New Faces in New Places
Two ladies, whose husbands both work at the school, stood ready to assist with the moving process as a student family arrived on campus. Four families trickled in between Tuesday and Wednesday so that all would be present for Orientation on Thursday, September 12. An evening meal was prepared on Wednesday for the weary travelers. They also received a welcome gift of a small pile of firewood and a mbaula (charcoal cooker).
Over the month, we learned that the other two pre-approved, student families would not be coming for various reasons. We were disappointed with this development but with a small group so much more is possible. For example, even before they arrived, we knew the names of all the husbands, wives, and children so we could give them a warm, Malawian welcome.
Orientation 2024
Before these children had been on campus for 24 hours, their parents went to orientation to learn more about the school and what will be expected of them. The children remained to play behind the housing block with Lancaster Ngulube, Alyssa, and Leann.
With pre-loved toys such as lettered blocks, Matchbox cars, plastic eggs, balls, plus a new jump rope and soccer ball paired with kaamba (similar to round cheese curls that are great to eat straight from the fingertips like black olives) and individual water bottles, the three hours passed by fairly quickly.
As we didn’t have any kids younger than 3 years, it was a tear-free experience. Those who were missing their parents just grabbed Alyssa’s hand and held on.
Back to the Beginning
We are remembering what it was like to start with a brand new group of students. Dale taught the Language and Research Class so the men could learn to use the library, how to write a sentence, and get used to how he talks. By the second week, Dale was able to pick up the pace as together they studied Acts 1-12.
Leann is teaching both of the women’s classes for the first 8 weeks. On Tuesday evenings, the class entitled “Christ’s Culture” contains back-to-the-basics lessons where God is established as the supreme authority. Students are also reminded how to enter Christ, how to identify the one true church, and what do to after a person becomes a Christian. They are challenged to turn the world’s thinking upside down, and then encouraged to take a close-up look at the similarities and differences between Christ’s culture and the Malawian culture. Friday mornings are dedicated to studying the book of James.
Dale Kastner