Cute

That's what they are... cute. Also, fun, intelligent, introspective, growing, kind, entertaining...

These are the kids I've been teaching this semester. And the semester is over, as of Friday.

It's been good. I'm glad it's time for a break. I look forward to next semester.

That's it. (Not that I'm usually verbose, but today is short and sweet because I'm tired out!)

Pascaria's Angels

Today we had some lovely guests: Pascaria, her sister, niece, and 5 assorted kids. It was a Christmasy celebration, with gifts, reading of Luke in the Kwaya language, traditional food (pilau, a spiced rice dish, and soda pop), and games. And, Ronit and I got to introduce them all to ice cream and Frisbee for the first time ever!

For gifts, we gave this angel collage I made and some other things; they brought us matching kangas (they are like sarongs, but they have a Swahili proverb. Ours say "TUVUMILIANE TUSIKOSANE KWA JAMBO DOGO," which means "We shouldn't sin against each other over small issues.") You can see me wearing it in the Frisbee photo.

It was a really nice day.

And soon I'll continue celebrating Christmas, but in my childhood culture! Airplane, here I come!

Joy to Musoma

My housemate, 7 new friends, and I got into a Land Cruiser last Wednesday and covertly cruised around Musoma, spreading Christmas cheer. We stopped at a missionary family's house, jumped out, lured them to their gates with melodic song, sang a little more, gave some cookies, then jumped back in the vehicle for another go. Times 9.

My favorite stop was number 2. These boys were surprised in their baths*. The younger brother was completely comfortable with an audience of carolers. The older brother stayed in his crouch for all our songs.

Overall, it was good to sing and re-sing the carols, meditating on the wonder and grace of Christ: "A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices, for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn."

*Disclaimer: I do not take pictures of kids in baths. Their father offered and I couldn't refuse the hilarity of the situation being recorded:)