Today will be the final day of term 1. Uganda has a year-round school system with breaks in May, August and December/January. This final week has included year-end exams and grading, dorm cleaning, general cleaning, special assemblies, friendly football matches, a volleyball bonanza, movie nights and more. It¹s been a fun time of seeing students and staff more relaxed and in more of a family mode.
So, students are packing their trunks and basins; confiscated possessions are piled in heaps at the teacher offices and students are reclaiming them; report cards are being compiled and students who have paid their fees for the term in full will go with their cards. Teachers are closing their desks for a month away from work; some will go to Kampala where they are taking distance learning classes to improve their education and will study for their own exams. Others will travel to family homes to spend the month with their wives and children or parents. Still others stay here; this is home more than anywhere else.
We are breathing a big sigh of relief. I feel almost giddy with it. A few months ago as Kevin and JD left we entered our first term with a total sense of the unknown. So much we had never been taught and would learn as teachers and students broke us in to the new job. Now, three months later, we are so grateful for the way God has sheltered us during this time. We are grateful for peace and stability at the school, for continually developing relationships with students and staff, for the way God has seen us through in every regard.
Now we head off for a few days of R and R at Murchison Park, then a few days watching the Christ Scool football team compete at Nationals in Arua, then a few more days in Kampala for medical procedures and restocking of all our supplies. I¹ve promised Naomi Chinese and pizza at the mall there, trips to the bookstore and a real haircut and a local salon!! Yes, after almost three months, we¹re soon going to the big city ­ and it feels good!