The Adventure Continues

On Friday, I went swimming with the older girls after school. It was a blast and a few of the teachers went as well. My supervising teacher, Catherine, was one of them. She confided in me that she didn't know how to swim so I promised to do my best to teach her. After splashing around and racing with the girls, Catherine and I went to work. She was really nervous but extremely determined. We tried many different techniques and even though the water was freezing, we were not getting out until we had accomplished our task! I wish that I could say that Catherine is now an expert swimmer, but alas I cannot. However, she made so much progress that it was impossible for both us not to be jumping and clapping at her improvements! She is still nervous but as long as she can feel my finger tips touching her hands when she starts, she has no fear! Luckily, we have another trip to the swimming pool before the term ends to perfect her swimming! We are both really excited to pick up where we left off! Then this weekend there was a couple football games at the compound. Of course I had to go watch, considering a lot of my students and the KKV kids were playing. They were really fun to watch and made for a great morning! Then on Saturday evening I went over to one of the apartments for supper. (The compound contains 4 apartments in one large building. Each apartment has a mom and a dad and around 10 children or so.) The girls fixed supper for everyone along with tea while I watched movies with the younger children. They are very adamant about not letting me help them cook and clean. It is such an odd feeling, being forced to sit around while someone else, who is younger than you by quite a ways, pampers you with hospitality. They also, as part of their culture, bring you out lots of foods. If they are cooking something, they bring out what they made, offering it to you first. Not eating it would be considered an insult, even though they always give you a very generous portion. Therefore, I am learning not to eat anything before I go to visit anyone! Otherwise I end up with a very full and upset tummy. After supper, I stood my ground and they finally relented and allowed me to help with the dishes. Then we gathered around in the living room while Lucy read a Bible story to the children and then quizzed them to make sure they were absorbing the material. As this was going on, I got to practice my hair removing skills! Pretty soon, I will be able to take out lines No Problem! Speaking of hair, Lydia said that she is going to put my hair in braids with extensions soon! I can't wait to have long hair again! Even if it is only an illusion! ha ha. Well that's all for today. Wish me luck because I will be completely in charge of the classroom for the rest of the week while Teacher Catherine is away handling some family matters. And I will need all of the luck that I can get! Thanks and God Bless!