Walking with Moses

One morning when Josephine had gone visiting, Moses, her 81 year old brother, came to take me to see some land. He was not comfortable with his English, but was willing to try. We passed the school I'd been to previously and kept walking. He greeted every one who passed us on the road, all the people working in the fields near the roads and the people in the houses and compounds along the road. Good thing he did or I would have been left far behind. He is a fast walker.

After the first set of greetings, he laughed and said people said he was strong. After the next set of people, he said they said he was tough. These same comments were made by most of the adults he spoke with.

After 45 minutes of walking, we entered near another primary school. I resisted going further. I was hot, tired, thirsty ( having not brought a hat, or water or being in reasonable physical shape). I told Moses I would wait for him under a tree near a small shop. He said he'd be gone 5 minutes to talk with the Head Master at the school. Half an hour later I was taking photos of some beautiful children who were just hanging around.















Later Moses appeared and we began the walk back home. Along the way we were joined by many of the older students from yesterday's school, who wanted to keep us company, wanted to see the photos and in genereal were making a good sized parade with us. I was so glad to get back and find Josephine there who explained to the students that the photos were already at the school and that I needed a rest after all the walking.

When I told her of our adventure, she broke out into peals of laughter. People were assuming that I was Moses' new wife....thus all the comments about “tough” and “strong”. Now, I had suspicion that perhaps that was what was happening. There is just something about Moses, even at 81 years, that would make it possible for him to take another wife. Not me!

Ruth, update

Ruth has finished the first term of her last year, working on a degree in Public Administration. She consistently finishes in the top 10% of her class and is looking forward to her second internship this next summer.

She really wants to go on for the Master's degree and has been searching out scholarships and grants, but with no luck as yet. If anyone knows of a funding source please let us know.

As you can probably tell from this photo, she is also doing some big work at home. This, her second child, will arrive between the second and third terms. She has already made arrangements for a trusted worker to come from her village when the baby comes. She will have all the work of nursing and of bottles. I don't envy her that at all. Guess I'd best get to work on the baby quilt. April will be here before we know it.

Ali, the student

Ali has finished his first year working towards his O (ordinary) level exams. His grades keep improving and his teachers see good potential in him for even more. He is very excited to be learning so much and surprised that his science grades are his best! As much as he loves politics, and can talk on it for hours, it isn't his very best subject.

One more year of study, then he will take the final exam and compete against the youth from all over the country as there no longer is a separate exam for the adult learners. One test for all now.