Seeking Christ at Christmas

     I cannot believe it is already time for Christmas! This is true… 1) Probably because it is summer here and so very hot 2) I don’t have a TV here to show me through all the commercials what I need to buy this year 3) there is no Black Friday shopping day or any stores with sales for that matter 4) and Wal-Mart does not exist to sell decorations, lights, trees, etc. It is actually a very weird, uncomfortable feeling as I have never been away from home for Christmas before. To be truly honest, it has given me this feeling of loneliness and isolation. Growing up in America where every holiday has candy, decorating materials, and all you could ever need and more to celebrate at least a month before the actual holiday, I find myself in the most unusual, but somehow enlightening situation. I realize that in America there are many people who have started to say Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas, and there needs to be a constant reminder that Jesus is the reason for the season when we start to buy too much or are unsatisfied with what we have bought or been given, but even with these issues everyone still knows it is Christmas. Unlike ever before in my life, I have had to genuinely seek Christ at Christmas. I know that sounds crazy, but it is so true.

In my seeking however, like my entire life, Christ was just waiting to be found. Just as Jeremiah in chapter 29 says, ^“Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” I just had to call upon the Lord…which always makes me think about all the times I don’t or haven’t! I usually go straight to the Gospels to read about the coming and birth of Jesus, but I somehow got stuck in the book of Romans…the Lord loves to instruct his children. There are so many verses that spoke so much life even though I had read them a hundred times before. I guess I will start with Romans 8:1-4, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.” Seriously, just read it one more time. God sent his own son in the likeness of sinful flesh for sin that we might not have to walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. I don’t know about you, but I find so much hope in this verse and therefore in Christ. But I think that is how Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, the Wise men, etc. must have felt as well. A savior was to be born to set his people free from the strongholds of not only the world and unjust rulers they thought, but of sin and flesh. Then again Paul writes in Romans 5:17, “For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!” Christ’s birth meant and still means everything. Without his life we wouldn’t have our life that is full of grace, freedom, and righteousness instead of condemnation, bondage, and fear. We have so much to rejoice in for “Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God” (Romans 5:2) To stand in God’s grace only through the man of Jesus brings great peace, and therefore hope. I have always loved the hymn Before the Throne of God Above, but still every time I hear or read it I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the love of God in sending his son to the earth for our sin. Because of Christ we are accepted before the throne of God as pure and forgiven children of God whose names are graven on his hands that Satan will never be able to erase.

Before the throne of God above
I have a strong and perfect plea.
A great high Priest whose Name is Love
Who ever lives and pleads for me.
My name is graven on His hands,
My name is written on His heart.
I know that while in heaven He stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart.

When Satan tempts me to despair
And tells me of the guilt within,
Upward I look and see Him there
Who made an end of all my sin.
Because the sinless Savior died
My sinful soul is counted free.
For God the just is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me.

I hope your Christmas is filled with joy, celebration, and giving, just as God gave his son for each of us! I know things are never perfect in our lives, life in general is never easy or fair for that matter, and Christmas can be an especially hard time for some, but just knowing that we have a loving God on our side that sent his son for our pardon and freedom is the most comforting and revolutionary fact we can know and believe. I love you all and miss you heaps! Merry Christmas!!! Katie J

Rice, Cabbage, and Goat Party

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Home of future library :)

Our newborn lamb :)

Mama who sweetly helped me cook for the party!



White rice, cabbage, and pilau(rice with spices and meat) for the 100 students

My Form 1 boys toasting their sodas

My lazy but sweet Form 1 Girls



Form 2 and 3 enjoying the party!





