The good-byes continue

Sunday were my goodbyes at church. Vineyard Arusha is the church for many ex-pats and NGO's and their volunteers and staff, so a part of every week's announcements is, "Is anyone new here today at Vineyard?" Sadly, another part is ,"Is this anyone's last Sunday with us at Vineyard?" This past Sunday, I had to raise my hand. The person doing the announcements said, "Oh, how sad." Many hugs and goodbyes after that. Tuesday night was goodbyes at Home Group, my weekly Bble Study group. Those people are really like family. We meet in someone's house, usually my TZ friend Janeth's, eat together, pray together, laugh a lot together, even cry together. I had gifts to give them, and they had a gift for me, we took pictures, they prayed for me, more hugs. Janeth asked me afterwards if we could get together Wednesday because she had a gift for me, but she hadn't bought it, yet. So, yesterday, I said goodbye to the teachers at Joshua Primary School, which was hard. I didn't technically say goodbye to my preschoolers because there's a group of teenagers here this week from NZ, and they are busy with them, so I left them alone more than usual. I met Janeth for ice cream (mango sorbet!) and more goodbyes, then went to Imara and said goodbye there. That was really hard. I hadn't told my friend Miriam I was leaving, and even though she's leaving Imara, it was a shock to her that I'm leaving TZ altogether! So, a few tears there. My friend Jenny called this morning to say goodbye, and Carly will come out to Joshua in a little while. Last night was dinner with Josh and Renee and Sarah and Don, I've been saying goodbye to people on base as I see them, and Sarah and I will go see the base workers at lunch (and take crates of soda for our present to them) and say goodbye there. We also have to say goodbye to our house girl today, and that will be sad, too. I read just the other day that in Heaven we won't ever have to say goodbye. So glad!

Goodbyes begin

Friday I went to Karanse for the first, and possibly hardest, of my TZ goodbyes. One of the many things I have learned this time around is that I‘m not the only one who needs the closure of goodbyes. Godfrey had told me to give him a couple of days’ notice before coming out, and I did. Carly and I went (in time for morning tea, of course!); she went to preschool, and I went to meet with Godfrey. I had presents and had meant to write all of the teachers’ notes, but somehow forgot to actually do it. So after my meeting with Godfrey I went to the dining hall to write notes, and interrupted the decorating! As we had arrived, I had heard a drum and singing, but decided not to ask too many questions, so I also pretended to ignore the decorating! Godfrey came in and told me the plan, as they brought in all the benches, rearranged the furniture, etc. The children would eat lunch, then everyone would gather in the dining hall for the farewell ceremonies, then the teachers and honored guests would eat. The ceremony was so lovely, without being overly maudlin. The children sang songs (good byes and telling all about Mama Karanse!), there was dancing by the children, and even the teachers danced and sang as they presented me with gifts. I had already seen Debora John and given her new shoes and a big hug, but Aneri and I couldn’t even make eye contact without tearing up, which was really sad. After all of their speeches, songs, and dances, it was my turn. The last time I had to do this I cried through the whole thing, but this was much easier, as it didn’t feel so final. I realize there’s an open door, so to speak, for my return, in whatever capacity God sees fit for me to come back. The last time I left, it just felt so final, but I realize that’s just not the case. Though my big gift will be curtains for the computer lab, I presented the school with a beautifully framed poster about using their gifts and talents well, as God gave them as gifts to them in the first place. Then I gave each of the teachers framed verses about building houses filled with beautiful treasures. Just after all of that, I asked Abraham to go get Aneri for me so I could say goodbye to him in private. We both were so close to tears, but it was necessary for us to have that time. A wonderful lunch, more goodbyes to each teacher, then Carly and I left. It was really good that she came, as she was my official photographer of the event! As soon as I get my memory stick with pictures from her, I’ll add them, too. More goodbyes to come, but I can make it through all of those with this one under my belt.

Roller coaster week

The week started off great. After a good day at the safari lodge, then a great safari with the Perimeter team, I was back in Arusha in my own bed for a night. Team worship on Sunday night, preschool on Monday, then off to meet the team for a good-bye lunch. I decided to go to the ATM and get out money for the week, and that's when the downward part started. I found out my ATM card had just expired! While there are other ways to get money here (as I found out during various phone calls to both my banks), they are all either difficult or expensive or both. During that minor (?) crisis, Catherine, from the team from Arizona, and I were texting, callng, and emailing to figure out what the 4 of them who stayed behind when their team left wanted to do. They'd asked me to go along, drive, etc. and said they'd pay for my gas and lodging. At 9:00 that night, we all decided on Pangani, which is on the coast and I've never been there but heard great things about it. I grabbed a map and a guidebook, got hotel reccomendations, and we were off by 8:30 the next morning! We had been told it was a 6-8 hour trip, but we managed to make it in 15! Three one hour stops along the way for car "repairs," with about 20 various Tanzanian men to help, a ferry boat ride at 10:30 p.m. with a stretcher being carried by 4 men in gloves holding a dead body, several phone calls to the hotel saying we were still coming but weren't there, yet, my fuel light going on at least 15 km from the hotel, finally gettng so frustrated at not finding the place that we took a security guard from a neighboring hotel along with us to show us the way! Fell into bed before midnight, completely exhausted! Then 2 days on the upward part of the roller coaster: sun, a pool, right on the beach, great food, a boat ride and snorkelling, sleeping to the sound of the waves and wind, lots of exercise and reading, just perfect. Friday dawned beautful and warm and went back downhill! My car went into reverse to get out of our parking space, into drive, then never moved again. Even when we stopped for bathroom breaks or to get gas, I couldn't put it into park or turn off the engine. Along with that were the rdiculous number of police stops for fire extingusher checks, a seatbelt check, and finally a speeding stop. I had argued and gotten away with not paying at the other stops, but by the time I got pulled over for speeding, I had just had it and paid the 30,000 Tsh (about $20), but I did ask for the paper copy of the ticket. A miracle happened here. (Unfortunately TZ police are known to be largely corrupt, often pulling people to ask for money for food, a ride somewhere, etc.) The policeman went to get the paperwork and brought back another officer. He asked me where we were coming from, going to, etc., and when I told him I had wageni (visitors) who had to go back to America the next day, he said, "The United States of America?" I said yes, and he said, "Let me say we are sorry," and he handed me back the 30,000! This is unheard of - a policeman apologizing and returning money! I guess he wanted Americans to have a favorable opinion of TZ! The return trip only took 11 hours, and when we got back to where I was leaving the visitors (my friends' Jenny and Carly's place) I knew I couldn't go any further, even 45 minutes home. So I turned off the car (still in drive), locked it with my remote, and was done. The next morning a fundi (trained worker in some area) we know and trust came to look at the car. My only moment of worry was when he asked, "How are you going to start it?" I thought though, that's why you're here! Jenny has bought a new car but not sold her old one, so she loaned me her old car. I haven't heard from the fundi, but managed to get home and to church today, so I'm happy about that. Last downward slope of the roller coaster came yesterday afternoon. I set up on-line banking as I may need that for some financial stuff involving my ATM card and resolving my temporary financial crisis, and I went on-line to check balances, etc. Only to fnd out over the last 2 months someone has hacked into my account and stolen a huge amount of money! Trying to get that resolved from TZ won't be easy, so my friend Russ and my mother spent large parts of yesterday trying to track that all down. I've broken out in a rash, which I'm pretty sure is stress-related! I know God has a plan, is still in control, and is bigger than all these situations, but I'll still be glad when it's all resolved!!

