Clay Today!

Today was our first art class. It was really fun to introduce the 9 kids (6 learning center kids and 3 from a homeschooling family) to clay.

It's funny, living here makes me realize more strongly what makes up MY culture... It's America, yes. But it's also the granola-eating-and-hiking-on-green-mountains Pacific Northwest, the simplicity of my no-electricity growing up home, the conversation styles of my closest friends... And today I was thinking of the arts culture from my parents, the potters.

I love to learn about and integrate with the culture of Tanzania. But I also love to share the other cultures that God's given me in my life.

I Live at Planet Smoothie

 My favorite place in Nairobi is Planet Yogurt, Kenya's do-it-yourself frozen yogurt enterprise. We don't have one in Musoma. Alas, nothing like it at all.

However I realize: I LIVE at Planet Smoothie!!! Frozen mango, pineapple, banana, avocado, even dark greens... kiefer in the fridge, spices and nuts on the shelf. What more luxury could anyone ever ask for?! Planet Smoothie in my kitchen every morning. Ahh...

Welcome & Work

 I'm baaack! The travel from my parents' doorstep to mine in Musoma took less than 48 hours, a whirlwind of flights from PDX to LAX to IST (Istanbul) to NBO (Nairobi), a taxi to another city in Kenya, then car ride with friends(!) to Musoma!! It was fun: the people-watching, the Turkish meals, reading about the book of Romans, listening to music, sleeping... But, I have paid the price for the speed by having a cold ever since I got back.

I did have energy to go visit our once-a-week house helper, Mama Nik, and her family, which was lovely. And I visited our neighbors. And my friend Pascaria stopped by to say hello today. Visiting upon departure and arrival from a trip is culturally important... Maybe not conducive to loosing a cold though.

I'm hoping that today's rest will be enough to start the week fresh tomorrow... because I want this to be me, happily planning on the classroom floor for THIS semester, which starts in a week. (The photo is from last semester.)

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.