The Last of the Mohicans.. er, Mzungus

Hello again!

Before recapping some of the last few days, I want everyone to know that it has been almost 24 hours since I last saw Nancy and Carol, they are currently waiting at the airport for their flight in Kigali, Rwanda, and I am doing okay! This is even bigger news considering I did absolutely nothing today.. and I am still okay! I’ll explain as we go..

As I left off, explaining how Prosco had brought Christ to be with the fish, she continued to make my heart smile at dinner when she asked to spend time with me after. I told her I brought two little games if she wanted to try them (King-sized, Pre-school aged Old Maid and Crazy 8 cards from 5 Below). I figured she’d be pretty bored, she’s almost my age, but I was quite wrong. She enjoyed playing so much that she then asked two of the other people that live here, in Swahili, to join us. They both speak enough English for me to explain, and all four of us sat there, switching between Old Maid and Crazy 8’s for about two hours.. I was very tired, but I remained there with them because I realized, through playing these children’s games, I tend to have this HUGE expectation of everyone. My parents, Riley, some of my friends, but most importantly and significantly, God. One of the things I often do is that I want my family and friends to know, understand, and properly react to how I’m feeling all of the time.. which is absurd. And God? For the past year, I’ve been asking for a burning bush, or for Him to part the Red Sea, or shield my eyes so He can come down and I can enter into His holy of holies. I haven’t figured out how to fix my human relationships with my fault of over-expectation.. but, I did get my burning bush. God doesn’t work like that for me; He works different ways for everyone. I have to stop, look, and listen for the Crazy 8’s in my life.. for the opportunities where even the simplest gesture can bring about such joy, even at a cost of being exhausted. I’ve been in Africa for a month now (over halfway there!), and I haven’t been radically transformed like my ridiculous expectations had for me.. but, I’m starting to see the importance of the little things and as Mother Teresa would say, how my one drop in the ocean makes it complete.

I met with Nancy, Carol,and Father on both Monday and Tuesday night to have dinner at local’s homes.. I’ll be darned, I can’t remember Monday’s name for the life of me, but Tuesday’s was at Josephat’s, who is considered the lat of the royalty here in Tanzania! His father was the last Chief and with his death, the government removed that role. These dinners are always an interesting treat.. Us three would moreso bond, whilst Father and the 5-8 other Tanzanians communicated in Swahili. What is really neat about these encounters is that even though we barely communicate, besides choosing our beverage and telling them the food is ‘nzuri!!’ (good/nice/delicious/beautiful, depending on how you use it..) They absolutely love having us. They are delighted for us to just sit there for a few hours, to drink their drinks and eat their food and sit in community with them.  I recounted to N&C how my mom always had the ‘junk or snack shelf’ full and every time friends would come over, they’d bolt for it. Mom had a little bit of African hospitality in her that she didn’t even know about! Look at you! Josephat’s sister gave us three gifts of African jewelry before we left! It was so generous of her and they are all very beautiful.

At school this week, I did introductions to myself as well as America with every class I encountered. I helped out with both class 2’s, both class 3’s, and the only class 6 throughout the week. (Eng to the younger, Science to the older) I allowed for Q&A with the kids and I think they really enjoyed it. They learned about my family, how Americans have pets, that I wasn’t married (every class asked this), governmental questions (mainly about Obama..), the exchange rate of the TSH to the USD and how much more things cost in America, and our eating habits. I haven’t actually taught much English to the children yet because of their desire to ask questions, but that is okay.. having them listen to a Native English speaker helps them in and of itself! On Tuesday one of the classes asked me to teach them simple songs, and all of my special ed work had failed me.. because I blanked. HOW COULD I BLANK WHEN THAT’S ALL WE DO HALF THE DAY. I was embarrassed to say the least. But, my memory bank supplied the only one it knew: Miss Mary Mack. I taught all 3 verses to them, and they LOVED it. The next day, I was with the other grade 3 and they asked me to teach it, since their friends had all been doing it, too. So, I did.. I sang Miss Mary Mack by myself this week at least 5 times and now over 150 Tanzanian kids are going around with the little clap and singing it.. What a simple joy, but a beautiful one. I actually started to teach science to the grade 6ers, and they took to me surprisingly well. Even they were excited to have the mzungu teach them, and one day they had to leave early to practice their graduation songs and plays (7^th grade graduates on July 20^th) and three of them grabbed my hands and made me come with them to watch.  I do not think I will be living here in this apartment on July 20^th, but, I do hope I can make it back for the graduation. I don’t know many of the grade 7ers, but I know many of the children preforming.

On Wednesday, before Nancy and Carol’s good-bye party, Prosco and I walked.. and walked.. and walked around after school. My legs were tired and the dust was so terrible, but she enjoyed the company, so it was okay. She stated upon returning home that she would have me all to herself from now on, with my American friends gone.. hahaha As I went to their good-bye party, I realized my allergies were coming back very strong and very quickly.. The party was very nice.. many of the locals we met with in the past few weeks were there and all of the helpers at the home were, too. We ate and drank and Fr. thanked them for coming and what not. Nancy and Carol gave me all their leftover items that they did not use or give away to do so. I got many pencils, erasers, and little notepads for my kiddos at school, extra hand sanitizer, and, probably most cherished, more toilet paper! [However, I am making good use of my good Charmin.. I ration it well and still have a pinch over 2 rolls left! Go, me!] The good-bye was sad, but, thankfully my allergies covered my emotions haha. I was feeling pretty terrible by that time and so earlier than I planned, I said good-bye to the last of the Americans and my friends, and went home to take a Benadryl. They got so bad in the middle of the night that I texted Jared, the asst. principal and Prosco to tell them I wouldn’t be in in the morning because I needed to sleep. I then had a terribly vivid Malaria dream that my mother was helping at a car accident and I was mad at her for stopping because I had to get home and as she helped, the car exploded.. It felt so real, I felt that I could feel the heat from the car.. It was nuts. So, in a paniced-half-asleep state, I called home right away.. not realizing it was already 1am.. whoops! I’m just glad she (and everyone) is/are okay.

So, like I said, today is my first day alone as a white person, and I was even alone here at home and I did just fine. It’s easy to be here when kids are hanging all over you and wanting to talk.. but, quite a different story when you’re by yourself.. but I did well! And although I will miss the blessings of Nancy and Carol, I am excited about what this three weeks alone will bring me.

Happy fourth of July, Americans! I haven’t really celebrated, but, we do have tikatimagi (watermelon) and that’s about the only thing that will resemble an Independence Day picnic for me today!  But, I’ve got to say I’m thankful I won’t be home to see our frightened dogs lose their bowels all over the house due to fireworks.. Godspeed with that, dad! Enjoy the basement for the next week!

OH! Anddd I applied for a real, use-my-degree, job.. I feel qualified although I do not know if I feel called.. but, we will see. As always, say a prayer for me as I will for you. The following quote is also from Tattoos on the Heart, but, not specifically from Fr.’s mouth. I found it to be a beautiful testimony of the simple way I am serving here:

“We are put on earth for a little space that we might learn to bear the beams of love.” –William Blake