Hi Everyone!
Greetings from Kiabakari! Sorry for the much needed update! The past few weeks have FLOWN by- I simply cannot believe it’s been 5 months already-- I have been quite busy!
I’m still getting things to make it seem more homey in my house- it helps to have some pictures of family friends!! : -) My house is nice though some things I’ve experienced in it are always interesting.. lots of ants... (Luckily not Ciafu like my neighbors... oy.. I’ve experienced 2 Ciafu –army ants- invasions in their house.. not fun.. basically thousands of biting ants on a mission to go somewhere—unfortunately twice into their house...) The cat rotates between missionary houses, although I was quite pleased it chose mine Friday during the big lightening storm we had! Some other interesting experiences include things such as crazy rain/thunderstorms, silly electricity different insects including one of my favorites... cockroaches.. bluck! One night there was a huge one in my bed- bluck bluck! However—with only those issues... I’m best to say hamna shida no problem.. All in all things at home are good :-)
I don’t know if I mentioned in my last blog that there are two new missionary families here- (and by new meaning they weren’t here in October) it’s been really nice to have them here- a huge support- and it means that I’ve been less then lonely- I am not always good at making sure I have time for just me... like taking time for myself to write blogs! (sorry!) But it really is good- a good support system plus we do so much together like a big family like barbecues (yes- barbecues in February! ) playing games like ticket to ride and catan – (camp folk be happy!) and we also have weekly prayer meetings/ bible studies.
I started teaching a couple weeks ago. The first day went... well pretty rocky... I wanted to cry a little afterwards... but then I slapped myself in the face (not literally!) and told myself to suck it up.. I had been through much worse, and I shouldn’t let one silly day put me in a sour mood. :- ) I’m glad I didn’t because I went back to the classroom with more confidence in myself/ my swahili/ my teaching abilities - and my second and... well since then have been really great! It’s a LOT of work planning lessons making a curriculum myself... but it’s what I came here to do... so I will put as much effort into it as I can.
Also- as some of you may know already... I sometimes put a lot on my plate- which I’ve done here too-- (hence the lack of updates recently - One thing I’m particularly excited about is the weekly women’s group prayer/ bible study every Wednesday at the Kiabakari church ( i briefly mentioned it last post-). It has been so rewarding to be a part of it and it’s only been a few weeks! - It just started 3 or 4 weeks ago- so I’ve been able to be at the first meetings, which is really neat. It’s all in Swahili so it’s a good teaching tool for me, and it’s been such a joy to be with the women- and also to see similarities (like the fact that it’s a village church women’s group... like a small town group of women chatting about what’s going on in town..because let’s be honest if anyone knows—it’s the women’s church group..) Also VAST differences to life as a woman back home... let’s just say many things have opened my eyes to feel pretty fortunate to have grown up as a woman in the United States.
Some other things I’m involved in
• office hours for the students to receive extra help
• teaching 2 courses for workers here at the school (upon request.. how can I say no?) it’ll be good- I start this week!
• weekly prayer with the missionaries here
• and.... well adopting myself into a family now with many little siblings—(it’s good for me, I’ve never had before – I’ve EVEN been holding a baby a bunch.. ) but it takes time to spend time with my new younger siblings—who have fallen in love with the game phase 10. (It’s fun and always interesting with the language barrier).
I’ve also been appointed as the teacher for Michezo (games- so it’s like a gym class). This has been interesting, we played volleyball a few times- just got a net! Also on Friday I am very pleased to inform you I taught Ultimate Frizbee!!!! :- ) I was so surprised how fast they were picking up throwing the frizbee so I explained the game and we had a pretty good game that tired me out after 45 minutes! It was SO fun and many have asked to play again.. (Oh don’t you worry... we will as much as possible...) I think we’re playing football (Soccer) on Friday.. gulp.. the one I as a teacher don’t want to play.. haha I have a feeling it will be pretty humbling- but it’s so good to run around – so I don’t care too much! :- ) They hear me speak Swahili a bunch... that’s also humbling at times ;-)
Today I was asked to sub for someone- meaning I will teach 4 lessons... from about for about 5 hours... it was good, I have 2 classes so we split the time in two- I want to do a quiz Friday so we played Jeopardy half the class period- JEOPARDY! They actually really enjoyed it- and it’s a good review tool- it’s fun to try different activities to see what they will/ will not enjoy.. I’m learning everyday about what is effective.. it’s so interesting to see the differences in teaching/ class management.
I think that’s about it for now- Next week is my first week as Mwalimu wa zamu—(Head teacher) it will be interesting, I’m quite nervous about it—because I still feel new and also feel like I’m not the best teacher in the compound for disciplining.. especially when I’m a) a woman- who many men will not listen to and b) I’m younger than many of the students... Oh well- they’ve only seen me angry and use my teacher voice (it’s amazing how the teacher voice just comes out of you- without you knowing it’s the teacher voice.. until it happens...) a couple times... We also have a bunch of Norwegian volunteers coming next week to see the school and help out- so I think that also means extra English lessons too! Uffdah!
Thanks for all your emails, phone calls, prayers and continued support- I miss you all very much and look forward to seeing many of you in under 5 months! Wow!!
Peace- Love – Faith-
Annie
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Monday, February 6, 2012
Fleas and Rats and Cats oh My! Getting Settled at Kiabakari -
Hello from Kiabakari everyone!
YES! I am here- and moved into my house.. well still moving/ settling somewhat- but it’s starting to feel a bit like home here... slowly.
