Sweet routines; sudden tragedy.

tricks

Rebecca taking a turn at blogging this week:

About 2 weeks ago, we began a new innovation in our family routine. Having looked at all the options, we decided to engage the private school bus company that takes many kids to St. Constantine’s school. When we tried this option early in our time, the kids had to leave home at 6:10 am to get on the bus (we were the end of the line) and didn’t get home until after 5 pm. This time, we arranged to meet the bus at our office at 7 am. In this way, we leave home as a family at the same time in the morning (6:45) and then the kids are dropped off to us at the office at 4:15. 

This new arrangement is revolutionary. We still have some drive time together (with audiobooks!) It saves us/me at least 2 hours of driving time each day. And Paul and I are able to start our morning swim at least 30 minutes sooner, and then get to the office earlier. It allows me to put in long, concentrated days of work, so that I don’t have to leave early to pick up kids. Finally, we can all leave work together at the end of the day, rather than Paul getting home much later than us, using public transit.

We wanted to try out this possibility in order to see if it would make our house situation feel more sustainable – since we live so far from the kids’ school. So far, it is really helping us to feel much more positive about the house and the compound where we live. We continue to enjoy some family time around the communal trampoline on most evenings (when it’s not too wet!)

treats

We’ve been able to join the Joshua Foundation community for a few more events as well – an ice cream social farewell for one gentleman, and the biweekly team potluck dinner on Thursday nights.  We are getting to know our neighbors better and having good conversations with them more often as we know what to talk about. Most of them are teachers at the Joshua School, but a few are part of the community outreach team. Oren in particular enjoyed talking with the Ugandan pastor, Simon, who heads up that team. He’s a really nice guy, and I’m glad Oren is finding another good adult to talk with.

On Tuesday evening, I was anticipating a normal evening at home, but David asked me, late in the afternoon, “what shall I use to collect candy? I don’t have my pumpkin. Maybe my pillow case?” I realized that he did NOT realize that there IS NO Halloween here. No neighbors would be waiting with candy for him. We had a period of the kids grieving this move again bitterly, as they mentally considered how many pounds of candy each we were asking them to give up by being in Tanzania. Finally, I scrounged up a selection of treats I had brought and saved for special occasions. We told the kids to get together some costumes. Then Paul and I went upstairs and hid behind all 7 doors in succession, handing out candy or scaring the kids. The candy they received could not compare with the haul they would have gotten in Pine Valley, but at least It was a token.

Snake eyes! (playing Monopoly)

We have been trying to think of ways to get more involved in our local church, and last weekend, we heard about the Christmas choir needing singers. So on Wednesday, we decided to try to go to the choir practice after work as a family. We were expecting protests from the kids, but actually, they were quite amenable to this. Oren stayed outside and did his own thing. David actually agreed to sing soprano along with me, and it was such a sweet time! He stood right beside me, often holding my hand, and doing his best to read the music and follow the parts. He lasted for an hour and then I sent him outside to catch lizards for a bit. We had sweetened this deal with the promise of Indian dinner afterwards, and the kids were so excited to return to get some chicken tikka masala at the Impala hotel. They both kept exclaiming about how delicious the food was, and we had really nice conversation together.

The week was overshadowed by very tragic events at the kids’ school, however. A 16-year old student named Nolan collapsed on the school field at the end of last week. The school informed us that he had been rushed to the hospital and then evacuated to Nairobi for brain surgery. Sadly, he had suffered a cerebral aneurism from a pre-existing condition and was in a coma; the damage to his brain was irreversible and total. He died Monday night. On Tuesday, the secondary school students were informed about Nolan’s death and then given a free hour to pray and process, either in the chapel or in their tutor group rooms. On Thursday, the school held a huge memorial service for Nolan – he was apparently a star student, a prefect, played on the football team, and was loved by all. And on Friday, school was closed so that students were free to attend the massive funeral at the Anglican cathedral (where MCC rents office space). Throughout the week, the school did an outstanding job of communicating with parents about what was going on, and letting us know about counselors being available, etc. Oren came home on Tuesday, saying that nothing like this had ever happened at the school, but in his opinion, the school had done an amazing job of helping kids cope with their emotions and find some sense of calm. Oren had never met Nolan, so he didn’t feel the need to go to the funeral, but he was very impressed by the way this young man had lived his life and also how the school recognized the tragedy for the community. I don’t think a US public school would have had as much freedom to respond in such spiritual ways.

The kids and I did some things at home over the long weekend, including playing an epic 3-day Monopoly game. We ended our work week at the pool, where we got in to swim just as a gully washer swept through. It was still very fun times! 

I also was able to join 6 other women from my ladies’ Bible study for an overnight retreat at a local safari lodge. I’m grateful for the time to get to know them better, and for more intimate worship and prayer together. Also, for the time to just be with other ladies for good conversation, not worrying about the kids. 

Paul drove me up to the hotel and then took the boys on their maiden voyage to our local movie theater. They were actually able to watch Thor Ragnarok in 3D! Arusha certainly offers more options in entertainment than we had imagined.

Paul finishing:
We went and picked up Rebecca after church on Sunday afternoon, then went to a semi-monthly fellowship of some ex-pats who live on the far side of town. I had gone to church early with the kids for a Sunday School meeting where I committed Rebecca and I to help organize a children's Christmas program on Dec. 17th. In the activities this week I feel we are very intentionally finding a niche in some communities here, particularly at the church.