Wedding Weekend

This weekend my friend Angela got married! Heres Some photos from the fun!

"Do they know its Christmas Time at all?"

Ive been thinking about the song by BandAid " Do they know its Christmas"

"And there won't be snow in Africa this Christmastime
The greatest gift they'll get this year is life
Where nothing ever grows
No rain nor rivers flow
Do they know it's Christmastime at all?"

I can tell you YES! Now of course I dont live an a remote village but there are faint sightings of Christmas, but its not the same. I kinda like all the nonsense stripped away... just simply Christmas, with a nice helping of hot sun.

Today I went with some ladies to the Children's Ward of the largest Hospital in TZ. This visit will be on heart for a long time to come. The children and the parents overwhelm the facility. Atleast one parent must stay with the child at all times, so just as many mothers and fathers are there with the children. Mostly cancer patients or missing eyes or even tumors. We did a Christmas party. Colored a manger scene, sang "Jingle Bells", and Shared the story with them. They were grateful. We were also given perspective of what we could possibly do in the next year.

November: Chhhchanges!

The month of November has not held back in multiple ways. This entry is entitled “Changes” due to some changes in my ministry.

The Plattos are moving to Dar and have begun working with me at the University. Nate and I have begun teaching classes officially in the PE and Rec department. We teach 4 days a week- - Volleyball, Tennis, Table Tennis, and Ultimate Frisbee. I would say I’m “livin the dream.” I never thought we would be fully teaching classes with students there as a gateway to relationships. Oh how the Lord knew to prompt my heart for a degree in Church Rec, 3 years ago. The students are very receptive of us teaching. Even though its like a million degrees, we are having a blast with this.

School has started again at UDSM. All my old friends are back and the fresh new faces of new students. I have started teaching a Spiritual Disciplines Study to the girls in my bible study. Donald Whitney, Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Soul.

The seasons have changed as well. It’s extremely warm lately. I can’t stop sweating. The sad thing is, its only going to get hotter.

Below are some pictures from the month!

Its been a while ....

The first week of October was Orientation for the students. Over 2,000+ new freshman flooded the campus. It was amazing to see the chaos of no one really having a clue what was going on. Some didn't even know until the first day if they were even approved for admittance. We tried to get involved as much as we could. (By "We" I mean myself and the new married couple I am working with.) In the evenings we would venture to the sports fields but students were few... many found themselves standing in an ATM line for hours in order to pay their fees. We ate lunch in the Caf on day and walked all over campus, because we too are learning the lay out. On Thursday of the week we were given an opportunity to speak with other evangelical groups on campus about who are and what we are doing. I shared The Message's version of Matthew 7:13 and explained how this is a opportunity to be who ever you want to be and we want to help them be the person the Father wants them to be.

"Don't look for shortcuts to God. The market is flooded with surefire, easygoing formulas for a successful life that can be practiced in your spare time. Don't fall for that stuff, even though crowds of people do. The way to life—to God!—is vigorous and requires total attention."

The next day I wound up in the hospital for 3 days with Amebas and Dysentery. I am fine now, but it was a long hard road to recovery. I have never been so sick in my life and would never wish anyone what I experienced. It was amazing to see the way my M family here and Students at the University wrapped their arms around me while my family was many miles away.

I am feeling much like myself again and gaining my strength back. This next month the family that I am working with will be finally moving here and we will begin full on at the campus. There are many doors open for us in the field of recreation we are so excited about.

In time....

After spending quite some time here, I tend to glaze over the things when I first got here would shock me. I dreamed the of the days when I didn’t seem so wide eyed…. Now I feel as if I have reached that point here. Most of these “shocking” things happen while driving. I feel like after driving here I could drive anywhere, but I am also fearful of my driving when I return to the states.
- Guys in roller blades while holding on the back bumper of a bus. This scares me to death! Especially when I am driving behind it!
- Getting thru a traffic light without power. This is insane. Reoccurring all the time here due to power outages. Just gun it and go!
- Speaking of power outages, power going out in a restaurant for a few minutes and sitting in the dark until they’re generator kicks on.
- Buying multiple of something I really like just incase they are out of it for a long period of time.
- Guys peeing on the side of the road. I just laugh out loud every time I see it.
- Street sweepers – these are men and woman who spend their days doing a thankless job. They sweep sand in the roads, I am shocked they put their lives in the hands of such insane driving.
- Days going not quite as I had planned—waiting on a fundi (mr fix it) who said he would here an hour ago, traffic not moving when it needs to be, product not working and needing to return it and only to have its replacement fail as well, having an “Im not the mood for Africa day” and hermit inside for a few hours and watch too many episodes of Saved by the Bell….