Most of my Form 1 Boys showing off for the camera

 


Some Form 2 girls who helped cook by fetching water and firewood

 

Okay…so I am finally writing! Like I said quickly in the last post, most of the photos are from our end of the year party at school. Usually with end of the year parties, like in my 5^th grade class in America, there is pizza, ice cream, and maybe a movie or something entertaining. Well…our party definitely had none of those things at all, but we did have lots of soda, rice, cabbage, and goat meat! Enticing, I know! I have actually ate quite a bit of sheep and goat meat this year…I think I am getting used to it. Sometimes though they take the tail of the sheep, which is just chunks of fat, and parts of the liver and other insides and mix it with the meat. You have to be very careful! However, it was such a treat for the students because if we ever have events, such a graduation, they usually have to pay if they want to eat and they especially have to pay to get into the dance party afterwards that always follows. This in turn leads to some students not coming at all or working extremely hard to set up for the event, serve food to the adults, and then clean up afterwards with no food and begging through the doors and windows of the classrooms where it is being served. I hate it…I always want to sneak food to them, but the other teachers of course are always watching me. Anyway, so for one day all they had to do was bring a bowl and eat. I did have a few of the girls help me fetch water and firewood to cook, but I gave them extra food. They are so smart though anyway, because they took the sweet potatoes that Jacob and I thought we needed for the pilau (rice with spices, potatoes, and meat) and cut them and fried them for themselves. The whole day was crazy though, because I had to give both my final exams in the morning and then cook in the afternoon. This meant that Jacob had to do a lot of the preparation, which I felt bad about as many things did not go as planned…such as the potato situation. One mama told us we needed sweet potatoes for the pilau, but that mama failed to show up to cook of course. Therefore, while I was giving my tests, Jacob found two different mamas that were willing to help, which was desperately needed. However, the two new mamas said we needed regular potatoes instead. Jacob had to walk 45 minutes home and 45 minutes back to get the regular potatoes from the house. I felt horrible…but not too bad because the mamas kept yelling at me to cut the cabbage much smaller. I told them I needed practice as my mama did not teach me to cut cabbage that way. They just laughed and shook their head. There really is much more I could say about the party and everything that went wrong and right, but in the end, the students were so appreciative and after demanding so much from them in the classroom, it felt great to give them a little something back. Therefore, again I really just want you to know that all the food, drinks, transport for the food and drinks, and paying for the mamas to help me cook for the 100 students came from you...so thank you very much! The students were so excited and grateful and I told them all it came from you alone!

I have also bought lots of books for the library that I am really excited about. The students don't know about them yet, but I cannot wait until we build the shelves and finish the room so they can use them! I am going to take a picture of them all when I get back to my house in Kongoto so you can see them, but they are going to be such a help to both the students and the teachers. I also bought a globe, Pakoima the Geography teacher really wanted one and I couldn’t tell him no. My dream is that the students will go in the library and read when they have time and even be able to check out books like in America. The students always ask me to make copies of books they have borrowed from the teachers, so I am excited for them to be able to learn as much as they desire and read to their hearts’ content.

Lusanda and her new little girl!

Grown Aya and me at Ithemba

Lastly, I am not sure if many of you remember Lusanda, or Mama Aya, from South Africa when I lived there and worked at Ithemba, but I got a chance to travel to South Africa and check up on her, some of the other ladies I worked with, and of course all the children who are still there. I cannot tell you what a blessing it was to reunite with her and her son Aya. I felt like it had been forever, but just yesterday all at the same time. The situation with her husband who gave her HIV is the same, not good at all, but she has a new baby girl who is so precious and Aya has gotten so big and handsome. Lusanda is doing really well herself as she has been able to gain weight and stay healthy. I had a KFC party, yes Kentucky Fried Chicken, with all the mamas while we watched a movie and caught up on the last four years since I have been there. We laughed so much about the past, they told me how much Ithemba has grown, about the new orphanage next door, and of course made plans for me for when I would return. I love them so much. I also bought Aya some new shoes, diapers for the new little girl, and gave Lusanda some money for food or whatever she needed. It was truly a blessing to see them, but it is always rough when there is limited time and you have to say goodbye again not knowing exactly when you will see them again. If I could just put everyone I love in one place my life would be so much easier, but I guess as everyone says, you have to experience loss or sadness to understand and be thankful for gain and joy. It is just not easy, you know?

