MURALIFIC!!

Grade 2 Students finish drawing their design
for Grade 1 Mural, with help from a mom.

Plan for Grade 1 Mural

A few years ago, when I was in Bolivia, I was asked to paint Psalm 23 on the wall in the living area of Bolivian Youth Ministries. Since then, I've had the privilege to paint murals and facilitate kids painting murals in Sunnyside, WA. Now I have a group of students at HOPAC in Tanzania who have designed six murals, one for each primary classroom. We are at the stage where their designs are being drawn on the walls, with the stage they've all been waiting for coming soon... PAINT! It's exciting to see colors and ideas going up on the wall. I'm happy and intrigued to see that God has put all these murals in my path, and I wonder what may be in the future. And yes... each one does have a mermaid.

Papaya Knocking

Sometimes a basket of papayas, or a bag of tomatoes or peppers, just shows up at our door. Beka, the gardener who works for our landlord, enjoys using some of our yard for fruit cultivation. Sometimes he leaves us a gift, a very welcome and sweet surprise!

Nature Table

The nature table is a place to put intriguing items found in nature. There's no instructional intent, besides encouraging discussion about the wonders around us. I just put the table out for the first time this year... Giant seed pod, rock with hole, fish bones, sea sponge, black Hawaiian sand. These are all finds I've picked up in my wanderings, things that show God's work in the details.
I'm pleased because the kids have caught the idea and ran with it... They have added unique leaves, flowers, a bird nest... These two sweet girls put together a "mango smoothie" for me, out of a baobab seed pod, stick, and flowers. I love this class!

You Too Can Clash Like This!

I've wanted to mention clashing for a long time. It's been on my list of things to blog about all year. Originally the photo in my mind was of a beautiful Tanzanian woman garbed in a panoply of patterns and colors that flow behind her as she carries a basket of bananas down the dirt road. That photo has never been taken, however many opportunities I've seen. So, here am I, feeling liberated and joyful in the freedom of color and pattern that I have here in Tanzania.

Pretzels Around the World!

This is one of my favorite Saturday mornings ever. My mom, dad, brothers, two friends, and I spent two hours on Skype baking breakfast pretzels. What are breakfast pretzels? Imagine hot, soft pretzels, filled with apple bits and topped with cinnamon and sugar! My family was on our annual Fall beach trip, in a cabin we rent from friends. I was in my home in Tanzania. But, it felt like I was with them in the beach cabin  for the two hours, as we talked, synchronized recipes, and sculpted our pretzel art! God's blessing come in the most unique forms... spiral, infinity sign, smiley face, traditional, heart, and ring!

I'll Fly Away

We had a lovely first field trip this week. We went to the airport, thanks to the lovely Mission Aviation Fellowship pilots. They showed us around the terminal designated to small planes, including their office. Then the kids were full of excitement as we watched jets, planes, and helicopters land and take off. We paid special attention to the MAF plane in the sky, and when it landed got to tour it, each kid trying the controls. My favorite part was spending relaxed time with the kids on the bus (listening to them spontaneously break forth in song!) and outside at the airport.

Whatever Floats Your Boat

The question this week was, "What is the best design for a foil boat, that will hold the most weight?" It was really fun and relaxing to give the kids time to create their boats. Some went for looks, with boats sporting flowery sails. Others got ideas in books, adding toilet paper roll pontoons and Popsicle stick outriggers. Then, we got to test the boats. Excitement in the room was thick, with cheering, dancing, and really good observations about the features that actually did help boats float with weight. Bottom line: make the boat wide with high sides, or wrap six toilet paper rolls in foil.