So far it has been really great here. I have been welcomed by the other missionary families (that’s right there are 2 new families here- and Geir Tore too : -) Geir from Norway Havstein Binta and their four children from Faroe Islands and Inge Marie and Simon and their soon to be 2 children from Denmark. They have been so hospitable having me for many meals so far- (yup still not losing weight in the village- ) but hoping to get a more normal schedule down too. It’s been so nice having families to hang out with / play games with- We even had a barbecue yesterday here (YES- a Barbecue- IN FEBRUARY! It’s crazy!) Seriously, it’s so good to have them here- I had talked with Geir in October for the need to have weekly gatherings/ a Kiabakari family (partly because I love/ miss mine) AND- well it’s come true – I love getting to know/ spend time with my Kiabakari family!
Other things, Well—there have been some flea issues... still pending (yuck!- they seem to be in the grass so there’s no avoiding it). Some really noisy pigs living right near my house and waking up my second night to something ( I think a rat-) scurrying inside my was closed clothes cupboard.. YUCK! Hence my adoption of the cat living outside Havstein’s and Bintas—I hate to admit it but I’ve rather enjoyed the company and even bought it dagaa ( probably my least favorite thing in the market it Tanzania- dried sardine like fish- bluck- and to let that into my house for this cat must mean I am starting to like it- PLUS I hope it may get the rat... or just scare it from being in my house!)
My first day of teaching will be Wednesday- so far we have had harvest days. Wow- this work surely makes one more aware of all the effort put into all the food we eat... for those of you who like sunflower seeds... well I have some pictures for you but I helped harvest them part two after cutting them all down was to bang on them with big sticks (took us about 5 hours) to get all of the seeds out. Then today I spent harvesting maize for about 8 hours starting at good ol’ 6am! It’s tiring/ hot work..but really good. I feel like my desire for the accompaniment model and working hand in hand really comes to life working in the field with all the students.. But I am glad I won’t be doing it everyday! It will make chapel every morning at 7:30 seem like a sleep in!
Other fun/ random bits-:
• 1- If Ox Lake (Camp!) had a twin.. it’d be here probably- My Faroish friends have ticket to ride Europe and Settlers : - ) WOW (I feel many times I am at camp... especially when I stay up late playing that game.. it’s like staff training all over again.Also campy- graces in swahili going to bed pooped- having to go outside to use the toilet – new today- a Volleyball Net which makes me super thrilled because...
• I am the teacher in charge of Michezo – sports/games and I Stink at football! (soccer)- yet I am pumped to teach ultimate frizbee volleyball and maybe just get some students to go run with me—(which will be of course embarrassing at first!!)
• I need a good cat name:- it’s black and white and is really noisy.. but nice
• It’s hot. That’s all. (It actually encourages me to shower more nice cool water ahhh)
• Today at the big market I went to I had someone profess their love to me.. I’ve never seen them/ met them before in my life... It was touching really.
• Wednesday there’s a women’s prayer/ bible study group started at the Kiabakari church I’m pretty excited for that – also Thursday prayer meeting with the other teachers here- and Wednesday I’m going to join the student’s choir here- I told some of them today in the field- WOW- Karibu sana (very welcome) nice :- )
• Binta has season one of Gilmore Girls – WOW : -D
Okay that’s all hope this is somewhat interesting- I’m pooped- time for bed!
YES! I am here- and moved into my house.. well still moving/ settling somewhat- but it’s starting to feel a bit like home here... slowly.
So far it has been really great here. I have been welcomed by the other missionary families (that’s right there are 2 new families here- and Geir Tore too : -) Geir from Norway Havstein Binta and their four children from Faroe Islands and Inge Marie and Simon and their soon to be 2 children from Denmark. They have been so hospitable having me for many meals so far- (yup still not losing weight in the village- ) but hoping to get a more normal schedule down too. It’s been so nice having families to hang out with / play games with- We even had a barbecue yesterday here (YES- a Barbecue- IN FEBRUARY! It’s crazy!) Seriously, it’s so good to have them here- I had talked with Geir in October for the need to have weekly gatherings/ a Kiabakari family (partly because I love/ miss mine) AND- well it’s come true – I love getting to know/ spend time with my Kiabakari family!
Other things, Well—there have been some flea issues... still pending (yuck!- they seem to be in the grass so there’s no avoiding it). Some really noisy pigs living right near my house and waking up my second night to something ( I think a rat-) scurrying inside my was closed clothes cupboard.. YUCK! Hence my adoption of the cat living outside Havstein’s and Bintas—I hate to admit it but I’ve rather enjoyed the company and even bought it dagaa ( probably my least favorite thing in the market it Tanzania- dried sardine like fish- bluck- and to let that into my house for this cat must mean I am starting to like it- PLUS I hope it may get the rat... or just scare it from being in my house!)
My first day of teaching will be Wednesday- so far we have had harvest days. Wow- this work surely makes one more aware of all the effort put into all the food we eat... for those of you who like sunflower seeds... well I have some pictures for you but I helped harvest them part two after cutting them all down was to bang on them with big sticks (took us about 5 hours) to get all of the seeds out. Then today I spent harvesting maize for about 8 hours starting at good ol’ 6am! It’s tiring/ hot work..but really good. I feel like my desire for the accompaniment model and working hand in hand really comes to life working in the field with all the students.. But I am glad I won’t be doing it everyday! It will make chapel every morning at 7:30 seem like a sleep in!
Other fun/ random bits-:
• 1- If Ox Lake (Camp!) had a twin.. it’d be here probably- My Faroish friends have ticket to ride Europe and Settlers : - ) WOW (I feel many times I am at camp... especially when I stay up late playing that game.. it’s like staff training all over again.Also campy- graces in swahili going to bed pooped- having to go outside to use the toilet – new today- a Volleyball Net which makes me super thrilled because...
• I am the teacher in charge of Michezo – sports/games and I Stink at football! (soccer)- yet I am pumped to teach ultimate frizbee volleyball and maybe just get some students to go run with me—(which will be of course embarrassing at first!!)
• I need a good cat name:- it’s black and white and is really noisy.. but nice
• It’s hot. That’s all. (It actually encourages me to shower more nice cool water ahhh)
• Today at the big market I went to I had someone profess their love to me.. I’ve never seen them/ met them before in my life... It was touching really.
