David was up early yesterday, arriving for the first class of the day to observe one of our A-level (similar to Junior college) teachers at work. In an effort to improve our baby A-level program, we need to see what’s really happening in the classrooms. The day continued with a meeting with his deputy h/m for students, as they discussed what the parent meetings with the senior 2 students and their guardians, would look like. Parent meetings are a great experience, but not simple for David or his staff. In Africa, communities like to solve problems so parents like to be called in to discuss and challenge both the school and the students. Parents meetings meet much like a town council but with a very simple agenda.

As parents gathered by 2:30, David and Betty spoke briefly to the parents, explaining the reason for the three day suspension and encouraging parents to act as guidance in their children’s lives. In return, the parents and guardians spoke for another 2 plus hours, mostly criticizing the work of the school kitchen while thanking the staff for their efforts in education. There is a saying in Lubwisi ” it is the hungry stomach that dances.” According to a few parents, their children’s lack of good feeding this term, has contributed to their delinquincy. I was proud of David as he responded calmly and thoughtfully to each accusation and statement as well as the encouraging remarks. His responses were humble and repentant in the areas we’ve failed but confident in the ways that we are succeeding. It was hard for me to imagin that parents would come away without reassurance that David was up to the task.

And the meeting ended well - there were five suspensions but no expulsions yet. Pray for these kids to learn well from their experience of discipline and to be able to return to us long-term. Preps were quiet again last night even with all the s2s back, so perhaps many have been cautioned well. Of course so many of the actions that we take as parents, employers, teachers - are designed to deal with the symptoms. Stopping defiant and angry students from acting out dangerously is important. But far more important is the softening of their hearts towards God’s heart for them. A desire to embrace His truth for their lives. We need His help not to lose sight of the heart- picture and to find new and better ways to communicate that to our staff. Pray for s2 teachers not to glory in their “winning” but to use this time of calm as an opportunity to love their students better, to grow in their compassion and mercy while knowing the need for firmness.

As David finally arrived home just before seven, we noticed our car tire was completely flat and resting on the rim so David went to jack that up before rushing in for a quick dinner. After dinner David was off again to student council meeting where he taught the new incoming student council members a short lesson on leadership then walkes them through the “win-win” process of negotiating for almost two hours. They were negotiating through what originally seemed like a simple problem but turned out to be quite complex - student health issues! David finally arrived home for the night at 10 pm.