Here's some candids of Rosie from this morning. Love that girl! Precious!
All ready for school!
Oh... and here's my delicious temporary escape from the flatland heat :)
Friday, January 31, 2014
Surprise!
Woke up at 6am to Elda gently spreading the blanket over me, as she got up to begin the day.
As you can see in the photo below, I began writing in my journal, but when Rosie woke up and came to sit with me, I decided I'd rather be making more memories with her than writing down the events of yesterday. :)
Elda and I, before she left to go to work. Doesn't she look nice? :)
She works a short distance away (Makanya) for World Vision.
She gave me a decorative hair tie this morning and said I can keep the kanga if I want. Told her that I'll at least take it to Chome with me, then I can tell everyone "Elda gave this to me!" She laughed. :)
Mmmm... breakfast! Godfrey and Kenedy cooked for us this morning. I jokingly said that they survived my cooking, so I had better survive theirs :)
While these pictures were loading, Godfrey said he wanted to take me to the supermarket to buy something for me (ICECREAM! WHAT A SURPRISE! I didn't know that existed here!!!)
In front of the store, parked at the gas station, was the Kilenga bus, filled with mission team members! Jerry and Bill were standing out front! What a surprise! What a reunion! So good to see some more familiar faces! Pastor Bernie, Denise... my heart was leaping for joy! :)
Think I'd better begin on the ice cream now. Would be a pity for it to melt :) I am one happy girl!
Friends, Food, Faith, and Fellowship
Here are some more photos from yesterday evening.
Me and Rosie :)
Elda pouring water to wash my hands before dinner. Godfrey said he really likes this picture...
Yum, yum! What a great evening! Friends, food, faith, and fellowship!
Found out it is common practice here to bathe before eating dinner. Hence my wet hair :)
Nothing better than a cold bucket shower on a hot Tanzanian evening!
Thursday, January 30, 2014
"Mzungu" Cooks Supper
Making dinner at Godfrey's house. His sister Elda had me wear one of her kangas and let me help make supper while the guys went to haul water for us all to shower. Speghetti with fresh tomato sauce, and "tangawizi chai" (ginger tea)-- delicious! Here we are, cooking the spaghetti over a charcoal stove.
Grating the fresh ginger to boil in the water along with some "sukari" (sugar).
Have enjoyed getting to know little Rosie. Godfrey and Elda have taken her in, as she was orphaned and didn't have anywhere to go. Had some oreo-type cookies with orange-flavored filling leftover from traveling earlier. Godfrey suggested I give them to her after supper. She was very excited. As soon as she tore open the foil wrapper, she immediately handed the first one to me. Wow! We enjoyed licking out the fillings together and pretending to feed the cookies to her teddy bear. Rosie told Godfrey that she wished she could speak English because then she could talk with me. Sweet girl. Elda and I were planning on rooming together tonight, but little Rosie wants to stay with us. With all these guests, she doesn't want to sleep by herself. I don't blame her! We'll see if we can squeeze the three of us girls in one bed :)
Kenedy and Raphael, relaxing and enjoying time together. Kenedy told me while we were eating supper, that it was the first time he's eaten something that was cooked by a white person. We all laughed at that :) I said, "Well, at least you're still alive!"
Our beautiful table. Also had "chips" (French fries) and fresh cucumber and mango.
Enjoying this time with friends. Great to be together again.
Don't care if I don't sleep a wink this week. Too much to catch up on :)
It is an amazing feeling to arrive in Chome area without jet lag--that's never happened before!
More Pictures!
Taking advantage of the speedy internet access to upload some more photos from the past twenty-four hours. Above is me at the hotel in Dar.Then one of the first sights of the Pare Mountain Range. And myself with Godfrey and Kenedy Mwai. Also met up with Raphael Msuya. Wonderful reunions!
Praise God for Godfrey!
Godfrey and his fiance Sara. She is from Dar es Salaam. Good to meet her!
Godfrey purchasing bus tickets for us. So grateful he was able to travel with me from Dar!
I would not have wanted to navigate that sprawling city of four million people all by myself.