• Wednesday there’s a women’s prayer/ bible study group started at the Kiabakari church I’m pretty excited for that – also Thursday prayer meeting with the other teachers here- and Wednesday I’m going to join the student’s choir here- I told some of them today in the field- WOW- Karibu sana (very welcome) nice :- )
• Binta has season one of Gilmore Girls – WOW : -D
Okay that’s all hope this is somewhat interesting- I’m pooped- time for bed!
Sunday, January 29, 2012
New Chapter to this Adventue!
Hello Everyone!
Greetings to you from Musom! I am here now traveling with a delegation here from the Maryland-Deleware Syond.. I forgot to update telling everyone I was leaving my home for the past 4 months (Arusha) because I found out on short notice and was quite busy figuring out transportation/ packing/ and saying goodbye to my Arusha family- well so long for now anyways!
Musoma is good- I think there are definitely more mosquitos here than Arusha with the Lake nearby- woohoo! But.. as my Journey/ Ox friends know I’m horrible at wearing Mosquito spray.. so still have yet to use it in the 4 months since I’ve been here... oops.. haha good thing I packed 4 bottles! Maybe I’ll start... labda (maybe).
Anyways- I’ve been traveling with the delegation we’ve been all over the Mara diocese – we went to a village in Mugumu (4 hours from here inside the Serengeti) – Bunda Hospital ( I stayed out of the maternity ward this time after the last - ) Rusoli- and Kiabakari!! : -) I must say in all this travel I am SO happy to have my Swahili training... Even though I feel quite inadequate at times- I am able to understand a lot of parts of church services/ meetings and am able to hold conversations (unless the person things- ah she’s fluent and starts speaking quickly.. then I nod a lot and say ndiyo- yes...) haha hope I’m not agreeing to anything too crazy! Most people tell me I am doing really well though so that’s nice- since really from here on out it will be what I am using to communicate primarily—gulp!
I am pleased to tell you all how happy I am after my visit to the school- It was amazing – So good to see some of the coworkers I Had previously met. Also – there are 2 new young families at the school 1 from Denmark (Sonja I’m sure you’re happy about that : - ) and one from Norway- so we may be speaking Swahili with each other too! They were very nice and welcoming- so I’m really happy to feel like we’ll have a good staff Kiabakari family. I even saw my house! It’s ready for me to live in! I’m so happy- It’s pretty bare right now- but- after some trips to the market and unpacking ALL my bags finally- I am sure to make it feel somewhat like home.. I’m determined and we all know what happens when I get determined... It WILL BE a home! I’m even going to plant a garden : -) I was telling some of my friends furnishing the house fully may take a bit because we don’t have target or Ikea nearby anywhere- small dukas and markets ( maybe—maybe 1/50 of the size – teehee)- coming home next summer may be quite interesting after almost a year here.
I will move to the school Wednesday when the delegation leaves and I am feeling ready to begin this next stage of the journey. As many of you are aware there have been many complications with everything so far, and I appreciate all your support and prayers over the past four months. I am very happy to move forward from all this – and with grace- (what would we do without it) I am excited for all the parties involved in this partnership to move forward and work together in true accompaniment– Bega kwa bega-.
Thank you again- Bwana Yesu Asifiwe (Praise the Lord)-
Annie
Greetings to you from Musom! I am here now traveling with a delegation here from the Maryland-Deleware Syond.. I forgot to update telling everyone I was leaving my home for the past 4 months (Arusha) because I found out on short notice and was quite busy figuring out transportation/ packing/ and saying goodbye to my Arusha family- well so long for now anyways!
Musoma is good- I think there are definitely more mosquitos here than Arusha with the Lake nearby- woohoo! But.. as my Journey/ Ox friends know I’m horrible at wearing Mosquito spray.. so still have yet to use it in the 4 months since I’ve been here... oops.. haha good thing I packed 4 bottles! Maybe I’ll start... labda (maybe).
Anyways- I’ve been traveling with the delegation we’ve been all over the Mara diocese – we went to a village in Mugumu (4 hours from here inside the Serengeti) – Bunda Hospital ( I stayed out of the maternity ward this time after the last - ) Rusoli- and Kiabakari!! : -) I must say in all this travel I am SO happy to have my Swahili training... Even though I feel quite inadequate at times- I am able to understand a lot of parts of church services/ meetings and am able to hold conversations (unless the person things- ah she’s fluent and starts speaking quickly.. then I nod a lot and say ndiyo- yes...) haha hope I’m not agreeing to anything too crazy! Most people tell me I am doing really well though so that’s nice- since really from here on out it will be what I am using to communicate primarily—gulp!
I am pleased to tell you all how happy I am after my visit to the school- It was amazing – So good to see some of the coworkers I Had previously met. Also – there are 2 new young families at the school 1 from Denmark (Sonja I’m sure you’re happy about that : - ) and one from Norway- so we may be speaking Swahili with each other too! They were very nice and welcoming- so I’m really happy to feel like we’ll have a good staff Kiabakari family. I even saw my house! It’s ready for me to live in! I’m so happy- It’s pretty bare right now- but- after some trips to the market and unpacking ALL my bags finally- I am sure to make it feel somewhat like home.. I’m determined and we all know what happens when I get determined... It WILL BE a home! I’m even going to plant a garden : -) I was telling some of my friends furnishing the house fully may take a bit because we don’t have target or Ikea nearby anywhere- small dukas and markets ( maybe—maybe 1/50 of the size – teehee)- coming home next summer may be quite interesting after almost a year here.
