided to take advantage of the short break to get away and revitalize myself.  A friend from the states blessed me with a gift to treat myself to something special, so I went to Namibia with Amber, Jako, Gretchen, Terra, Joann, and the boys.  We all packed up and drove across the boarder to an island surrounded by the beautiful Nunda River.  We took a few detours on the way not exactly sure where we were going, but found the place around 10:30 pm the night we were supposed to check in.  Luckily, the new Land Rover could handle the amount of water surrounding the island, so we were able to drive in since all the boats were put away for the night and the drivers were sleeping…the adventure continues. 

In the morning we moved to our permanent campsite which was right on the water.  Waking up and seeing the sun rise over the water was the most breathtaking view I had while visiting Namibia; the sky turned beautiful hues of orange, yellow, and pink as the sun crept its way up into the clouds.  We walked around the island and found the landscaping to be almost as beautiful as the sunrise.  We walked through paths in the bush, covered with exotic flowers and greenery, and came out at different campsites on the water, then larger clearings near the pool, sun deck, restaurant, reception, and other lodging they offered.  They also had toilets “Loo’s” and showers all around the camping areas, each having their own theme and uniqueness to it.  Some were nestled in the bush, while others high in the sky over looking the river.  One had a large bathtub facing the river and at night it was the most serene place to be…a hot bath, under the stars, gazing out into the river unknown.  All of us did the “Loo Tour” and laughed at the many clever things they came up with!

Another exciting thing about the island was that it is surrounded by crocodiles and hippos.  Each night we would often hear the hippos around our tents grazing in the grass and one morning a hippo discovered Amber and Jako’s tent and held the hostage for a few minutes while deciding whether or not he wanted to leave them alone or charge down the tent.  Luckily he left them alone and went back into the water before anybody else got up for the day.  Speaking of Hippos, the island also had a croc/hippo cage as a swimming pool and more than once we saw hippos moving around in the river while we were in the cage swimming, taking a break from the heat of the sun. 

Jako loves birds and they offered a bird tour where you would go around the island for 2 hours checking out the birds that lived there and maybe spotting some of the rare species that thrive in that area.  Well you need two people to go on this tour, so I volunteered thinking there would be many picture opportunities…there were few opportunities, but at least I learned something about birds…hehe. 

Each day we really had no agenda we just each spent our own time relaxing, hanging out together, fellowshipping around meals, and enjoying God’s creation all around us.

What a blessing to have ventured out to another country and to an island with an amazing group of people! 

 

Now I am ready to dive into to planning and preparing for the next Term which starts in just three weeks…

 

 

"He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary,and young men stumble and fall;but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

Isaiah 40:29-31

 

 

                             

Week 8

 

 

This was our last week before our first term break.  Here in Zambia, the school runs from January to December with monthly breaks in the middle of three terms.  As much as my body and mind needed the rest of this break, my heart is not happy about not having children at the school until May.  All the classes have been so busy with studies and working in the classroom, that Medis and I decided to make the last week a fun week for the children. 

 

The younger classes continues their regular routines of exploring centers, working with one another in art studio and other areas of the classroom, reading stories, and beginning to learn some of the jobs we have around the classroom.  On the last day of school, they got to play with the parachute and tunnel, which was a first for them.  Having them only twice a week, we usually don’t have time for a planned movement activity, so they haven’t seen the parachute yet.  The children shrieked with excitement when we had the puppets flying all over the classroom, not being able to contain them while moving the parachute up and down.  What a joyful moment for everyone!!

The older class didn’t get it as easy as the younger ones…since Friday was a holiday for Easter weekend, the older children only came twice this week as well.  However, they had a lot of work to do to connect with the World Friends in America.  There is a preschool in Annapolis, MD, where the children will be connecting with other children their age in a completely different culture.  We took out a map and found where we live in Mukamba, and then took guesses on where America was and then Maryland on the map.  Now, all the children should be able to point out Maryland and Mukamba on a world map!  We also sat down and has discussions about America and what the children thought it was like, then they had some very good questions to ask the children in the other class about their daily lives.  In addition to that, each child wrote a letter telling the classes in Annapolis all about themselves, their family, and a little bit about Zambia.  I hope to get out their letters, questions, and a picture of each children in the mail later this week so they can be on their way to America!!  Please pray for the connection between these children and their cultures…how awe inspiring that they can communicate with children on a whole different continent and learn about things they are learning in their classroom.  Such an enriching moment for all the children and teachers involved!! 

All the children said they were going to miss school very much and that they didn’t want a break, where I hear usually children around here love when school close for term holiday.  I almost cried as each class sang their good-bye  for the last time in this term. 

 

Well as sad as I am to not see the children for a month, I am equally as excited about the second term where the parents will have a chance to get more involved, the children will be introduced to jobs in the classroom, and Medis and I will be introducing even more activities for the children to explore and learn. 

 

Medis and I are still hoping to attend the Reggio Emilia Teacher Training Seminar in June in South Africa.  She just applied for her passport, so please pray that they have it ready in the next three weeks for her to go and pick it up.  Then all she needs is her yellow fever vaccination and once we acquire all the funds, we will be ready to go!!