tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19371191639569030472012-02-16T09:26:25.407-08:00This blog will follow Jenny, Bruce and me as we prepare and travel to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania for the month of June. We will be working in a school for orphaned children on weekdays and hope to do some traveling on the weekends. We hope that you will check our blog periodically to stay up to date on our amazing opportunity to serve The Lord and His people in this way.MLSnoreply@blogger.comBlogger481100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1937119163956903047.post-67929863068631242472007-07-03T15:57:00.000-07:002007-11-03T05:12:22.459-07:00

Just wanted to give a quick update to let you know that Jenny and I are back safe and sound. We had about 18 hours of flight time with an 8 hour layover in Amsterdam. We didn't sleep much, but thanks to modern technology, were entertained by several movies to bide the time. I definitely watched some movies that I normally wouldn't....but when you have all of that time, you resort to any kind

MLSnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1937119163956903047.post-21124433265364175712007-07-01T04:55:00.000-07:002007-07-01T06:40:27.392-07:00

In just 4 hours Lauren and I will be heading to the airport. We have felt as if we were in a time warp here in many ways. As the weeks have gone by, I've found myself grappling with all sorts of different thoughts and emotions on what I have seen and experienced. I have found myself doing a lot of listening and thinking, rather than talking as much as I usually do.It is natural and easy for we

Jennynoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1937119163956903047.post-68994994273916105672007-06-30T21:17:00.000-07:002007-06-30T21:42:13.575-07:00

As we leave tonight, I have been pondering my future involvement with the children that I have met, and other kids like them that live in Africa. How can I support them from far away? How can I show these children that they are not forgotten, but that they matter, they are important and they are loved?My heart continues to firmly believe that my work (and our work) in Africa is not done.I

MLSnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1937119163956903047.post-86279790547175853492007-06-29T03:41:00.000-07:002007-06-30T07:58:42.681-07:00

Our cook, Batiste, whom I have written about earlier, has a son Horucy that is not able to attend school this year because of financial difficulties. Horus is a great kid who comes to our afternoon classes. We all like him very much. Due to the fact that I have had so many generous donors, I was able to go to his former school and register him for next year! He will begin classes in January,

MLSnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1937119163956903047.post-49175476513394167652007-06-29T02:59:00.000-07:002007-06-29T05:22:03.315-07:00

Since today is Friday, it was game day at school. Jenny did a great job planning and implementing their first obstacle course. The kids really enjoyed it, the teachers and volunteers did, too!Here is some footage of Jenny in action with the kids!motiono.com/watch/EiRRuNTOIt was a sad goodbye to be sure, but it is wonderful to see the fruits of our labor. Sitting back and realizing that they

MLSnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1937119163956903047.post-81122023145651425962007-06-28T09:09:00.000-07:002007-06-28T08:56:33.805-07:00

Last night.....Some of the volunteers....this was last night's "Goodbye party" as some of us begin to leave tomorrow.(L to R): Sarah, Maggie, Roxanne, me and JennyToday at school was like "Oprah's Big Giveaway" show! We were able to give each child a pair of underwear, shoes, shorts and a shirt! (We have been to some markets shopping and have pooled our resources in order to buy all of these

MLSnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1937119163956903047.post-24894530912187302882007-06-27T12:35:00.000-07:002007-06-27T05:29:10.562-07:00

I am not feeling so hot today....but, being as "determined" (also known as hard headed) as I am, I went to school anyway. I ended up laying down with my head on my backpack in the supply closet and fell asleep during school. If you knew what a zoo that closet becomes, you wouldn't believe that I was able to sleep through such insanity! So, I think I am officially under the weather. I have

MLSnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1937119163956903047.post-10629782970863580232007-06-26T02:31:00.000-07:002007-06-26T09:49:07.196-07:00

The make-over team was at it again, today! All eyes were peeled looking for kids that needed some new things. Below are some pictures and stories of the kids we were able to help.I knew these overalls looked way too small for her.....when I changed her into her new outfit (below) I saw that they were for 9-12 month olds! She was really happy to have a dress that fits well!Ta da!!!This child

MLSnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1937119163956903047.post-83994863031115870302007-06-25T03:57:00.001-07:002007-06-25T08:28:08.517-07:00

Last week, the volunteers and I were playing some kickball out in the yard, when 5 huge boxes arrived- all addressed to me. They were sent by my Aunt Ann, my parents and my sister. (My family mentioned that they were planning to send some things my way for the kids, but the magnitude of the gifts was mind boggling.) These boxes were filled with school supplies, jump ropes, barrettes, shoes,

MLSnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1937119163956903047.post-63996072319016200782007-06-24T07:32:00.000-07:002007-06-24T08:12:01.149-07:00

Batiste, our cook at the volunteer house, invited us to come to his church this morning. So, at 9:00, we loaded into the back of Grace's pickup truck and were on our way to the morning service when a Masai gentleman hopped in the back with us. (The Masai is the tribe in Tanzania that has best held to its traditions and cultures. They are always clothed in red and purple blankets, wear a lot

MLSnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1937119163956903047.post-35785272015841813092007-06-23T09:18:00.000-07:002007-06-23T10:17:16.680-07:00

What a wonderful experience Jenny, Ger and I had in Mikumi! It was about a 5 hour drive there and it was beautiful the whole way. We saw the Uluguru mountains which were beautiful. Once arriving, we we began our safari. We stood through the roof and were able to see beautiful landscapes. We saw zebra, baboons, elephants, giraffes, impalas, buffalo, jackal, wildebeest, warthogs, hippos and

MLSnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1937119163956903047.post-53144685134949961362007-06-22T00:46:00.000-07:002007-06-21T20:20:53.195-07:00

TOP 5 THINGS THAT CONTINUE TO BECOME "NORMAL" (in no particular order):1. ANTS: they're everywhere: in our food, in the shower, on our bodies...everywhere...the lines and formations they make on their way to get things has amazed us all. The Brits used up an entire can of RAID in their room last night and were baffled at the aftermath--so many ants, the floor could no longer been seen in some

Jennynoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1937119163956903047.post-72051983499744453752007-06-21T13:43:00.000-07:002007-06-21T03:50:40.448-07:00

Today was a great day at school. For my PDS friends, I introduced the African children to "Matman" and they loved him! These kids are learning about the different parts of the body, so singing about Matman was a lot of fun. Then, PD came to talk with them about the parts of his body! To finish it all up, we sang the song "Body Boogie" and my new friends loved pretending to play the guitar

MLSnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1937119163956903047.post-51494595822581224522007-06-20T08:38:00.000-07:002007-06-20T11:51:48.085-07:00

Happy 30th Birthday, Elizabeth!Today is my sister, Elizabeth's, 30th Birthday!! Elizabeth, if there were any other place I would rather be right now, it would be with you celebrating your big day! Know that your birthday began here 7 hours before it did in West Palm....I started the celebrations in Tanzania!Click on the links below to see special messages from some of my new friends:

MLSnoreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1937119163956903047.post-52318389275867339002007-06-19T05:08:00.001-07:002007-06-19T07:28:15.774-07:00

We had just arrived at school when I saw Mwadenny walking up crying his little eyes out. He was inconsolable for the first 30 minutes I was holding him. He was clinging to me so much that I had to forgo my teaching role this morning and other volunteers took over while I sat with him. He was more distraught than I have ever seen him. That precious smile, that I have shown you in pictures,was

MLSnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1937119163956903047.post-78096321912675733302007-06-18T11:30:00.000-07:002007-06-18T09:31:51.857-07:00

We have five new volunteers as of this weekend. There are two girls from the U.S. and three British guys. So, now there are 15 of us total. It is nice that we have some overlapping so we will teach the new crop what we have done and how they can carry on once we are gone.My aim is not to make these entries sad every day, but lately I have been experiencing a lot of tough moments. It is hard

MLSnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1937119163956903047.post-39811564578890368152007-06-16T08:53:00.000-07:002007-06-17T20:47:30.518-07:00

This morning, after saying "goodbye" to Bruce, Jenny and I hopped onto bikes and headed to church. It was a tough 40 minute ride-mostly uphill. To give you a mental picture, there I was wearing a long skirt that continually got caught in the spokes of the bike causing me to jolt backward until I could "one arm" the steering wheel long enough to get my skirt out of the spokes and not get hit by

MLSnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1937119163956903047.post-32980960498096664072007-06-15T20:56:00.000-07:002007-06-16T07:59:23.785-07:00

I have a few soap boxes in life that I am pretty passionate about. One that really stands out to me is my felt need to advocate for people with special needs. In the U.S., many strides have been made in the last couple of decades that have allowed such children to go to school with other typically functioning kids, "play" on their sports teams, etc. There are still many who do not see the need

MLSnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1937119163956903047.post-1680382715718516602007-06-15T07:14:00.000-07:002007-06-15T07:35:09.338-07:00

