"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...

Mexican newbies

After a fun filled week of language, (slightly exaggerated) I slaved in the kitchen to serve Mexican to the girls of the bible study I attend. Early this week I worked with a lady on the compound to make tortillas and froze them so they would be ready for this weekend. I cut the tortillas into triangles and baked them with salt/chili/lime for chips, made guacamole, mango salsa, and a fresh pico, along with build your own taco. The girls were oooing and awing over watching me make my taco. Most of them had never had one before. Tortilla chips were also new to them but they loved them. I also baked, which these girls know I love to bake. I baked devils food cupcakes with a sour cream chocolate frosting. Mmmm.... I'm grateful they let me share a little bit of my life with them here in my home. These girls are very special to me.

Bloom where we are planted

Friday night I went up to the university to attend a ladies b*ble study, only this week I was leading. They had been going thru the women of the b*ble and had asked me to do the life of Mary, mother of Je$us after His birth. Well unfortunately the B*ble doesn't give us a whole lot about her. So I began digging and low and behold, she gives us some examples to live by. I talked about humility,faith and service. Over time I began sharing things from my own life where I had to practice being humble, one recent experience in particular from Zambia. Im not going to tell the story, but basically flesh and spirit were at war, and thankfully spirit won, this led to discussion on what is the definition of gossip.... hmmm.... touchy subject I found out... These girls are solid, great new friends of mine, and Im so blessed that they would let me in their group!

I've been reading in my spare time, " Loving God with all your mind," by Elizabeth George. "By determining to be the best we can be wherever we are, you and I can also bloom where we are planted. So where has God 'planted' you? Are you a missionary in Africa (why yes!) living in a mud hut or a widow roaming thru a partial empty home? Wherever God puts you He has a purpose. Whatever the situation it is an opportunity to " go on" and bear fruit for His kingdom. However difficult the circumstances, He will enable you to accomplish something for Him as you look to Him and focus on being useful to Him and others."

Hmmm..... more matter how difficult the circumstance, no matter how bad traffic gets, no matter how bad I am at swahili that day, no matter now homesick I get.... no matter what He is with me, pushing me, holding my hand.

Some may come and go

The life of a m*ssion@ry is very transient. This is my lesson as of late. I live on the compound where guest housing is available to those passing thru who works for some type of mi$$ion agency. I meet many of them, and even grow attached to some, as if they lived here all the time. Not to mention those who go on stateside or retire. This week marks 2 months in Africa and 5 months of my employment. I can hardly say that I’m not feeling so “wide eyed” but I am settling in. It’s funny how G*d has a way of doing things. I was really finding myself terrified to drive much less go anywhere. Hermit is not in my vocabulary but here I was being one. Luckily, G*d placed some guest here in the city I would become friends with and have to get out and drive around. I am defiantly a lot more comfortable, and learning my way around lately. Some of these friends will be back due to the nature of their work, but some will not.

"Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers,
for by so doing some people have shown hospitality
to angels without knowing it." Hebrews 13:2

Driving really has been my greatest challenge. I never knew I could get so “queasy” over something I once loved to do in the states. I am getting over that “queasy” feeling, but it still comes back time and time again.

Language has been challenging. Some days I find myself bored out of my mind, some I just want to cry, and some I like it. I am pr@ying G*d gives me the strength to love the people enough to want to learn the language.

Another "Ah-ha!" moment happened this morning during my quiet time. Romans 12:17 " Repay no one evil with evil but give thought to what is honorable in the sight of all." This reminds me of the story in 1 Samuel of David and Saul. David spares Sauls life not once but twice when he had prime opportunity to kill him. But when G*d tests him with Nabal's nasty attitude, what does he do?! He wants revenge! I saw the new X men : first class last night with some of my transient friends and got to thinking about that along with David's story. Magneto wanted revenge so badly he was willing to hurt his friends to get it. In the end he becomes the bad guy for the rest of the Xmen series. Evil took him over, he let it. David wanted revenge, but thankfully Abigail stepped over social norms and barriers to intervene and it paid off for everyone in the end. G*d did justice in His eyes ( 1 Samuel 25:37)

Language Week 1

Mambo!