As usual, I miss you and love you more than you know. Your emails are such a blessing, and again I couldn’t do any of this without you. Thank you for giving to me so I am able to give to others. Katie :)

Help Please!

Mama Ana and all her children including the new little girl!

Three of Mama Werema's kids (Eliza, Werema, and Rhobi) and one of Mama Anna's

The classrooms we want to paint!

Me and little Jeanette

Anna and her little sister!

Hi!!! I know it has been quite some time since I have written, but the headmaster finally consulted someone about the work Jacob and I want to complete on the school and developed a budget for the materials to finish the floor in the room we want to make the library, wood to build shelves for the books we will have to buy, a window for the library, transportation to bring all the materials to the village, and labor for the floor and book shelves. With everything included, the total came to 541,000 Tanzanian shillings, which is around 340 US dollars. There is much more Jacob and I want to do such as paint a mural, fix the chairs, and replace the chalkboards, but this is a good start we think. I was going to post pictures of the room we want to make the library and the wall we want to paint the welcome greeting on, but I of course forgot to take them, and my computer is currently unusable as my battery died and my wall charger...so sad :( I am sharing this information to update you, but also to ask for your help of course. I would love to pay for everything myself, but as we all know, my money supply is sadly limited to nonexistent. Please do not feel any pressure to help, but if this is something you would like to contribute to, I, as well as Jacob, the students, the teachers, and both villages of Kongoto and Buswahili would really appreciate your generosity. Please email me at hyman.katie@gmail.com, and we can definitely work out a plan. I am so excited to be able to help my school and community!
I love teaching and my students, although the recent addition of teaching math in basically a foreign language has been rough. However, I am still struggling with: the small amount of girls that get the opportunity to attend school as the boys in the family are more important, the students who are enrolled in school, but never come because they are helping their family cultivate corn or sell vegetables at the market, the students who have to dig and build toilets in the hot sun with no water during class hours, and the students who constantly get sent home because they cannot pay the added school fees. It continually breaks my heart. I know there are more important things than education, but I hate that the kids don't even get to make the decision whether they get one or not. There is no difference in the value of a farmer and a doctor, but there is a difference in having the opportunity to choose between the two. Okay, okay...I will now quit letting out my frustrations. A few things that I have loved these past weeks is seeing and hearing the farmers and their cows and plows every morning walking on the way to school (farming without tractors looks like a lot of hard work I will say), and showering the kids every night in our shower. The kids absolutely love it as they are so used to buckets in the yard. They love the body wash and they scream so loud because the water is freezing when I spray them down. You would die if you saw how much dirt came off these kids on a daily basis! Anyway, please know as usual, maybe more than usual, that I miss and love you all very much. Also, please don't forget to email me if you want to or can help in any way with the school!
love you more, katie :)

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 :)

Content and Grateful

The cow in the toliet hole!

Jacob and I washing clothes!

Anna's new Obama bag!

Fellow teachers playing Uno at break



Werema bathing...all the kids bathe in the yard!

Students catching a ride home from school

Sunrise and cattle on the way to school

 Sometimes, well most of the time, I find it hard to express everything that I am feeling, thinking, and experiencing. This is especially the case now as I am sitting in front of my computer staring at the screen. I guess the best words to describe my heart these past weeks are content and grateful. I cannot explain it, but there are moments in life when I am genuinely content and grateful for God’s good, guiding hand, instead of mine, placing me exactly where I need to be. As Frederick Buechner states, “The place where God calls you is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.” I don’t know exactly how God does it, how he knows precisely what you need and when, but He does. It’s like I look back at my life and wonder how I got here, teaching in Tanzania, and I genuinely don’t know, but I am glad I am. The immense joy I receive from teaching and just spending time with neighbors and the   hundreds of people, mostly kids, that we live with, is such a blessing that I do not in any way deserve. Don’t get me wrong though, living in Africa is definitely not the easiest task I have ever taken on, but I love it…most of the time. I will say though that I am missing terribly Chick-Fil-A and barbeque in general!!!