I will move to the school Wednesday when the delegation leaves and I am feeling ready to begin this next stage of the journey. As many of you are aware there have been many complications with everything so far, and I appreciate all your support and prayers over the past four months. I am very happy to move forward from all this – and with grace- (what would we do without it) I am excited for all the parties involved in this partnership to move forward and work together in true accompaniment– Bega kwa bega-
Thank you again- Bwana Yesu Asifiwe (Praise the Lord)-
Annie
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Christmas in Arusha, Tanzania
HERI YA KRISMASI!! (Merry Christmas!)
What a GREAT Christmas. I can honestly say that. While of course it has been out of the norm (eating way too much, spending time with family/ close friends, wearing long underwear, cuddling with my dog by the fire, crazy present exchanges beating my family in cards... etc etc..)- it has been such a wonderful and joyous Christmas.
This weekend has been full of warm-hearted invitations to various family’s houses, church friends and even potlucks. I have been overwhelmed by the amount of hospitality I have been shown by so many here in Arusha, and I am so thankful for that, if you know anyone wherever you are that will be alone for Christmas, take this time to think about what it would feel like to be that person, maybe it’s a perfect opportunity to reach out and really make a difference – because I assure you, it really does.
Anywho, being 80-some degrees however... it didn’t quite feel like Christmas to me... that is- - until the Carols by Candlelight service here. I was able to participate in a church choral service here in Arusha where we sang many Christmas carols (I think I will end with my favorite verse of my favorite Christmas hymn - In the Bleak Mid-Winter) - - This service just made it feel like home, and filled me with such an amazing Christmas joy- which I hope to try and encompass year-round, because- shouldn’t Christmas joy really be a year round thing anyways? < I’ve decided it should :- )> Anyways it was just a great service and a great reminder- I felt like a small child hearing the Christmas story for the first time—even though I’ve heard it so many times because of how happy it made me, it was also just a HUGE reminder of the love story this story, the story of Jesus’ birth is for each and all of us : -) Now that’s something to be joyful about.
Christmas Eve here was fun too, in the evening, my housemate Brian and a medical student from Germany came over, we made homemade pizzas, guacamole and watched.. get ready... my favorite Christmas special, Rudolph. It was fun!
Then today, on Christmas I woke up to some amazing acts of kindness, surprise gifts from people including kitenges (jenny! ;-) and even... a BICYCLE! My task force is giving me money to buy myself a bicycle for traveling around in my village, I’m super excited about that, hooray! That’s right, I woke up on Christmas morning to a Bike! ☺ After a great church service some of my friends and I did perhaps the most meaningful thing I have ever done on Christmas. We went to the Plaster House.
I have mentioned Plaster House before, but it is a children’s home in Arusha for children from around Tanzania to recover in after they have had corrective orthopaedic surgery, plastic surgery or neurosurgery for a disability http://www.plasterhouse.org/ check out the website, if you have any desire to give to an organization this holiday season, give a gift to the plaster house, it's a wonderful place and they're raising funds to build a bigger house!! ;-) Myself and five of my medical friends went with lots of cookies and two cakes. We got there right after the children had eaten, in time for them to get their presents. Oh. My. Goodness. These children were instructed that they would each get a bag of goodies, in which they had to keep closed until all 30-ish of them had their presents, then altogether they would open them. This would never have worked in the US, but here the children got their presents, held them silently and patiently waiting for everyone to have theirs, before they were given permission to open them. Wow. Amazing. Then they opened up gifts of various toys, small balls, stuffed animals, hot wheels oh and tooth brushes soap etc etc (which they were also pumped about). It was simply amazing.
We stayed and played with the children for a few hours, it was SO much fun playing with and interacting with the kids (aged probably 2-18 about..) So. Much Fun and Joy! Some of these children have deformities, that may cause them to be self-conscious, but here at plaster house all children are equal- included, and treated as equal it’s amazing. Also, one small boy maybe 6-7 picked up some car wheels of a broken toy, I half expected him to cry, be angry – like most kids would be.. but he picked it up and looked at me with the biggest (two front teeth missing) smile ever- so full of happiness. Something I hope has found all of you this Christmas, it sure has found me.
I guess what I think I’ve learned this Christmas is; Sometimes God shows us amazing joy- at times we don’t always expect it, and many times we need to be mindful in all circumstances to do our best be joyful, even when handed broken car wheels. I think also I was shown how wonderful it is to have others share joy with you maybe when you really need it, which you never know when someone could really need some joy in their lives so let’s just spread it around for fun... all year round.
So no, I didn’t have my family, nor my closest friends, I didn’t have my family traditions, waaay too many Christmas cookies, Christmas lights everywhere, presents under a tree, yet I had one of the most joyous Christmas’ ever. Thank you to all of you who spread joy to me this Christmas, there are too many to name.
Much Love and a Merry Christmas to you all,
Annie
Let’s try to make Christmas joy ever-present in our lives and those we meet, all year round.
“What Can I Give Him, Poor As I Am
If I Were A Shepherd, I Would Bring A Lamb
If I Were A Wiseman, I Would Do My Part
Yet What I Can I Give Him, Give My Heart “
What a GREAT Christmas. I can honestly say that. While of course it has been out of the norm (eating way too much, spending time with family/ close friends, wearing long underwear, cuddling with my dog by the fire, crazy present exchanges beating my family in cards... etc etc..)- it has been such a wonderful and joyous Christmas.
This weekend has been full of warm-hearted invitations to various family’s houses, church friends and even potlucks. I have been overwhelmed by the amount of hospitality I have been shown by so many here in Arusha, and I am so thankful for that, if you know anyone wherever you are that will be alone for Christmas, take this time to think about what it would feel like to be that person, maybe it’s a perfect opportunity to reach out and really make a difference – because I assure you, it really does.