Week in Karanse with the Perimeter team

Just got back yesterday from a week in Karanse with Carter’s team. So very special that “my” last team here was led by a former student of mine! We’ve been here in TZ together before, but this is the first team he’s led, and we’ve enjoyed the week so much. Last Saturday we were at the school for Compassion Saturday, where the Compassion-sponsored children, many of whom don’t go to our school, come for their Christian training, kind of like Sunday school, except on Saturday and at school not church. During the morning, I was sitting with some preschoolers, and they started to sing a song I hadn’t heard before. The only words I heard were, “I am not forgotten. I am not forgotten.” I assumed it was about not being forgotten by God, and it really touched me. These sweet little children in an unknown village in Africa aren’t forgotten by God. After lunch at the school on Saturday, we went on sponsored children visits with the team. We went to see 3 of their sponsored children at home, and those are always such touching times. Sarah, one of the college girls on the team, was given a chicken by her sponsored child’s family, and the other 2 visits were equally sweet. Sunday was a great worship service. We all share our testimonies or something God has been teaching us, and I used what I had heard from the children the day before. I told them it was my last time at church so I thought that meant I could speak a little longer and tell them what was on my heart for them. I used the children’s song to remind them they are not forgotten by God, either. There was a sort of subtext, for me, as I know I won’t forget them, either, and I am hopeful they won’t forget me. Another lunch at the school, then a few widows’ visits. We went to see the Flower Bibi, the lady who throws flowers during worship at the church to show her Amen to what is being said. She had not been at church that morning, and we had missed her. She could not have not been more thrilled to see us. The 2 other widows we visited were similarly touched and grateful. They think they are the ones blessed by our visits, but we are always the ones who walk away knowing we have learned lessons about humility and gratitude. On the way home, Godfrey was driving, and he said, “Miriam, there’s Jordan.” I was trying to figure out who that was, when I saw him. Jordan’s family gave us our first chicken on our first trip here, and I’ve known him since the beginning. He’s now in his third year of secondary (high) school. He took one look and shouted, “Miriam!” I waved and yelled out the window to him, too. My morning’s message came back to me; I am not forgotten, either. The rest of the week I read stories and did crafts projects in classrooms, met with Godfrey, then with Pastor, Godfrey, Rachel, and Elijah about the new library/admin building under discussion. Also, we planted trees, with the help of the fathers’ group, went to Wednesday morning devotions, gave out sponsored children gifts, and one of my favorites, dedicated the computer room. Godfrey had asked me to give a short speech on “Why a computer lab,” and I think that went well. I also got to see my Deborah John’s daddy, and we did our usual effusive greetings! Can’t wait till heaven when we can actually talk to each other! He speaks Swahili to me, and I speak baby Swahili to him, and we hug and grin and shake hands. It’s always very special to see him. Another first of the week was hearing the school song they have written! Very delightful to hear them sing about this school they love! Bittersweet good-byes as I didn’t have to say final good-byes like the team did, but I know mine are coming.

When it’s especially good to know some Swahili!

Since I’ve been in preschool the past 3 weeks, I’ve listened to lots of Swahili, and I definitely know the words for, “Stop, No, Write, Listen, How are you,” etc. But, my favorite came the other day. Little Juven was outside playing on a bike, and I was hanging around watching several of the children. I heard him to say to another little boy, “Teacher Miriam, nampenda,” which is, “I love Teacher Miriam.” So glad I understood that!

Saidi to the rescue, again!

You may not remember that my car has a name, as do all my cars. This one’s name is Saidi, which is “help” in Swahili. I named it that almost time I knew it was my car, as I knew what a big help it would be here. Today was another one of those times. As a partial digression: at our house we have a solar water heater with an electric back-up. Since it’s the rainy season, we haven’t had enough sun lately to heat our water, and apparently the back-up isn’t working, so we’ve been heating kettles of water every morning and taking bucket baths. However, this morning, after 2 pretty sunny days, I actually had warm water for my shower, and I got in without having to wait for my (at the moment) 5 housemates to finish with the shower! I had a lovely shower and had come down to the kitchen to make a cup of tea and begin a leisurely Sunday morning getting ready for church when… Corinne, one of the other mentors, came in and said Samwelli, one of our TZ security guards’ wife was about to give birth and could I… she just left it hanging, but I knew she meant could I take them to the hospital? I told her to tell him I needed 5 minutes, and I rushed upstairs, dressed, put on make-up, grabbed what I‘d need for church, grabbed my tea, and was out the door. It was drizzling a bit, but not enough to make the road any worse, and he and I took off to get his wife. She and her friends were walking (!) down the road to meet us, so I picked up 3 of them and we were off. As bad as the road usually is, it felt even worse today with a very pregnant mama in the back seat! I actually prayed I’d miss most of the potholes! No trouble, and we made it to the hospital with time to spare (as she didn’t have the baby in my car!), and Samwelli had the biggest grin when they all got out of the car! Can’t wait to hear what they had. You can’t make this stuff up!

My "commute" this month

I thought about this just yesterday and decided to share it. Since I'm working in the preschool at Joshua this month, my commute is about a 5 minute's walk! Of course, it is the rainy season, so it does involve "gum boots," but it's still a great way to get to work! I sleep in till about 7:15, shower, dress, read my Bible, make up my bed, have the first cup of tea, put the rest in a travel mug (!), and am on my way. I pass workers just coming on to work, exchange greetings, and usually arrive to the sound of the children singing at devotions. On clear days, which we haven't had any of, I could see Mount Meru rising on my left, but she's gone for now most of the day. Beats sitting in traffic, that's for sure!

Bible Study and the road from H*'**!

