Scholastic Adventure

Sometimes I think God sent me to Africa so He could have some good laughs. Today was one of those days.

I am the self-appointed truant officer now that we have moved to Gamasara. Today, I visited the last 2 schools where our students attend to schedule a time each week when I can check attendance. We are driving the kids to Tarime from Gamasara, and I want to make sure they actually attend school once they get there.

Nate and Kate dropped me off at the road for the first school after they picked up some staff members at our old building. The walk was pleasant, with frequent greetings by the locals. When I got to Nkende Secondary School, I was able to talk with several staff members, including the head mistress. I took photos of the school and even got help translating some Swahili I needed for my English lessons.

I called my favorite pikipiki driver, but the connection was bad. I thought he repeated the name of the school and said he'd come, but he never showed. Finally, I asked one of the teachers to call another driver. This one came right away, but he spoke no English. We were able to get a price on the trip to Nyandoto Secondary, I paid the driver, and we were off.

Turns out, there is a very good reason Nyandoto's school motto is "Climb to the top!". As I clung to the back of the pikipiki seat, I pictured God having a good belly laugh. The washed-out road was filled with puddles, and oft time the driver had to put his feet down to ease us through the worn path. Honestly, if I hadn't seen the school sign when we left the paved road, I'd have though the driver was going to leave me in the middle of nowhere or worse!

When we finally made it to the top, I received the wonderful news that my three Angels had perfect attendance, and it wouldn't be necessary for me to make weekly checks. I spent some time taking photos of the breath-taking campus and visited with the staff and students. The head mistress then told me she was taking a piki piki to town and would be glad to share a ride with me. Since I was going to Gamasara, that wasn't possible. Before she left, however, another driver showed up, and one of the students helped me secure a ride to the orphanage with him.

We traveled all sorts of back roads and ended up at a primary school which I swear had no name on the building. To top if off, there was absolutely NOBODY there. So, here I am in the middle of nowhere with this motorcycle driver I don't know.

Thank goodness for ATT! 2 phone calls and 2 different translators later, I handed the driver a huge tip and kissed the ground at. The orphanage.

I guess the pikipiki made it back to town. The driver only bought $1 worth of petrol when we started our odyssey.

I am so thankful God takes care of me, especially when I am scatter-brained and ignorant!
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