And the driving continues... :)

So today I had my second experience driving, and I must say, it is not as hard as I thought!  Driving in town, however, would be a very different story!

This morning I went with Mr. Wanyonyi to Bumula to take information regarding the National Exam for Form 4 students.  Bumula is around 20 miles from Kabula which means driving on lots of dirt roads :)  On the way back, he let me drive almost the entire way, so I made it from starting the car all the way to 4th gear!  I also stalled once, so I got to start again.  Was able to maneuver the potholes, motorcyclists, pedestrians, animals, and everything!

Now I'm sitting in the cyber and it is pouring outside.  It's funny that here the saying really is true, "When it rains, it pours!"

Tomorrow Katie, Anna, Pandora and I travel to Jinja, Uganda to go rafting on Saturday.  Looking forward to an unforgettable experience!

Below you'll find some pictures of the school where I am teaching.  Took them my first week but haven't had a chance to upload them till now.

Take care,
Heather

Mr. Wanyonyi

The computer lab

School bathrooms, aka "long drops"

A group of girls walking home from school

Orphanage, Birthday, and a few other things

Just a few pictures from the past couple of days so that you see what I've been up to.  I had a really nice birthday yesterday - enjoyed getting cards and watching the amazing video Mike made for me :)  Spent time relaxing and then went to a nearby orphanage to play with the kids.  Anna brought paints, paper, and crayons, so the kids had a blast drawing and painting.  And then painting their faces, and so on.  It's really difficult to see so many children who have not experienced much love in their lives and who are lacking so many comforts.  There are few toys for them to play with and 29 children in one house.  We hope to be able to return and spend more time getting to know the children!

Yesterday evening, Anna, Katie and I went to dinner at the Red Hat in Bungoma.  Our dinner was very good and a nice change from what we have usually been eating.  The owner even had a cake made for me!  A mix between a carrot cake and a spice cake, minus the frosting.  But complete with a lit candle for me to blow out.

I'm finally feeling close to healthy and over this cold/sore throat I've been fighting.  So thankful for that and for all your prayers!

Tutaonana,

Heather

Two boys from the orphanage

All of the children at the orphanage with the pictures they drew!

Mixed veggies at dinner.  Tamu sana!

My specially made birthday cake !

Yes, this is what it looks like.  A hen laid an egg on the plush chair.

Driving in Africa :)

So this morning after assembly, the math teacher suggested I drive Anna, Katie and myself home in his van.  With him supervising, of course.  The main challenges were:  the van is a stick-shift, and I have never successfully driven a stick-shift out of a parking lot and onto the road; in Kenya, the driver's side is on the right-side of the car; cars drive on the opposite side of the road from the U.S.; the roads are mainly dirt and are usually filled with  bumps or potholes.  Despite the obstacles, however, I was able to get the van in reverse and into 1st and 2nd gears to get us back to the farm.  And it wasn't as difficult as I expected!  Only stalled once :)

The van looks something like this:  http://www.dealer.co.ke/photos/2356/DSC03733.JPG

It's kind of fun to be able to drive in Africa!

Salama,
Heather

Sangalo

This morning I went to the church that the Lubangas attend, which meets in the primary school and afterwards to Sangalo. It continually amazes me at how beautifully people here can sing! Even being in a small room with bare furnishings, it was obvious that everyone was so thankful to be able to praise and worship the King!
After church we were driven to Sangalo which is about 40 minutes away. There are two big hills made out of rock which you can climb to the top of. At first it was challenging, especially when you see little kids running barefoot ahead of you while you are huffing and puffing, but we succeeded in reaching the top of both hills! You can see for miles and miles and the landscape is absolutely beautiful – so lush and green, with mountains in the distance.
A lot of activity for one day, so I’m hoping to sleep well tonight!
Enjoy the photos :)
Heather

Karibu Kenya!

