Here in Kenya the New Year really is the New Year. The big difference is that the school year starts in January. We had Teacher Orientation Week the first week. Great time. Then "opened" on Monday, the 12th when almost all the students in the high school were sent back home for the rest of their school supplies. By Wednesday we had half-size classes and were following the timetable. There are still a number of students who haven't reported. I'll need to try to chase them down via phone tomorrow. Many are still looking for the money for either supplies or fees or both.

The other news on the education side of life is that the government teachers are on strike. I heard that they threatened 2 private schools in town so they shut down too. Yikes! Just another opportunity to put our trust in God - and maybe tell our students not to wear uniforms to school until the strike is over!

For those of you who want another prayer request - we really need more students in the primary and nursery (kindergarten) classes. Also, the Form 1 students (Grade 9) will be reporting for High School the first week of February. Many will have been "called" to schools that they can't afford, others did not get high enough scores for the schools they wanted to go to. This is our customer base. Pray that they will hear about Christ Church High School, and that we will have a full class within a few weeks.

The BIGGEST NEWS OF ALL is the inaugeration of President Obama. The feelings of pride and joyous incredulity that "One of our own" is president of the great United States are hard to comprehend - even for us who live here. Yesterday was a great day for Africa, Kenya specifically, and Luoland in particular.

My son is posting pictures and making me feel guilty! I'll try to remember I have a camera, then learn how to connect it to this computer, and send you some visuals. (Or maybe I'll get him to do it.)

Meantime here's his photos: http://africanpictureblog.blogspot.com/