I can't believe I didn't write about my almost-aborted trip into town last Tuesday night for Bible Study! Njiro Road, where I live, has to be one of the worst roads in Arusha. For the last several km before En Gedi it not only isn't paved, it is only graded once a year (or so it seems; I can't honestly remember the last time it was graded). It's nearly impassable after a rain, and the rains have arrived! Last Tuesday, after a lengthy Monday night rain, Richard and Pamela were going into town in their 4 by 4. I asked them to let me know if they thought I could get into town in my Honda CRV. Pamela sent me a text later that afternoon saying I should be fine, unless it rained again. Richard said if it rained while I was at Home Group, I'd never make it back. That made me a little nervous, but I had dessert, am responsible for leading and picking up one of the guys who goes, and I'd missed 2 times while I was in the UK, so I hated to miss again. I left under the darkest sky I've ever seen and had not even gotten to the house where we meet when Sarah sent me a text that it was raining at home already. I asked Janet, at whose house we meet, if I could spend the night, and she said, Of course! She has 3 daughters, but they are all away at school, so I had my pick of bedrooms. It rained all during Home Group, and a couple of other people, including Zilpah, my TZ friend and neighbor who had been over visiting just as I got ready to leave for HG, called to suggest I not try coming home! So, sure enough, with no toothbrush, pjs, ear plugs, make-up for the next day, etc., I stayed the night! Janet has a home-based business of cake making, so the next morning I helped her with several cakes, we had tea, then I left to meet Carly for coffee and teacher talk. Carly works for Imara and is the only teacher on their staff, so we meet pretty regularly so she can vent about things no one else there "gets." After that, I finally braved the road home. It was sunny and clear, and the road was indeed a nightmare, but not nearly as much of one as it would have been in the dark! And it's Tuesday again, so I'm watching the skies, again! Looks good for tonight!

Meet the new "school owner!"

You may have to refer back to the post about Apa and her little school, but this is the text I got from her last night: "Now here the children have increased thus taking porrage which Juius has provided his own money. The government wants the school to be registered so please could you come and talk with them. They asked me who is the owner of the school. I told them that it belongs to you. There for could you mind checking your schedule and see how you can fix the matter. Am praying for you. Thanks." After one visit and less than $40 in food supplies, she wants me to be the school owner, or rather, says I aready am! NO! This involves endless money and red tape as you can only begin to imagine. I haven't even responded yet because I'm trying to come up with a gracious way to put this! But, my housemate Sarah said it would look good on my CV or resume'!

Eye exam, Part 2

I was going to title this, "Unfortunately, Color Does Make A Difference," but I decided I needed to explain it, instead. Sarah and I went to Moshi, about 2 hours away, early this morning to KCMC, a major hospital in the area. Took some investigating and navigating, but we found the hospital, parking, and the eye department. When we walked into the eye department, there must have been 100 people in the waiting room, all Tanzanians, but men, women, children, and babies. I had been given a doctor’s name and an actual appointment, which may have made some of the difference, but I’m pretty sure my skin color made the most difference, sadly for all those who were there before me. I found “my” doctor, a German lady, and we went into her office, sat down, and talked. For the next 2 hours, I was treated pretty much like royalty would be if doctors didn’t come to them! Either Dr. Mapoka or a nurse she assigned to me, showed me or took me to every line or room I needed to go to – and there were many! Though I never actually stood in a line, because they took me to the front of each one (which I felt very badly about). • Had to register at one place • Go pay at another place (cost in the last paragraph) • Go to another room for an eye exam (my second of the week) • Go for a consult in another room • Have another eye test somewhere else • Get my eyes dilated and wait 30 minutes • Go back and pay some more for the last procedure • And lastly, have an OCT. I don’t know what that stands for, but it’s very high tech, probably involves lasers, and a Dutch doctor I spoke with said there are something like 10 of these machines south of the Equator. This was the one that found the problem! I have a thickening of the membrane over my pupil (or cornea? Now I'm not sure which!), and it needs to be removed, or eventually I will lose my sight in that eye. However, the last of the doctors and Dr. Mapoka agreed that this can wait till I get home, thankfully. I don’t mind having this diagnosed in TZ, but I‘m perfectly happy to have it treated at home! Now for the amazing cost of this whole 2 day ordeal, counting Wednesday’s visit to 2 doctors, referral to Dr. Mapoka, and all of the above tests: 24,000 Tshillings! How much is that? About $17.00!! Seventeen dollars!! I spent twice that on the gas to and from Moshi! Can you imagine what this would have cost at home and how many days it would take to see that many people and have that many tests?! It’s almost too bad I can’t have the procedure here! So, overall, I am pleased to know what the problem is, that there is a solution, and that it can wait. Still disturbed that in their own country, in one of their own hospitals, I got special attention because I’m white. I got plenty of dirty looks and raised eyebrows along the way, and I kept wanting to say, “This is not my idea! This is not who I am.” Sigh.

Eye Doctor, Part 1

For a few weeks my vision has been blurry in my left eye, so I went to the optician first (if that's the who does glasses), and he checked my vision, then called to an opthamologist (if that's the other one) down the street and asked if she could see me (no pun intended!). Once I found the hospital and the eye department (wouldn't you think they'd make those signs more obvious?!), the sister there put drops in my eyes to check for pressure, which was fine, then she asked me if I'd driven myself. When I said yes, she grimaced, and so I asked her why. She told me she'd have to put drops in my left eye to dilate it, and it would take 6-8 hours to go back to normal! I asked if I could drive with one eye closed, and she said yes. (Most people probably do, anyway!) After that, she checked for catatacts but didn't find one. She said it looked like it might be my retina, but she couldn't be sure. KCMC is a very well recognized hospital in Moshi with an eye clinic that is considered one of the best, and she made me an appointment with a doctor there on Friday, saying to make sure someone drives me as they will dlate both eyes then.

More when I know it.

How I Spent My.....

Tuesday and Wednesday this week! I had so many errands to run in town that I was planning one whole day of errands, just not Tuesday. I have Home Group (church Bible Study) on Tuesday nights, and since I always make desserts, I needed to not have that riding around in my car all day, and Njiro Road is not the kind of road you want to drive up and down more than once every few days! But, Godfrey, our Karanse headmaster was coming to Arusha on Tuesday, and I needed to meet wth him, so I made part of the dessert in the morning before I left, with plans to finish it when I got home and before I turned around and went back out. I figured I could also run some of my errands then and just go back another day this week, which turned out to be today, also not my choice!