On Tuesday, Anna and I went to Nairobi early in the morning to catch the bus to Bungoma.  We met our fellow teacher, Katie, and a friend of our host family, Daniel there who made the 8.5 hour journey with us.  It was incredible to see how many people were walking the streets of Nairobi at such an early hour in the morning!  I don’t think I have ever seen more people in one place in my life!  During the bus ride, we saw a variety of types of Kenyan landscape, architecture, people, and animals.  Forests, highlands, savannahs – all contribute to the beautiful country of Kenya.  We even spotted some wildlife grazing in the savannahs on our way – zebra and gazelle!  (Not to mention the many donkey, sheep, goats, and chickens :))  On one of our rest stops, I had the pleasure of buying a delicious mango for just 20 shillings as well as using my first long drop toilet.  Having never been in a developing country before, I was surprised to see the amount of garbage piled everywhere and the number of people in every town, street, and even field!
There are so many things you take for granted or don’t even think about not having that many people in the world have never had. 
            - trash collection
            - running water
            - refrigerator/freezer
            - inexpensive fuel
And the list could go on and on.

We arrived in Bungoma town on Tuesday evening, exhausted and overwhelmed by so many new experiences.  The sugarcane farm on which we are living is owned by the Lubanga family.  Anna, Katie and I live in hut 1 which has 4 bunkbeds to accommodate us.  During the day it is generally hot here, but at nights it cools off considerably.  As I’m writing this, I’m wearing a sweatshirt and sweatpants, but earlier today I was very warm in a t-shirt and skirt!  Maybe this is the reason that I lost my voice two nights ago and am feeling a bit sick?  Praying for quick healing so that I am able to fully engage and actually talk with all of the wonderful people here!

The past three days we have been at St. Teresa’s High School in Kabula.  I am working with one of the French teachers, Mme. Santina, who teaches Form 1 and Form 2 French (Form 1 is 9^th gr., Form 2 10^th gr., etc.).  I will be observing in Form 2 every week and start teaching Form 1 on Wednesday, so I’m looking forward to that.  St. Teresa’s is an all-boys boarding school (there are a few Form 4 girls, but it is phasing into a boys school) with around 600 students.  It is very striking how respectful, attentive, and diligent the students appear to be!  No side conversations, no getting up while the teacher is talking, no complaining.  So far I am quite impressed!  All of our colleagues at the school have been so friendly and inviting, everyone introduces themselves and welcomes us to Kenya and to the school, “Karibu Kenya, Karibu Kabula, Karibu St. Teresa’s.  You are very welcome here!”  Everyone truly is so warm, inviting, and helpful!  I’m so thankful to be in such a beautiful place with beautiful people.  God has created such beauty and diversity in the world!  His beauty is reflected in so many ways and I can only wonder at His infinite wisdom, beauty, and creativity!

Tomorrow we plan to go into town and buy some necessary items – i.e. a rain jacket and rain boots, since it rains for some period of time every day and gets quite muddy!

I pray that all is well with each one of you and that you are enjoying the beginning of spring!

Much love,
Heather

Jambo!

Greetings from Kenya!  I arrived safely in Nairobi last night after 19 hours of flying, anxious and excited.  I was very happy to see my bag and my party waiting to meet me right away!
Today we are staying with a family in Nairobi and have experienced so much hospitality and warmth in the past 24 hours.  Breakfast this morning consisted of:  cereal, omelette, sausages, toast, mango, juice, and tea/coffee.  Couldn't believe it when I bit into the mango - I've never tasted one so delicious in my life!  :)

Anna and I went to the Giraffe Centre this afternoon where we could feed the Rothschild giraffes out of our hands and hike along a nature trail.

We also went to the Bomas of Kenya show today where we experienced traditional music and dances from various regions of Kenya.

Needless to say, I'm so happy to be here and can't wait to get to Bungoma and get settled in!

Love how the giraffes open their mouths to eat!

Salamu,
Heather