I spent yesterday morning at Ruwenzori Mission School (RMS) – that’s the little several-room-schoolhouse where our children and the Myhres’ spend their days. Last weekend it was shifted . . . . From a building on the Christ School campus, up to the mission and into our old home, B.C. (before Christ School). The gate still reads: The Pierce Family Baghenu Tuli Mu (Visitors Welcome) as muraled by Pat for our arrival three+ years ago. How full circle for our children to be studying 2nd and 5th grade for the last week at RMS in their old bedroom . . . . The masking tape “territory” lines put up by Scotticus and Josh on our first Christmas Eve here long ago are still there. Quinn’s favorite climbing tree still beckons. And the home built by the Tabb’s is still as sunny and quiet and cheerful as ever. We will be home schooling our children through the 2nd half of their school years while we travel and rest and pray in the States for a bit over the next year. So I was up at RMS to observe and watch the teachers in their pseudo-school environment. To learn how my kids learn so that I can better teach them. (though I could never hope to have the flair for organization and structure that Ashley holds together there!) I noticed so many things as I sat there and watched, listened, doodled, dreamed, remembered. I noticed that Quinn’s dimple rarely rests; that he is full of sunshine and sparkle and humor and joy even while studying. I noticed that the teachers are infinitely patient, kind, wise and helpful. That they love the kids. That they have created an incredibly safe, valuing and loving community. And that the kids love being there. What struck me most was noticing Naomi’s clear, strong, quiet, gentle, wise spirit shine through as she recited the poem she has been memorizing, “IF.” She is the less charismatic of our two children, the one less likely to be noticed, the one slower to warm up. But she is truly, truly amazing. Tears came to my eyes as I saw the deep brightness of her soul as she spoke the words below.

IF….. By Rudyard Kipling

IF you can keep your head when all about you

Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,

If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,

But make allowance for their doubting too;

If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,

Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,

Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,

And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise:

If you can dream – and not make dreams your master;

If you can think – and not make thoughts your aim;

If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster

And treat those two impostors just the same;

If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken

Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,

Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,

And stoop and build ‘em up with worn-out tools

Here’s a grand thank you to all the teachers of RMS: to Anna, Sarah, Ashley, Nathan, Kim, Amy, Josh, Scotticus, Aunt Karen and Melija . . . To all who have taught my children in their years at RMS. You have been loved well and deeply and you have loved even better. Thank you for your sacrifice that makes our sacrifice possible. Great be your reward.