Anywho, being 80-some degrees however... it didn’t quite feel like Christmas to me... that is- - until the Carols by Candlelight service here. I was able to participate in a church choral service here in Arusha where we sang many Christmas carols (I think I will end with my favorite verse of my favorite Christmas hymn - In the Bleak Mid-Winter) - - This service just made it feel like home, and filled me with such an amazing Christmas joy- which I hope to try and encompass year-round, because- shouldn’t Christmas joy really be a year round thing anyways? < I’ve decided it should :- )> Anyways it was just a great service and a great reminder- I felt like a small child hearing the Christmas story for the first time—even though I’ve heard it so many times because of how happy it made me, it was also just a HUGE reminder of the love story this story, the story of Jesus’ birth is for each and all of us : -) Now that’s something to be joyful about.
Christmas Eve here was fun too, in the evening, my housemate Brian and a medical student from Germany came over, we made homemade pizzas, guacamole and watched.. get ready... my favorite Christmas special, Rudolph.
Then today, on Christmas I woke up to some amazing acts of kindness, surprise gifts from people including kitenges (jenny! ;-) and even... a BICYCLE! My task force is giving me money to buy myself a bicycle for traveling around in my village, I’m super excited about that, hooray! That’s right, I woke up on Christmas morning to a Bike! ☺ After a great church service some of my friends and I did perhaps the most meaningful thing I have ever done on Christmas. We went to the Plaster House.
I have mentioned Plaster House before, but it is a children’s home in Arusha for children from around Tanzania to recover in after they have had corrective orthopaedic surgery, plastic surgery or neurosurgery for a disability http://www.plasterhouse.org/ check out the website, if you have any desire to give to an organization this holiday season, give a gift to the plaster house, it's a wonderful place and they're raising funds to build a bigger house!! ;-) Myself and five of my medical friends went with lots of cookies and two cakes. We got there right after the children had eaten, in time for them to get their presents. Oh. My. Goodness. These children were instructed that they would each get a bag of goodies, in which they had to keep closed until all 30-ish of them had their presents, then altogether they would open them. This would never have worked in the US, but here the children got their presents, held them silently and patiently waiting for everyone to have theirs, before they were given permission to open them. Wow. Amazing. Then they opened up gifts of various toys, small balls, stuffed animals, hot wheels oh and tooth brushes soap etc etc (which they were also pumped about). It was simply amazing.
We stayed and played with the children for a few hours, it was SO much fun playing with and interacting with the kids (aged probably 2-18 about..) So. Much Fun and Joy! Some of these children have deformities, that may cause them to be self-conscious, but here at plaster house all children are equal- included, and treated as equal it’s amazing. Also, one small boy maybe 6-7 picked up some car wheels of a broken toy, I half expected him to cry, be angry – like most kids would be.. but he picked it up and looked at me with the biggest (two front teeth missing) smile ever- so full of happiness. Something I hope has found all of you this Christmas, it sure has found me.
I guess what I think I’ve learned this Christmas is; Sometimes God shows us amazing joy- at times we don’t always expect it, and many times we need to be mindful in all circumstances to do our best be joyful, even when handed broken car wheels. I think also I was shown how wonderful it is to have others share joy with you maybe when you really need it, which you never know when someone could really need some joy in their lives so let’s just spread it around for fun... all year round.
So no, I didn’t have my family, nor my closest friends, I didn’t have my family traditions, waaay too many Christmas cookies, Christmas lights everywhere, presents under a tree, yet I had one of the most joyous Christmas’ ever. Thank you to all of you who spread joy to me this Christmas, there are too many to name.
Much Love and a Merry Christmas to you all,
Annie
Let’s try to make Christmas joy ever-present in our lives and those we meet, all year round.
“What Can I Give Him, Poor As I Am
If I Were A Shepherd, I Would Bring A Lamb
If I Were A Wiseman, I Would Do My Part
Yet What I Can I Give Him, Give My Heart “
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Mwizi...
Hello everyone-
A quick unpleasant update for you all- - Saturday, while walking through town around 1:30pm, I was mugged on one of the main streets in Arusha Town. I've heard things to this nature are getting worse and worse, and also crime goes up over Christmas time. I thought I was being careful, had my tall friend Cameron with me was holding my (zipped) purse close to my body, but sometimes these things happen. I feel very fortunate I was not hurt, because the thief was swinging a machete at my arm to get me to let go of my purse. I did and yelled Mwizi (thief in swahili) but he got away. (which I figure is okay because the huge crowd that gathered right after may have beat him pretty badly if they caught him- and I don't want that on my conscious).
He didn't get too much exciting maybe $50 in shillings , my phone, a sweater< which my mom told me was bad karma since my dog Toby ripped off a pocket in it right before I left, haha - well good riddance sweater-) and all my swahili materials (which I am bummed about, but I'm sure is a joke on him because he was probably hoping for a computer not swahili notebooks and books). It was pretty upsetting but all in all I'm happy that I'm okay and my friend Cameron was with me, he was very helpful and kept reassuring me that everything in the purse was replaceable. True, story Cameron. So as of right now I do not have a phone but am hoping to get my number back today- will let you know if it changes.
On a brighter note, yesterday I hung out more with Rabies- he followed me all the way to a friends house and then walked me home.. true love... ;-)
Hope you are well,
Annie
A quick unpleasant update for you all- - Saturday, while walking through town around 1:30pm, I was mugged on one of the main streets in Arusha Town. I've heard things to this nature are getting worse and worse, and also crime goes up over Christmas time. I thought I was being careful, had my tall friend Cameron with me was holding my (zipped) purse close to my body, but sometimes these things happen. I feel very fortunate I was not hurt, because the thief was swinging a machete at my arm to get me to let go of my purse. I did and yelled Mwizi (thief in swahili) but he got away. (which I figure is okay because the huge crowd that gathered right after may have beat him pretty badly if they caught him- and I don't want that on my conscious).