This next month the fun will begin… Students will be returning to campus, 5,000 new students will join us, and we as a “team” will tackle the task at hand. GREAT doors have opened for us to walk thru, we are excited to see what is in store!

6 months wrap up!

6 months ago I sobbed getting on the plane... unsure of what was on the other side of the ocean. Now 6 months later, I am proud to call Tanzania my home. It truly has been a whirlwind.

I have learned to...

- Live alone. The past 6 years I have lived in and out of dorm rooms. Then I went from all of that to a 2 bed room by myself half way around the world.
- Drive a stick shift. Learning to drive here alone was has been crazy much less learn to drive all over again.
- Learn to speak a language sufficiently.
- Make new friends from all over!
- Catch a vision for the ministry that lies ahead! Oh the things God's going to do!
-See doors open for our ministry on campus!
Lastly,
- Lean on my Savior more than ever before....

That last one has been my biggest lesson of all. Without that all the things above I have learned would not be possible.

I got to take a break from TZ and head up to Kenya to see some good friends. Below is some love a giraffe gave me and the after shock!

A Little R&R

I finished language last week leveling out a 1B proficiency in Kiswahili. Glad that's done.

Friday a friend of mine and I flew a whopping 15 mins to Zanzibar. Its Ramadan so arriving early with no breakfast presented quite a challenge. After getting lost for a bit we decided we needed to buy a map. The streets are small/narrow and crowded. If you look up you see wires hanging from house to house quickly reminded these building have been here for hundreds of years prior to electricity. Women dressed in matching kangas around their heads and waist telling the visitor this a conservative island. The big city of Dar is no more. Intricately carved teak doors adorn homes, each one telling a story I wish I knew. The mystery of the island causes it to be almost exotic. On a side note, sugar cane juice is our new favorite thing!

Saturday we went up the island about 1 hour. The very tip top where all these fancy resorts causes one to forget they are in Africa. We went on a snorkeling trip off the east coast to Mnemba Atoll. We werent allowed on the private island, but we snorkeled in the reef around it. I have never seen so many fish in all my life, and Ive done a lot of snorkeling in my day! That evening we made reservations at a lady's house for dinner (my friends had told me about it). We were walking there so we each took about 15$ worth and got lost for more than 20 mins on the way there. Once we found the place there was a place setting for 4 people. We enjoyed many local foods and were finally greeted by a nice Italian couple. When it came time for the bill.... we didnt have enough money... we both stared in fear at eachother making conversation with our eyes on what to do. She blurted out "Um we have a problem!" The spotted us the 6$ we needed.

Sunday we ventured to a spice plantation and learned all about spices and where they come from. It was interesting. We also ran into the Italian couple, and paid them back. Ha!

5 months into my journey and I am already processing and learning much. Today marks Eid which is end of Ramadan- a 2 day holiday around here. Living next door to a Mosque - its been a long month! A heart breaking long month!

Heres some shots from the weekend!

Smelly Fish Market

Today I was asked by my language teacher what I wanted to do today...
I had a blank stare, "nothing" is what came out of my mouth... opps.

I told her all the places I had been with my other teachers. and so she decided we should go to the fish market!
Ummm.... OK!

We rode by DalaDala, which is fine, I love all the weird stares from people who see me riding it, but honestly its a great way to see the city! Here are some pics of the things we saw! I bought some cool shells!

Exit Ramp

I. am. consumed. with. Kiswahili.

This week I will have both oral and written exams. Written will be telling a story based upon some pictures and oral will be some questions. I cant wait until this is over. Framing my certificate for sure!!

