yesterday

I got to start teaching yesterday!! Hooray! Sort of...

It felt chaotic and unorganized, but that feeling comes from me viewing the day through very American eyes. We like events to be scheduled, structured, and everyone plays their role. African culture is just different. It is not an insult or unprofessional to arrive late, or to change "plans" at the last minute, or to not have any type of plan at all. Part of me finds this incredibly refreshing ... another part of me feels crazy and unproductive.

The boys were told to arrive at 8:30 to begin intruction. At 830, breakfast was just beginning. At 9, we left for the center. Through my American eyes, i see the clock ticking away and am busy adding up the minutes that we are late. Through African eyes, we had a lovely family breakfast.

We arrived at about 915; the boys were outside playing soccer and the girls were sewing. No one was upset that we were late; instead, they all came into the room and began setting up chairs. "Thank you," I said, and they respond, "Yooo. ahr. well-comb." I love their accents! I look around the circle and see all of these bright, eager eyes ... ready for ...whatever I have. They don't care; they're just ready. We were getting ready to play a game to practice conversational language when about 10 women walked in ... ready, with pen and paper in hand, to learn english... also eager and bright eyed. And plans change. As i welcomed them and added chairs to our circle, in my mind I was scratching the montherana, counting rap, the welcome dance, alphabet alligator, and every other "kid" activity.

But we got started, 10 women and 10 children. Greetings, alphabet, counting, writing, months, good bye, and god bless. Three hours later and everyone was on their way out. Please keep Sylvain, one of the Bwiza boys, in your prayers. More on his story later.

The power will quite possibly go out at any moment. I must close for now. I pray you are able to decipher my random ramblings.

m