Guess the Game

At first glance you may think one or two of my students are rock stars, posing on the playground. This is one of my favorite games to watch at break time: Freeze Pose. One kid turns their back as the rest strike a pose. Then each time the first kid turns around the others switch their position. The goal is that the watcher never sees you move; if she does you're out.

Free entertainment, that's what teaching is.

This Is How We Roll

How do I get around town? Well, generally I walk. But, the store with the ice cream (and a few other essentials) is a long walk away... too long for melting ice cream or heavy loads. So, I hail a piki piki (a motorcycle). 

There are hundreds zipping around town, so it's easy. It's cheap too. And it's fun... the wind blowing in your hair, the 360 degree view... Safety is a question, but it's hard to weigh that against practicality. (This is definitely an area where living here has changed my habits... I've slipped into TZ normal, which isn't terribly safety conscious. Though, I do try to be moderate... hence the helmet) 

And how do you ride a piki? Well, you can go single or double. My mom (left) chose single, riding side saddle with the man who loves his job. Ronit and I (right) sat straddle-style to make room for going mishkaki, which means two or more passengers but literally means "shish kabob." :)

I Saw the Sign

Not much to say, but I appreciate sign entertainment as I walk around town. Be it a spelling oddity or just fun pictures, there's always something new to see.

Beyond Deception... Light

I've been remembering things God has done and taught me lately. My Bible study group is going through Deuteronomy, which reminded me of the importance of remembering. God instructed Israel to remember His miracles, love, and laws. He gave them ceremonies, written records, traditions... all so they would remember.

So this image comes from a day, maybe 10 years ago, when I was really frustrated with all the things I thought God wanted me to do, and the things I thought He was condemning me for. In exasperation, I got in my car and drove to the beach one morning.

The whole beginning of the drive I told God all my frustrations, rejecting all the laws and condemnation I felt coming from Him. Part way to the coast, after all the pushing away, I felt peace.

Then I realized that I hadn't been yelling at God, I'd been yelling at who I thought was God... Satan, the father of lies, who disguises himself quite well... He had twisted good things in God's Word to make me think that God was a taskmaster condemning me. When I pushed those things away I had peace because I had rejected deception and returned to the Light, to Christ and the Truth that He loved me, had forgiven me all sins, and would enable me to do the good things He'd called me to.

Happenings at the Learning Center

Top: Scary faces? Funny faces? Anyway, the faces were one of the last clay projects the kids did in art. Next, we move back into 2D art, with mosaics. I loved seeing how their clay skills have grown.
Middle: Puppies are here! Thanks to two mama dogs on property, we often have a new batch of break time playmates. I enjoy watching the kids' joy.
Bottom: Modern history! We've studied empires, revolutions, trade, and more from 1500-1900 AD. Here, the kids sorted cards that show what themes were important during the 2 sections we've completed, and what's coming in the last section which starts with WWI. I've learned a lot and been impressed by how 9 and 11 year olds can process the complicated events.

Happy Birthday Gati!

One of my favorite walks takes me by the home of these kids and their parents. Sometimes kids along the road call out wazungu (basically it means white person) and/or ask for money. These kids are always a breath of fresh air because they are so friendly and polite, shaking hands and using the appropriate greeting, shikamoo

A while back the middle brother respectfully asked my housemate for a puto. We didn't know what that was, but pantomime showed that he wanted a balloon. Who could resist such a request?!

When my mom came to visit I asked her to bring some puto. As you can see, they were a hit. And, the timing was perfect because it turned out to be the oldest girl's birthday!

Need Coconut? ...Have a Goat?

Shredded coconut. Of course you don't just get that at the grocery store here. It's much more interesting. You buy a coconut at the market, then you smack it a good one... open coconut! Next you get out your goat to grind out the delicious filling. 

Yes, I said goat... that's a direct translation of the device pictured above, a sit-upon kitchen implement with a serrated  blade made specifically for grinding coconut. It's an "mbuzi" in Swahili, which is the word for goat... Looks sort of like a goat, right?