A Rubber Band

This week there is a mission team here from all over. My friend and her father are on the team. Oh how God knew I would be here and so would she long before our paths would cross to this being my life now. They have been working along side Kenyans and National churches here and doing hard core door to door. My friend, a guy ( brand new overseas-er, a girl (brand new overseas-er) and myself have been going across on the ferry to the southern part of the city. This is like a little village over there and is known for its beaches. They are all working at 3 different churches separately. Sunday took 3 hours to return to their hotel and 4 hours on Monday. I used more Kiswahili than I had my whole time here in the last 4 days.

Since we have all had such long car rides together we would like to consider ourselves "best friends" now. These newbies have interesting insights to the city I forget. They want to "fix" everything. You can't. Nothing about this place makes sense and it's not going to change, especially in one week. The guy has not been so crazy about our amount of the time in the car- Rubberband- I have been uber tired due to the heat and lack of sleep -Rubberband- The girl has not been so comfortable all the time with some unexpected curve balls - Rubberband- My friend learns " fat" is a complement - Rubberband- When given gifts you don't want to take due to knowing they have no money to buy their next meal - Rubberband- When given a Kanaga in 90 degree weather because the wind is blowing, wear it anyways - Rubberband-

Heres some pics from the week

With all the kids

Maurice and I

Hannah with Mark

Hannah teaching Sunday School

A Whole New World

I have not been fond of public transportation in Africa since my trip in 2009. Tanzania doesn't change that view much especially as a driver of a car. Today was my current language teachers last day. She thought it might be a good change of pace/experience to ride the DalaDala to the market called Karikoo. Our trip down there we stood the whole time in a cramped bus where I thought the guy sitting down was probably staring at my butt in his face. Thankfully, it wasn't a long trip. Once we got there, I watched a traditional healer yell about his abilities and he had 3 different kinds of snakes he was demonstrating with. It was very creepy. Also because its Friday there were many beggars out and about due to M's need to pay alms. The first part of the market was basic goods and farming supplies




Next we went out the fruit and veggies area. I chatted a little bit as we walked along. Then we went into the area for dried things...



We also walked over to another market called Kitsutu. Many South Asians frequent there. We found a new fruit from Zanzibar.



We also found a second hand book stand. I found many old commentaries worth looking at.


This next month please be praying for conversations. This month is a Holiday for M's and will be fasting and studying much. Good time for questions and truth to come thru.

Language Wall

It comes like a thief in the night. When you least expect it, it hits you! Even when everything is going fine, people are even telling you “ you are speaking well…” I have hit what I like to call the “Language Wall.” I didn’t know that this would happen, but I really don’t think there is truly a way one can be prepared for it. It happens to all of us, about the 2nd month. Yesterday in language, I got so frustrated I wanted to cry. I did even want to think or say anything. I tried to pull myself together to at least get thru the class. For those of you who know me, I don’t hide things very well. My teacher could tell something was wrong. I was tired, cranky, and uncooperative. After the lesson, I just ran to my room and cried. I wanted it to all go away. Thoughts like….” Why am I not getting this?, I should know this by now!, I need to study more!....” It’s crippling. Today I wasn’t much better. Even in my quiet time before class I begged God to give me a better attitude. Today I was talking to a fellow missionary telling her of my recent troubles, and she said it was completely normal. This is a vicious cycle we all go through in learning language. This is a depression phase that we have to muddle thru. She said next month, I’ll start to get better, the language will come more easily and even dreaming in Kiswahili. I am not one to even like normal school, so kila siku Kiswahili is killing me. Pray for my endurance and my poor teacher who has to put up with my attitude.

Kupika Pilau

Today I went to my language teachers house to learn to cook Pilau and Green Bananas Stew. She met me at my house and rode with me to her house. I could tell she had not ridden in many cars, and I was scaring her to death. She kept asking me to slow down.... haha. Once we arrived, she showed me around. She has a VERY nice house and has many investments. She is in the process of even building dukas out in the front of her plot for people to rent from her. Smart woman.
She lives with her daughter, grand daughter, 2 girls she adopted, and 3 of her house workers.

