I met a lady named Paskaria on my road. (Paskaria comes from "Pasaka," which means Easter... because she was born on Easter!) She is from Musoma. She said she wanted to be my friend. I smiled and said I like friends.
Even though it's a very busy road, we met again the next week. That day she invited me to her house, which is a culturally normal thing to do with people you don't really know... Whether or not it means they REALLY want you to come I haven't figured out yet:). So I said "Karibu" (welcome) to her too, as I turned off to my house.
Now she's stopped by my place a few times. I've served water or tea. Then last weekend I went to her house. She introduced me to her six kids, mother, two sisters, a niece, and two uncles... whew! They served me a yummy lunch of fish and sweet potatoes, along with a soda, which is a generous offering since they aren't well off. She also taught me five words in Kikwaya, her mother tounge... hence the word list.
Two interesting aspects of the visit: One, I used drawing to break the ice with the kids. They were really shy at first, but when I started drawing they got very excited, asking for bats and elephants and the such. One daughter drew me these fish! And two, money. Relationships in Tanzania include money. That's weird for a westerner... to have a friend ask for money or things. So I'll have to feel that part out prayerfully.
So we'll see... If the friendship continues well you'll get to see photos of PEOPLE instead of paper.
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