Greetings Grandma V
I was appointed as the representative of our mission to the MK boarding school in Kabala during council back in November last year. I have just returned from a board meeting and can give you a better idea of what you will be doing. Oh, and they approved you coming unanimously. So, it is official, and you should be receiving a letter from the chairman as well as our mission director confirming this.
So now for a few details. Your only expense will be your tickets here and anything you want personally. Food and housing are provided. This is not a paid position but is strictly volunteer.
I talked briefly with the current “grandma”, and she is very excited about your coming as well. She came with her two grandsons and has had a very positive year. She only committed to one year and has to get her grandsons back to their folks.
There is a mini apartment available to you. No kitchen, since all the cooking is done in the big kitchen. There is a small bedroom, bathroom, and living room. The living room opens up to a large verandah. The “grandma’s” apartment is located on the girls end of the dorm. The dorm parent’s apartment is on the boy’s end (not sure if you remember much of this from our visit there when you came in 88.)
The staff and board were delighted with the fact that you were a music teacher. Each Christmas, the students put on a Christmas musical, and having a “real live” music teacher would definitely take some of the burden off the teachers. Also, the fact that you give piano lessons was another big plus. The lessons would be a small income for you, the parents would not expect that free. DK is going to ask what the previous teacher charged, so you can have a ballpark figure to work with.
The current granny says she has mainly filled in where she saw a need. Sometimes in the kitchen, sometimes in helping with homework, sewing, tucking into bed, hugging… your coming would surely ease the mind of this set of parents drastically. We would be thrilled to have you near the boys. And they likewise.
The school year starts in mid-August and ends in mid-May. They have a week’s vacation in October and March. And, three weeks’ vacation at Christmas. The kids go to school every other Saturday. Of course, you would spend all your holidays with us. So, you wouldn’t have any transportation expenses while in the country.
I met the teaching staff while there and was quite impressed with their commitment to the kids and the school. Seems like a great group of people. They are all fairly young, so they need a more “mature and greyed” person to give them advice at times.
I don’t believe you would have to bring anything other than your own personal belongings. (And a few requested items from your family [smile].) I will get more of that info to you later, if your answer is still positive. We are praying for you and realize this is quite a bit longer than your thoughts of just a summer. But this ministry certainly seems to fit you to a T. We will be anxious to hear your thoughts.
We enjoyed getting the Awana Christmas cards. That was a lot of fun for us all.
Love, Nancy
What kind of schooling options are there for children in the country where you may serve? Do you know what options your mission agency provides or permits? How would you handle having to send your children to a boarding school if that is the only option?