He didn't get too much exciting maybe $50 in shillings , my phone, a sweater< which my mom told me was bad karma since my dog Toby ripped off a pocket in it right before I left, haha - well good riddance sweater-) and all my swahili materials (which I am bummed about, but I'm sure is a joke on him because he was probably hoping for a computer not swahili notebooks and books). It was pretty upsetting but all in all I'm happy that I'm okay and my friend Cameron was with me, he was very helpful and kept reassuring me that everything in the purse was replaceable. True, story Cameron. So as of right now I do not have a phone but am hoping to get my number back today- will let you know if it changes.
On a brighter note, yesterday I hung out more with Rabies- he followed me all the way to a friends house and then walked me home.. true love... ;-)
Hope you are well,
Annie
Friday, December 9, 2011
Arusha Adventures and The Love of My Life
Hello everyone!
Miaka Hamsini Uhuru!! (50 years of freedom!) Yes—today is Independence Day here in Tanzania- I celebrated by going to my new sessions of swahili studies – I kept telling my teacher, Leo ni Lakizo (today’s a holiday- -) but he would laugh and say... not for you American – haha ...
Hope this post finds everyone happy and healthy – I haven’t written in a while, and will do my best to keep this short... (although I say that every post) Thanksgiving was wonderful here- I got to eat all the wonderful Thanksgiving food, and spend it with lots of wonderful people! It was also a good reminder of what wonderful friends and family I have at home! (miss you all- thanks for your continued support...couldn’t do it without you rooting for me at home)
A discovery I decided it was time I shared: I have found SO much family here in Tanzania- it’s crazy. I found out I have LOTS of children, mama to probably in the hundreds of thousands of people. I have eve more numbers of brothers (kaka) and sisters (dada).... It’s funny- people greet or call you mama/ dada wherever you go- depending on the age difference ;-) Just a realization as I’ve been walking around much more - -
I have also fallen in love...
... with two dogs here that live at the dispensary near Jacobson’s. One’s named Rabies, and the other Mange. Don’t let their names fool you they’re super sweet- and they’ve stolen my heart (yes these dogs do, but no so far none of the men who’ve confessed their love to me on the streets have won me over ;-) Anyways, one dog- Rabies is named that because he has this weird twitch type thing where he snarls every few seconds, at first it freaked me out, but now I know it’s just his thing and well.. I love him. Mange - -well I’m sure you can figure that one out for yourselves. But they’re both great especially rabies will greet me with a wagging tail and kisses (on the hand). Yes, I let a dog named rabies kiss me, oh well ;-)
So yes.. I am in love—with Rabies. (if you are skimming this blog you will be utterly confused and concerned unless you read the previous paragraph!)
Since my last post, I have graduated my Swahili Beginners course, complete with a certificate and shaking the headmaster’s hand. Wahoo, two graduations in 2 years, I am impressed too, don’t worry ;-) I loved school – the people, language, food , and teachers GREAT experience, and I feel as though I’ve learned a lot! Now a few days ago I’ve started attending Swahili lessons for a few hours a day- it’s good, I love learning the language. Some of my friends from school and I went to a place called Mitumba one weekend, it’s basically a goodwill here but x 1,000, a huge used clothing market- I LOVED IT!! I mean- you all know I get all my clothes from goodwill, so I was overjoyed to find this great place! One more thing I REALLY enjoyed about Swahili school was the Aerobics class. Yes, for those of you who know me it’s hard to imagine but then I ask you to picture this: Abba’s Dancing Queen techno mix- -blasting, an extremely energetic, encouraging and enthusiastic instructor named Amadeus, friends, and lots of laughter ;-) need I say more – it was hilarious and a decent workout too!
I’ve also been on a few hikes here, a few with friends around language school where Alicia and I decided to let the boys Freddy and Alex find our way back to school a new way from that which we came... It was a tad frightening, but we made it back before dark and discovered some really cool places, and lots of Siafu (army ants that travel in herds and if you get in their way they’ll crawl up your legs and bite you!). And last weekend I went hiking up Mount Meru to a waterfall, I didn’t’ really realize it was UP the mountain.. nor that it was a good 6 hour hike.. haha ( I woke up to an invitation from my friend and decided I could be ready to leave in 10 minutes... haha oops!) -- but it was fun and pretty. We climbed a lot, it was SO steep for a good hour, then eventually a bit more gradual climb, then straight down a bit to a stream / through a stream to a waterfall, then on the way back up up up and down steep... it was POURING, I was soaking wet, and we were all fighting falling the whole way down (so slippery!) ;-) I got home and was soaked muddy and exhausted, BUT it was beautiful and lots of fun!
I also had the opportunity to house sit with my wonderful friend Jenny (no dad, I did not actually sit on a house ;-) it was fun! Basically meant eating and cooking lots of yummy things together play games and watch movies, like mini slumber parties each night Things we cooked get ready: grilled cheese/tomato soup, pasta with fresh veggies of course ;-), butternut squash, banana bread, chocolate chip cookes (YUM- I personally think they gave sweet martha’s a run..); homemade pizza –it was fun- of course guacamole.. (I am getting really good at making guacamole ☺ yum!)
I also Joined church kuwaya (choir)- :- ) We are doing Christmas program called Carols by candle light here on Dec. 22nd and on the 18th we’re going to go caroling at a few of the hospitals in town.. (and no- not in Swahili – mostly in English- -sorry) BUT it is SO much fun to be a part of – I am loving it!
Last update sorry to bombard you with so much writing, I didn’t want to write too much, I’m here in Arusha for the time being waiting on a few things to get figured out before I head back to Kiabakari to start teaching in January- My thanks for continued prayers! Love to you all!
Annie-
Miaka Hamsini Uhuru!! (50 years of freedom!) Yes—today is Independence Day here in Tanzania- I celebrated by going to my new sessions of swahili studies – I kept telling my teacher, Leo ni Lakizo (today’s a holiday- -) but he would laugh and say... not for you American – haha ...