Arrived in Same
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Dar es Salaam
I am sitting on the floor in a room of the Kagame Hotel here in Dar es Salaam, using Godfrey's laptop. Spending the night before continuing on my travel to Chome. Didn't know until yesterday if I were going to be able to go. But, as usual, God had great things in store as I trusted in Him.
Yesterday morning, I finally got ahold of a friend of mine who said he might be able to meet me and travel with me to Chome. Godfrey had been in Dar since Sunday, and he suggested I come from Mafinga to Dar today, so we can travel to Same tomorrow. Didn't know if it was going to happen. There was so much to figure out!
When I arrived at the Primary School yesterday morning, I was able to talk with the principal, Meida, right away about the possibility of my absence for a week-and-a-half. She said that was absolutely fine, with no further ado. That taken care of, after lunch, I commenced packing my backpack for Chome. Packing sure is a different story when you are already in the country you are traveling to! :) Exchanged dollars for Tanzanian shillings, talked with "Uncle Jason," and let Godfrey know I was coming.
Hemmed a skirt for a roommate last night: she got it caught in her bicycle chain multiple times, poor thing! She said, "What are we going to do without our cook, seamstress, and janitor for over a week!" :) Woke to my alarm at six o'clock this morning, knowing I had to be ready to leave by six forty-five.
One of the missionary families here was already driving by Mafinga on their way to sell some sheep, so they were able to drop me off. Their seventeen-year-old son (who speaks at least three languages fluently) helped me purchase a ticket for the "Mapanda Express" and made sure I knew where to stand to await the bus.
Befriended a lady from Mafinga by asking her the time. Her seat was across the aisle from mine. What are the chances! God worked that out! It was a long bus ride-- 8am to 5-something pm. With only two bathroom breaks! I faired quite well, surprisingly. :)
Godfrey met me at the busy bus station. So glad he was there! We rode a "bajaj" to to a hotel just around the corner. Nice rooms. And a fan that works wonderfully! Only $18.75 for my room for the night. Envious? :)
Godfrey introduced me to his fiance! Her name Sara and she is from Dar. Godfrey left me with the laptop while he escorted her home. He has returned now and we are going to find something to eat. 8pm here now. A late meal and exploration of the city, but I'm sure it will be fun, nontheless! His room is just down the hall from mine. Perfect!
We will leave for Same tomorrow at around 7am. He purchased bus tickets for us already.
All I can say is, God is good. Was worried about how all this would work out. Was worried about traveling by myself. But God is working in mighty ways. Thanks for the prayers! Greetings to all back home! Miss you guys!
Yesterday morning, I finally got ahold of a friend of mine who said he might be able to meet me and travel with me to Chome. Godfrey had been in Dar since Sunday, and he suggested I come from Mafinga to Dar today, so we can travel to Same tomorrow. Didn't know if it was going to happen. There was so much to figure out!
When I arrived at the Primary School yesterday morning, I was able to talk with the principal, Meida, right away about the possibility of my absence for a week-and-a-half. She said that was absolutely fine, with no further ado. That taken care of, after lunch, I commenced packing my backpack for Chome. Packing sure is a different story when you are already in the country you are traveling to! :) Exchanged dollars for Tanzanian shillings, talked with "Uncle Jason," and let Godfrey know I was coming.
Hemmed a skirt for a roommate last night: she got it caught in her bicycle chain multiple times, poor thing! She said, "What are we going to do without our cook, seamstress, and janitor for over a week!" :) Woke to my alarm at six o'clock this morning, knowing I had to be ready to leave by six forty-five.
One of the missionary families here was already driving by Mafinga on their way to sell some sheep, so they were able to drop me off. Their seventeen-year-old son (who speaks at least three languages fluently) helped me purchase a ticket for the "Mapanda Express" and made sure I knew where to stand to await the bus.
