School Daze

My children have been on vacaction since we arrived here in Kenya, which has been almost exactly 2 months. We came with no plans . . . no curriculum, no teacher, no idea what we were going to do to educate our children. I know, I know--nice planning on my part. We actually had a small notion that we might attempt to put our children into a local academy here, but I quickly dismissed that idea when we arrived (for various reasons that aren't important), opting instead to venture into the dark, scary, overwhelming and misunderstood world of home schooling. 


So, I'm going to teach my children. At home. Me. Except, I'm not a teacher. And we have a very small home that we share with 6 college students and 3 Rwandans. Oh, and also, I have no curriculum. Also, I have other ministry obligations that I need to fulfill during the day. Also, I have to cook and clean. And oh yeah, did I mention that my children are TOTALLY resistant to learning from me? Sassy, whiney, compaining, frustrated, irritable . . . and so are the kids.  So after a few weeks of contemplating, praying, planning, and attempting to give a few placement tests to the kids, I've decided to give up. 


I have numerous friends and family members who are amazing home school moms. They teach their children diligently everyday. Their children are wonderful, bright, educated, and happy. I can hear all of those women in my head: "Amy, you could do it! You'd be great! I'll help you! It's not that hard!" To those sentiments, I would say, you're too kind, and mostly wrong. 


After a lot of prayer and research, Howie and I have (mostly) decided to enroll our children in Greenfield Academy in Kitale. Just writing those words makes my heart speed up, but there it is. We've taken the kids there for a tour, and they all seem mostly excited. It's a good school with nice teachers, good curriculum, and very sweet kids. I NEVER thought I would put my children in a school in a 3rd-world country, but here I am . . . feeling like my options are limited, my well is dry, and my heart is trusting that God has better plans for my children than I know, and that He will take care of them every moment of the day. I mean, you can't die from going to a new school, right?!


Do I feel like a failure? Yeah, a little. I wish I had the time, direction, space, desire, temperment and know-how to teach my own children. I wish I was one of "those" moms who I envy for being so great at, well, everything. I'm not. 


So here I am, getting ready to enroll our children in a school that will possibly be the biggest adjustment and change that they've ever experienced. But we're trusting God. We'd love to have your prayers. Pray for peace for me, Howie and the kids. Pray that God would allow them a ridiculously cool experience as they meet new friends, learn, grow, and are stretched. 


Did I mention that there were monkeys on the roof of the school when we toured? They don't have that in America!