You would answer with Poa! or if you wanna sound really cool say shawari! Haha! Little did I know I was in for the ride of my life this week. I was drowning in a vocabulary of new words and sounds I didnt know my mouth needed to make. My language teacher is named Grace. She comes to my house 5 days a week for about 3 1/2 hours in the morning. Then I am left on my own to do my homework and study the rest of the day. I am so exhausted each night. I found myself barely leaving the house last week. My teacher is a single woman, 35 in Tanzania this is a horrible thing. She is very ridiculed by her family for not being married much less not having a child. We began talking about spiritual things this week and she wants to know more about how to grow deeper in her faith, especially reading the bible. So i gave her some homework to do and we are going to discuss it tomorrow. :)

I also got to move in this week! It was so fun finally getting out of living in a suitcase and hanging up my things and feeling finally settled. The apartment is very nice, still has a few kinks to be worked on but overall its done. I went to a church today that meets on the university campus. I was greeted by an english couple that works on campus and helps in leading the service. Since there has been some like me before they were pleased to know more of us were coming to work at the campus. They were so welcoming! I was even invited to attend a ladies bible study that meets on Friday nights. This is great, I am starving for friends, and I get to know some students while I am at it. Due to being in language we dont get involved with "ministry" just yet, but I feel like this is a good way to get my foot in the door.

My driving skills are improving. Each time I go out, I get better. I still have a lot to learn about my way around though. This city is crazy! Thanks for all your prayers, if your interested in seeing my new home copy the link below!

http://vimeo.com/24683963

Homestay 101

Life with the Tembo's was more than wonderful. William is a farmer and also works with the local Clini. He and his wife Olipha live in the village of Old Kalingawallow. The have five children, in a 2 bedroom brick house. Next door lives Mary and her mother, Donearia along with little Patricia." A" and I were fortunate enough to spend 3 whole days with them. Its hard to put into words all that we learned just from those 3 short days. The video really gives you a good picture of what it was like, and what we did everyday, so be sure and watch it. Our hardest day was probably the second day, We woke up very early to go to the fields to pic cotton, without breakfast. We had been eating a wholesome breakfast for a month, and then to not have it for a day and expend energy , it was hard to concentrate on the cotton. When we got back, all they fed us was tea and bread with lunch not til almost 130. the bathroom also presented its challenges. We dont mind swatty potty, but filled with flies is another story. Day 2 I also go sick on the dinner that night, we had kapenta ( dried sardines cooked with tomatoes and onions). I really think it was my malaria meds that triggered the upchuck. "A" was nice enough to old the "choo" bucket ( you see in the video) for me, and rub my back. Not fun. "A" always had to go in the middle of the night, oh the "choo" bucket was both of our friends ( we washed out before she used it again of course). We learned a lot about the role of men and women as well. Now warning: this is just what I observed, all chores and such are done by the children. They had a sixteen year old daughter who did everything. I felt sorry for her, how much she had to do. Mom does a little, but Dad does nothing. He always gets the chair while women sit on the mat. He always gets fed first as well, even down to getting his dandruff picked out of this hair, its done for him. He is the bread winner, so therefore thats his role. Now dont get me wrong, William is a very nice man, and would do anything for his family, and provides for many people other than the 6 that live in his house. We also got a dose of culture when the last night at their home we were asked to come inside with just William and his wife, very sad to see us go, but said if there was anything we had done to offend us, or wrong then to let them apologize for it. This is pure culture, even if they know they haven't done anything wrong they say this anyways ( I had this happen more than once in another setting). "A" and I were very grateful for all the hospitality and love we were shown. It was an experience we will never forget!

http://vimeo.com/24319696