Befriended a lady from Mafinga by asking her the time. Her seat was across the aisle from mine. What are the chances! God worked that out! It was a long bus ride-- 8am to 5-something pm. With only two bathroom breaks! I faired quite well, surprisingly. :)
Godfrey met me at the busy bus station. So glad he was there! We rode a "bajaj" to to a hotel just around the corner. Nice rooms. And a fan that works wonderfully! Only $18.75 for my room for the night. Envious? :)
Godfrey introduced me to his fiance! Her name Sara and she is from Dar. Godfrey left me with the laptop while he escorted her home. He has returned now and we are going to find something to eat. 8pm here now. A late meal and exploration of the city, but I'm sure it will be fun, nontheless! His room is just down the hall from mine. Perfect!
We will leave for Same tomorrow at around 7am. He purchased bus tickets for us already.
All I can say is, God is good. Was worried about how all this would work out. Was worried about traveling by myself. But God is working in mighty ways. Thanks for the prayers! Greetings to all back home! Miss you guys!
Sunday, January 26, 2014
Greetings from Tanzania!
Arrived in Tanzania on January 15th. Spent an overnight at a YMCA hostel in Dar es Salaam. The next day we travelled by Land Cruiser to Kibidula. We had a heap of luggage atop the vehicle and nine people squished inside. Fun, fun, fun! It was a long trip, but we enjoyed almost every moment of it. Stopped to eat chapattis and beans at a roadside "restaurant." The road wound through Mikumi National Park, so we were able to see some baboons, cape buffalo, wildebeest, and even some giraffes. Saw several overturned trucks by the roadside; we were thankful for safe travels.
Hard to believe that we've been here at Kibidula for over a week now. In another way, it seems like we've been here forever...
Begun teaching at the elementary school. Teaching several different subjects to several different Standards (grades). It is challenging, to say the least. The kids don't have much respect for "wazungu" (white people) teachers, as they know we won't hit them with a stick when they misbehave. Working on some disciplinary techniques... A hug from a student at the end of the day makes it all worth it.
The first night here was hard. I felt isolated from everything familiar. I felt friendship-starved. The next morning, a question arose in my mind that is worth a lengthy pondering: If I were the only person alive on earth, would God's companionship be enough for me, or would I still feel lonely? Ultimately, the question is this: Is God enough? It was funny how much I realized I was searching for familiarity. God must have smiled, as He placed things in my path for me to discover: a fifteen year old boy named Asheli :), a weed that grows in our garden back home, a deck of Dutch Blitz brought by one of the other girls, a painting by someone from my home church that is in the house of a missionary family here, and a bonding with the girls who are also staying the missionary girls' dorm.
The atmosphere here is amazing. Friday night vespers is a beautiful thing: American, South African, Swiss-German, and Tanzanian (including Masai, as well as other tribes) all gathered together to encourage one another and give glory to God.
I feel like I was built for this place. I love the riding-along-the-road-standing-in-the-back-of-a-pickup-with-the-wind-in-your-face way of life here. Though it's not all riding in vehicles: we've done quite an extensive bit of walking so far. The Primary School is located at the edge of the Kibidula campus, so the kids can walk from nearby villages. However, the house I am staying in is at the other end of campus, about two-and-a-half miles away. To get drinking water, we must walk a ways in the other direction. Needless to say, we are getting plenty of exercise :) Our bikes have arrived, and we are extremely excited to give them a try this week. Should cut our travelling time in at least half.
So far we've managed to wash laundry twice, bake bread multiple times, and make guacamole for Sabbath breakfast (yum!). The first day, I locked myself in the bathroom, the next day we locked ourselves out of the house, the third day we managed to lock ourselves IN the house. (Don't ask...) The doors cannot be opened from the inside when they are locked. With five girls and only three keys, we have had to sort out the who-what-where-when-why-how of access to our house. We've also managed to laugh every day-- usually late at night when we are tired beyond exhaustion :) I've been trying to learn some Swiss-German from my roommate, Selina. I've finally managed to say two sentences without sounding like I'm choking :) It is a very different language than I am familiar with...
All the young people were invited to one of the missionary family's houses Saturday night to collaborate ideas on involving the ten-or-so younger missionary kids here on campus. We then had popcorn, watermelon, bread with spreads, and enjoyed fellowship around the fireplace while cooking "snakebread"(bread on a stick). I have volunteered to do Pathfinder-type activities with the missionary kids here. We are planning on going camping sometime in February. There is a swamp we can canoe in and much "bush" to explore. Looking forward to it.