So, in 2 days, I did the following: bought a phone card and supplies for church refreshments; met with Godfrey (and spoke to everyone else at Imara, naturally!); realized my computer was on the blink, so dropped it off at the computer shop, went back and picked it up today; had a pair of sandals fixed (by a man on the street); had a pair of reading glasses fixed; made an app't wth an eye doctor (more on that in the next blog); went back today for the eye app't; went to the post office twice to mail packages; had lunch; did some grocery shopping (some of it from a man on the street, too!); picked up some printer paper for someone at Joshua who had forgotten it on his trip into town and saw me there; went to ATM for money for all of these transactions; and found numerous parkiing spots and paid about 25 cents for an hour in each one because, of course, these were not close to each other! The whole thing, at a Super Wal-mart would have taken about an hour and a half, and I could have gotten a pedicure, too, but where would the challenge be in that?!

I did make it home yesterday in plenty of time to finish the dessert and go back into town for Home Group, too.

Back from the UK - great trip!

Really wonderful time in England with my friend Megan. Unseasonably cold, especially complared to TZ, but "refreshing" most of the time! Lots of walking, eating, visiting, sight-seeing, more eating, going to see "Wicked" in London, Blenheim and Kensington Palaces, Oxford and Cambridge, afternoon teas with lots of clotted cream and jam (oh, that's technically more eating!), meeting her Home Group and church friends and mom and sister, shopping - all in very civilized surroundings:clean, paved, with electricity, etc.! My camera (story of my life) is presently not letting me download pictures, but here's one Megan took at the Hummingbird Bakery in London of me just finishing off Red Velvet Cake (that eating thing, again!).

Money=Food

A couple of months ago, I started getting texts from Apa, Teacher Julius’ wife from Karanse. I didn’t remember ever meeting her, much less gotten texts from her, so that, in itself, was surprising. However, the content of her messages was even more surprising. God had told her to start a school in a nearby village for mostly Maasai children who were not attending school. She said God told her this over several nights in dreams, and she finally did. And she wanted me to come visit her school. I had been to Karanse once in February, but did not go visit her, as I didn’t really know what I could do for her, and I suspected she wanted money, which I certainly didn’t have. (That’s not meant to sound cynical; it’s just the way it is.)

I got an additional text or two over the next month from her telling me the children were hungry and asking me, again, to come and visit. However, I didn’t have another trip to Karanse till this week.

In the meantime, my parents’ tax man, who graciously did my taxes last year and this year, gave Mama some money for me to spend on food for hungry children. I brought it with me to Karanse this week, planning to give it to Pastor or Godfrey, as I know and trust their judgment on issues like this. Yesterday I was talking with Julius about Apa and her school, and he said, “It would be good if you could go.” Because I‘m here on my own this week I really had no excuse to not go, so Moses suggested I take Julius with me and we go together.

This morning I was praying on my way to school about how to handle the visit to Apa’s school, what I should do about money, etc., when I remembered Robert’s money! I may be slow to catch on to some things, but she had hungry children, I had money to spend for hungry children – no brainer! I did, however, pray that God would give me wisdom in dealing with this if I would be setting up expectations, building dependency, etc., and told Him He had till later this morning to change my mind! At lunch I talked with Julius about it, and he was all for it. He finished up teaching shortly after lunch, and off we went. We went back to Sanya Juu, near where I stay at Angaza, and shopped for food to take: 10 kilos of rice and 5 liters of cooking oil, with money left over to give her for beans to come from the market, where they would be cheaper. (She sent me a text later saying she was able to get 10 kilos of beans, 1 kilo of salt, and onions. All of that for around $35; not bad!) Apa has 20 children at her school, and I know this is only a drop in the bucket, but I was trying to be wise in my use of the money and not completely overwhelm her at the same time.

Another 20 or so minutes on not-the-worst road I’ve ever driven on (!), and we were there. Julius had not told her I was coming, and I hadn’t thought to tell her, so it was quite a surprise! Unfortunately, because she didn’t know we were coming, she had already dismissed the children, but that’s probably OK, especially for the first time. She was so excited to see me and cried over the food. Even meeting her, I still don’t feel like I ever met her before, unless it was at church or some school function or something, but she acted like we were long-lost sisters, so I went along with it. I took pictures of the classroom and their family, and then I asked her to tell me the story of the school in person. She told me about God’s voice in the dream, but this time she told me there was a face, too, which she couldn’t see, except to see it was white. She had the same dream a couple of times, and finally the mists cleared from the face, and it was me! That was why she started texting me, because she knew, somehow, I was supposed to be a part of this. She said she kept asking God, “But, how will I get Miriam?” and that’s when the texts started. I told her the story about Robert and the money and about how God was answering her prayers by speaking to someone over in the US, then using me to deliver the money/food. I wanted her to tell her children, who have been praying and asking for food, that God had not abandoned them, but that He heard their prayers.

I also have some school supplies I was given before I came here to use however I thought best, so I told Apa next time I come I will bring those. She asked me to keep praying for their little school because they have dreams to expand! I will say for these people of vision – they don’t let a little thing like having no money stop them! I ended my visit with a prayer for them and a tour of the “property” and the expanded version of all they hope to accomplish there, and then I headed back to Angaza. Pretty amazing afternoon. Thanks, Robert, for your incredible part in this!

She texted me today to tell me the childrenw were eating and praising God for miracles!

And, once again, as soon as I can download pictures of Apa and her school, I'll post them!

What do I miss most?

What do I miss most?

I get asked that periodically by many different people, and after the given of family and friends, the answer varies on the circumstances of the latest week. This week, it’s Choices!

At dinner all this week, for instance, there has been NO choice – we ate whatever the girls running the little café had prepared. This morning, when we were leaving there after breakfast, they asked us what we wanted for dinner. Isack said, “Not there are many choices.” The choices actually are: rice with meat and/or beans, chapatti with meat and/or beans, or ugali with meat or beans. That may sound like 6 choices, but it’s not like choosing between chicken, spaghetti, pizza, steak, salmon, shrimp, crab cakes, or salad! In Arusha there definitely are more choices: Italian, Indian, Chinese, Japanese, steak, salads, sandwiches, burgers; but in the villages, it’s quite a different story! More like: dinner or no dinner!

Children who stole my heart (This week:)

 The 1st grade girl who turned and mouthed, “I love you,” during class!
 The 2nd grade girls who wrote things for me to check and passed them to me in class (and the one who took her slip of paper, folded it, and put it in her bag to take home)
 The entire Baby Class (like our pre-kindergarteners) who had no teacher today, but I didn’t know that (and neither did anyone else until morning tea time), but I saw them alone and playing in their classroom, so I went in, and they sang the Alphabet song with me, and “I’m So Happy Today” for me! Then we all walked to morning tea together holding hands.
 All the children who asked me, ”What is your name?” and then used it this week!
 The 3rd grade class showing me what they could do on their laptops!
 The assorted boys I had lunch with, and we talked about our favorite foods. ( I couldn’t really tell them most of mine because they’ve never heard of them!)

