Keeping it simple......

Sunday was Fathers day in Americ and that is such a special day for me.  A friend suggested changing my picture on Facebook to my father's and even though my father died many years ago, it was a wonderful way of celebrating his life and what he meant to me.  Without the kids here, Bryan and I still celebrated that special day together.....and the notes from the children brightened his day!!!  It was so encouraging for him.

Monday we went to the Mphinda school and made hats with the children.  This school is much more poor than the other we attend  and the children are more focused and actually listen better than the other.  The dear teacher is 9 months pregnant and exhausted.  Thankfully it is cooler now so she is more comfortable but she just looked so tired.  Her class is well behaved.  The kids and the drivers thoroughly enjoyed the craft.  Because there was time left at the end of class, we played Bingo.  It is interesting that when this was started in February, the kids were having trouble recognizing the numbers but now most of them love the game and need very little assistance to find the correct number.

  I have to say that helping at the school is such a high point of my life here.  These children are learning in incredibly basic and difficult surroundings, the teachers are poorly supported and doing an incredible job in their desire to provide education to the children.  Each week I feel such respect for the teacher and children in their desire to learn and grow.  And, lets face it.....these kids are too cute too!!!!!   And the simple things in life are so appreciated!!  Good lesson for me.....

On the way home we stopped at the local market that was closed during the rainy season due to the mud.  We were so happy to find beautiful Bak Choi.....so spent the next few hours cleaning, drying and preparing it for freezing so we will have green veggies during the rainy season when the road is closed and vegetables are scarce and not fresh.  Hoping to find tomatoes.....soon....but maybe this isn't the season.....I don't know.  Just enjoying what is available now......