For instance, some events that have made me laugh so very hard these past weeks are: 1) Jacob and I were riding the same bicycle from school down the rocky, dirt road and totally busted it in front of all our students. I had bruises for like a week, while only Jacob’s ego was bruised I think. 2) Yesterday, one of the cows fell in the hole where the toilet is being constructed and we had to lift him out. I could not stop laughing at the situation, but I felt horrible for the cow as it was so scared and kept hurting its face on the rocks. 3) Today, on the way to town, Jacob and I were riding the daladala with over 25 people in like a 16 passenger van, and there were three chickens riding with us. One of the chickens decided to poop on the way and the liquid travelled along the bottom of the daladala and got all over Jacob’s bag, shoes, hands, etc. Let’s just say he was not exactly enthused, while I of course could not stop laughing. Those are only a few stories, but ones I feel describe fully our day to day life experiences.

On a more serious note, Jacob and I would like to help our school in a few ways. First, we really want to paint the school as some of the classrooms are painted while others are not…maybe even some murals of the world, Africa, etc. Additionally, most of the chairs are broken and therefore have no backs for the students to lean against. We would just need to buy some wood and some screws we think. We also want to start a small library with English/Swahili dictionaries, African literature books, and other teaching resources as there are literally none. We do not expect these tasks to cost very much money, but we also don’t have very much either as you know. I would genuinely appreciate if any of you would like to help, but know also that it is hard in America at the moment as well. However, I know that the Lord is always good no matter the circumstances and will supply everything we need to accomplish our goals even if it takes the whole year I am here. Know that I love you all very much, and would not be able to make it here without your prayers and support. Please email me at hyman.katie@gmail.com if you have any questions or just want to say hi!!! MISS YOU ALL!

Love you more…Katie

A Set of Keys

Half of my Form 1 English Class

Students constructing a teacher toliet instead of in class

Mama Werema and her youngest Eliza

Mama Anna sewing

Mama Anna's chickens

Two of Mama Anna's girls on the right, Rhobi in the center (Mama Werema's), and a few neighbors

Werema and Eliza in the back (Mama Werema's) and I think one of Mama Anna's boys in front

Cows eating corn on my way to school

     First, I am so sorry it has taken me this much time to write a new post. Everything is going well though! We finally got bicycles!!! With the bicycles, it is now just 20 minutes to school which is much better than the 45 we were walking twice a day. However, since the road is extremely rough with rocks and holes, we have had to spend a lot of money patching the tires every other day. Consequently, we will most definitely still be walking some days. But…the bicycles were given to us, so they are still such a blessing and I am so thankful for them! Teaching is becoming easier as well, although I think the students think that I am crazy because I have to act so many words out as their vocabulary is quite low to non-existent. I have given three tests so far though, and they were not too bad. I like my students so much…but we all knew that I would! Many of the teachers don’t show up every day and some have been gone for weeks, so I have had to teach extra classes as well. While I understand that they have family issues and other important business to take care of, I get so frustrated because the students just sit there not learning. I don’t want them to fail like almost every student last year. It bothers me so much to know all their potential, and have it not come to fruition simply because of an education system that is inadequate. Ahhhh! I have also started helping the kids in our house who are in school with English and math. I help Anna with English, who is the daughter of one of Magira’s wives Mama Anna, and Mwita with English and math that is Magira’s brother and also in Jacob’s form 3 class at Buko. I have additionally become friends with Mama Anna and Mama Werema, the two wives of Magira. Mama Anna is pregnant again I am pretty sure, although I am not culturally aloud to ask her, which will make her 5^th child. She keeps eating coal/charcoal that she cooks with, which cannot be a part of her normal diet. This means that Magira will now have 9 children all together. It is definitely a situation that I am not used to or condone, but I love them both. They are always making sure we have eaten, giving us milk (that I keep having to buy chocolate syrup to put in as it is definitely straight out of hte cow) and eggs, and calling me all the time just to say hi. Our conversations are never very long and always funny as the language barrier is rough but getting better.

