Cute

That's what they are... cute. Also, fun, intelligent, introspective, growing, kind, entertaining...

These are the kids I've been teaching this semester. And the semester is over, as of Friday.

It's been good. I'm glad it's time for a break. I look forward to next semester.

That's it. (Not that I'm usually verbose, but today is short and sweet because I'm tired out!)

Pascaria's Angels

Today we had some lovely guests: Pascaria, her sister, niece, and 5 assorted kids. It was a Christmasy celebration, with gifts, reading of Luke in the Kwaya language, traditional food (pilau, a spiced rice dish, and soda pop), and games. And, Ronit and I got to introduce them all to ice cream and Frisbee for the first time ever!

For gifts, we gave this angel collage I made and some other things; they brought us matching kangas (they are like sarongs, but they have a Swahili proverb. Ours say "TUVUMILIANE TUSIKOSANE KWA JAMBO DOGO," which means "We shouldn't sin against each other over small issues.") You can see me wearing it in the Frisbee photo.

It was a really nice day.

And soon I'll continue celebrating Christmas, but in my childhood culture! Airplane, here I come!

Joy to Musoma

My housemate, 7 new friends, and I got into a Land Cruiser last Wednesday and covertly cruised around Musoma, spreading Christmas cheer. We stopped at a missionary family's house, jumped out, lured them to their gates with melodic song, sang a little more, gave some cookies, then jumped back in the vehicle for another go. Times 9.

My favorite stop was number 2. These boys were surprised in their baths*. The younger brother was completely comfortable with an audience of carolers. The older brother stayed in his crouch for all our songs.

Overall, it was good to sing and re-sing the carols, meditating on the wonder and grace of Christ: "A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices, for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn."

*Disclaimer: I do not take pictures of kids in baths. Their father offered and I couldn't refuse the hilarity of the situation being recorded:)

Turkey Turkey Turkey

There are enough missionaries from the USA in Musoma to have two Thanksgiving dinners. The first group met yesterday and ate this handsome bird.

It was lovely to gather on a family's porch in the afternoon breeze, sharing food made from scratch and good conversation. Lots of conversation was about family traditions back home! I think mid-bite photos are a Thanksgiving tradition in my family, so this action shot made me smile.

Tomorrow the second group will meet (the group that was working yesterday!). And, yes, yours truly will be there too... I think the only Musoman to attend to Thanksgiving dinners in one week. A record. But those who know me will not be surprised.

Dried Fish and Acceptance

No, it's not a culinary ad. It's not waxing poetical on TZ cuisine, nor disdain. (We all have our own opinions on dried sardines!)

It's about acceptance. Our neighbor Makwasa, when he visited and told Ronit and me about his need, offered us "dagaa," dried sardines. Our first thought was, "No, we don't like to eat them..." But Makwasa was so excited about them, how they were good food, fried in peanut oil.

So we accepted. And we prepared them. And we ate them. We don't love them much, but it was good to remember, as Makwasa said, "It is better to give than receive, so you bless me when you accept." And we were blessed by the giving.

A Need

Ronit and I got to know our neighbor, Makwasa, and his family better when they had us over for dinner a couple months ago. Makwasa is the dad. He and his wife, Mama Deborah, have four kids. They are Seventh Day Adventists, welcoming, a nice family.

It's good to have the friendly relationship. We've brought them cookies; they've given us sugar cane...

A big cultural difference between Tanzania and the USA is that money is a normal part of relationships. It's not weird or shameful to ask for money. If someone has money and friends or family members have needs, it's normal to give loans and/or gifts on a regular basis.

For me, coming from the USA, this is strange, because I think money should not be a factor in a friendship. But I want to understand and be a part of this culture. This is also challenging, because Jesus said, "Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away." (Matthew 5:42) This sounds pretty clear, but I struggle to just do it unequivocally, partly because I am asked all the time.

And Makwasa just asked Ronit and me for help, but he actually asked if we would ask our friends, because he has a big need. He had a life-threatening stomach issue and went to India this year for surgery. (He even showed us his endoscopic photos!) Now, the end of the school year, he is coming up $1,300 short on school fees. I want to honor his request and share this need. If you feel led, I can give more information. He needs to know by Thanksgiving weekend.

Paper Bananas

Art yesterday was Matisse-style... I told the kids they had to draw with scissors; no pencils allowed. They were impressed with the challenge.

My demo was this paper drawing. It's the bananas growing on the tree in our yard... lovingly cared for by our guard Shoka. He's floating through the air, which brings in a little Chagall-style. I'm excited; we have 3 trumpets of bananas on the way!