Color has Come!

I didn't remember to photograph the murals WITH kids working, because it's a bit of a three-ring-circus to have a dozen kids working with oil-based paints and turpentine. We are on our way!

I'll Be Home For Christmas

In two weeks I'll fly to Istanbul, then LA, then Portland, OR.
My mom and dad and brother Michael will meet me.
I'll have 2.5 weeks to enjoy visiting friends, family, churches, and the Pacific Northwest.
Here are some things I'm anticipating:

1. Cold: a change from Fahrenheit 80s to 40s. I'm excited to bundle up... a bit nervous too, to see how my body reacts.
2. Dark: a change from 12 to 9 hours of daylight.
3. Love: I'm so excited to hug and spend time-in-the-flesh with dear people. Already I feel loved by people wanting to plan time with me, and people purposing to preserve my health by keeping my plans sparse! (Thanks mom!)
4. Abundant Stores: I've heard shopping is a bit overwhelming when one goes back home... but I'm excited for the accessibility of unique tea and other special items.
5. Mountains: The ocean is glorious, but my eyes are used to seeing mountains, and haven't seen one since Kilimanjaro! Here I come Mt. Hood!
6. Rest: With report cards, Christmas musical, mural painting, and teaching, I've been busy... I'm looking forward to no work responsibilities and a bit of hibernation, bear style.
7. Celebration: I've been thinking of the marvel, that God, the creator of mountains and us, saw us in the cold and darkness of our sin and separation from him, and became a Man so that we can be with Him and have abundant life and eternal rest. I'm looking forward to celebrating at the churches I'll visit and with my family, including a mid-night mass at the Portland Grotto Christmas Eve.

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!