Emotional Time

We were told in training that somewhere around 6-8 weeks into our mission, we would hit a crabby period. I am just finishing my seventh week, and I'm an emotional wreck!

I suppose the facts that I've been fighting malaria for several weeks and that my mom has been put on Hospice since I arrived in Tanzania might have a lot to do with my feelings. However, I also know I've never in my life been so far away from the people who love, support, and (in my grandchildren's cases) downright adore me. It hurts to be away.

And so, I'm going through my crabby time. At times, I think I'll never go on such a long-term mission trip again. It's just too heart-wrenching. But I also know I don't regret coming here and being God's hands and feet at Angel House. What a humbling realization it is that God's plan for Africa could involve crabby old me!
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Election

Well, the election is over, and the "Thumbs Up Party" won. I found out yesterday in a rather frightening way. Nate and Kate had taken the tutor back to the orphanage, so just the night guard and I were at the mission house. I was reading when I heard yelling and screaming, reminiscent of the riots of the sixties. I was glad I had the curtains drawn, because I really didn't want to be seen at least until I figured out what was going on. The road was filled with people running and shouting. I thought they sounded happy, but I wasn't sure. At the of the "parade" came the car with the political party's flag. Even though I was relieved to discover what was going on, I kept a low profile. :-)
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Africans Politics

Apparently, there are two major political parties in Tanzania. One uses the "thumbs up" symbol, and the other, the "peace sign". I didn't realize this until someone at the orphanage told me. As a teacher, I often used the "thumbs up" to confirm a student's understanding of instructions. Now I have to be careful not to make a political statement.
Often, cars with loud speakers cruise through Tarime blasting the praises of one or the other party. I was walking home one day last week and realized there was a political rally going on in a field near the mission house. I scurried indoors until it was over. It was a bit intimidating to hear Swahili speakers all riled up. Politics is bad enough when I know what is being said!
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Names in Tanzania

Tarime and the surrounding are has some traditions about naming first-borns. Typically, the first son is named Cha Cha or Mwita, and the first daughter is named Bhoke. I can only imagine what nightmares this must cause in classrooms! Just at Angel House alone, we have two Bhoke Mwitas! The father's first name becomes his children's last name. Thus, both of these Bhokes had fathers named Mwita. Lucky for us, each of our kids also has a Christian name. Thus, one of our Bhokes is "Bhoke" and the other is "Lucy".
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Malaria Update

We went out for supper with our Aussie friends last night, and after several trips to the choo, Dr. Maggie asked me how I was feeling. When I told her, she recommended I return to the hospital today for another blood test. Turns out, the malaria is better, but I need another round of treatments. By the time my test results were in, I was unable to get started on the oral medication or the shots. So, first thing tomorrow we start daily shots and 2 pills 3 times a day...and more rest. I have read just about everything I can get my hands on and am even doing several Su Doku daily, trying to be a good patient. I'm afraid I'm not a patient patient!
In a week, we will be packing up the older boys to move them to the new building. I told the doctor I had one week to get well. He just smiled. Do you think he knows something I don't? :-)
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Faith

We usually try to be back at the mission house by 7:00 in the evenings, but lately it seems just when we get ready to leave, something comes up that needs immediate attention. So it was, I found myself watching Kate struggle to reassure Samson, through an interpreter, that he will be able to continue to attend St. Jude English Medium School even after she and Nate leave Tanzania next month.
"Have we ever lied to you?" She asked. "We love you, and we will continue to pay for your education even when we are not here. If you don't believe me, there is nothing I can do to convince you. You will just have to wait and see."
I watched the anguish in Samson's young, handsome face. He and Angel are the first Angel House kids to attend St. Jude, which has the highest test results of any primary school in Tanzania. They attend school all day, twice as long as the other primary students. Classes are taught in English, a big advantage for Tanzanian students. He wanted to believe all of his work hadn't been in vain, but he was so afraid.
My heart broke as I struggled with the truth I could not reveal to Samson yet. For Christmas, our main benefactor, Dr. Lisa, is paying all of our primary students' tuition to St. Jude's for next term. So, not only will Samson get his heart's desire, but all of our youngest Angels will, too.
How often must God go through this same thing with us! Knowing His plan for each of our lives, He watches us struggle to believe. What a lesson in faith!
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Malaria