Ingredients


Cleaning the rice



Charcoal Cooking Stove with Daughter Dora


By this time there is oil, onions, potatoes, and mashed garlic/salt



Putting in the meat


Add carrots, green pepper, and masala spices



Now the rice


Let it bake


Green bananas- tomato, green bananas, potatoes, green pepper, carrot, onion, coconut milk


Let it steam



I loved the Pilau but the green bananas..... ehhhh.... they were ok.... I only ate a small bit. I did have to say the "M" prayer due to raw veggies I ate as a salad praying they didnt make me sick, but I feel fine so far.

A quarter of a Century

My birthday weekend in Tanzania will go down in history as an adventuresome/memorable one. Friday morning I was wide-awake at 630am. I normally struggle to get out of bed at 730, but it was finally the day I turn a ‘quarter of a century. ‘ By 735am the staff of the compound was outside my window singing “happy birthday” as I scrambled to get dressed for my Kiswahili class. My language teacher, Mama Zava (I really like saying this name) was taking me to the local market. I was to ask questions and attempt to bargain my way for local veggies. In actuality I just ended up talking to a bunch of different stall keepers and tried local things I hadn’t before. I even sat down with one girl who was making chapatis, and as they laughed at me I struggled through asking her what she does on the weekends, and how long she stays at the market every day. I asked my teach on the walk back what my grade was for the day, she said, “ You are so charming with the Tanzanians, they seem to really like you.” I took the complement.
Next was lunch on the roof with my local M family. I chowed down and received gifts. It was a very thoughtful lunch.
Then came dinner with the girls from the University. We met at a pizza place downtown and then ventured over to a different restaurant for dessert. The dessert place has a “special” birthday song. The whole place gets quiet and the song comes on, as you glance around the room for the poor soul the song is for, and then the staff arrives to chant a “song” they barely get out in English. The girls really wanted this to happen to me, and it did. They got me a gift, which was very unexpected and all went around the table telling me their favorite memory of me, I was flattered.
The next day I drove out with my friends, local ngo workers, for a new adventure. We drove out to Kunduchi resort and caught a boat to Mbudya island, easier said , than done. We arrived at what we referred to as the “sultans palace”, this fancy beach resort and waited about 45 mins for our supposed boat. As we waited, My friend Leigh made brownies (breakfast of champions) for me and I blew out a candle as Usher and Micheal Jackson serenaded us. Finally the boat arrives, after we, plus a German couple aka Mom and Dad, plus a mysterious South African man climbed in, the motor died. We then climb back out as he takes off running and tells us “15” mins. As we waited, again, we watched a group of fishermen bring in their catch of the day and tried to sell us crab and squid, bleck. Finally the boat is ready to go and were off. After we got the jest of the island we grabbed our snorkel gear and hit the water. It was rocky and hard to get out the reef, but once we did it was really nice. Mom and Dad watched our stuff, we became friends with them. I had heard about a path that would take you to the other side of the island, once we found the right path it turned into a 25 min trek across coral terrain which didn’t make for graceful walking. We arrived at what seemed like an untouched beach. Very rocky, rough waves, but beautiful. Trying to get off the island was another story. We all climbed back into the boat only this time the water was much rougher. As soon as we sat down a huge wave came crashing over the boat and left us all soaked. We scrambled to remove as much water as we could before taking off. It seemed as if we never get going, we finally got back to the palace.
I made dinner plans with my supers for a really nice restaurant we had all been wanting to try. First we got there and they asked if we had a reservation, we replied “no.” The man said “ well, Im sorry, we are all full…” (There was no one there). Finally he seated us. Now this really was a posh place, live jazz music- right on the water. I bet you don’t even think of a place like that being in Dar who haven’t been here. Well it is, and uppity people are there- we loved to just watch what my friend called the “fashion show.” Haha, it was delicious and a great end to this wonderful celebration. All in all- Im blessed. Im blessed to have such wonderful friends in my life, and serve in this somewhat “amazing” place.

"I wish I had known that..."

It was asked of me due to my last blog post ( by the way, doing much better) that if my blog could be told about to new jmen coming to the field. So I thought to myself what are some things I wish I had known before I got here or things I brought that I cant live without. Now, every circumstance is different so this is just one jman's perspective...

