Today was my students' last day of school before Christmas. They were beside themselves with excitement which overflowed into extra hugs for their teacher. :) They are a sweet group and I have really enjoyed getting to know each child over the past two months.
After they left, we had a staff luncheon. A soup buffet always gets my vote this time of year...but during the lunch something profound happened.
My school has an after school childcare program for children to attend if their parents work. Today the children in this program were going to a nursing home to sing carols so they came to our luncheon to serenade us. After a few songs, 4 siblings came to the front and started singing a carol that was very clearly not in English. I thought it sounded a lot like Swahili. Once they said, "Mungu" (God), and "Nzuri sana" (Very fine), I knew I was hearing Swahili. The tears were welling up, but I didn't let them fall. God knows, he sees. In America, I have heard German carols, French carols, Spanish carols, Dutch carols, etc. But I have never heard a Swahili carol (outside of Tanzania) until today. No one in the room ever made the connection that I might recognize it and I had no idea there were children at my school that speak Swahili. I look forward to seeking them out after Christmas break.
Yesterday I received a Rafiki Christmas card through my email. I share it with you in honor of all God's beloved celebrating the birth of Jesus with you.
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