Hope this post finds everyone happy and healthy – I haven’t written in a while, and will do my best to keep this short... (although I say that every post) Thanksgiving was wonderful here- I got to eat all the wonderful Thanksgiving food, and spend it with lots of wonderful people! It was also a good reminder of what wonderful friends and family I have at home! (miss you all- thanks for your continued support...couldn’t do it without you rooting for me at home)
A discovery I decided it was time I shared: I have found SO much family here in Tanzania- it’s crazy. I found out I have LOTS of children, mama to probably in the hundreds of thousands of people. I have eve more numbers of brothers (kaka) and sisters (dada).... It’s funny- people greet or call you mama/ dada wherever you go- depending on the age difference ;-) Just a realization as I’ve been walking around much more - -
I have also fallen in love...
... with two dogs here that live at the dispensary near Jacobson’s. One’s named Rabies, and the other Mange. Don’t let their names fool you they’re super sweet- and they’ve stolen my heart (yes these dogs do, but no so far none of the men who’ve confessed their love to me on the streets have won me over ;-) Anyways, one dog- Rabies is named that because he has this weird twitch type thing where he snarls every few seconds, at first it freaked me out, but now I know it’s just his thing and well.. I love him. Mange - -well I’m sure you can figure that one out for yourselves. But they’re both great especially rabies will greet me with a wagging tail and kisses (on the hand). Yes, I let a dog named rabies kiss me, oh well ;-)
So yes.. I am in love—with Rabies. (if you are skimming this blog you will be utterly confused and concerned unless you read the previous paragraph!)
Since my last post, I have graduated my Swahili Beginners course, complete with a certificate and shaking the headmaster’s hand. Wahoo, two graduations in 2 years, I am impressed too, don’t worry ;-) I loved school – the people, language, food , and teachers GREAT experience, and I feel as though I’ve learned a lot! Now a few days ago I’ve started attending Swahili lessons for a few hours a day- it’s good, I love learning the language. Some of my friends from school and I went to a place called Mitumba one weekend, it’s basically a goodwill here but x 1,000, a huge used clothing market- I LOVED IT!! I mean- you all know I get all my clothes from goodwill, so I was overjoyed to find this great place! One more thing I REALLY enjoyed about Swahili school was the Aerobics class. Yes, for those of you who know me it’s hard to imagine but then I ask you to picture this: Abba’s Dancing Queen techno mix- -blasting, an extremely energetic, encouraging and enthusiastic instructor named Amadeus, friends, and lots of laughter ;-) need I say more – it was hilarious and a decent workout too!
I’ve also been on a few hikes here, a few with friends around language school where Alicia and I decided to let the boys Freddy and Alex find our way back to school a new way from that which we came... It was a tad frightening, but we made it back before dark and discovered some really cool places, and lots of Siafu (army ants that travel in herds and if you get in their way they’ll crawl up your legs and bite you!). And last weekend I went hiking up Mount Meru to a waterfall, I didn’t’ really realize it was UP the mountain.. nor that it was a good 6 hour hike.. haha ( I woke up to an invitation from my friend and decided I could be ready to leave in 10 minutes... haha oops!) -- but it was fun and pretty. We climbed a lot, it was SO steep for a good hour, then eventually a bit more gradual climb, then straight down a bit to a stream / through a stream to a waterfall, then on the way back up up up and down steep... it was POURING, I was soaking wet, and we were all fighting falling the whole way down (so slippery!) ;-) I got home and was soaked muddy and exhausted, BUT it was beautiful and lots of fun!
I also had the opportunity to house sit with my wonderful friend Jenny (no dad, I did not actually sit on a house ;-) it was fun! Basically meant eating and cooking lots of yummy things together play games and watch movies, like mini slumber parties each night Things we cooked get ready: grilled cheese/tomato soup, pasta with fresh veggies of course ;-), butternut squash, banana bread, chocolate chip cookes (YUM- I personally think they gave sweet martha’s a run..); homemade pizza –it was fun- of course guacamole.. (I am getting really good at making guacamole ☺ yum!)
I also Joined church kuwaya (choir)- :- ) We are doing Christmas program called Carols by candle light here on Dec. 22nd and on the 18th we’re going to go caroling at a few of the hospitals in town.. (and no- not in Swahili – mostly in English- -sorry) BUT it is SO much fun to be a part of – I am loving it!
Last update sorry to bombard you with so much writing, I didn’t want to write too much, I’m here in Arusha for the time being waiting on a few things to get figured out before I head back to Kiabakari to start teaching in January- My thanks for continued prayers! Love to you all!
Annie-
Monday, November 14, 2011
Kenya, An Arusha Halloween and Language School
Hello Everyone-
Sorry for the lack of updates- truly- I should have informed you I arrived in Arusha safely 2 weeks ago! SO sorry-- Alas I am here safely in Arusha!
The trip through Kenya went smoothly no real problems other than being antsy sitting in cars/ busses for a while – I also filled up my passport some- getting 4 stamps in 2 days! Things I saw on my trip : rolling mountains, chickens, goats, donkeys, cows, roosters etc etc.. Where Obama’s family lives- -okay.. we passed close by only like an hour away..), The Rift Valley (drove through it : ) Then up above the Rift Valley (simply breathtaking and no.. I didn’t get pictures dumb! Sorry) pouring rain and hail, and Nairobi (holy cow! Nairobi is huge especially coming from a couple weeks at Kiabakari- ! wow) I stayed overnight in a guesthouse for Scripture Mission which was nice and I was able to meet Geir’s family that was a blast! We played (some of you Than and Cambronnes) won’t believe it but we played Scottland Yard (the board game) together which was nice, good to meet his family.