Additionally, these past couple of weeks have allowed me the chance to read a challenging book entitled “same kind of different as me” and download an equally challenging sermon. I love when God speaks and fear it as well, as I know that I am never what I ought or who I want to be. Truth is always “living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart,” as is written in Hebrews 4. The book is the story of a modern-day slave, Denver, who escapes to find only homelessness for years, but eventually finds life-changing love with the help of a lady named Deborah/Miss Debbie and her husband Ron. Two quotes in particular were absolute truth that pierced my soul and spirit.

Denver shares that “God gives each person on the earth a set of keys, keys to live this life down here on the earth. Now in this set, there is one key you can use to unlock prison doors and set captives free. Mr. Ron, I was captive in the devils prison. But I got to tell you: Many folks had seen me behind the bars in that prison for more than thirty years, and they just walked on by. Kept their keys in their pocket and left me locked up. But, Miss Debbie was different—she seen me behind them bars and reached way down in her pocket and pulled out the keys God gave her and used one to unlock the prison door and set me free. She’s the onlyest person that ever loved me enough not to give up on me, and I praise God that today I can sit here in your home a changed man—a free man.”

Denver also shares, “There’s something I learned when I was homeless: Our limitation is God’s opportunity. When you get all the way to the end of your rope and there ain’t nothin you can do, that’s when God takes over. I remember one time I was hunkered down in the hobo jungle with some folks. We was talkin about life, and this fella was talkin said, ‘People think they’re in control, but they ain’t. The truth is, that which must befall thee must befall thee. And that which must pass thee must pass thee by.’ You’d be surprised what you can learn talkin to homeless people. I learned to accept life for what it is. Sometimes to touch us, God touches someone that’s close to us. That is what opens our eyes to the fact that there is a higher power than ourselves.”

As I was walking the forty-five minutes to school alone one day after finishing this book, I just kept thinking how the world steals our set of keys God gives us to share His light and life every single day. I genuinely don’t hate many things, but I hate that! I hate the thought of satan and the world stealing the honor of representing my almighty, glorious God. I want desperately to use the keys God has given me, as He has my heart. The sermon I downloaded of Buster at East Cooper included verses 5-6 of 1 Timothy 5. Timothy writes, “She who is truly a widow, left all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day, but she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives. Although speaking about widows in particular, I think these verses can be applied to anyone who is self-indulgent. Buster quotes Calvin referring to these verses who says “I think it is more natural to say that a woman is dead when she is useless and does no good…for to what purpose do we live if it be not that our actions yield some advantage to other people. For my actions to be solely derived and used by God for the advancement of his kingdom/people is the desire of my heart. Laziness, selfishness, fear, etc… are all distractions and schemes that keep me from doing the will of God…using all my keys. My prayer is just that He would open my eyes and heart to every opportunity that I have to make full use of the precious gifts and blessings he has given and entrusted to me.

“But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God’s word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.” 2 Corinthians 2:14-17

Love you more, Katie :)

Sheep (kondoo), Goats (mbuzi), and Cows (ng’ombe) Oh My!