Week in Mairowa

March 13, 2012

This should have started yesterday, but…

Saturday our Joshua team had a great team outing at a safari lodge. I’d been there a couple of times, and really love their pool and quiet surroundings. I did loads of water aerobics, swam, we all had lunch, lounged around in the sun or shade, then finally packed up our cars ready to head for home. Even a movie that night, but during the movie I began to get really cold and turned on the heat in my car on the way home.

Sunday morning I began to have violent signs of stomach bug, but still had to get up at 5 to take Corinne and Joelle to the bus station, as it was their week to be in Kondoa. I barely made it home, fell into bed, and only woke up afterwards when my alarm went off for church. Promptly turned that off and slept another couple of hours. That’s how my whole day went: do some little thing like go downstairs for juice, then take a 2 hour nap. Take the sheets off my bed, lie down for an hour. In between were the trips to the bathroom. Sarah and I were supposed to leave for Mairowa yesterday morning, a 2 and ½ hour ride and about a century away! I couldn’t face the idea of the rough road or the bathroom facilities (!), so we called Isack and left this morning (Tuesday)instead. (Really good idea.)

I am 100% better today, and it was a good day – great trip, even saw giraffes and ostriches on the side of the road on the way here. It was so good seeing so many former and present students from JTTC, and seeing all the progress that’s been made in Mairowa. I spent most of my time in Class 3 (3rd grade) and really like them. Hilariously though, their science lesson was on cleaning the toilet and even included them cleaning the school toilets! How appropriate and timely!!

International Festival – and a chili dog!

This past Saturday was the International Festival at the International School of Moshi/Arusha, one of the big private schools here. Don, an Aussie here on base for a while, and I went to it, not really knowing what to expect, but I was secretly hoping food was involved – my favorite part of any “festival!” There were booths manned by parents at the school representing India, Holland, Sweden, Canada, and yes, the USA! I was probably too excited to see that they were serving chili dogs and chocolate cake! But, that didn’t stop me from having one of each! Not the best I’ve ever had, but definitely the best I’ve had in Tanzania! I also had some really good Swedish chocolates, and an éclair, so I was part of the international bit!

Culturally, there were some choirs and dancers, and it made for a fun afternoon. Who would have thought of chili dogs as an international food?!

Observing, observing, and more observing!

Last week was my week to observe at our Joshua school here on base. We have 3 student teachers here for their teaching practice and a fourth that we just brought up from Kondoa (not very pleased with her performance there and thought she needed closer supervision).
Also, as part of our mentor-training of 3 of the teachers at JSA, one of our teachers here, Celina, was doing a seminar with 3 of the current teachers. So, over the course of 3 or 4 days, I logged in about 20 observations – separate classes/seminars! Needless to say, the school children got very used to seeing me in their classes! One Class 1 little girl, Cutie (how much do you love that name?!) said to me on Friday, “Teacher Miriam, I will miss you!” I thought, no, you won’t – I’ll be around next week, too!

I saw some very good understanding on the part of our 3 regular student teachers, but Esther needs much prayer, interaction with the mentors and other student teachers and teachers, and a heart that is open to feedback and willing to make appropriate changes in her methods and attitudes. Hard to be this close to finishing the course and realize one of them just doesn’t “get” it. Then, I remind myself how completely foreign some of this is to them, and what a big shift in their thinking this all requires, and it keeps me hopeful that it will come. (But, we did also ask Lynda and Joanna to observe her as they have seen way more student teachers than we have and have a better picture of how far off she may/may not be. So, we’ll see.)

Livestock as luggage!

Several times, whether on the dala-dala or the bus, people have gotten on with live chickens. they are usually in plastic bags, with their heads sticking out. The people just set them on the floor by their feet for the journey, like carry-on bags!

Yesterday, while waiting for the Kondoa-Arusha bus to leave, I saw a woman come up to our bus, leading a goat! I thought, this should be interesting. There's hardly room on the bus for all the people who squeeze on, and I couldn't imagine a goat in that crowd. However, they opened up the baggage compartment under the bus and shoved the goat in there! I had hoped, for the goat's sake, that they weren't going far, but they got off just before us in Arusha, 6 hours later!I watched, and while he looked a little dazed, the goat seemed to be fine. So, apparently, goats are checked bags!

Another week in Kondoa

Such a better start to this week. No drama on the bus, only about a 6 hour trip, a restful Sunday afternoon, then it was time for Monday and immigration. I wasn’t really worried; we had all the documentation they had asked for, but you just never know. Obbo, the headmaster, was supposed to meet Joelle and me and go with us, but SBC also had a team flying in, so he had to meet them at the airport instead. We bravely marched to the office, and Abdon, the young man I dealt with the most the last time, recognized me and greeted me as if we were old friends. I introduced him to Joelle, he asked about Sarah, and we handed over our letters, permits, copies of passports, etc., and he went off to show them to his supervisor. He came back shortly, tried to find something we hadn’t done, failed, and let us go! That was such a wonderful way to begin our week!

Time we got to school we saw the SBC team, but they were busy with meetings and sponsored children, so we didn’t get to spend time with them. Instead, we headed for the classrooms. It was a good reunion, and then we got down to work! Lots of observations and feedback, meetings, work on the school timetable, rehearsal for a science demonstration by Elijah’s class on Thursday, some work in the library with resources – a varied week, to say the least!

Time we saw the children at morning tea on Monday, I asked Daniel to show me his 2 sisters that are there. One is 8, and her Maasai name is difficult, so she is now called Love. The other one is only 5, and she is Glory. Due to language issues, they are both in the second kindergarten class together and are just so sweet. One night we took the teachers out for Paul’s birthday dinner, and I told Daniel and Elijah they could bring their siblings. Daniel sat between the girls, ordered for them, cut up their food when they needed it, and was such a daddy, it brought tears to my eyes. During the week, at the oddest times I would think, “These girls are so young he could be responsible for them for 10 more years. When he gets married, they will probably move in with him and his bride.” Then, watching the girls in kindergarten, I was struck again by how young they are to be without a mother. That’s when I remember what a tough place this is and how hard life can be for them.

Left on Friday (at 6!) and were home by lunchtime. That is supposed to be my last trip to Kondoa, but I may see if I can squeeze one more in – they’re all just so great, and I don’t feel like I got to

My week as a pedestrian!