Nate says 50 percent of the serious illnesses with our kids are caused from worms and 50 percent are due to malaria. Stomach problems are very frequent here, and many people have malaria and keep going about their daily business.
So, even though I have been very careful, drinking Dasani water and using my mosquito net, I began to feel sick last week.
At first, I was dizzy, and I talked with our Australian friend, Dr. Maggie. She suggested I cut down on my blood pressure medicine, which I did.
I have been resting more and drinking all the water I can keep down, but I was still sick today. I had lab tests done at the hospital which diagnosed stage 3 malaria (serious) and worms.
The medical staff here was very knowledge and helpful. I'll have shots today and tomorrow and oral medicine for 5 days. If that doesn't do the trick, they'll admit me.
I told them I'm not a very good patient, but I am good at following directions at home. I also Nate and Kate nearby if I need anything. They have both had malaria.
So much for the threat of malaria being low at altitudes above 5000 ft. We're as high as Denver here in Tarime.
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Technical Difficulties

I'm having difficulty with the network here. I suspect it is due to poor power connections. So...if you're wondering why there's been no word from me out of the blue, that's why. I'm sending this as a sort of test just to see if things are working again. If so. I'll try to resend the blogs that didn't go through.
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Yes, We Have No Bananas

Thursdays at 9, we have staff meetings at Angel House. We spend time with the kids if it's an afternoon school day, and then I teach English to the staff at 1. Usually, I take a bottle of water and a couple of bananas with me, since lunch can come well into the afternoon on some days.
This morning, we were out of bananas, and by 1 o'clock my stomach was rumbling. I gave William 1000 shilings ($1) and asked him to buy some bananas. He brought back about a dozen!
I couldn't eat in front of my students, and I had to thank William, so I started handing out bananas.
On the way home, I passed a woman selling things in a small shack. I pass her at least twice most days on my trips between the mission house and the orphanage. Today, she motioned for me to sit with her. Having eaten the banana, I wasn no longer hungry so I sat.
The woman was thrilled, and her 3 children joined us. I showed them my Swahili notes, and we practiced together. I gave each child a banana when we got to the word 'tumbili,' and I mimiced a monkey. We had a good laugh. I can't remember a time when I got so much pleasure out of $1.
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Birthdays in Tarime

Two Angel House kids have celebrated birthdays this month, and I have taken them to celebrate at Goldland, a local hotel/restaurant. It is good to have time to talk one-on-one, since usually we are surrounding by so many others.
We order chips (fries) and Cokes and get to know each other better. I am so thankful to to have a chance to talk with these kids and assure them that life in The States is not perfect either. They all seem to have the dream of going to America, where all of their problems will be solved. I tell them it's very difficult to get a Visa to leave Africa.
The Tanzanian government routinely denies Visas for its citizens. We even have a staff member who is married to an American and speaks very good English who has been denied 3 times!
I pray each child at Angel House will be able to pursue his/her goals. I also pray that children around the world will be able live in peace and innocence.

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English Lessons

The other day, one of the cooks asked if I would teach her English. I was humbled and excited that she asked me, and I told her I'd be glad to. So, after teaching English for almost 30 years, I am teaching thr most eager class I've ever had. Speaking English is one of the most desired skills of people throughout the world. It empowers them to do so much more on an international level. It is an honor to sit with all of the cooks (because news travels fast when a tutor is available) and work on sentence structure and grammar. I encourage them to use English when they talk to the children. All of the school age kids get English lessons in school.
Of course, I am still struggling with Swahili, but I have over 40 willing teachers here at Angel House. When one runs out of patience with my clumbsy tongue, I go ask someone else.
It's amazing how much communicating goes on without words as well. The other day, Kate told me she is really suprised how well Bibi Leah and I communicate. I just laughed and said, "We just speak the bibi (grandma) language!". There is a certain understanding that comes with age and experience. Bibi Leah and I have become good friends, despite the language barrier.
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Cock-a-doodle-do

Although there is no such thing as a typical day in Tarime, one thing is certain. Just about daybreak, the roosters start crowing. Sometimes I wake up early and lie awake, waiting for them to greet me. Almost immediately after the rooster crows begin, our neighbor's cow starts complaining! This comical conversation never fails to bring a smile to my face.
Other sounds crowd out this dialogue during the day, the amplified calls to prayer 5 times daily from the local Mosques, people greeting each other whenever they meet, and the ocassional roar of cars, trucks, and tractors going by the mission house.
It is about a 15 minute walk to Angel House, which is located on one of the main streets in town. Directions are simple: Turn right out of our driveway. Follow the main road to the big house. Turn left past the car wash. (Yes, people actually bring their cars to the watering hole and pay to have someone wash them before they continue down the dirt roads!) Turn right at the Goodwill Hospital sign. Angel house is the last major building on the left, right at the edge of town.
Generally, I enjoy walking to town. I try to speak to everyone on the way, to avoid offending anyone. Children come running to greet the wazuma (not sure of the spelling, but it means white person), which is rather embarrassing. I have come to the conclusion that it is my priviledge to greet these little people with a handshake and a smile. Although I want to say, "I'm nobody special just because my skin is white, I greet you with the love of Jesus in my heart; and that is very special.".

