Farewell

The school year has come to a close- the P7s, and S4s are finished with their national exams. The S6’s are remaining with one week of national exams, and the remaining classes are waiting for their final report cards to be given Monday.


In September we had a farewell ceremony for the S4 and S6 classes as they prepared to leave school to go take their exams elsewhere. Two weeks after that we had a farewell service for the P7 “leavers” as they are called. Each service was sweet and exciting as the kids were being sent off towards the next phase of life and schooling.


On the 14th we had the final Farewell Celebration. The secondary students began their exams the week before, and were finishing up, packing to go home, and the primary students were sitting for their exams that week. Rebekah and I wanted to be sure to see all the kids before they went home for the long holiday- they won’t return to school until Feb 19th, after national elections have taken place. It was a fabulous day of presentations, songs, skits, dancing, and even a special lunch for the secondary students.


We worked with the choir the week before to teach them some new songs. The student led chapel was given song books with newer music in them, and the kids aren’t familiar with many of the songs. Rebekah and I taught them the ones we knew and then the choir presented four of them for the service. We had machines that day- the generator was fixed so we could use the projector and speakers. Rebekah and I made a powerpoint for the songs so everyone could sing along.

At our request the P5 class presented a traditional dance which was awesome. Every Wednesday at the primary school the teachers teach the traditional dancing and drumming to the children. I am so thankful for the passing on of that aspect of their heritage. The S2 class also presented a traditional dance that was so fun to watch.


The S1 class, who had Rebekah for a class teacher, presented two songs in the local language and a hilarious skit

Rebekah gave the message for the day, with our brother Samson translating for her. Patrick led prayers and both brothers joined in the traditional dances.

We presented flash cards, books, and these really neat science books that Rebekah’s mom made and sent to us, and laminated “keyboards” that my mom sent, to the school to be put in the library for student use. The kids were thrilled. Earlier in the week I sat down with the sports prefect, a S5 boy they call “Pi” and taught him the proper way to wrap sports injuries. We presented ace bandages to Pi for all the footballers at school.

The head master gave a speech, the reverend gave a short speech, and we brought the service to a close. Before dismissing though, we had to present a song. I used the word “had” because we “had” to. You see, presentations are very important here. Ceremony is very important. Neither Rebekah nor I love presentations and ceremony, but we join in when absolutely necessary. This Sunday it was absolutely necessary for us to also present, because it was the last Sunday we would share with the children.

Here is the song we sang for the children:
All our bags are packed
We’re ready to go
We’re standing here on the floor
We hate to make you sad, and say goodbye

But the time has come
To say farewell
Stable’s waiting, he’s honkin’ the horn
Already we’re so lonesome we could cry

So hug us, and smile for us
Tell us you’ll remember us
Pray for us, and we will pray for you

Cause we’re leavin on a jet plane
Don’t know when we’ll be back again
Oh kids, we hate to go

So many times We’ve laughed and learned
Remember when we won football
We’ll always have those memories as we go

Every place we go, we’ll think of you
Each day that comes, we’ll pray for you
When we come back
We’ll see how much you’ve grown

So hug us, and smile for us
Tell us you’ll remember us
Pray for us, and we will pray for you

Cause we’re leavin on a jet plane
Don’t know when we’ll be back again
Oh kids, we hate to go
But we need to go

The choir and machine kids were great on Sunday. We asked them to be strong for us and help us smile and laugh the whole day through. After presenting our song, we showed a powerpoint photo album- pictures of all the kids from throughout the year.

After lunch I rounded up the S4 boys who had returned for the day at my request and we went down to the kitchen to pop 9 kilos of popcorn. Rebekah and I passed out popcorn to all the kids and we watched Hook together. A final afternoon of laughing, enjoying, and hugging on our kids.

The time has come for us to leave. It is earlier than I expected and planned for, but I know it is the right thing. Please pray for Rebekah and me as we travel this week. Our hearts are on ‘pause’ right now, we will need some time to process once we are home.