It has been a great week at school. Routines are being followed more and more each day, the children are respecting our authority a bit more, and relationships with them are delving deeper. I keep coming back to the thought of the genetic lottery that we are all somewhat a part of. (Not taking for granted that, I believe, that God is in control of family situations- but, that there is no

MLSnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1937119163956903047.post-53026865430848500362007-06-15T06:48:00.000-07:002007-06-15T13:34:01.935-07:00

As the sun sets here in Tanzania, so my time here draws to a close, and so I wanted to send a final update to everyone… As I look back at my time and consider the amount of progress I have seen these kids make, how attached i am to them...the school, and the workers, I find it hard to believe I have been here just a few short weeks. It seems so much longer than that.… Other times, (especially

Brucenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1937119163956903047.post-11245898248685417492007-06-14T04:28:00.000-07:002007-06-14T07:24:47.800-07:00

Hello all!Jenny has not been feeling well, so please pray for her. She has had a fever and a sore throat since yesterday afternoon. Her fever has broken as of this morning, but the sore throat remains. It is no big surprise that several of us have been getting sick lately, as the kids we are with each day are ridden with all sorts of germs, runny noses, infections, skin problems, etc. (Our

MLSnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1937119163956903047.post-48229301770219222452007-06-13T02:42:00.000-07:002007-06-13T07:57:08.763-07:00

This is for my PDS boys....PD came to visit just as he said he would! He came to the school where I have been teaching this morning! The children in Africa had never met anyone like PD and they loved him just as you love him! Check out the picture of PD teaching the ABC's me! The children here don't speak English, they speak Swahili, but they are working hard to learn the ABC's and how to

MLSnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1937119163956903047.post-2783068011500174422007-06-12T20:51:00.000-07:002007-06-12T12:25:52.162-07:00

I braved the role of "nurse" today as I saw many children with runny noses. I wanted to help, so I tried to clean them up a bit. "Yikes" was probably the most common word spoken as I completed this task. It is not hard to find the ones who need to blow their noses- for differing reasons- but some are sent to school with a dirty, old rag pinned to their clothing so they will blow their noses

MLSnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1937119163956903047.post-84026864207966833952007-06-11T21:41:00.000-07:002007-06-12T03:40:01.864-07:00

Last night, the 5 volunteers working with GVN in Bagamoyo came to the volunteer house here in Bahari Beach for a little get together. We also invited Zinyeto and Juma. We had a wonderful time hanging out and sharing experiences with the other volunteers. We also loved having Zinyeto and Juma as part of our group and will continue inviting them to future get-togethers to build up our team.Everyone

Jennynoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1937119163956903047.post-43153620633793191982007-06-11T02:48:00.000-07:002007-06-11T11:53:33.183-07:00

Today was another great Monday. Most of the children retained what we taught last week: colors, some animal words, the ABC song and counting up to 20. It is encouraging to know that they are making progress! I talked with Zenyeto this morning and have begun a lesson plan book for him to look at each day so that he will know what to teach for following two days. We want to equip the local

MLSnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1937119163956903047.post-56354556895975532202007-06-10T12:10:00.000-07:002007-06-10T12:52:50.015-07:00

Hey Everyone...So we are back from the weekend in Zanzibar...a veritable buffet of sights sounds and smells...some pleasant, some I could have happily avoided....The island itself is just a short boat ride from the mainland and the first thing that hits you as you cruise up to the dock is just how blue the water is...inviting to say the least..the second is as you step out from the air

Brucenoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1937119163956903047.post-46126996158364664142007-06-10T09:52:00.000-07:002007-06-10T10:46:15.664-07:00

We just got in from a wonderful weekend exploring the island of Zanzibar. Zanzibar is primarily Muslim so we could hear the chiming of the bells and hear people praying several times a day. We also saw most women walking around with only their eyes showing through their traditional Muslim attire and the men wearing their traditional Muslim hats. It was a very interesting cultural experience.We

MLSnoreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1937119163956903047.post-648426994003405462007-06-07T21:05:00.000-07:002007-06-07T21:39:01.522-07:00

If you've been following along, you've learned that our time here was not what we expected. We do not live in Dar es Salaam, we are not working at an orphanage or an existing school (like we originally expected), we are not living in a youth hostel or mud hut (I was sorta looking forward to writing about that-ha!), and we have been given the huge responsibility of starting a school...yes,

Jennynoreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1937119163956903047.post-57006762082192191872007-06-07T08:00:00.000-07:002007-06-07T11:12:32.433-07:00

"TIA" is a very common abbreviation heard around the volunteer house each day. It means "This is Africa" and is said when things happen that are potentially frustrating, surprising or simply different than what we are used to. Here are a few "TIA" moments from today.- After our mornings at school, we are always exhausted. The children have been jumping all over us, crying so that we will pick

MLSnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1937119163956903047.post-9421132489021095472007-06-06T04:30:00.001-07:002007-06-06T09:07:27.386-07:00

Today was a tough day for the kids. They had a much more difficult time listening and interacting. They were crying, fighting and just sort of "out of it". Because of that, playtime began a bit earlier than normal.Little "Tinkerbell", that I mentioned in a previous entry, was patched up again today. Zenyeto and I had to carry her to the school as she was limping terribly. Her band aid from

MLSnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1937119163956903047.post-18042573799022415002007-06-05T08:53:00.000-07:002007-06-05T09:17:23.268-07:00

Today was another great day at school. We finished talking about colors, counted a bit, and even taught them the "Chicken Dance Medley" that we sing in my class at home. They loved it!After school, we went into the village to see where our students live. They all ran out of their "homes" and were saying "Mambo, teacher". We soon had our very own little paparazzi following us around. They

MLSnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1937119163956903047.post-4674450731147694912007-06-04T04:45:00.000-07:002007-06-04T10:24:59.384-07:00

Today was our "first" day of school, in a sense. We made up a list of school rules , acted them out, and repeated them in English and Swahili.. They did a great job! We are working with Zenyeto to teach him how to teach the kids, as he was a fisherman until a few weeks ago. He is really a "natural" teacher and is doing a great job. He would translate what I would say and work with me to

MLSnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1937119163956903047.post-58632878507207591952007-06-03T11:56:00.000-07:002007-06-04T04:44:20.252-07:00

I finally figured out how to use You Tube and post videos. I will be sure to add more as the trip goes on. But here is one to get started.Here is a link to the video of a really cool kid who won the high jump contest:(Just click on the link below and watch him go!)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvY6TqCYD0I

MLSnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1937119163956903047.post-79527216051565160792007-06-03T09:27:00.000-07:002007-06-03T09:45:24.356-07:00

For those of you who know me well, you know that I am a pretty picky eater. Well, as I have said earlier, I am really working on this whole "hard core" missionary persona. I have hung in there all week by eating protein bars, trail mix, toast and the occasional cheese and cracker combo that I bought once here. Tonight I really "went for it" and we walked to The Bahari Beach Resort just down

MLSnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1937119163956903047.post-18617963353577110002007-06-03T06:49:00.000-07:002007-06-03T07:38:56.955-07:00

Jambo! While we are on day 4 of our "excellent adventure", seems like we've been here longer. Everything is done so differently here and it will take a lot of getting used to, but I'm really enjoying things! Today Bruce, Lauren, Sarah (another volunteer), and I decided to go for a walk. We have been "stuck" indoors due to the rain--it has been monsooning for hours (the rainy season should be

Jennynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1937119163956903047.post-47839059723925359562007-06-02T08:01:00.000-07:002007-06-02T08:32:44.180-07:00

It was a busy Saturday. We are in the process of revamping the school and plan to begin our curriculum on Monday. We have a very motivated group of volunteers that have spent a lot of time talking about how we can make this school the best it can be and we think that it needs a fresh start. (What a treat to be with other people who are willing to use even their weekends to work with the

MLSnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1937119163956903047.post-16618024379034431742007-06-01T20:35:00.000-07:002007-06-02T00:24:31.264-07:00

Here are some pictures of our time at the school. I couldn't get the pictures to upload last night, but definitely wanted you to see the faces of these adorable kids. How could you not love being here? These kids LOVE having their pictures taken, and then seeing what they look like. I wonder if they have ever looked in a mirror.I have to admit, I constantly wonder "Why them? Why wasn't I the one

MLSnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1937119163956903047.post-22758856118283641342007-06-01T08:30:00.001-07:002007-06-01T08:59:26.548-07:00

Today was another great day with the kids. Fridays are not typical school days, but are usually used to play games with the kids. Jenny, being a great P.E. teacher, came with supplies and ideas for several great games. The problem, of course, is that there is little attention paid to rule following, and it is difficult to translate multi-step directions. So, Zenyeto a villager who helps us

MLSnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1937119163956903047.post-41667222378974794032007-05-31T10:55:00.000-07:002007-05-31T11:13:57.326-07:00

We went into the village today to teach the children and they were excited to have some people to pay attention to them. They ran up to the bus as we drove up, banging on the doors with huge smiles on their faces. To them, we are hope. We are education, games, hugs and occasional treats. We spent the first hour teaching in three rooms. I worked with the little ones- singing songs about

MLSnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1937119163956903047.post-31808128702854982212007-05-30T21:53:00.000-07:002007-05-30T21:54:42.496-07:00

HI Everyone, So I have arrived safe and sound in Tanzania...managed to sleep like a baby on the flights, so when i rolled in about 7 this mornign i felt quite fresh, albeit in need of a shower...Even at this hour, Dar Es Salaam is a hive of activity, streets bustling with bikes and cars, people on their way to jobs, people waiting for jobs,...the streets are mainly paved, in varying degrees of

Brucenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1937119163956903047.post-63576192692742079362007-05-30T13:51:00.001-07:002007-05-30T14:02:29.428-07:00

Thank you all for your prayers for safe travels!! Jenny and I just walked into our "new home" and were quickly greeted by Bruce and some of the other volunteers. It is 12:00 here....4:00 in Memphis. It truly seemed like our flights were never ending...but it was all worth it when we heard the words "Welcome to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania"! We got our Visas, our bags ALL made it, and we headed to

MLSnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1937119163956903047.post-38796545712840676792007-05-28T07:06:00.000-07:002007-05-28T08:48:54.447-07:00

One of the great things about being a teacher in an elementary school is that I get to experience "little kid excitement". This usually happens around Christmas, the end of the school year, on a birthday, or special event. I think it's the best kind of excitement there is, because it is purely positive and hopeful. For the first time in quite a while, I am experiencing some "little kid

Jennynoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1937119163956903047.post-10175108198308358372007-05-19T20:16:00.000-07:002007-05-27T11:46:32.723-07:00

Countdown is on.....So one week to go...injections have been administered, tickets purchased, track record (clean criminal record) proven,...and final lists made....It seems like just yesterday that Jenn and I tentatively discussed the idea of going to Africa on a mission...yet 10 months have gone by and today I find myself sorting out the last minute details of the trip....I fly out on the 27th

Brucenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1937119163956903047.post-58379401327250971132007-04-23T08:05:00.000-07:002007-05-27T11:46:32.724-07:00

Donations from important people in my life....awesome. Prayers from trusted friends.....absolutely coveted. A dollar from a small child's "money sock"....priceless.Ethan, a child in my Junior Kindergarten class, and his twin sister, Eliza heard about my trip and felt such compassion for the children in Africa that they each donated some of their hard earned savings toward the cause. The best

MLSnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1937119163956903047.post-7791390431278981942007-04-21T14:43:00.000-07:002007-04-21T12:48:00.072-07:00

Lauren, Bruce, and I will be boarding a plane to Dar es Salaam in a little over a month (May 29th) and it's been amazing to see God's hand in our trip thus far. Thank you to everyone who is supporting me! Thank you to those of you who are giving money and goods to the orphans and children we will be working with! I have found out that we will be working at a school called Wamato--I've read

Jennynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1937119163956903047.post-18859873621580473752007-04-10T16:45:00.002-07:002007-05-27T11:46:32.724-07:00

Jenny and I went to get some of our shots last week. I got six shots and she got five. I don't know that I have ever spent so much money on something so painful! We are both just glad that we only have two more shots to go!

MLSnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1937119163956903047.post-83188075294693431742007-03-15T14:04:00.000-07:002007-05-27T11:46:32.724-07:00

I have recently heard the quote "I will go down into the pit if you will hold the rope". This refers to the idea that missionaries are glad to "go and do" if they have people supporting them, praying for them and encouraging them along the way. My family and friends amaze me. The support that I have already received from many of you has not only been an encouragement, it is reaffirming that our

MLSnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1937119163956903047.post-12239264848668670282007-02-26T06:29:00.000-08:002007-05-27T11:46:32.724-07:00

This weekend's missions conference at my church was a great source of encouragement to me, as I prepare for Africa. Ronnie Stevens, who is a missionary we support in Hungary, spoke about what kind of person it takes to be a missionary. He said, "a plane ride never made a missionary". I need to be living the way I hope to live in Africa....now. I ought to be serving people, loving people well and

MLSnoreply@blogger.com0