So... the Africa adventure has begun; although, in reality, it is just continuing. I'm looking forward to all that God has in store.
Hard to believe that we've been here at Kibidula for over a week now. In another way, it seems like we've been here forever...
Begun teaching at the elementary school. Teaching several different subjects to several different Standards (grades). It is challenging, to say the least. The kids don't have much respect for "wazungu" (white people) teachers, as they know we won't hit them with a stick when they misbehave. Working on some disciplinary techniques... A hug from a student at the end of the day makes it all worth it.
The first night here was hard. I felt isolated from everything familiar. I felt friendship-starved. The next morning, a question arose in my mind that is worth a lengthy pondering: If I were the only person alive on earth, would God's companionship be enough for me, or would I still feel lonely? Ultimately, the question is this: Is God enough? It was funny how much I realized I was searching for familiarity. God must have smiled, as He placed things in my path for me to discover: a fifteen year old boy named Asheli :), a weed that grows in our garden back home, a deck of Dutch Blitz brought by one of the other girls, a painting by someone from my home church that is in the house of a missionary family here, and a bonding with the girls who are also staying the missionary girls' dorm.
The atmosphere here is amazing. Friday night vespers is a beautiful thing: American, South African, Swiss-German, and Tanzanian (including Masai, as well as other tribes) all gathered together to encourage one another and give glory to God.
I feel like I was built for this place. I love the riding-along-the-road-standing-in-the-back-of-a-pickup-with-the-wind-in-your-face way of life here. Though it's not all riding in vehicles: we've done quite an extensive bit of walking so far. The Primary School is located at the edge of the Kibidula campus, so the kids can walk from nearby villages. However, the house I am staying in is at the other end of campus, about two-and-a-half miles away. To get drinking water, we must walk a ways in the other direction. Needless to say, we are getting plenty of exercise :) Our bikes have arrived, and we are extremely excited to give them a try this week. Should cut our travelling time in at least half.
So far we've managed to wash laundry twice, bake bread multiple times, and make guacamole for Sabbath breakfast (yum!). The first day, I locked myself in the bathroom, the next day we locked ourselves out of the house, the third day we managed to lock ourselves IN the house. (Don't ask...) The doors cannot be opened from the inside when they are locked. With five girls and only three keys, we have had to sort out the who-what-where-when-why-how of access to our house. We've also managed to laugh every day-- usually late at night when we are tired beyond exhaustion :) I've been trying to learn some Swiss-German from my roommate, Selina. I've finally managed to say two sentences without sounding like I'm choking :) It is a very different language than I am familiar with...
All the young people were invited to one of the missionary family's houses Saturday night to collaborate ideas on involving the ten-or-so younger missionary kids here on campus. We then had popcorn, watermelon, bread with spreads, and enjoyed fellowship around the fireplace while cooking "snakebread"(bread on a stick). I have volunteered to do Pathfinder-type activities with the missionary kids here. We are planning on going camping sometime in February. There is a swamp we can canoe in and much "bush" to explore. Looking forward to it.
So... the Africa adventure has begun; although, in reality, it is just continuing. I'm looking forward to all that God has in store.
Saturday, January 25, 2014
Sunday, January 12, 2014
How Great Is Our God!
"He stirs up the sea with His power,
And by His understanding He breaks up the storm.
"By His Spirit He adorned the heavens;
His hand pierced the fleeing serpent.
"Indeed these are the mere edges of His ways,
And how small a whisper we hear of Him!
But the thunder of His power who can understand?"
Job 26:12-14
Our God IS an Awesome God! How soon we forget...
He is the one who stirs up the sea. He is also the one who calms the storm.
Even when we think we have a clear understanding of who He is, we are just beginning to see Him. When we think we see a bigger picture, in reality we see "the mere edges of His ways"...
Yet it is in His mercy that He reveals to us only a part of Himself. His whisper sounds to us like a shout. We would not be able to survive His thunderings.
One day, we will see Him for who He is.
Until then, let us ponder anew each day the awesomeness of our God...
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