Striking Difference

This morning the Christ’s Gift Academy (CGA) students are sitting happily at their desks intently listening to their teachers and diligently taking notes so that they can review them at home this weekend in preparation for their upcoming exams.  After a couple of lessons in Bible and Math, they will take a break while they drink porridge and tell stories about what happened at home this weekend.  As they joke around and play a little, they begin lining up to march back to class for the rest of the morning subjects of Kiswahili, Science, and English.  Their lunch consists of a steaming plate of rice and beans   that fills their little stomachs.  After the meal they only have Social Studies and then it is time to join their various clubs or play soccer at P.E.  Once school is over they walk 2-3 miles home with a group of their friends, not even realizing how quickly they are developing and how blessed they are to be at CGA.   In September, the final school term was supposed to begin, but public school teachers throughout Kenya went on strike, paralyzing education throughout the country in the most critical time of the year as students prepare for National Exams.  Thankfully, private schools like CGA have been able to continue their work.  Another reason these kids are blessed.  CGA is more than just a place where they get food each day, a school uniform, medical assistance and a quality Christian education; it is a place where they see the love of Christ practically on a daily basis through the support, encouragement and kindness of the teachers and staff.