Where did the rest of July go?

When I checked the last date I wrote, I couldn't believe it has been a month! Well, July was very busy! I was out in schools almost the whole month, with giving and grading exams, an extra week in Magugu, one of our other training schools, and getting ready for the seminar in Arusha that I joined teachers from Scottsdale Bible Church in presenting. In between, I also finally broke down and bought a modem so that I can have more frequent internet access, even on base at En Gedi, but especially out at Karanse. However, this still didn't give me access much of the time, so it's about 50% better!

I enjoyed my week in Magugu, as it gave me a chance to see students that I had taught computer and sports to a year ago when they were on campus here. They were very open, and as I was there to help observe their teaching week, I got to compare my Karanse student teachers with others in their teaching practice. I also got to see how Sarah and Shelley live when they're "in the field," and see how good I have it at my guest house at Angaza! One of the highlights was the student teachers cooking dinner for the 3 mentors at one of their rooms; this was their way of welcoming me to Magugu! Since they spent their own money and time on this, and opened their "home" to us, it was a very special, generous offer.

Another very special and generous offer came from Zilpah, a woman Tz pastor that I have known for years. She is a great prayer warrior, and if she says she will pray for you, you can count on it! She had been praying for Daddy's health, as well as my return to the US (later today!), and she wanted to gather together several of us who are getting ready to leave TZ, for long or short periods: Janet left Tuesday, for maybe 4 months; Don left about a week ago, till the end of November; Neil is leaving in October, indefinitely; and me. She booked an afternoon at a local lodge and retreat center, ordered tea and peanuts ahead of time, and wanted us to spend the afternoon with her a couple of Saturdays ago. It was a lovely setting, so peaceful, and we felt refreshed just being there. But, her main purpose in having us, was so we could spend some time praying for daddy and for all of our journeys. Then, she thanked US for allowing her to use up our time that way!

A side note, yesterday afternoon I heard a knock on my door (no one ever knocks here - you just shout, "Hodi!" and walk on in; this means a version of, "Is anyone here? I'm coming in!"), and when I went to answer it, it was Zilpah. I asked her in, but she said, no, she knew I was busy packing, but she had come to say good-bye, and let me know she was still praying for me and my family. She had walked from her house to say good-bye, and then turned around and walked back! She's not a young woman, and it's a hot, dusty road, but that's the kind of woman she is! She has a daughter in Atlanta, of all places, and she had just spoken to her the night before and asked her to pray for my dad, too. Just too wonderful!

Really good time at the seminar this week.I had gotten to know the SBC people when I was here first in 2006, and we have stayed close since then, with them inviting me out to Arizona a couple of times, getting their church to help support me, investing in me personally, etc. When they heard that I would still be in Arusha this week, they asked me to help be a presenter at their seminar for the Imara teachers. I had taught many of those teachers at Joshua, visited them in their schools and homes, and it was a real treat to see them again. I did a whole day on learning games and activities and a half day on teaching the slow learner, and I think they enjoyed them both. It was also great to be around fellow Americans that I have a little history with and who know me and Tanzania!

And now, tonight, I leave for home! I've cleaned, and packed, and shopped, and I think I'm actually ready! Much to do in the month I'm home, and I may not blog much of that time, but stay tuned!