I forgot to blog about some of my experiences the week or so that my car was in the shop. I don't often think of myself as spoiled by having a car, but after going without one for a week, I have a new appreciation for how most everyone else here lives.

The procedure for getting into town includes a 20 minute walk down our dusty Njiro road (not paved, of course) to a dala-dala stop. (Those are the min-buses that are supposed to carry about 14-16 passengers. The record that I've heard of is about 32!) There are very few regulations governing these, as the police are part-owners in most of them, so they are often overcrowded and under-serviced. There's always room for one more paying customer! They are very cheap, however, so that's the plus side.

After getting on the dala, and miraculously getting a seat, you bounce along into town, another 20 minutes away. When you're ready to get off, you either signal the conda (conductor, who takes up money and shouts out the window for new customers) or bang on the side of the dala. You get off as close as possible to where you want to go, then walk the rest of the way.

I did this several times that week, once getting a lift part of the way into town, then taking my computer to the shop, then walking another 30 minutes to the Impala, for a well-deserved (I thought!) swim, then repeating the process back home. On one of those trips, a young TZ man started up a conversation (it's pretty obvious I'm not from around here!), and he knew one of my housemates, Corinne, so we chatted till time to get off the dala. Then he walked me all the way to Joshua, carrying my swim bag, so I wouldn't have to go alone or carry it myself. We had a great conversation, and, of course, he wanted my cell phone number at the end (everyone always wants your cell phone number!). Another time, a young man got off with Sarah and me and also walked us all the way to Joshua, this time carrying Sarah's bag. We think he was practicing his English, as he works in an Arusha hotel as a waiter and cook.

However, the most intense experience was getting to church that Sunday. I'm on the hospitality committee at church, and I'm the one responsible for bringing the coffee, tea, sugar, milk, napkins, etc. since I have a car to transport it all in...usually! I also give people lifts, most often Anna, a former student at the pastor's college at Joshua who still lives "on campus", along with Don and Sarah. That particular Sunday, I asked Don if he was going because I needed him to help carry things! He and I loaded up backpacks, and the 3 of us did the dala-dala thing into town. We had to transfer to another dala, but didn't really know which one would take us the fartherest (is that a word?), and, ultimately, picked one that didn't go far enough. We were already running later than I would have liked, as the coffee time is before church starts, and I try to get there at least 30 minutes early. We were trudging along yet another dusty, unpaved road, when, thankfully, Bruce Bone (from Imara) and his family stopped and offered us a lift! When I showed up, there was great rejoicing! Funnily, the thing they were all the happiest to see were the napkins! Tanzanians don't like to touch some foods, except the ones that are meant to be eaten by hand, and those 2 things never make sense to me! For instance, their national dish, ugali( which is the consistency of mashed potatoes) is supposed to be eaten with greens, with your fingers. But, cookies or pieces of cake need a napkin! So, there had not been any "bites" put out, while they waited for the napkins! Later, they asked, could I come earlier next Sunday! I said, yes, if I had my car!

After church we got a lift back into town, had lunch, did some grocery shopping, and took the dala home. The last part of the whole thing is usually to take a shower because you're so completely dirty and dusty!

Made me really appreciate my car when I finally got it back!

Week in Kondoa 4 (and final)!

Sunday morning we had tickets for the 10 a.m. bus back to Arusha (for me; Sarah stopped off in Magugu to observe one of our student teachers there for a day or two). We had breakfast at our guesthouse....

Oh, just have to add a paragraph about meals this week! We ate lunches at school, and pretty much bananas and a Fiber 1 bar (for me) for breakfasts, all but the Immigration Morning. Dinners we ate at our guest house because we didn't want to be walking around Kondoa after dark by ourselves. Albert cooked and served our meals, so we got to know him very well! Sarah had sat beside his mother on the bus to Kondoa, so she knew who he was. He just finished high school (Form 4, the first 4 years of HS; if you do well on that exam, you can on for 2 more years and qualify for university. If not, you can still go to college, just not university. I know - what?) and was waiting for results of his exams, so they had him working in the restaurant. Pretty much every meal was chicken and ... chips (French fries) or rice. Or we could have chips mayai, which is French fries and eggs, sort of like an omelette and one of my favorites. That got old pretty quickly, so sometimes we just had rice with veggies! Any way, we prayed before every meal, even though this is a 98+% Muslim village, and after the first time, Albert said, "I notice you pray. Can I listen?" We had also prayed that we would be a blessing to him since we would be spending so much time with him, and I told him that we prayed for him, too. From then on, he stayed to listen to us pray at every meal, including him and our prayers for God to bless him and use him. When we were telling him good-bye, he said, "I will miss you." Very sweet.

So, our 10:00 bus finally left at 10:30, and shortly after leaving, a ticket-taker gave me a new ticket on a different bus lne for the second half of the trip. Going to Kondoa, it had been one bus the whole way, so this was different. After about 3 and 1/2 hours we got to Babati, the half-way point. Sarah was only a few km from Magugu, and they told her to stay and wait for the same bus I was going to get on, then she could just get off in Magugu. However, after an hour, my bus had not come, yet, so she took a smaller local bus (dala-dala, like a mini-van or old VW bus that holds 12-20 people, depending on how many you can pack in!), and I stayed on. There were several others waiting with me, only 1 of whom spoke English, but everyone sort of bonded through the exasperation of waiting together.

After the next hour, people started getting restless! Finally, after about 2 and 1/2 hours, people, including me, went to see the policeman, whose job is, apparently, maintaining order at the bus depot. A heated discussion followed, and he finally put us on a dfferent bus line altogether, where we waited another 30 minutes! Just as we were finally pulling out, our "real" bus arrived, so we all had to get off and back on again. One mama had taken me under her wing, so she made sure I was following the plan! We were finally off and doing well, and about 20 minutes later, had a flat tire! That was a good time for a toilet break, so everyone who needed to (me included) found bushes or clumps of grass and took care of that business. Back on the bus and off we went. At some point a man a few rows up bought some peanuts from a vendor on the side of a road, shared some with the girl next to me, who shared some with me. We had become a family, I think.

As we approached Arusha I called a taxi driver we use and asked him to pick me up at the bus stand because it would be dark and not safe for me to take a dala-dala, then walk, to En Gedi. The mama who had been taking care of me got off the bus, and we held hands, and I said, "Mungu akubariki," which is God bless you! She just grinned and said something similar back to me, then she got off the bus. A few stops later and we were at the main bus stand in Arusha, which is a busy place. I sent Dickson a message, and soon he was walking over to greet me and whisk me away home. So 10 hours from when we left Kondoa, I was finally home!

A very full week!