Well…I am definitely not in Kansas/America anymore. Jacob and I finally made it to our small village Kongoto after a two-hour flight and four hour drive. After flying into Mwanza, the second largest city, the Attorney General of Tanzania’s brother Jumanne, whose name literally translates into Tuesday since he was born on Tuesday as he is one of eight children, picked us up. During the four hour drive, we drove through a small part of the Serengeti National Park where we saw ostriches, gazelles, and wildebeests out grazing in the savannah. I cannot wait to go back and actually spend some time camping there amongst the wildlife. I don’t know when the migration of wildebeests is, but I desperately need to find out. The last hour of our car ride however, was spent driving slowly down an old, rough, dirt road to our village. As we continued driving, I kept thinking what did I get myself into. We were surrounded by savannah and sparse acacia trees, the ones you picture when you think of Africa, and distant hills and mountains. As we finally arrived and drove through our small village of round mud huts with thatched roofs, I kept thinking to myself, I’m really in Africa. I know I have lived in South Africa before, but it now seems a little less like Africa. Since Jacob and I are living in Kongoto, where the Attorney General Werema grew up, we have the privilege of staying in a house he built to use when visiting family at home. This is such a blessing as there is a constant water supply from a nearby well and solar panels and a generator to supply electricity. Jacob and I washed clothes yesterday and drawing water from the well was fun, but I kept thinking as I saw frogs in there that I hope I don’t get sick. We additionally have part of Werema’s extended family living with us. Magira and one of his wives and four children, a nephew which attends our school in Form 3, and another nephew teaching at a different school for a few months as a part of his teacher training are all a part of our household. It is quite entertaining most of the time. For instance, yesterday I cooked way too much rice and decided to give three of the children the rest of the rice since they were staring at me making it the entire time while playing in the trash. Well…that was not the best idea as I cleaned up sticky rice for quite a bit of time since it was strung all over the floor of the house, table, and chairs where they were sitting. Everyone, as typical in Tanzania and Africa in general, is so welcoming and giving though. A neighbor has brought me thick, fresh milk everyday from her cows, which I cannot drink fast enough as it is definitely not skim milk. Werema and Jumanne’s sister keeps visiting as well and brought some oranges yesterday. It is good that we have a community of assistance as we truly are in the middle of nowhere in a farming village with just a couple small shops and no electricity.

The school in which I am teaching is named Buko Secondary School as it accommodates the two villages of Buswahili and Kongoto. It is approximately a forty minute walk from our house to the school which we do twice a day. There are approximately 130 students and four usable classrooms, although bats (popo) have inhabited the roofs of a couple of the classrooms and are so loud and dirty. The four classrooms house Forms 1-4, grades 9-12 in America. I will be teaching English to Form 1 which is going to be difficult as they know barely any English as freshman, are shy, and their classroom Jacob and I have entitled the “Batcave.” The name was so given because the smell of bat poop is horrendous and the bats are louder than the students. It will be a good challenge! I am also the only female teacher which is a little intimidating, as they tend to direct all conversation to Jacob. I am sure this will get better as I learn more Kiswahili though. There is only one book per subject and form, so the teachers are the only ones who have books. Therefore, all information given is oral or either written on the blackboards for students to copy. I never knew how annoying chalk was to use and erase, or how blessed I was teaching in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. I want to raise money to buy books for the students or teacher aides for the school, but I want to wait and see what would be most beneficial, as this was only my first week teaching. It is so difficult to comprehend a school with just four freestanding open air classrooms, no books, broken chairs and wooden desks, blackboards, and one notebook for every subject. I additionally looked at their test scores from last semester and well over the majority of students failed almost every subject. This are a mix of reasons for this which I will explain later, but this occurs mainly because all government tests are given in English, which the students can barely read and much less understand, especially in the more rural areas where English in never spoken. Therefore, my goal this year is just to try my best to make a difference. It is definitely not going to be easy and I am going to need many, many prayers. I know that God knows what he is doing though, and I have to trust that He will supply all my needs, that He is for me, and that all the struggles both my students and I go through will work together for good. God’s thoughts and plans are bigger than me, so I have faith that since He has given me this opportunity, He will also give me the strength and skill to accomplish this work.

