Last Full Day of School

Well… today is basically the last day of school because tomorrow is a half-day. My kids had a field trip with their French teacher to an “amusement park” right up the road. I went to that for a little while with them, but then I came back to school for lunch with the high schoolers. Everyday for the past few months I’ve played basketball with the 9th grade boys. It keeps them out of trouble and I genuinely love each of them. Plus, Lino is a 9th grader so hanging out with him is always good. Evgeni is a 7th grader, but he holds his own out there. Anyways, two of the boys are always in trouble here, most of the teachers think that they are hopeless and will never change. I get along with them real well. They’re just goofy, troublemakers looking for a laugh. The ladies love them and they’re just fun. The teachers though… are gunning for these guys. So I decided, in order to keep them out of trouble and also to let them know that not everyone thinks the same of them, I ball with them. A lot of times it’s just silly games with a lot of trash-talking, but it’s a time that I’ve come to cherish. I never laugh more at school than when I’m on the court with these 7 guys. I left the field trip with my students early so that I could come back and play ball with them one more time.
I’ve been up and down about leaving lately. Today I’m down because I’m so sad to not hang out with these guys anymore. Being at an International school means that people come and go all the time. A lot of the guys won’t even be in Uganda next year. Somehow, it’s sad to me. I hope that they remember these times when someone wasn’t judgmental and just really wanted to love on them and hang out with them. I hope I was that person for them this year.
My mind is jumbled… I just took another basketball break in between writing this. Being the last day, no one did what they should have been doing, so we spent last hour, me and Lino playing basketball.
It is so insane to think that this year is over. Yeah, it’s been a loooooong year for me because teaching hasn’t been the best, but I already know that I wouldn’t trade the time I’ve spent here for anything. I’ve grown and learned so much this year, not just about the job, but about myself and the way I act in different situations. I’m going to miss being a part of Heritage International School. Notice I didn’t say I was going to miss teaching?? Well the truth is I AM going to miss teaching. Maybe not the day-to-day stuff, but making a difference in the lives of students is a huge deal. Its so strange to think about the fact that I’m a teacher.
Anyways, blah, blah, blah. I haven’t updated in a while because I’ve been unsure about too many things to write a decent update. I now know that I’m going home on June 17th and staying home for a while. Yes, I’m disappointed that I won’t be back at the school in August, but I think it’s going to be good to make some long-term decisions. I have some options when planning my return here, but I also have some options as far as life in America goes. I’m thinking about grad school or seminary a bit. We’ll see I suppose.
I do know that I’m pumped to see everyone and ready to hug my nieces.
I have about 3 weeks left here and there’s so much I want to do, but I’m overwhelmed trying to figure out how to do it all in that amount of time. So many people are leaving from the mission that it’s just going to be me and about 4 other people from WGM around after Monday. Lino is leaving on the 4th to do some work and travel around Uganda with Refuge & Hope. Luckily, he gets back about a day before I leave on the 17th. I am NOT looking forward to telling him goodbye. It’s actually a bit too sad to even write about right now. I’m going to miss that kid like crazy. He’s become like a brother to me.
Well as I’m finishing this up the crew is here to clean my classroom. After tomorrow… it’s not my classroom. Weird! I’m hoping to update again soon. Can’t wait to see you all. Much love!

Africa

Africa by Paul Coleman Trio

I came to change you but instead you changed me
And I confess I came to frame you in a photograph
But you showed me why
And you turned this heart around
And I see your smile how it can be
So much brighter than me
And your silent eyes they scream
Of hunger and meaning and eternal dreaming
Africa
Africa

We smiled at you from behind the glass
And without reserve and whiter than snow
You smiled back at us
And you showed me who
And you turned this mind around
And I see your hands reach out to God
So much higher than ours
And your silent eyes they scream
Of hunger and meaning and eternal dreaming
Africa

//Afrika mimi naku penda//