David VS. Goliath

Things here are pretty good, with the exception of it seems like we keep cycling through people getting sick- today is Andrews turn, ugh...

We are spending some time researching today, and hopefully meeting up with an incredible guy named David later on today.  Wow- he is really great.  He has incredible aspirations and goals for the future, and seems to be very interested in improving his community through agricultural development.

Yesterday was seeming like a bust in every way, and then (although very late), David showed up, we had an amazing conversation, he gave us each a necklace that he had made, and he left a few hours later, and I was in tears.  It was literally like a David vs. Goliath day.

When everything was seemingly going wrong and incredibly frustrating, he came in and completely redeemed the night and it allowed me to look past the daily frustrations and look back to the great things going on here and the difference that we are trying to make through local partners and strengthened communities.

I've had a little trouble here staying in touch with my faith, but I am trying hard to work on it each day, figuring out ways that we can get songbooks for church so we can better follow along, and being more

direct with making sure that I put aside some time each day for devotions, reflections, and study.  This experience has been such a clear gift from God, and to not take the time to further invest in growth would be a huge mistake on my part.  It is hard to not be able to understand what is going on in church and all things relating to faith here, but at the same time- I often feel like when I am in the

moment experiencing the music or message, I don't always have to understand every word.  There's a very special feeling that I have when I'm here listening to the music, it is beyond explanation.  I hope that I will be able to get more involved soon and understand more kiswahili, but I am still enjoying each moment that I have to soak up the gifts and talents that people have here and how they are using them to serve and praise.  I think I can take a lot away from this alone.

Faithfully Yours,

Lindsay

Pole Sana

Very sorry...

It has been so long since I have been on the computer, and seemingly endless things have happened since then.  We have all arrived in Lutindi, and have somewhat settled into the place where we are staying.  It is very minimal....to say the least.  There's lots that we have to do to even prepare for the idea of wanting to cook a meal.  Things here just go a lot slower. 

Internet connectivity here is very difficult.  Our wireless modems don't work, so we are using the internet cafe at the mental hospital, and this is our first opportunity to do so.  I am hoping to come up here a few times a week to keep you all updated on things that are going on. 

Now I can play a little catch up- I think that the fastest and most real way to do that is just pull out short bits from my journal from each day since we've been here in lutindi- so here goes...

Day 1:  Incredibly frustrated.  Introduced myself to the community by taking a big spill face first into the mud while touring a farm. Ended the day with me crying in my room, wishing I could have been able to have conversations with people here beyond greetings.

Day 2:  Walked around to different villages and met with different people with the help of our friend here, Dismas.  Visited with a few farming families and learned about what they are growing and challenges that they are facing.

Day 3:  Worked on a farm in the AM, and then took a hike to different surrounding villages on the mountain.  It was the most physically challenging and aesthetically rewarding experiences of my life.  There were many times when my legs felt like they could not take another step, but somehow- I made it back home alright.  When I got to my room, I felt overwhelmed with frustration in seeming that I could not keep up at the same pace as the rest of the group, and wondered what they were thinking when they chose me to come up to the mountains where literally everywhere you go and anything you do- you will be climbing a mountain to get there. 

Day 4:  The breakdown.  Worked on a farm in the morning, hauling manure about 1km back and forth from the source to the farm.  Alex and I got to experience carrying bucket fulls on our heads- kind of nerve-racking and we were very cautious about not spilling.  We did some other preparation and planting like transplanting and hand pumping water from a near by stream to use for irrigation.  We had a quick lunch, then went up to the hospital to meet the Schwartz family (Admin of the hosp.) to ask them some logisitical questions.  We were there for a few minutes, then their daughter asked if we wanted to go to Missionary Viewpoint.  We all said sure, and were on our way.  It wasn't before long when once again we were back on a path going nearly straight up and my legs were beyond exhausted.   I got dizzy, sat down for a moment to gain composure, while the group kept going.  Andrew came back later to check on me, but I felt so frustrated, and in that moment- wanted nothing more than to go home.  I felt like I was slowing down the team, and I didn't want to be a burden to anyone. 

Day 5:  Walking and waiting.  Made two trips to Nazareti village, once to work with a farmer named Henrich, and another time to meet with the village council and introduce ourselves in Swahili.  I still felt incredibly exhausted, but I felt incredibly proud of our team.  The council loved our speeches and we did a great job.  And- I finally said something other than a greeting.

Day 6:  Bungu Market.  Alex was feeling sick, but Andrew and I walked with Dismas to a market to check out what it is like and do some research.  It is about a 2 hour walk each way...whew.  I hope that my body starts adjusting, and soon.  My legs want to give in.  Dismas has these things called 'shortcuts'.  They're far from short, they aren't quicker, and definitely not easier...  That is a word that I have come to dread as the days go by here.  They are beautiful hikes, but they are incredibly challenging for me, and the rest of the team.  Every day is expending tons of physical energy to do anything around here.

Day 7:  First Saturday here.  Forced myself to sleep in until 8, and felt like a huge treat.  I ignored the rooster, the prayer song group, the commotion, and the bells (which happen every morning starting at 5:30) and stayed in bed.  It was wonderful.  A foam mattress in a dirty room with a mosquito net directly overhead was very comforting in the moment.  I am thinking more frequently about the issues that farmers are facing here, and realize there is huge potential.  They really need access to markets- and the best way to do that is through getting a better road to come up here.  Met with the Schwartz family again and had the best thing- a dessert something like a cheesecake- Oh my, it was so wonderful to have something with flavor again.  It was a special treat and I savored every bite. 

I will continue to stay updated from this point on as much as possible, there's lots to share with you all. 

Love from Tanzania,

Lindsay

Ni siku nzuri sana!

What a beautiful day!

After many, many, many...long hours of travel, myself and other team members have arrived and gotten settled in Dar es Salaam to stay for a few days.  I have experienced many things today.  Day one, I can't believe that I am here.  It still seems surreal, but my surroundings are awakening my senses and my mind to the reality of where I am and what I will be working towards for the next several months.

Walking the streets being hit with the sounds, smells, and sand-blasting wind gusts are all things to behold.  It is a new experience to be in a place with such a mixed culture.  Many don't speak english, but some do.  Accomodations and minimal but nice, and even here at the Jambo Inn where we are staying I am in an internet cafe where they are also selling doritos, skittles, and Marlboro lights.  I have much enjoyed getting to strike up conversations with locals that are always confusing with lots of questions, but always full of smiles and understanding.  The people here are very excited and happy about the work that we are here to do, and this is definitely shown through the extensive ways they have helped us- even in just day one of our journey.

After going through customs and packing 10 people with all of our luggage into a 7 passenger van, we definitly got some looks as we were stuck in Dar traffic for over an hour.  We stopped at our hotel to drop off luggage, and went to have breakfast with the group at a restaurant called Safari, eating toast that was as big as my head, fresh local fruit (papaya, mango, pineapple, and banana), and drinking tea with milk that tasted like butter. 

We got phones and thanks to Lily Olson for letting me borrow her phone, it means so much that Keith used it when he did such meaningful work with water here in Tanzania.  We are in the process of getting minutes onto the phone, and I am hoping to call home within the next day or so to touch base.

The day has been really great so far, I can't believe that I am lucky enough to be back in Africa again, and I look forward to each moment of every day for the next 6 months so that I can grow, learn, and experience life here. 

Signing off for now, keep posted for more soon to come.

Peace and blessings to you all!