the concert

 Well, it's over.

And it was absolutely fantastic.

 The kids did an amazing job celebrating the cultural diversity of

our school and community.

 And I was completely relaxed and

enjoyed every minute of the 70 minute program.

 Our 5 Kindergarten classes started us off with their rendition of

"O Canada".

 And then the show began.

 We traveled the world through the songs I chose and script I wrote.

 Every classroom and every teacher was involved in the program.

 Our Russian students were proud to be able to tell a bit about their country.

 As were all the rest of the students.

 This little girl shines

and definitely caught the eye of my photographer (Katy)!

The grand finale after

12 countries "visited" and 15 songs sung.

The majority of our 460 students were part 

of the program that evening.

Ice cream treats for the choir members (as a surprise) 

followed in the music room.

The kids were thrilled and relieved and I got

lots of tight hugs and thank yous.

All the work 

and hours 

and hours 

and hours 

of practice

was definitely worth it.

howard's trip to africa

Howard visited several countries on a trip he made

at the beginning of April.

 One of them was the poorest country in the world.

 Some of our people are working in a school there -

a school that was recently flooded.

 They are now using two separate facilities for teaching classes 

while they wait for the

repairs to be completed on the school building.

 Howard was able to "borrow" pictures of the people

and life there.

 Our workers there were thrilled that Howard had come to visit them.

They all need our prayers for many things,

including the 40C+ heat which is

relentless.

 

But they are making

the most of their new African life

and are making a wonderful contribution.

my favourite one yet

 A shy little boy in grade 4

handed me this folded up picture today

and quickly walked away.

I smiled.