The Bad Guy

Tanzania 101:

There is something here that I like to call the “Tanzanian Squeeze”, and this is how it works:

I was catching a taxi from Njombe (closest “big” town) back to Uhekule, where I had just finished my weekly grocery shopping. We basically filled the trunk of the van with everyone’s stuff and it was time to go. I was taking an 8 passenger van, and we had about 11 people crammed in there, not too bad right? (I had the privilege of being up front) Next thing I know there is another lady wanting to catch the taxi too, so the driver takes a bag of rice and sets it in between our front seats, and then has someone sit on it. Now we have 12 people in our 8 passenger van. We are all getting settled when I realize that the lady who just got on, has a chicken! That’s right a live chicken, so we have 12 people and 1 chicken in the 8 passenger van.  We are taking off out of Njombe, when yet another man wants to catch a ride with us. At this point I am convinced that there is nowhere else we can possibly fit someone, and yet I am proved wrong. This man sits in the trunk of the car! Now we have 13 people, 1 chicken, a ton of cargo, in an 8 passenger van. You have now been taught the Tanzanian Squeeze. 

We have been off to a pretty rough start with the kids; no one wants to do their chores, they all took off the other day without telling anyone or asking permission,  some of them didn’t come home for lunch, etc. I have had to be the bad guy all week, and discipline, discipline, discipline! I went over all their chores with them and what is expected, reminder of the rules (ie not leaving without asking), and I have had to talk with certain kids individually. We have one girl who is older and WAY more mature than the other kids, but she has started telling them what to do, and spanking them for not obeying. So I had to talk to her about that, and I told her that I realize she does more than the other kids and I really appreciate it; however she is not to tell the other kids what to do or discipline them, if she has a problem she needs to talk to me or one of the other staff. I had to be really mean and take away movie night this week, and I think now they realize I am serious. 

We have this point system for the kids. When they do their chores or brush their teeth they get a point (which is a painted piece of corn) and then they get to buy something from the store each week. It was working great before the kids left for their families, and now they “don’t care about points”. I am hoping that when we have store this week, and the kids who don’t have enough corn and can’t participate, will care more this following week.

I am excited for the return if Kay and Corrinne this next weekend. Kay will be flying into DAR, and then going to Arusha (northern TZ) to meet with a pastor at another orphanage. She is going to check theirs out, and then he is going to come here. He might have some ideas for NGO’s that can take over here. So be praying like crazy for us, that we will be open to God’s leading about the future of Sunrise. As of right now I am the only volunteer lined up for Sunrise, BBK wants to leave in March, and Corrinne in April, but no later than July. 

I will be getting my temporary residency permit soon, so be praying that everything goes smoothly.

“God knows the lessons we need to learn, lessons of patience, submission, and self-denial. Our faith may need strengthening. We may be so concerned that God remove us from prison, that we miss the lessons he has for us in prison.” –Millie Stamm

“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

Isaiah 40:28-31

As usual, thank you for your continued Love and Support.