Week in Kondoa 3

Believe it or not, we also got to observe our student teachers last week! That was the best part of the week. We would each go observe a student for a period, write observations, suggestions, feedback, etc., then meet with them later and discuss it all. Another day, we would go back, sometimes to a different class, sometimes the same one, check on progress, new observations, etc. In between, I did my favorite thing - played with children! I taught several of the girls London Bridge and a version of Duck, Duck, Goose, which, in TZ, we call Simba, Simba, Swala (or Lion, Lion, Gazelle). I also played with some kindergartners, threw a frisbee I'd brought with me (thanks, Linda Hudson!), ate lunches and morning tea with them, and just had such fun. I had met the older children, classes 4 and 5, when they were in kindergarten, and it was fun to see them "grown up!"

The student teachers are working hard, but they are really loving having their own classes for a change, not just borrowing someone else's class. They are establishing routines and relationships and "owning" what they are doing.

We also did two really fun things with them. One was we took them out to a "hoteli," which is really a little cafe-type restaurant, for Elijah's birthday. I had gotten one of the lady teachers and a former JTTC student of mine, Suzanna, to go with me to get "birthday cakes" and a card for his b'day, and we shared those with all of the teachers at morning tea, and he sent me a text later telling me how loved he felt!

The other fun thing, which I wasn't sure was such fun at the time, was to take them on a "field trip" to a town about 20 km away to see some historic, actually prehistoric, cave paintings. They'd studied these in their history books but had never seen them themselves. (Thanks, Rocky, for the Christmas money - that helped pay for the drive and entrance fees and water and snacks we provided!) Unfortunately, I don't think they'd ever done anything like this before, and only Agaba was dressed appropriately in jeans and t-shirt. The other guys had on dress slacks and shoes, and the 2 girls were in dresses! Suzanna looked like she had on a bridesmaid dress and strappy sandals with heels! I'll post pictures when I download them in the next day or two. However, they all did better with the actual climb than Sarah and I! We thought several times, why did this sound like a good idea?! However, it was well worth it, the paintings were definitely worth the trek, and it was a geat bonding experience. We weren't even sore the next day! (Maybe the hour walk we did every day, 30 minutes to and from school) helped us get ready for it!

Week in Kondoa 2

So, the afternoon after all the Agaba drama, Sarah and I finally got around to fillng out the check-in sheet at our guesthouse. Neither one of us had brought our passports or work permits with us, as we hadn't left TZ and saw no reason to carry those with us. However, in retrospect, I do remember always having to write those numbers down at the guesthouse there, but that's been a few years, and I just forgot. So we left the places for those blank on the registration form. BIG mistake!

Tuesday morning, Obbo came and said, "Miriam, immigration is in my office, and they want to see you and Sarah. You go on up, and I will find her and come." Sure enough, 2 young men, Steven and Abdon, were waiting. They asked to see my passport and permit, and I told them the amusing (!) story of how we had forgotten to bring them, so sorry, we would bring them next time. Sarah arrived, and it started all over again. People here do things in such a circular way that we had to hear, repeatedly, that since we had no proof of who we were, we were in violation of the laws of immigration, subject to various penalties, fines, etc. I really didn't know what they expected us to do, but Sarah had the idea that we could call Magreth at our Joshua office, and she could scan and email copies of our permits to them. Sounded good to me, but they decided to take us to ther office, instead, so Obbo and both of us, along with Abdon, got in the back of a pickup and went to their office, where we had to repeat the entire story to their boss. I'm still not sure why, but instead of having the documents sent to them, they wanted them sent to Sarah, us to print them off at school, and bring them to them the next day. (That is the short version of this since that took several more trips of a circular nature to get to that point!) They told us to come back first thing the next morning and not to go to school first.

So, the next morning, we actually slept a little later (or as late as the 5 a.m. Muslim calls to prayer would let us, and the 5:30 one, and the 6:00 one!!!), stopped off for breakfast, and met Obbo at 8:30 to go their office. This time was the same thing all over again. They were just incredulous that we had come without any proof of what we were doing there! At one point they realized that they knew Alan Stephenson, the director of The Joshua Foundation, and that they wanted to talk to him to verify what we were saying. (Because I'm sure many illegal aliens come to TZ to work in village schools!) Alan spoke with Abdon for ages, then asked to speak to me. He told me that he had been imformed that they "could" charge us $600 EACH for our various felonious activities, arrest us, take us to court, etc., but that they would settle for the copies of our permits and passports this time as long as next time we do the following: bring a letter of introduction from Imara because we are working in an Imara school, bring a letter from Joshua saying that we are doing this on behalf of Joshua, bring our passports and permits (even it's just copies), and come see them time we get to town, not going to school first. I also had to dictate a written statement, with everything we'd been talking about for 2 days, sign it, and put my fingerprint on it! They then asked Obbo if he was willing to "carry this load" on our behalf, which he agreed he was. (Don't even know what that meant!)

All of that took an hour and half, and our students and the other teachers had been so worried about us but told us they'd prayed for us at staff devotions. Nothing else happened the rest of the week with them, and now we know!

Week in Kondoa 1

So much happened last week I think it will take several entries!

The first thing had actually started the week before when one of our student teachers, Agaba, did not show up when he was supposed to. When he finally did come, he and Obbo, the headmaster, had such a run-in that I got several texts and emails from both of them about how impossible it would be for them to work together! If Agaba can't do his practice teaching, he can't take his exam for certification, and he will have "wasted" a year and a half and countless money and investment. I got them to hold off till Sarah and I could get there, so first thing Monday morning (we had taken a 6 a.m. bus on Sunday morning and got there Sunday afternoon around 2), we were in Obbos' office discussing things. Our back-up plan was to send Agagba back to Karanse where he had been for the previous 15 months, but which he would, I was sure, want no part of going back to. Obbo was going to talk to Agaba after talking with us, but when we left him, he was adamant that he would not have Agaba working for him. I just prayed all morning, as I was observing,that God would work to soften his attitude. About 10, he found me in a classroom and said "Miriam, I want to think about Agaba.I told him we would meet at 1. Can you be there?" I was so shocked but agreed instantly and prayed even harder. The eventual outcome was that Agaba could stay for his practice teaching, but Obbo held out no hope of his continuing there after taking his exams in May. I decided we'd take one thing at a time, so we didn't tell Agaba part 2 of that decision, as I'm praying Agaba will prove himself to Obbo in the intervening months. Agaba started teaching first thing Tuesday morning to all 60+ second graders, as they'd been combined in the absence of a teacher for the previous week! He did a fine job, and Sarah helped them divide their classes, and we both observed him during the week. I thought he did a fine job, and I'm praying the oil and water of their beginnings won't adversely affect the rest of their time together.

