Gecko Blessing!

As I said, there is a lot of new flooding my days and mind. It's very exciting and fun, yet naturally has an overwhelming side. Saturday, after our first week of cultural training, we went shopping... very useful, but overwhelming to me even in the states! So I was tired. Photographs and texts also reminded me of my dear lovely family and friends in the states, living life, me apart. I felt a bit melancholy for the first time since arrival. However, I did find a gecko in my room! I'd been wanting to see one there, as they are SO CUTE and eat bugs. God may have allowed him in to help balance me out. :)

Today our training group attended church "on the penninsula," a church named Coco Beach. It is layperson-led, situated along a glistening shore. The message was another blessing, highlighting King David's perception of God's character: soveriegn and loving. I'm trying to focus on who God is as I start to live and work here.

And Sarah Has Landed...

Almost speechless, I greet you from Dar es Salaam!! Almost speechless because there is so much I'm taking in: Swahili, a storeroom full of 3rd grade curriculum, new relationships, temperature increase, bajajis and dala dalas (not dalai lamas) for transportation... lots!!

...So much so that I keep forgetting to take photos. I will get there, but for now I offer three photos and a little update.

The Flight... went very smoothly. I got in some reading, then went in to my "traveling zone," where I'm pretty happy to look out the window and ponder which beverage to order when the stewards next come. Not much sleep though, in the 40+ hours of travel, so I roamed Amsterdam in a trance during my layover.

Arrival... perked me up! All the colors! The beautiful skirts! Bananas on heads! Palms waving and vendors shouting! I actually felt more culture shock in Amsterdam, with the red light district and street canals, than in Dar. Mexico and Bolivia have similar sights, smells, and sounds.
  

Me & My Mosquito Net
photo courtesy of my artful roommate Shelly



The Hotel... We are staying at Jangwani, a luxury hub with a generator during the day while the electricity is out, two pools, access to the Indian Ocean, and breakfast each morning. However, my new house-mates and I are considering moving into our house early, so we can get used to it. I'm praying for wisdom.

The School... I've been to Haven of Peace Academy (HOPAC) twice. No photos because I was distracted by all the new. Darla, another teacher, gave a tour and lots of insight from 17 years in Kenya/Tanzania, which was an act of Providence, as I had some burning questions about curriculum and life in Dar. My classroom is tiled and has a long row of windows looking toward the playground and a baobab tree.

And now for that third photo... Is it a leaf? Is it a moth? No, it's Super Leaf-Moth!

A Dios!

One of the lovely visits with lovely friends
...and an amazing piece of art.

"A Dios" means "to God." (in Spanish, no Swahili this time)

So I commend you to God as I fly away tomorrow!

It's been a grrrreat last month, with friends, family, BBQs and potlucks, lots of good hugs, and rest. Also, I just printed out my work/residence permit, so I'm cleared to fly! My car sold too, so I feel all taken care of. Thank you God.

Now it's time to see what He has planned ahead.

The next post should be from Dar es Salaam.

New Slide Show!

My Picassa slide show, shown to the right, is full of fresh photos, showing what I've been up to with school, family, and friends these months before departure!

My goal is to update the slide show at least monthly when I'm in Tanzania.

Pros & Cons

The principal at my new school, HOPAC, recently sent us new-hires a letter. He was giving us a heads-up on the things we can expect in Dar, both pros and cons, so none of us are taken unawares. I thought I'd share:

Pros:
• Electricity
• Internet
• Swimming pool
• Whitest beaches with bluest sea, nearby
• Supermarkets
• No McDonalds or Burger King (Why did he list that as a con?!)
• Amazing sunsets
• Stunning butterflies and cute geckos
• Long handshakes
• Participation in all of my students’ day, including art and PE time
• Staff meetings are prayer meetings
• God and prayer in the classroom

Cons:
• Electrical outages
• Quality of internet connection at times
• HUMIDITY
• Traffic… roads behind advance of car ownership
• In-stock items fluctuate at supermarkets
• Language barrier
• Malaria
• Filtering water
• Less planning time during school hours, so more hours overall
• Queueing… he said he would tell us what that is later… I think it has something to do with waiting in lines…

Biking & Packing



Me and my whale bike...
replacing the Mermaid Mobile!

I just got back from a lovely biking trip on Orcas Island, WA with my now-ex-roommate, two of her friends, and my brother. We had a lovely time together, going up and down hills, eating some very healthy and tastey meals, and even swimming in a lagoon!

 Now I'm with my family in Vancouver, WA. One month from today I will arrive in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania! A little packing and other planning issues are in order, but mostly I'm looking forward to time with family and rest.

Packing.







Zoo-er-ific!!!

Wild drumming in the African villiage!

Flamingos strutting their stuff.

 I had the pleasure of going to the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle this Memorial Weekend, with eleven of my favorite people! My house-mate, my brother, my close Sunnyside friends and their two kids, and my dear Gid Harbor friends and their four kids all met at the zoo. We loved the flamingos, copying each other in every wing flap and head bob. The tropical house had real live orchids growing on logs. My brother and I fed the giraffes. There was time to spend with each person, enjoying the sights and catching up. I'm so blessed with friends and thankful to have this time together before I leave... and look forward to the  the support and communication while I'm in Tanzania!