School began over a week ago and I was a bit consumed with the holidays, school prep, and students back on campus to finish my newsletter, which is still beckoning me, so I will briefly update the blog for the few who read.
Christmas was quite a treasure as I spent the Eve and Day with a family who has adopted me as an aunt. 3 of their 4 children are in our elementary school (1 in my class) the whole family has become a treasure and a huge source of laughter. They are often my breath of fresh air.
With the arrival of students back on campus I was excited to continue the journey we began last term. Learning in the 2nd grade classroom, wrestling with life issues in the junior high and high school girls dorms, growing in my understanding of culture and life here in Kenya through relationships in the community.
New additions to my life in 2009: 2 new 2nd grade boys in class, coaching junior high field hockey, painted walls in my house, curtains coming soon, running again as the broken foot has healed, and a deeply rooted appreciation for the people surrounding me.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Friday, December 19, 2008
A trip to Uganda and The Nile
I recently returned 'home' from a visit to Uganda. I spent a few days in Kampala visiting a friend and seeing her new home and ministry. I enjoyed walking the streets of her area as locals would come out of their home to smile and wave welcoming the new mzungu (white person or literally white man who runs in circles-so glad I'm female). And, of course, we gathered a following of children and I claim that life can't get much better.
I also spent a day at The Sign of the Dove Church in Zana while they were having a revival and was blessed to spend some time with folks from The Sign of the Dove Church in Waukegan, IL! After experiencing enough excitement in Kampala we were off to Jinja, the source of the Nile and located on Lake Victoria. Water is a beautiful site and has always captured my attention and fear.....
I spent a day rafting the Nile with friends and someone said to me "You can now tell your children one day, 'your momma rafted the nile'" and Boy am I glad I'm alive to retell the story. :-) I believe I had done class 5's before but no where near the volume of water we delicately floated through. After flipping and being taken by rapids on the first class 5, I must have had this look of horror on my face, because the kiacker who came to my rescue kept asking me "what is your name", "is this your first time rafting", etc...and I'm pretty sure he wasn't trying to make new friends :-)
We survived a tsuanmi of a wave later in the journey and thoroughly enjoyed the scenery of the banks of the Nile. My favorite was the many people who come down to the Nile to bath, wash clothes, and watch us raft the rapids. Though, I enjoying being outside and thrive on adventure, there was more about this trip that impacted me than surviving the Nile, obtaining a new stamp in my passport, and traveling across Kenya and Uganda.
Was it the man who sat next to me drinking his beer chatting about his volunteer work across Africa while we watched the sunset over the Nile? Was it the young boy at the border of Kenya and Uganda who was begging, but had no voice or power to change the situation he has found himself in? Was it the small girl who walked hand in hand with me on the streets of Bunimaya and could not stop smiling? Was it the boda-boda drivers who stuck by me at the bus station for safety purposes late at night while I waited for a taxi and chatted about Obama, morality, life in Africa, and families? OR was it the realization of who I was missing at what is becoming home and who I missing from what has always been home?
I am learning that I am a people person and find my heart easily attached to people I bump into. A verse came to mind as I pondered this on our 10 hour bus ride through the beautiful western country side of Kenya. I will end with this thought: Jesus said "Let the little children come to me" and we often think of precious little ones around the world, but Jesus was beckoning us all to come as His precious little ones to rest in His arms and to enjoy the beauty of His presence. May you find joy in coming to Jesus this Christmas season!
I also spent a day at The Sign of the Dove Church in Zana while they were having a revival and was blessed to spend some time with folks from The Sign of the Dove Church in Waukegan, IL! After experiencing enough excitement in Kampala we were off to Jinja, the source of the Nile and located on Lake Victoria. Water is a beautiful site and has always captured my attention and fear.....
I spent a day rafting the Nile with friends and someone said to me "You can now tell your children one day, 'your momma rafted the nile'" and Boy am I glad I'm alive to retell the story. :-) I believe I had done class 5's before but no where near the volume of water we delicately floated through. After flipping and being taken by rapids on the first class 5, I must have had this look of horror on my face, because the kiacker who came to my rescue kept asking me "what is your name", "is this your first time rafting", etc...and I'm pretty sure he wasn't trying to make new friends :-)
We survived a tsuanmi of a wave later in the journey and thoroughly enjoyed the scenery of the banks of the Nile. My favorite was the many people who come down to the Nile to bath, wash clothes, and watch us raft the rapids. Though, I enjoying being outside and thrive on adventure, there was more about this trip that impacted me than surviving the Nile, obtaining a new stamp in my passport, and traveling across Kenya and Uganda.
