My First Week At 6,000 Feet

"When you believe nothing significant can happen through you, you have said more about your belief in God than you have declared about yourself."

-Experiencing God

I live in a village called Uhekule (oo-hey-kool-a). In this village are many things that make me think, “I would never see that in America.” For instance; Children using machetes to cut wood, toddlers carrying babies on their backs, toddlers wielding hammers, children working the shambas (fields) as part of school, and many more things. Just little reminders that you are in Africa. That being said, the minute I met the children, all doubts were gone. Eleven beautiful children, which I get the pleasure of knowing the next year. I love them so much already; they are so full of life! They like to tell everyone that they have Big butts. They are also very impressed with my muscles, and call me "Popeye". If they think I have big muscles I can not wait for them to meet my dad.

It's so beautiful here! I consider myself pretty lucky that I get to live here for a while. There are three buildings that make up the orphanage; the boys dorm, the girls dorm, and the volunteer dorm/ kitchen/ dining room/ classroom. Every day I look around and can’t believe that this is my life. The scenery is unreal. I am overwhelmed by the beauty of Tanzania (at least where I live) and this is my home. 

The kids all have some family in the village, but they are unable to really give them the care that they need. So they are at the orphanage. (In Tanzania, you are consider an orphan if one or more parents are dead.) So on Sundays, in the afternoon, we take the kids around for visits to their families. I was in a bit of shock when i saw their homes. I like the way Corrinne describes it, but it’s like looking in a National Geographic Magazine. All the pictures and video and assumptions about Africa, are pretty much true. They live in tiny "houses". Most are made of brick, or just pieces of wood for walls. They have a room where they cook over a fire place. And they just sit in these rooms with the smoke going everywhere, and the walls are just black. I went into a couple and I am not sure how they can stand it. My eyes were burning so bad! But this is life. This is how they live. The most amazing part of all of it is not how little they have, but how much. Everyone is so kind, and loving. They invite you into their homes-eager to meet you, and offer you food. At one house they had a bunch of dogs everywhere, and when we went inside, they offered us meat (which is very rare, and considered a huge honor). I was convinced that I was eating dog, but Corrinne said they don't eat dog here, they do eat cat sometimes.

I HATE spiders, in fact I am terrified of spiders. I can kill them, sometimes. Most people already know this about me. So, I am in my bedroom and decide that I would like to open my window for some fresh air. There are a few spiders in my room, but they haven't moved or anything so I am letting them live. Anyways, so I am opening the window and spiders scatter EVERYWHERE. I am pretty sure I start screaming and jump back about thirty feet (or so). I was able to kill a few, but then I try to close the window and it won’t close all the way. So I call in Corrinne and she finishes the job for me. Spiders. Ugh. 

Bibi Kay is designating me the Kuku or Chicken person. I have never dealt with chickens in my life, but now, in addition to the eleven children I am taking care of, I now have acquired twenty chickens. 

The kids discovered the birth mark on my leg and they say i have a little bit of African in me. :)

Bugs, are now a permanent part of my life. BUGS EVERYWHERE. In the house, in my room, outside, on the windows, anywhere and everywhere. Not to mention Spiders, which i hate. (as previously noted) And those are everywhere too. But even with all of that i am happy. I love that this is where I am, and some days are going to be harder than others, but for now, things are good.  I even had my first chance to work in the shamba (field) and it wasn't so bad. (at least what we were doing) I did get a pretty awesome sunburn. I had my hair up so the back of my neck and ears got burnt, and my face, and i had a sweatshirt on but the sleeves pulled up, so my forearms are burnt. Normally i would wear sunscreen but we left without a plan so i forgot all about it. Not next time though.

I still can’t believe that this is my life. This is where I get to live for a year. I have random moments of home sickness, but I am pretty sure those moments are meant to come. Plus I have eleven children to hug to help get through it. J I am still trying to wrap my mind around where I am. Africa. Tanzania, Africa.

For thanksgiving, Bibikay treated us to Spaghetti. (With meat in the sauce) It was delicious, but I did miss all the Hohensee/Yoder cooking. I was with you all in spirit, while I was sleeping.  

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives, and release from darkness for prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in zion- to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.” –Isaiah 61:1-3    

                    

Love has been on my mind a lot lately. God is really convicting me on loving everyone, even when it is hard. If I only love people when it’s easy, how does that show the love of Christ? What kind of an impact does that make? Anyone can love people who are easy to love, but to love no matter what, that is something special. I am so excited to see where this year is going to take me. What he has in store for me. He is obviously already at work here; I just get to join him.


Try this link to see my pictures:
 http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151258567313959.487503.783708958&type=3