The Road (Back) to Emmaus

Thursday morning we returned to Emmaus School and were excitedly greeted by the children once again. Handshakes and high fives till my hands were red (the children thought it was funny when I said “Ouch!” and shook my hands…I think it only encouraged them to give me even MORE enthusiastic high-fives 😆)! 

Are they waving or just trying to give me more
high-fives? 😄

The standard 8 (grade 8) teacher asked us to meet with his students in their classroom to chat with them and ask and answer each others questions.  We asked a few questions of them as they were getting ready for important exams in September in preparation for 9th grade and high school. They all said that their favorite class was science, so their questions of us were about science. Pastor Gurath and I being the “scientists” we are (ha!) did our best to answer their questions about the importance of plasma in blood (Pastor G. had donated plasma back in his college days so he gave a really good answer that impressed the students greatly). They asked me about the planet Pluto and quizzed me on the planets in our solar system (I think I passed their quiz!).  

Then the REAL questions they wanted to ask came from the students (all girls): Were we married and did we have children?  They screamed and squealed with delight at pictures of Pastor Gurath’s adorable little girls…and then reacted (with a little too much surprise 😏) at how beautiful our wives were when we showed them pictures (see video below).  Yes, yes, we get it, even people in other countries can see that we’ve obviously “out kicked our coverage” and been blessed with wives that are far too beautiful, talented, and amazing than we deserve (Hi Anna & Jewels!).  We closed our little Q&A session with them by praying for their upcoming exams and for God’s blessings to them as they prepare for high school.

The students reaction to pictures of Pastor Gurath’s wife, Anna. “Wow! So beauty!”

One last selfie with the standard 8 students.

Around 10:30am we gathered with the teachers for a “teacher seminar.” Very similarly to the one Pastor Gurath conducted at St. David’s School in Etago, he led the teachers in a summary study of the main teachings of the Bible as they are laid out in the CLC’s “Statement of Faith and Purpose.”  The teachers all got printed copies to follow along with and take with them (plus we dropped off the rest of the Small Catechisms—both the ones with and without the explanations—for both the teachers and students to use). The teachers all seem to read English very well and speak it clearly, which is good to see! 

It was also very enlightening when we came to the subject of Creation and Pastor Gurath mentioned that unfortunately many people in the USA and in most of the schools the theory of evolution is taught and believed as fact. They literally laughed at the thought of this, since they realize how impossible it is that all of creation (including ourselves) could somehow come out of nothing. According to them most people and teachers here in Kenya believe in creation. In this category it appears that Kenya is far ahead of the U.S.! 

Pastor Gurath leading the teachers seminar.

The Emmaus School teachers and Mary Sagala (on the end in red, who also attended the teacher seminar). 

The students (and even Mary and some of the teachers) saw us off with a song and dance. One little guy, Fabregas, really loves to dance (he’s the one in the front with the book bag)!

That afternoon we visited with Pastor Samson. He is very elderly and blind, but still preaches and has many Scripture passages and many hymns buried deeply in his heart and mind. He is anxiously awaiting being reunited with his wife and being with His Savior in heaven soon (he says he “turned in his application long ago”  🙂), but he also acknowledges that God’s timing is best. 

When we entered the house he greeted us with a hymn. After conversation and a meal, which was made and served by a woman and her daughter who help take care of Samson, he sung a closing hymn (with those who knew it in Swahili). 

Pastor Samson greeting us with a hymn as we entered. Mary Sagala also knew the hymn and joined in. 

Mary, Pastor Sampson, and the family that helps care for him. 

Friday we had lunch at Mary Sagala’s. Her granddaughter, Tessie, also helped make and serve the meal. Mama Anna Sagala and another grandson, Martin, who is in grade 3 at Emmaus School joined us later that afternoon. The large meal of chicken, beef, rice, chipati, potatoes, stewed cabbage (aka Kenyan Kraut—that’s what I call it in my head 🙂), and salad was delicious! The conversation that afternoon was equally delightful. As we left Anna had me try on the preaching robe she had made for guest preachers here at Holy Cross Church. It fit perfectly & I am honored that I will be the first one to wear it for the service on Sunday (see photo below).

 

“Kidogo” More Swahili:

“Kidogo” = a little

Habari = “How are you?”

Mzuri = “I am fine!”