Airplanes, Monuments, Ice Cream, and Fire Eaters

 

Yesterday we loaded up 3 cars with children, teachers, and one mother to go to Lusaka for a field trip.  The children were so excited about going.  And what a day it was.  (I'm reporting from what the children and others reported since I was unable to go.) Lusaka was chosen as the destination of this field trip since we have been discussing "Building to God's Glory" and how people build and make things in villages and cities.

 

The first visit (after 2 stops on the way for potty break) was at the airport.  A very nice man took them throughout the airport: through security, all around the airport, and back through customs and baggage claim.  For those of you who haven't been to Lusaka, the airport is very small.  There are probably only 10-15 arrivals a day, and the same for departures. I'm sure they got to see things you would never be allowed to see at any airport in the US.  The exciting thing was that they got to see a plane take-off – Kenyan Airways.  They couldn't stop talking about that.

 

They then visited the tomb of the former president, Mwanawasa.  They took a picture of everyone there.  They also drove by the Freedom Statue.  Lunch was served, free of charge, by the women at the Dutch Reform Church, where Teacher Bosman's husband helps to pastor.  Even that was exciting for them.

 

They then traveled to the Arcades Shopping Center.  This is like any shopping center you would see in the states.  There they bought soda and ice cream.  It just so "happened" that in preparation for Independence day on Saturday, there were some traditional dancers, musicians, and even a fire eater!, performing.  This was totally unplanned and was quite something for them to see.

 

On the way home they stopped at Beit Cure Hospital thinking that they could take Gift small home.  He is there because of his broken arm.  He was not released, but all the children went into the ward and prayed with him.  The children commented on others they saw there with casts on their legs and arms.  This hospital is primarily an orthopedic hospital for children.  We expect Gift to come home today.

 

Today the children don't have school, but I have taken paper and pencils to each house.  They are to draw or write about the things they saw.  On Tuesday we will be discussing 3 questions I asked them before they went:  What did you like best about the trip?  Why does a city need an airport?  And what are the differences between Lusaka and our neighboring Nyrienda Village.

 

At one point in the trip, Sharon Shaibila asked, "What country are we in now?"  Also Adam lived up to his reputation of liking motors, wheels, and things that go.  He was the only one who told me about seeing a yellow back-hoe, a caterpillar, and a crane!

 

Now we will be preparing for the arrival of 8 new children on Monday.  But what an experience they had in the big city.