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Tarime Details

Life in Africa is never successfully preplanned! You never know what's actually going to happen after you get up in the morning. You can fairly accurately predict things will run much later than when you've been told they will happen and that at any moment someone will show up and tell you they need you to go somewhere or do something right away. Thankfully, Nate and Kate field most of these scheduling details right now.
Living in Tarime, we are about 5000 feet above sea level. This helps us avoid blazing hot temperatures, and we usually only wear a jacket if it rains. Generally, it rains sometime every afternoon and sometimes at night. It's rather pleasant to fall asleep with the sound of raindrops on the metal roof.
Days when we have both water and electricity 24 hours straight are rare, and we've learned to be thankful if that happens. Sometimes I try to remember what a warm shower or a soak in a warm tub feels like, but there will be plenty of time for that when I get home.
Unusual incidents happen all the time here in Tarime. For instance, yesterday a car hit a cow which knocked a woman unconscious into a cement storm ditch. Our Australian firend, Chris, and his ambulance driver happened by and took the woman to the hospital.
Actually, I'm amazed we don't have more pedestrian injuries here. Goats, piki pikis, buses, cars, trucks, people, and bovines share the roads. Many vechiles use their horns instead of their breaks. Riding or walking, getting from place to place is always an adventure here!
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Wedding Day

Wow! There certainly is a lot of dancing at African weddings! The ceremony begins with a group of young men dancing down the aisle. Then young women follow, turn around, and come back to form lines on both sides of the aisle. The best man and maid-of-honor walk between the rows, followed by the flower girl and ring bearer. Last of all come the bride and groom. All the while, the congregation is dancing, yelling, and trilling their voices. It sounds like Busch Stadium with Puljos up with the bases loaded!
Each part of the service is punctuated with these displays of excitement-the taking of vows, the giving of the rings, EVERYTHING!
Then the choirs begin. Now, Tanzanian choirs are full-stage dancers. The energy exerted by these singers leaves me breathless just watching them.
During the ceremony, the cake is brought in, and the bride gives a forkful to all the family and close friends. We shared the same fork!)
The cake that is left over is passed by an usher and everybody takes a pinch.
When the cake is gone, dignitaries are introduced and asked to say a few words. The minister has a sermon, translated into English and delivered in Swahili.
Three hours later, the dancers dance out, and the reception begins.
My Lord, what a morning!
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A Piki Piki Ride

Everything is a swirl of activity here at Angel House because tomorrow our pastor is getting married. He commandeered our truck to take reception necessities to his village church, so Nate, Kate, and I were left in the dark without wheels. We try to be home by 7 normally, but tonight that was impossible. SO, we walked through town in the dark looking for a motorcycle (piki piki) ride. Now, I have always hated motorcycles and have even been heard to say no one in her right mind would ride one. Well, I carefully climbed on behind the driver and tried to figure out what to hold on to. Actually, I wanted to hug him with all my might; I was so scared! I finally settled on placing my hands on his shoulders and telling him, "I have never done this before, and I am a grandmother who plans to live to see her granchildren again. Please tell me you are a good driver!". Turns out, he was a wonderful young man, and I ended up singing, "Santi sana, squashed banana". and " Hukuta matata" as we went up the road to the mission house. We really had fun, and he was so careful to make sure my leg stayed away from the heat of the exhaust pipe. I think I will ride a piki piki again sometime soon!
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Primary Graduation

Today was another big graduation day for Angel House. 4 of our students graduated from primary school. Of course we are proud of all of them, but imagine our delight when our William was named "Best-behaved Student"! William is 19 and wasn't able to attend school before Angel House because he was busy providing for himself and his 4 siblings. His dad left the family, and not long afterwards his mother told her children she was going out to buy kerosene. They waited and waited, but she never came back. William cut wood to sell and later had his brother Richard (Cha Cha) sell mangoes to support the family. Their sister Lucy took care of household chores and watched their two younger siblings. This all changed when Angel House accepted William, Richard, Lucy, and Samson into their charge. I've never met 4 harder-working kids. I am proud to call them my grandchildren! We are hopeful Angel House might be able to welcome their 6 year-old sister Veronica into its fold in the future.
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