Niko. I'm here.

Peter, one of our students, asked me to take photos of his work to help him advertise.  There's lots to think about on this wall.

Niko.  Kenyan Swahili isn't always linguistically pure, and "Niko" is one of those words used much more liberally than the specific meaning of I'm around a general place.  It can mean: I'm present, I'm here, I'm around, I'm not going anywhere, I'm just here, or even on the phone - I'm somewhere that I'd rather not say specifically where.

Niko.  This morning it started with a sigh.  Too much to do, etc.

October has been a month of plans - transitioning out of 2011 and looking towards 2012.  The school year starts in January.  We have 30 students - a project record! - taking National exams in November.  9 finish primary school, 12 will complete secondary school and 9 others finish a vocational program,  either in mechanics, tailoring or hairdressing.  I'm working on finances, doing home visits for new cases, and trying to find better ways to support these kids in the uphill struggle they face.  Saturdays have been focused lately on organizing counseling sessions for students that aren't doing so well and catching up on everything not yet done.

I have some lofty goals for December - a new community service project, reading clubs, maybe even a soccer team, meeting guardians & former students and offering free tutoring ... We'll see which of those pan out.  In the midst of all of this, I need to remember to be present to the moment.

Some highlights of moments from today:

• Going to the eye doctor with Anna (Thank you Lions Club!)
• Driving two of the teens part of the way home & listening as they negotiate splitting a loaf of bread, which they promptly devoured.  No exaggeration.
• Telling one of the boys that I want to be proud of him and knowing he understood what I meant.
• Getting community service ideas from the students, especially when they want to help "the needy", which makes me want to both laugh and cry since some of them don't have enough to eat themselves.
• Feeling both that I'm missing home and yet wanting to help these kids who stories draw me out of myself.

Niko now becomes a prayer.  Here i am.