Was it the man who sat next to me drinking his beer chatting about his volunteer work across Africa while we watched the sunset over the Nile? Was it the young boy at the border of Kenya and Uganda who was begging, but had no voice or power to change the situation he has found himself in? Was it the small girl who walked hand in hand with me on the streets of Bunimaya and could not stop smiling? Was it the boda-boda drivers who stuck by me at the bus station for safety purposes late at night while I waited for a taxi and chatted about Obama, morality, life in Africa, and families? OR was it the realization of who I was missing at what is becoming home and who I missing from what has always been home?
I am learning that I am a people person and find my heart easily attached to people I bump into. A verse came to mind as I pondered this on our 10 hour bus ride through the beautiful western country side of Kenya. I will end with this thought: Jesus said "Let the little children come to me" and we often think of precious little ones around the world, but Jesus was beckoning us all to come as His precious little ones to rest in His arms and to enjoy the beauty of His presence. May you find joy in coming to Jesus this Christmas season!
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Second Grade Highlights
Happy Thanksgiving from Kenya! I must admit it felt odd to wake up in Kenya on Thanksgiving morning...I am missing all the familiar people and events (though not the smells) of Thanksgiving at home. Surprising enough I am missing the fresh feel of the cold air that is most likely blowing around Chicago these days.
Our term ended yesterday and though I love my students and greatly enjoy the ministry of loving students who are away from their parents, I am so excited to read, rest, find some fun, be still, make my home feel like home, and catch up on sleep. I have plans to be in Uganda to visit some friends and to raft the Nile...crocs and hippos here I come!
Spending much of my day with 2nd graders I hear and read funny words all the time. My favorites often times are the inventive spelling and the spontaneous laughter just because we are in 2nd grade. In my opinion one student has come up with a much better spelling of pneumonia (which I had to look up on dictionary.com) Her rendition - nomoniya...not bad. sment for cement. And one student asked how to spell intendent...I stewed for awhile, asked some leading questions and he responded "you know, super intendent"...oh, you mean Nintendo!
Aside from the "stop picking your nose" pep talk, I have also been asking for and encouraging better listeners, showing me that you are listening with eye contact and responses, etc... One little boy who likes to space might have finally gotten my point. He looked intensely at me and said "Miss Crockett, I'm listening" as he proceeded to walk backwards (so he could continue to look at me) to his desk with a smirk the whole time...he knew what he was doing.
School just wasn't designed for little boys. Being in Africa I have more freedom to take my class outside to do school and we do a lot of moving, but with 7 boys and 4 girls next term I'm thinking I will need to get real creative in my approach to learning :-) any ideas are more than welcome!
Our term ended yesterday and though I love my students and greatly enjoy the ministry of loving students who are away from their parents, I am so excited to read, rest, find some fun, be still, make my home feel like home, and catch up on sleep. I have plans to be in Uganda to visit some friends and to raft the Nile...crocs and hippos here I come!
Spending much of my day with 2nd graders I hear and read funny words all the time. My favorites often times are the inventive spelling and the spontaneous laughter just because we are in 2nd grade. In my opinion one student has come up with a much better spelling of pneumonia (which I had to look up on dictionary.com) Her rendition - nomoniya...not bad. sment for cement. And one student asked how to spell intendent...I stewed for awhile, asked some leading questions and he responded "you know, super intendent"...oh, you mean Nintendo!
Aside from the "stop picking your nose" pep talk, I have also been asking for and encouraging better listeners, showing me that you are listening with eye contact and responses, etc... One little boy who likes to space might have finally gotten my point. He looked intensely at me and said "Miss Crockett, I'm listening" as he proceeded to walk backwards (so he could continue to look at me) to his desk with a smirk the whole time...he knew what he was doing.
School just wasn't designed for little boys. Being in Africa I have more freedom to take my class outside to do school and we do a lot of moving, but with 7 boys and 4 girls next term I'm thinking I will need to get real creative in my approach to learning :-) any ideas are more than welcome!
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Baptisms and Boogers
I do hope no one is offended by the title. I was struggling to be creative until I realized what I wanted to write about and it created an alliteration. It must the teacher deep inside me coming out. Or, I'm well on my way to writing 3 point sermons or whatever they teach you in seminary.
