St. David’s School

Friday we spent the day at St. David’s School in Etago. St. David’s is a school that was established back in 2002 and is sponsored by the CLC’s Kinship committee, of which I have been the secretary since 2010. Being on this committee, which helps support the students, orphans, and widows of our overseas missions, you can imagine how eager I was to finally see the school and to meet the students, teachers, and pastors whom I have been hearing about and praying for for years. 

7th & 8th grade students at St. David’s

 

Only the 7th-8th grade students were in session at this time, so unfortunately we were not able to meet all the students. However, the teachers were all there since we were having a teacher training seminar. The students welcomed us with a welcome song as we arrived, and then presented a program to us which consisted of reciting Bible passages and singing several songs in both Swahili and English. Their Bible passage recitations were well done and their beautiful singing voices (without accompaniment) were a delight to listen to. Pastor Gurath and I then were invited to share a Word from God with them. Pastor Gurath shared a devotion based on Noah and the Great Flood. After which I shared a devotion based on the life of Joseph from the Old Testament. Pastor Enosh translated for us, just to make sure the children understood everything we were saying to them.

During our break time I was able to take pictures of and with the children and chat with them. I asked them lots of questions about school, and life in Kenya, and what they wanted to be when they grew up (several even said they wanted to be pastors). After a while they started asking me questions and didn’t believe me when they asked my age (their first guess was 25–did I mention how much I really loved meeting these children 😁).

Some of the St. David’s students at break time

Pastor Gurath lead the teacher training seminar which reviewed some of the main points of Bible teaching. This seminar took up much of the rest of the day. 

Pastor Gurath leading the teacher’s seminar

A few of the teachers with me at break time 

St. David’s head teacher, Benard

All of the teachers and pastors at the seminar (including the cook!)

For lunch we went to Pastor Joshua’s house which is just across the road and up the hill a bit from the school. His wife, Josephine, graciously prepared the pastors (5 of us) and our driver a delicious meal of rice and stew.  Again, the generosity and hospitality of that the people we have met continues to amaze and inspire me. 

Their adorable little grandchildren waved and smiled at us from the windows while we ate. The people of the small towns in Kenya don’t see many “wazungus” (sp?) (meaning, “white man”) so Pastor Gurath and I are kind of a “novelty” to see, esp for the children. They will usually light up with a big smile if you smile and wave at them! 

Grandchildren waiving and making smiley faces at us during lunch time.

Pastor Joshua, his wife, Josephine, and two of their granddaughters 

After lunch we said our goodbyes to the students and teachers. On our way back to the hotel that afternoon we stopped at a town called Tabaka, which is known for its soapstone carving, and we did a little ”curio” (gift/souvenir) shopping there.

Children from the area who stopped by to check out the day’s events & play in the school yard

The area in which the school is located has beautiful hills and mountains covered in trees and tea farms and other vegetation. 

-Pastor Luke