I love you all very much! Katie :)

Hogs and Holes: A Home-stay Experience

The Infamous Pigs

Little Beni and I

The Fam and I

A home-stay is basically where a foreigner stays at the home of locals in whatever country he/she is visiting or living. Therefore, home-stays are always quite the interesting experience as one adjusts, adapts, and reflects on the living and social habits and traditions of a particular culture different than his/her own. My home-stay in Lushoto was no exception, but brought immense joy to my heart. As I was finishing packing my bag with necessities I knew my family wouldn’t have, such as toilet paper, three boys ages 16, 13, and 8 show up to collect me. Just seeing them ignited so much excitement within me. I noticed how nicely they were dressed just to come get me as I followed along behind them down the worn, uneven clay road. I was quite nervous as I thought about what I might be getting myself into. I thought about the bathroom or no bathroom situation, where I was going to be sleeping and possibly with whom, if I was going to have to eat liver or another foreign body part of an animal, and if they were going to be able to speak any English. After a short ten minute walk with little conversation as Swahilli sentences are quite difficult to formulate, we turned beside a rural, shack store, called a duka, and made our way down the hillside to their house. The colorfully painted mud house was surrounded by banana (ndizi) trees, avocado (parachichi) trees, corn (mahindi), many other vegetables, and heaps of tropical flowers. Mama Bosco, mothers are called by their oldest child’s name following Mama, took me straight to my room with my own bed. I was so glad to have my own bed, but I knew that meant that all three boys would be sleeping together in one bed. Tanzanians are so generous, and I knew I couldn’t say no, but I felt horrible about it. After setting my bags down, Mama Bosco took me straight to see the five pigs behind the house. I mean the stalls were pretty clean, but the smell and amount of flies was a little out of control. She additionally pointed out the bathroom/bathhouse which was just the next stall over from the pigs and contained one hole in the ground for using the bathroom and another hole for water to drain while taking a bucket bath. The amount of flies in that room might have outnumbered the ones with the pigs. I wish there was a video of me both trying to use the bathroom and bathe in there while fighting the flies. I actually took more advantage of the bucket and smaller bucket of water I was supposed to use to clean afterwards, in my room at night to use the bathroom. I am so very glad I brought toilet paper, which I had to hide because I felt so bad about having it. The rest of the weekend I spent eating way too much food including mostly fried bread, rice, beans, and peanuts. The amount I ate was still not enough though as they made fun of me because the eight year old Beni ate more than I did. The amount of food they eat is incredible. I kept thinking that maybe it was a good thing that I was eating so much rice and bread as I didn’t have to use the bathroom all weekend. Too much information I know, but so much to be thankful for! In addition to eating, Mama Bosco and I spent all day cooking the food for every meal, as one pot over charcoal is all we had. Beni and I became best buds, and he called me his sister before I left. I taught Beni how to play tic-tac-toe, thumb war, and hand games that I used to play and little girls still play. In exchange, Beni taught me how to shoot marbles, dance, and made me draw lots of pictures. Even though there were not many words spoken over the three days as they spoke no English, and my Kiswahili was/is still being worked on, I of course cried as I left. Goodbyes are not my strong suit as you all well know. Mama Bosco gave me some cloth that matched hers to wear as a skirt, called a kanga, and Beni gave me a drawing that he had been working on. I was already missing them.

It is so crazy to think that ninety percent of Tanzania’s employed people live on less than $1.25 a day, while the unemployment rate is twenty-five percent. Both of these statistics are worse than the surrounding countries of Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda. I am sure my family is no exception to these statistics. You would never know this was true though just by seeing their joy and love for one another. When we look at their surroundings and circumstances as Americans, we see an immense need, and there is one. But, I am not sure that what they do have is not just as good as or better than all the stuff we really don’t need. I love the way they take care of one another as a family and a community. It is infectious. If I ever have a family of my own, I would be privileged for it to be anything like the one who welcomed me in as an instant daughter and sister.

I leave tomorrow as well to go to my school near Musoma in the north where I will be staying for the year. I am a little nervous, but excited to see my house and where I will be teaching!

