Last Day of School

On Toby's last day at the Morningstar Academy, there was a sports day. There were all kinds of races including rope climb, long jump, and, well, races. The highlight of the day were two soccer games, the moms against the first through fourth graders, and the dads against the fifth through eighth graders. Here's a photo of the moms team: I was the goalie (being unable to run around due to back problems). As goalie, I ensured a win by the kids when I let one get past me. The dads creamed the older kids, much to everyone's surprise, and they are still sore about the betrayal.


Here is a photo of the kids in Toby's first and second grade class: Paula (from Moz), Shumi (from Zimbabwe), Quinton (from USA and Brazil), Toby, and Kathriona (from Zimbabwe). Here is also a photo of Toby with his teacher, Peggy Dancey, to whom we are so grateful. Toby's school experience up to now has been so wonderful, full of all kinds of interesting projects and solid education. Thanks to Peggy (and his part-year teacher last year, Kelly Jarvis), Toby loves learning, loves going to school, and is reading at a level beyond his grade (he's into Hardy Boys books now). He'll start third grade in September at a public school in Connecticut, and we hope that his experiences continue to be positive. Many, many thanks to Peggy and the other teachers at Morningstar for their significant sacrifices (leaving home and family, and raising support) to minister to our children and provide them with a stable, loving school environment, preparing them for their transitions back and forth from their home countries. I think many fewer missionary families would be working in Nampula if not for this school, and certainly there would be a lot more tired missionary moms who had to homeschool! We look forward to Toby's return to Morningstar for Fourth Grade, and hope that Peggy Dancey will still be there when Ben starts first grade in 2012. - C