Another momentous trip into town!

First, this really isn't meant as whining so I hope it doesn't come across that way. I had a friend who said my blog reminded her of the randomness of life in Africa. It makes me realize how much we take little things for granted back home; but mainly, I hope it just shows the uncertainty of life here and why I learn such lessons about trusting in God alone here, especially as nothing else can be counted on!

As I mentioned in my last blog, I had really enjoyed my water aerobics class and hoped to go back on Saturday. Sarah had things to do in town, so she said she'd go in with me and I could drop her off in town. I made the ultimate sacrifice in getting up before 8 on a Saturday (!), and we were ready to leave shortly after that. We have to open a gate to get in and out of the compound, and it's usually a passenger's job to do that, so Sarah got out. When she got back in, she said, "Your front tire is as flat as a pancake!" Providentially, there were guys working in the garage on base on a Saturday morning, so I turned around and drove straight there.Tzaiko (have no idea if that's how you spell it, but it's close to phonetic!) was already wheeling out the little jack as he saw me coming. He changed my tire,;thankfully, I had a functioning spare, and several other guys told me where to go to get it patched. It was a service station on the way to town, so we called in there (which is how my New Zealand friends would say we stopped there!), and a couple of random-looking guys fixed it and put it back on my spare rack. Cost about $2!

Oh, almost forgot the battery issues! I put my car in thre base garage for a couple of days last week (more shocks and springs!), and when they were done, they apparently left a door open because my battery was dead when I went to pick up the car! They jumped it off and told me it should recharge. Unfortunately, I didn't drive it enough to recharge, so it just went dead again. Friday night one of the teachers, Celina, had an emergency and needed me to drive her, her sister-in-law, her housegirl, her son, and eventually her husband, to her mother-in-law's house about 45 minutes out of town. By the time we left it was getting dark, and sure, enough, my car wouldn't start. Before I left the base, we'd had to get jumped off twice! I had a couple of places to stop and decided to stop with all of them so I'd have Swahili-speaking help if I needed it! At both places I stopped, I left the car running, but the security alarm went off, my car knowing something was wrong! When we turned off the alarm, it also turned off the car, and it died! The second man who helped determined that it wasn't so much the battery as the terminal, so I showed Celina how to hold the terminal while I started the car, saying, "Celina, we are women, we can do this!" Finally got them all home to "Mama" in the dark and rain and made it safely back to EnGedi!

Back to Saturday morning! Where we had to go through the whole terminal-holding thing a couple more times! I told Sarah it was too late to go to water aerobics, so I'd drop her off anyway, then go to plan B, which was the Impala Hotel. I was meeting a friend for lunch, so I wanted to stay close. Had a great swim, then had to figure out how to get in the car since the door locks are attached to the battery-power system! I realized I could open my back hatch, crawl through and unlock the driver's door from the inside, pop the hood, then look for someone to hold the terminal while I started the car! That accomplished, I went to lunch.

Carly, who I was having lunch with, invited me to a movie they were taking some kids to that afternoon, and after a haircut at Aly's (more terminal-holding, etc) I joined them. Eventually made it home after a full day! One night later this week Don came over (Aussie handy man living here), and I got him to replace the terminal clasp. So, now my car starts every time! Moral of the story: you can not take anything for granted!

What's new this week

Mouse found in kitchen cabinets!

Caught in trap 2 days later! (Sure looked smaller in the trap. Hope it was the same one!!)

A couple of students came back to school and had to take their make-up exams. I still have to grade those, but exams are finally finished!

Saw another couple of student teachers who are back to teach here at Joshua Primary School for their block teaching practice. That was fun. It's been lonely here without them!

Went to water aerobics Wednesday morning. Brrrr! Class was supposed to start at 8:30 (a.m.), but the instructor was running late, and it started at 9. I, however, was in the water at 8:30, so I got an hour and a half of exercise. Boy, did my calves let me know yesterday morning. Was so good to have an actual class, though, as opposed to me dong my own thing at a local hotel pool. I like that, but I really like class, too. I'm going to go again tomorrow morning, hopefully.

We have 1 more week here at En Gedi before we start heading out to schools, so I'm trying to make the most of it - getting caught up on laundry, sleeping in my own bed, fixing my own meals, etc. My first trip will be to Kondoa, a 98% Muslim village, and prayer calls begin at 5. Since there's a mosque every couple of yards, there's no way to miss that! We'll stay at a guest house and eat all our meals "out," so I won't be able to determine much of what I eat. Variety will be limited. However, I am so excited to be getting back in schools and seeing our teachers and past teachers I taught when I was here before. Sarah and I will be there for a week, going there and back on a bus, about 6-8 hours each way! Better than taking my car, however!

The newest picture is of me in my Barack Obama kanga robe. I keep forgetting his picture is on the back, and it surprised Linda when I would walk by her. She took the picture on my balcony one morning after our morning tea together. I like the front better which is maps of Africa!

If you get invited to a Tanzanian wedding; things you need to know!

First, realize the time on the invitation is in no way related to the time the wedding will start! Sarah and I went to a wedding yesterday of one of my former student-teachers and the current head teacher of the primary school here on base at En Gedi. When we went to Magreth's wedding in November, it was an hour and a half later starting than the invitation said, so yesterday, we were in no hurry to arrive, getting there an hour and a half late. This time, the wedding was in full swing, the church was completely packed, and we stood outside for the remaining hour and a half!

Which brings me to my second point: this is an all day and, if you go to the reception, an all night event! The wedding may have started at 12, and we left the reception shortly after 8, and we weren't the last people to leave!

Thirdly, make sure you know where the church is! There were no directions on the invitation, just the name of the church. I asked at my church and got what I thought were fairly good directions, but after driving till the road we were on became little more than a track, we decided to call someone to find out. One of the parents of Sarah's student, Noel, lives in the area, so she caled him and he graciously gave us directons and met us to get us started on the right way. That's part of the reason we were late!

Fourthly, if you are the only 2 white people there, expect to be noticed, even if there are hundreds of other people! Needless to say, it's hard to blend in with the crowd! People here don't think staring is rude, so we smiled a lot, played with children, and had to get over the idea of not being seen!

Lastly, expect to be bored a lot (with hours in Swahili!), but also expect to have fun! I saw so many ex-students from when I was at Joshua before, several current students, so enjoyed seeing all the pretty, colorful clothes, was in a great outdoor garden setting as the sun set, finally ate a really good meal, and just smiled so much my cheeks hurt!

Sadly, forgot to take my camera when I changed purses, but I may get some pictures from Sarah.