Rift Valley Academy (RVA) had their baptism service a week ago. We do this outside and are gathered as a whole school. It was such a time of celebration of the work God is doing in our students hearts. The testimonies shared were evidence of God's faithful work in the hearts of those He has called His own.
We had Spiritual Emphasis Week about 6 weeks ago and witnessed a fresh work of the Lord in the hearts of students and staff alike. Even though, many of our students were raised as missionary kids much of their life they still have to sort through what is truth, they still stumble into sin, and God is still faithful to work redeeming works in their hearts. Praise God for the hope we have in Him!
As I watched baptisms, I looked around and saw numerous kids high in trees during the service. We climb trees here a lot and have almost no broken bones as a result, but I was reminded of the unique culture of missionary kids (my target ministry) as I watched tree climbers, listened to testimonies, and observed The church here that day. I am blessed!
And the boogers....I'm sure my kiddos have been picking their noses since before I got here, but I've noticed an increase of activity in this direction recently and needless to say I'd like to see the activity slow down. So, I've given a pep talk at least twice about spreading germs, washing hands, etc.... because I've gotten sick a few times - I like to blame it on the boogers.
Strategically included in this pep talk is direction to STOP picking your nose and eating and spreading your boogers! With that said, it seems to be perfectly normal in African culture to pick your nose, even while in the middle of a conversation and I'm wondering if this has some influence upon the excessive booger picking. No worries, though, I don't think I will catch the trend.
Rift Valley Academy (RVA) had their baptism service a week ago. We do this outside and are gathered as a whole school. It was such a time of celebration of the work God is doing in our students hearts. The testimonies shared were evidence of God's faithful work in the hearts of those He has called His own.
We had Spiritual Emphasis Week about 6 weeks ago and witnessed a fresh work of the Lord in the hearts of students and staff alike. Even though, many of our students were raised as missionary kids much of their life they still have to sort through what is truth, they still stumble into sin, and God is still faithful to work redeeming works in their hearts. Praise God for the hope we have in Him!
As I watched baptisms, I looked around and saw numerous kids high in trees during the service. We climb trees here a lot and have almost no broken bones as a result, but I was reminded of the unique culture of missionary kids (my target ministry) as I watched tree climbers, listened to testimonies, and observed The church here that day. I am blessed!
And the boogers....I'm sure my kiddos have been picking their noses since before I got here, but I've noticed an increase of activity in this direction recently and needless to say I'd like to see the activity slow down. So, I've given a pep talk at least twice about spreading germs, washing hands, etc.... because I've gotten sick a few times - I like to blame it on the boogers.
Strategically included in this pep talk is direction to STOP picking your nose and eating and spreading your boogers! With that said, it seems to be perfectly normal in African culture to pick your nose, even while in the middle of a conversation and I'm wondering if this has some influence upon the excessive booger picking. No worries, though, I don't think I will catch the trend.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
A scattered update
I have been faithful to try to connect to blogger to put an updated post, but not as patient to wait for it to work properly. We have just over 2 weeks left in our term before we break at American Thanksgiving and students don't return until early January. The push is on as the activity does not slow down and our bodies don't seem to regain much of anything.
Though, I continue to see God's grace pour forth in and through a bunch of imperfect people. One such moment that I am now referring to as a treasure of a gem, happened as I was humbled by a student and some mistakes I had made as a teacher and the way in which I had interacted with this specific student. Needless to say, the tearful conversation with my precious 2nd grader ended with hugs and forgiveness. My learning curve is high in 2nd grade!
After 3 weeks of limping, great pain and slight pain, and playing ultimate frisbee and running one day, the doctors reviewed my x-ray's and found 2 cracks in my bone. I have joined the ranks of people who can say they have broken a bone and am stuck in an incredibly gorgeous boot (basically a cast I can take off) for 3 weeks. If they really didn't want me running on the broken foot, they should have put me in a cast I couldn't un-velcro. I am being careful, but am excited to remove the restraint and run freely, hopefully pain free in a few weeks.
If you, by any chance, have access to a Chicago Bears football game from the last few years in which there was great excitement and a win for the Bears, send a copy to me! Thanksgiving without a football game will just not be the same. I did bring my football and will probably rope some friends into throwing it around, but most folks around here go for Rugby well over American football. American football is somewhat of a girlie sport when put up against Rugby. Who would have thought?
