Appreciating and Building Community



Mama Ana's new little girl!




Me and all eight of Magira's kids minus the new one (Basically my family!)




The gate you enter to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro




One of many banana trees




The waterfall created by the melting snows of Kilimanjaro




Mt. Kilimanjaro...although very hard to see!

 I feel like quite a bit has happened since I last wrote. Mama Anna had her baby in her house, and it is a precious little girl. Jacob and I went to go see her with all other 8 kids, the new one making 9, and although she looked exhausted, her and the little one looked absolutely beautiful lying together wrapped in matching kanga, the brightly colored African fabric. It was funny too because all Mama Anna asked for was an Orange Fanta soda, so Jacob, I, and all eight kids walked to the village center to get her one. My students also took their mid-term test and actually did quite well. I was really worried they wouldn’t just because teaching is so hard, but they pleasantly surprised me! I of course wanted them all to make perfect, the perfectionist that I am, but the class average was a B with 5 perfect scores, so I could not complain too much.

Additionally, since it was mid-term, Jacob and I had almost two weeks off from school. We decided to travel to Arusha which is a 16 hour bus ride away, but only about two hours from Mt. Kilimanjaro. The bus ride was not exactly enjoyable or fun as we only had one stop to get off and eat or use the restroom, and the dirt roads left quite a few bruises. I also lost a shoe under the bus, which was very sad. However, the fact that I had to ride the bus back home quickly left after arriving in Arusha with numerous picturesque coffee and banana plantations and a spectacular view of Mt. Meru which is only a little smaller than Mt. Kili. In Arusha, I actually got to sit a coffee shop and read while drinking a mango-banana smoothie. It was amazing! I kind of sat in shock for a while drinking as slowly as possible to make it last. We also travelled to Moshi, an hour away, and then to the small village of Marangu. From Moshi we could see the snow caps of Mt. Kilimanjaro, though through many clouds. In the village of Marangu, at the base of Mt. Kili, I couldn’t see it at all though I guess because we were maybe too close. However, we did get to hike to the gate of Mt. Kilimanjaro National Park where people climbing register and start their ascent. Just seeing everyone with their guides, porters, and gear excited me! I really want to climb as it is the highest mountain/point in Africa and I can just imagine the unbelievable views, but it does take a week and a lot of money, so it unfortunately might not exactly happen. Hiking around the base though was beautiful, as it was like a tropical rainforest with banana trees, coffee plants, and waterfalls from the melting snows of Kilimanjaro. The waterfall was nothing like Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, but it was absolutely stunning and spiritually refreshing. I just kept thinking of God’s power, creativity, and beauty as I sat and watched from the rocks the water majestically tumble from the rocky cliff. Jacob went swimming, but I forgot my bathing suit so I just sat and watched in amazement of the fall’s greatness in size compared to my smallness. I thought about God and his greatness and our smallness, and yet to him we are beautiful as his sons and daughters who in our smallness reflect his greatness. We also got to visit and crawl through some ancient Chagga, a Tanzanian tribe, caves. The guide was great and well informed as he intrigued me with stories of how the Chagga dug and lived in the caves to protect their families from the warring Massai tribe who wanted their land for its abundant water and resources.

Besides the mid-term test and journey though, I feel like I have been learning heaps about community, its significance, and God’s design for it. I was putting up pictures on the wall in my room of both friends and family and I couldn’t stop the overwhelming feeling of genuine gratefulness for the people in my life. I truly could not ask for a more supportive, encouraging, and loving community. However, although you all already know, I am going to be honest and say that my communication skills are not the best as I genuinely dislike talking on the phone, Facebook in general, and emailing. I just like to talk to people in person I guess. But, I think I am learning that no matter how much I dislike those forms of communication, relationships are more important. So…to all of you who it took me days, weeks, or even months to call back, or respond to your comment or friend request on Facebook, or return your email, I am truly sorry. Not that Africa is the best place to start this self-improvement project as I definitely do not have the best communication resources, but I am going to try really hard. I just think that there is something indescribably beautiful about human relationships…maybe because they are a small picture of our relationship with God. As it says in Ecclesiastes 4: 9-10, 12, “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift p his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” There is no way I can make it through this year or life in general without all of you encouraging and strengthening me in Christ. Just as in Ecclesiastes, you have picked me up many times. And, although Christ should always be first, he knows the value and significance of relationships as he is in communion himself with the Father and Holy Spirit. I know that without you I wouldn’t have the courage to be here as you have strengthened, encouraged, corrected, and given me confidence my entire life. Words have the power to speak life or death over people, and I cannot thank you enough for the life you have spoken over me. God uses people immensely to show his love and display his character. Without your emails, prayers, and calls there is absolutely no way that I would be able to accomplish what I desire to achieve here in Tanzania. Therefore, I encourage you to continue to love and support others as you have me for your labor is not in vain. My desire is that I would be able to do the same, following in your footsteps of producing good fruit. I think it is so important to know that you are not alone in a world full or hardship, deception, and sorrow. Therefore, let our love be genuine as we strive to be there for people in and out of the body of Christ that we may bring honor to our Father’s name.

“Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another is showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the LORD. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.” Romans 12:9-13

Love you more…katie :)