The next day the journey continued I saw busy bustling Nairobi (which to me seemed kind of dirty and smoggy a big city) – and the Nairobi Marathon was going on that morning so I saw that- it was crazy!! I think I enjoyed the scenery for my marathon a bit more than I would have in Nairobi. Anways got a few more stamps in my passport and with all the items in Nairobi I was able to buy the “essentials” at a stop- the East African newspaper :- ) and chocolate crackers yumm chocolate!) The bus ride was about 6 hours from Kenya to Arusha – and pulling into Arusha finally, I was SO giddy to see my Arusha family – it feels like home here with these wonderful people.
My time in Arusha the following week I arrived was filled with fun Halloween Activities- Yes, Mama Linda made sure I had my Halloween since she knows it’s kind of a big deal where I come from (Anoka MN, Halloween Capital of the World..) So she saw to it that we went to the market, found pumpkins to carve, made caramel apples, dressed up in costumes, had a Halloween themed dinner with decorations, and I even did reverse trick-or-treating.. giving my medical friends candy wearing a nice costume : - ) yes it was a great Halloween in Tanzania- Linda said the Halloween Capital of Tanzania- I would say she was right!
I also had meetings with my regional representative in Arusha which has been great, she’s been so helpful and I appreciate all the work she does (which is a lot!) she’s been very supportive to me too so hooray!
Now, I’m at language school – and I started to write this many days ago.. but you’ll see why this did not happen in a bit. School has been great Ninapenda kujifunza Kiswahili sana! I I love studying Swahili!) It’s been really fun I’m making friends, learning Swahili and hoping that I will get a good basis and lots of vocab (which is being shoved down our throats a bit overwhelming ... but good)- The teachers are great too, I’ve enjoyed it- we split into small classes, so my class has 5 students to one teacher and we have class almost 6 hours a day 5 days a week, so it’s good. I know it’s working because the night I started writing this, I actually started feeling pretty crummy... which turned into really crummy, which turned into wanting to die a few times.. (but glad I didn’t!) I was down for the count so to say for about 4 days, fever, as my friend Erik Teig said “pooping my brains out” and of course some vomiting (my favorite ;( ) on top of it all- But I am happy to say after missing 2 classes, I am back in school and feeling pretty good once again, just tired and trying to catch up on missed work -
That being said- Things are going well right now – I better get back to studying- Wednesday we are going to be testing out our Swahili with a trip to the market! Wish me luck! ( I am pretty sure it will go better than previous trips – I just need to have confidence and do my best!)
Salama- miss you all lots!
Annie
Sorry for the lack of updates- truly- I should have informed you I arrived in Arusha safely 2 weeks ago! SO sorry-- Alas I am here safely in Arusha!
The trip through Kenya went smoothly no real problems other than being antsy sitting in cars/ busses for a while – I also filled up my passport some- getting 4 stamps in 2 days! Things I saw on my trip : rolling mountains, chickens, goats, donkeys, cows, roosters etc etc.. Where Obama’s family lives- -okay.. we passed close by only like an hour away..), The Rift Valley (drove through it : ) Then up above the Rift Valley (simply breathtaking and no.. I didn’t get pictures dumb! Sorry) pouring rain and hail, and Nairobi (holy cow! Nairobi is huge especially coming from a couple weeks at Kiabakari- ! wow) I stayed overnight in a guesthouse for Scripture Mission which was nice and I was able to meet Geir’s family that was a blast! We played (some of you Than and Cambronnes) won’t believe it but we played Scottland Yard (the board game) together which was nice, good to meet his family.
The next day the journey continued I saw busy bustling Nairobi (which to me seemed kind of dirty and smoggy a big city) – and the Nairobi Marathon was going on that morning so I saw that- it was crazy!! I think I enjoyed the scenery for my marathon a bit more than I would have in Nairobi. Anways got a few more stamps in my passport and with all the items in Nairobi I was able to buy the “essentials” at a stop- the East African newspaper :- ) and chocolate crackers yumm chocolate!) The bus ride was about 6 hours from Kenya to Arusha – and pulling into Arusha finally, I was SO giddy to see my Arusha family – it feels like home here with these wonderful people.
My time in Arusha the following week I arrived was filled with fun Halloween Activities- Yes, Mama Linda made sure I had my Halloween since she knows it’s kind of a big deal where I come from (Anoka MN, Halloween Capital of the World..) So she saw to it that we went to the market, found pumpkins to carve, made caramel apples, dressed up in costumes, had a Halloween themed dinner with decorations, and I even did reverse trick-or-treating.. giving my medical friends candy wearing a nice costume : - ) yes it was a great Halloween in Tanzania- Linda said the Halloween Capital of Tanzania- I would say she was right!
I also had meetings with my regional representative in Arusha which has been great, she’s been so helpful and I appreciate all the work she does (which is a lot!) she’s been very supportive to me too so hooray!
Now, I’m at language school – and I started to write this many days ago.. but you’ll see why this did not happen in a bit. School has been great Ninapenda kujifunza Kiswahili sana! I I love studying Swahili!) It’s been really fun I’m making friends, learning Swahili and hoping that I will get a good basis and lots of vocab (which is being shoved down our throats a bit overwhelming ... but good)- The teachers are great too, I’ve enjoyed it- we split into small classes, so my class has 5 students to one teacher and we have class almost 6 hours a day 5 days a week, so it’s good. I know it’s working because the night I started writing this, I actually started feeling pretty crummy... which turned into really crummy, which turned into wanting to die a few times.. (but glad I didn’t!) I was down for the count so to say for about 4 days, fever, as my friend Erik Teig said “pooping my brains out” and of course some vomiting (my favorite ;( ) on top of it all- But I am happy to say after missing 2 classes, I am back in school and feeling pretty good once again, just tired and trying to catch up on missed work -
That being said- Things are going well right now – I better get back to studying- Wednesday we are going to be testing out our Swahili with a trip to the market! Wish me luck! ( I am pretty sure it will go better than previous trips – I just need to have confidence and do my best!)
Salama- miss you all lots!
Annie
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