Though, I continue to see God's grace pour forth in and through a bunch of imperfect people. One such moment that I am now referring to as a treasure of a gem, happened as I was humbled by a student and some mistakes I had made as a teacher and the way in which I had interacted with this specific student. Needless to say, the tearful conversation with my precious 2nd grader ended with hugs and forgiveness. My learning curve is high in 2nd grade!
After 3 weeks of limping, great pain and slight pain, and playing ultimate frisbee and running one day, the doctors reviewed my x-ray's and found 2 cracks in my bone. I have joined the ranks of people who can say they have broken a bone and am stuck in an incredibly gorgeous boot (basically a cast I can take off) for 3 weeks. If they really didn't want me running on the broken foot, they should have put me in a cast I couldn't un-velcro. I am being careful, but am excited to remove the restraint and run freely, hopefully pain free in a few weeks.
If you, by any chance, have access to a Chicago Bears football game from the last few years in which there was great excitement and a win for the Bears, send a copy to me! Thanksgiving without a football game will just not be the same. I did bring my football and will probably rope some friends into throwing it around, but most folks around here go for Rugby well over American football. American football is somewhat of a girlie sport when put up against Rugby. Who would have thought?
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Laryngitis and Lessons Learned
I went to bed Monday night with slight scratchiness in my voice and woke Tuesday morning sounding more like a man than I would ever wish for. Wednesday morning I woke with no voice which makes teaching...well creative or complicated depending on you look at it.
I had just taught my kids the alphabet in sign language this week so that came in handy. I did a lot of pointing, extreme facial expressions, and waiting patiently. Through friends and subs second grade continues learning this week. :-)
I don't actually think I have laryngitis...it was suggested to me and I looked it up on the internet. Basically it's a hoarse voice caused by virus or yelling. My big symptoms are fatigue and lack of working vocal cords - presumably not from yelling.
I knew I would have many new experiences in a foreign country, but didn't think my body falling apart would play such a huge role. Someone said to me "You're not even 50 yet. What's going on?!!"
Heavenly Perspective: This body will fail and break and cause problems here, but one day God will restore my body to the perfection He intended in His presence. What a day that will be! And as I walk still with slight pain in my foot still and am unable to fully express myself with no voice I am reminded to pray for people who suffer physically to have eyes to see and ears to hear the love our Savior has for them.
I had just taught my kids the alphabet in sign language this week so that came in handy. I did a lot of pointing, extreme facial expressions, and waiting patiently. Through friends and subs second grade continues learning this week. :-)
I don't actually think I have laryngitis...it was suggested to me and I looked it up on the internet. Basically it's a hoarse voice caused by virus or yelling. My big symptoms are fatigue and lack of working vocal cords - presumably not from yelling.
I knew I would have many new experiences in a foreign country, but didn't think my body falling apart would play such a huge role. Someone said to me "You're not even 50 yet. What's going on?!!"
Heavenly Perspective: This body will fail and break and cause problems here, but one day God will restore my body to the perfection He intended in His presence. What a day that will be! And as I walk still with slight pain in my foot still and am unable to fully express myself with no voice I am reminded to pray for people who suffer physically to have eyes to see and ears to hear the love our Savior has for them.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Laughter is good medicine
I've found that I laugh a lot here. It might have something to do with being with kids much of the day and they can't help themselves but be entertaining for others. Allow me to share a few examples from everyday life.
A 2nd grade student of mine graciously brought me 4 M&M's during lunch recently. She plopped them on my table and took off for school. As I followed, she turned around and said "I only dropped 2 of them, but I dusted them off!"
I was trying to make a point of something in class and turned around as I said something (the specific details have escaped me) and a student proceeded to tell me with a smirk "Miss Crockett, you looked real cute just now when you did that" and everybody in 2nd grade graciously concurred with her.
What can I say, but that success in the classroom is when you have a bunch of 2nd grade admirers. I don't think it takes much to find that :-) I will try to post pictures soon.
A 2nd grade student of mine graciously brought me 4 M&M's during lunch recently. She plopped them on my table and took off for school. As I followed, she turned around and said "I only dropped 2 of them, but I dusted them off!"
I was trying to make a point of something in class and turned around as I said something (the specific details have escaped me) and a student proceeded to tell me with a smirk "Miss Crockett, you looked real cute just now when you did that" and everybody in 2nd grade graciously concurred with her.
What can I say, but that success in the classroom is when you have a bunch of 2nd grade admirers. I don't think it takes much to find that :-) I will try to post pictures soon.
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