Love you guys, katie :)

A Beautiful, Rough Patch

The trip to Lushoto did not start on the expected date and neither did my body. Our bus driver forgot we were supposed to leave on Saturday and wanted us to wait until Monday to leave. However, we somehow coerced him into leaving on Sunday at ten which of course turned into like two. Times of departure and arrival are definitely more like a loose estimate here. Not only was the bus driver not ready, but neither was my body. I woke up on Sunday under my restricting mosquito net really disoriented. This fogginess turned into a fever, headache, sore body parts, and just weakness. You all know how I am about medication, so I of course refused to take anything thinking that I would see how I felt when we arrived in Lushoto. Well…the trip to Loshoto took a lot longer than expected and we had to spend the night in “The White Parrott Lodge.” So where we were supposed to arrive in Lushoto on Saturday, we finally made it on Monday. But to get back to the sickness situation, when driving up because I felt so bad I just kept drinking water thinking we would stop at some point for a bathroom break. That was definitely wishful thinking. I seriously was dying for about five hours, literally! Finally, when we did stop on the side of the road, I started to use the bathroom and didn’t see all the people walking along the side of the road as Africans do because they walk everywhere, and heard some people laughing. They of course were laughing at me, and I got so embarrassed and ran back to the bus with all the little energy I had in me to hide. I mean…it was obviously too late to be hiding. When we finally made it to the lodge, I had the two moms on the team help me perform a self malaria test. Y’all know how I hate anything to do with sickness, needles, etc., so that was of course an ordeal in itself. Lisa had to prick my finger, put the blood in this contraption, and wait for one or two lines to appear after fifteen minutes. It was all so dramatic. It was negative, which was great, but then the question arises then what is going on. I woke up the next day and felt so much better but then my stomach was not so good. I couldn’t eat anything without it coming straight out or coming up. I was just having a really hard time until today really…five days later.  

However, during all this sickness and not eating I have had some amazing experiences. I have had traditional African cooking lessons with some pretty talented mamas cooking with babies on their backs…although explaining to them why I couldn’t eat the food was a little challenging. Y’all have got to try making coconut rice and this omelet with fries cooked in…soooo good! We also went on this five hour breathtaking hike through four villages up to a viewpoint overlooking the Usambara Mountains and all of Lushoto. I am going to eventually upload pictures, because I cannot give the area proper description, but it is like a rainforest in the mountains with clay, red earth. Every plant, view, person, house, animal is picturesque. Mango trees, eucalyptus trees, corn, sugar cane, vegetable gardens, banana trees, coconut trees, goats, chickens, sheep, cows, chameleons, mud and stick houses, and so much more cover the trails and mountain sides. All the Tanzanians we met along our hike were so sweet and welcoming, and I got to practice my Swahili. The little girls gave me flowers to put in my hair, and the boys ran along with us with their home-made plastic bag soccer balls, and wheels they kept going with sticks. One little girl in particular who gave me a flower wanted something in return, so I gave her a piece of candy from a tin I brought from America…but she wanted the whole tin of course, so I gave it to her and told her to share. That was my last food item from home, but I was okay with it. I couldn’t eat them anyway after all the mango I ate for breakfast came out on the hike.

I think I learned these last five days something I have experienced many times…that God is the supplier of all things including health. I wasn’t sure I was going to make it at one point as I sat just thinking about the situation I was in not being able to eat anything, having no water to shower, the electricity being out for the next several days and so forth. There are so many things that I know are blessings such as hot showers, electricity, internet, sleeping without mosquito nets, and being able to eat and have food in general. But…that doesn’t stop me from taking them for granted. God can take away as easily as He gives. It is in these low places that I really discover the foundation of my being. God alone is my sustainer. At home in America, everything is just so comfortable and we don’t really realize we need God…we don’t depend on him as much to sustain our lives. In our weaknesses we find his strength. God wants to be needed, desired, and primary in our lives, and he is not afraid to strip us down until He is all we can depend on for help. It is scary but exciting to think what else he has in store for this year! This week has most definitely been a beautiful, rough patch!

Oh...and Happy 4th of July!!! I cannot believe I am missing all the fireworks!

Love you guys, Katie :)