George and Jason Head for First Grade

George and Jason are first graders now! They are shown here ready for their first day of school on January 17. Note the spiffy uniforms--I love the sox especially! Jason was already reading a few words last June, so I know he's ready for this new challenge. George will keep the teacher laughing by his antics. A whole new adventure begins for these two!

This photo was sent to us by James Mwale, the new housefather at the orphanage. We appreciate him for helping us stay informed about these two special guys.

Update on Jason and George

James Mwale, the new "dad" at Eric's House orphanage, wrote us a note this week to tell us that Jason and George have now graduated from preschool and will start first grade in January. The photo above was taken when I was at Namwianga in June. Jason loves all things school-related: coloring, writing letters, counting, and he's even beginning to read. George is the social one and not quite as academically oriented. Jason is determined to make a student out of him, however, and loved to tell me, "Nana! He's not coloring it right!" as he frowned in disapproval.

I'm Back!

I apologize to any faithful blog readers who are still checking for updates. I have started a new teaching job that is consuming most of my waking hours. I love the work, and I love my sweet second grade students, but right now I have very little time or energy left to blog. I hope to get back into blogging about Namwianga eventually, but for the next few months you can expect only occasional postings.

Here are a few updates:

Meagan Hawley and Louisa Duke spent last weekend here with us. Long-time readers know that Meagan and Louisa worked with us at Namwianga from 2006 on. They became like family to us, and we shared experiences with them that bonded us in ways only other missionaries can probably understand! Meagan is now teaching middle school in Edmond, Oklahoma, and Louisa is a physician's assistant at a clinic for low-income children in Fort Worth. We had a fabulous weekend with them, laughing and crying our way through years of memories and sharing the struggles of re-adjusting to life in the US. It was a blessing that I will treasure.

Jason and George are having their own adjustments at Eric's House. Roy and Kathi Merritt are retiring from full-time parenting in the orphanages. They have built a house next to Eric's House and will still be very involved in the work, but they will no longer be the mom and dad for Eric's House. James and Leah Mwale have moved in and are now in charge. I haven't heard how things are going for them, but I'm sure Jason is giving them lots of advice about how to run things and George is smiling his way into their hearts just like he does with everyone else.

George Benson Christian College held its graduation ceremony in late September. One of our sponsored students, Muyano Siabalumbi, was honored with a Distinction, the highest academic honor a student can receive. She is shown in the top photo. Muyano is now teaching at Sinde Mission. You may remember her as one of the teachers of whom the headmistress said, "They have transformed our school!"

Hanna Boyd, pictured in the lower photo with Jason and George, grew up at the Brentwood Oaks Church in Austin, our sponsoring congregation. Hanna is now spending a semester at Namwianga with the Harding in Zambia program. It has been a thrill to read her blog posts about her experiences and to see Zambia and Namwianga through her eyes. I hope to put some of her posts on the blog in the future.

Thanks for your patience as I learn how to manage this next challenge of dividing my time and my heart between ministries on two different continents!

Two Heartbreakers

Meagan sent me this photo of George and Jason in the new outfits that my daughter Sara sent for them. These two really are Best Friends Forever as well as the source of much mischief and laughter wherever they go!

Jason and George

Jason colors beautifully and takes it very seriously!

George's smile just melts my heart!

I love these little guys!

Friday Update

I started my morning in college chapel. The singing overwhelmed me, as always, and I wanted to weep at the incredible harmony. I spent the rest of the morning in meetings with students and co-workers.

This afternoon I managed a quick trip to the Haven III and Eric’s House in between meetings. Jason was thrilled to see me, and I could hardly believe how much he’s grown. He is a tall 6-year-old and not a bit chubby any more. As I expected, he knows all his ABCs and was quite proud to prove it to me. George was out roaming, and I didn’t get to see him.

I gave up on my phone! First I put in a new sim card and immediately got 168 text messages again. I borrowed a phone from Ellie, inserted the original sim card, and all is well. I don’t understand what happened to my phone because it worked fine when I was here in October.

Tomorrow I’m hosting a party for the 60 sponsored high school students. We’re playing Bingo, and Meagan assures me that it will be new to most of them. Should be fun!

The power has stayed on all day, so I’m going to post this quickly before the inevitable blackout begins.

George!

George and Jason are like brothers, and it's rare to see one without the other. What one doesn't think of, the other will, and they are the source of much mischief and laughter wherever they go. George can melt the hardest heart with his smile--if you don't believe me, take a look at this clip.

And here are a couple more pictures of Mr. Personality.

Jason!

I've been in love with Jason since Sara first brought him to our house in 2007. He and George became my "grandsons" and gave me lots of practice being "Nana." And I miss them! So I begged Roy Merritt who runs the Eric's House orphanage and he was kind enough to send me this video of Jason (I'll post one of George later).

Jason is now five years old, but here are some pictures of him in earlier days.

Easter 2008 - a little intimidated by all the excitement!

Christmas 2008

Sara with George and Jason - 2009

Jason, George, and Kevin - 2010

Look Who's Going to School!

These adorable scholars from the Eric's House orphanage just started going to preschool last week. Jason is the tall one in the back, and George is peeking out from the back as well. The others are Benja, Luke, Bright, and Shane. George and Jason are five years old, and the other guys are in the three and four-year-old range.

When I was at Namwianga in October, I could tell that Jason is very ready for school. He is fascinated with letters and words, and he couldn't get enough of writing and "reading" words. George could care less about that stuff, but he'll love the socialization!

I'm so happy for these little guys to have this opportunity. I'll bet their teacher will have some interesting stories to tell!

Flat Tire

On the way home from the wedding the Land Cruiser had a flat tire. We had just picked up some college students who needed a ride, and one of them jumped in and helped change the flat. George and Jason supervised the work.

Jennifer's Wedding

Last Sunday (the 17th) was Jennifer Merritt's wedding. Jennifer is the adopted daughter of Roy and Kathi Merritt, and since George and Jason have grown up in the same house, she is also a sister to them. I volunteered to take George and Jason to the wedding, and we went with the Harding In Zambia group.

The wedding was an interesting blend of Zambian traditions and Western influence. Jennifer was lovely in her white dress.



Some of her attendants danced down the aisle in carefully rehearsed steps. Later at the reception there was more of their footwork.



I wasn't sure how much Jason and George were getting out of things, but they proudly announced, "I had fun at Jennifer's wedding!"