1.) My hand held juicer- Ha! I know.... but its true, I have become severely addicted to limeade since I have been here, I normally squeeze 2 kilos at a time and freeze a bunch and make a seperate jug of sugar water so its all ready when I want it.

2.) A good set of knives- I dont care who you are but if you like to cook or dont like to cook- you WILL be cooking. Embrace it. Guys can go out to eat, Im sure they dont care about rice and beans on the side of the road every night, but us girls care, atleast I do. So bring them just like 3 good ones different sizes. Even a small cutting board too. Youd be amazed if you start asking people now in your life good go to recipes of things home made you can do for one. Cooking for one is so hard- so learn to do items you can freeze. I have learned to embrace my kitchen, you can too.

3.) Spices that I like. My mom uses dill for a lot of cold salads. Seasoning salt is a must. The spice isle due to our indian influence overwhelms me. You can get basil, thyme, etc .... Ive been learning to embrace fresh herbs as well. (Tip: wash them and let them dry and then wrap them damp paper towels in a ziplock and they will stay fresh)

4.) Speaking of Ziplocks! They are very expensive overseas so bring a various collection and then just wash and reuse.

5.) Exercise equipment- Your prob thinking.... WHAT?! But seriously, Just some basic arm bands, maybe a video or 2 and a yoga ball and youll be set. Everyone needs an outlet. Most likely your not going to be in a place you can run the neighborhood or hit the local gym... but still need some type of release. So make your own. I can go up to the local university and play tennis or run on the track but its not safe to run down my street, so find out what its like where you are and stay active!

6.)Ample supply of what you think you may need product wise: Shampoo, lotion, umm "girl stuff", deodrant!, face wash-- I have looked on our shelves for things just to see ( I brought everything and just keep a stash) and I was right to bring what I did!

7.) Comforts: Fav candy, maybe a few boxes of kraft mac and cheese, pics from home or even decorations to hang in your room, some magazines you really like- whatever it takes to make you feel at home so very far away bring it! I brought a few cork boards from my college dorm room and pre made pics inside photo sleeves to keep the humidity from destroying them and some double sided tape along with string, it makes for fun decoration and reminds me of people who love me and praying for me. See Pic below...


Thats all I can think of for now....

Don't Give up

This has been a strange week. I think about how badly I wish I could see the girl I am going to be a year from now. When all that I see everyday doesn’t shock me or cause my eyes to widen. Or the greatest lesson of late…. “being alone….” I wonder why I ever thought coming alone was going to be “fine.” Some of the jobs we could apply for had to have 2 people, why didn’t I chose one of those?!
All of these thoughts have been spurred mainly by too much thinking, which in return there has been too much time to think. You see, my language teacher is out having an operation, and her replacement hasn’t shown up yet. So I find myself wasting away my days. It really hasn’t been THAT bad, but its been defiantly challenging.
I recently purchased the latest Shawn McDonald CD. The last few albums he has put out have been mediocre but this one…. WOW! I can’t stop playing it. Several songs speak to me, but one in particular is called “Don’t give up.” I’m sure when he wrote this song, a girl living in a third world country wasn’t on his mind, I certainly appreciate his lyrics.

“ Don’t give up, don’t give up, hold on for one more day. I’ve come too far, I’ve seen too much, heard the call, and felt the touch I’ve tasted love and I can not deny!”

Now don’t get my wrong, I know this is where I supposed to be and what I am supposed to be doing, its just the challenge I am facing right now. Taking myself to lunch, combating the grocery store or better yet the local veggie market, treating myself to a movie, or ice cream. All of these are things I had no problem doing in the states but here in Tanzania I find myself crippled.
Today I made leaping strides as I packed up my kindle and went to my favorite restaurant. Mzungus frequent there so I knew I’d not be bothered (some TZ restaurants let people off the streets come in a sell you things, so annoying) then I walked around their homemade art sections, I wanna buy everything! But I kept it to 2 pillow cases and a new bag for the beach. I needed to go to get stuffing for the inside of the pillows so I got out the trusty map and found where I needed to go. Veggie market is always a fun outing and I needed to go, also a good place to practice Kiswahili. Over all I feel good about getting out, hopefully Ill have a language teacher tomorrow though...