School time

Yesterday we took the girls to Emmaus Christian School for a look before starting them today. I was extremely impressed. It is only a small school, but is very well run, and I think the girls will be really happy there. We have decided to only send Bri, Sophie and Amelia, and will keep Elora at home - I don't feel like pushing her with too many new things. Miliie and Sophie couldn't wait to start today, but Brianna was very anxious. We assured her we would be praying for her all day (as will others), and after many tears last night, she bravely went off to school this morning to give it a go. We were told to be there before 8am (they are trying to encourage punctuality and didn't want the white kids setting a bad example!), and will pick them up at 2pm. I think the girls will be exhausted by the end of this week !

Sophie and Millie fitted right in!

After a visit to the school yesterday, we then took the girls to the hospital school. Armed with Geoff's guitar, we walked through the hospital to the little classroom, which is right next to the water. There were no kids around when we got there, but they were soon located and shyly sat down to listen to us sing a few songs.

This classroom was built by SWIM, and painted just last year by an Australian volunteer.

Our girls were great and really got into it, singing 10, 9, 8; Remember; I Praise You; and No Matter Where You Are. Then the kids sang a few songs for us, which was gorgeous! Then we all walked to the Orthopedic ward. The children all wanted to hold our hands, carry the guitar, etc. I turned around to see Geoff walking behind me with two little boys (no more than 2 yrs old), each reaching up holding his hands. It really doesn't take long to have these kids melt your heart!
I was a bit embarrassed to sing in the ward, but Helen, one of the teachers said it would be fine, so we stood on one side and Geoff introduced us. It didn't take long before people appeared from everywhere to listen to our singing (which was pretty ordinary compared to the beautiful singing I have heard from the locals!) At least we provided some brief amusement and a bit of a distraction to the otherwise boring time in hospital for the kids there.