This week...July 30-today (Aug 4)
This past Sunday, I went again to the same church with the American team, older kids, Jack, Dave, Wes & Beth. We had a wonderful time again and the girls sang in church this time. I was so proud of them! I took them all out to lunch again and even though the food took forever to come out, we still had fun. The kids had milkshakes and icecream after. They definately get spoiled during the summer with all the volunteers but I think they deserve it, especially the older kids who do so many chores and have a lot of responsibility. At lunch, Dave and Wes were telling me about all the eligible men at their church in Seattle and that I need to move there etc. I told them about my sis-in-law's family being there and one of my best friends (Brit) having just moved there so now they're convinced I need to move there;-)!! They are really wonderful people and I will certainly visit them when I am in Seattle next.
Monday had to be one of the best days I've had! I set off with the American team, Jack, Tiz, & an older couple from Holland to check on the house they built in Tindegarney. They had only camped out there 4 days to start the project but it isn't done even still and so we were checking on it and were going to go swimming nearby it! We traveled on the back of a pickup truck and the scenery was amazing! It was a gorgeous sunny day and I get along really well with the American team--having been their roommate for a while now and hanging out with them a lot. I think I will visit them in TN sometime soon in the US. So it took about 1.5 hrs to reach the house out in Masai land-which is what you would typically think of Africa: mud huts, children along the dirt road waving, young boys herding cows & goats, women with all sorts of beaded jewelry, etc. The house looked good and we looked around some, treated a young infant with a severe head infection, and set off for the hot springs called Chamka Springs. The Masai mama that the house was being built for came with 3 of her 9 children. The house was being built for her bc her husband had abandoned her and her 9 children so she & her children were staying in a small shack on her husband's brother's land (this brother had fathered one of the 9 kids too). So we went about 45mins and arrived at this oasis. Now, I had heard on oases, but never seen them. In the middle of the desert (reminds me a lot of Arizona), there is this hot springs that looks like a tropical lagoon. There are palm trees and the water is about 9 meters deep and you can see everything so clearly all the way to the bottom. I didn't bring my bathing suit to Tanzania bc I didn't even think the opportunity would arise, so I just wore some mesh shorts, sports bra & Tshirt. I helped put swimmies on the Masai kids and helped them into the water. They don't know how to swim very well, so they didn't stay in too long. Mama Gemma's son, Jared, came and Mudy (a LIA child who is deaf). The American team and I were jumping off the tree branches into the water. Josh, Brian, & I went exploring where the water went and realized how strong the current was when we tried to come back;-). Jared had so much fun jumping off the branches & Mudy is such a sweetheart, I think he had a great time too! The water was luke-warm and so amazing. You have to remember I've been taking bitter cold showers here so I loved the swimming even more. We swam for probably 3hrs and then headed back to drop off the kids and the Masai mama. I was in the best mood I've been in here after that. I am constantly amazed here at the beauty of the land and this day was even more so.
Tues, I was in Boma with the New Castle group-they were buying all the timber for the preschool. It took all morning but I got to ride on top of a huge cattle truck which was a great view and very fun;-)! I'm going to miss riding in the back of trucks when I am back in the U.S.=)! That afternoon, Jack went with me to pick up the mattresses in Moshi. We finally got it all arranged with a truck and headed back. We dropped 4 off at Mailisita were the American team but Josh were heading to the airport to go home. I had said good-bye earlier in the day in case I didn't see them again. I was glad to see them one last time but I was very sad too. They have become good friends and I really miss seeing them in the morning and chatting about our days and such. So they headed out and we went to Boma to drop 2 off at Malika and then 6 at Pilgrim. When we got to Malika, the school run hadn't been done so all the boys piled in the truck and we headed off. (The preschool is at Pilgrim & the rest at Malika, so the boys not in preschool are Malika for school and the younger girls are at Pilgrim for preschool). We dropped off the mattresses and kids and picked up the girls and headed to Malika to drop them off. Then I got a ride back to Mailisita bc they were going back to Moshi anyway. I made sure to tip the truck driver for all the extra driving. (Normally, here you don't tip for anything really).
On Weds, I met with Mama Dianna in Boma to buy bed sheets and things like that for the new cabin. We spent a good bit of money but it was kind of fun going shopping for bedding and things like that. We brought them back to Pilgrim and another volunteer, Jade, & I wrote the boys' names on them who were in the new cabin. Each boy is getting his own bed which is so wonderful. They had been sleeping 2 or 3 to a bed. I read the list and realized how much I have grown attached to these boys. I was excited for every boy to have their own space. The oldest boys have their own cabin that was built last summer but these boys who are on average 11/12yrs old have had sleep with the younger boys in the main house. That afternoon, Ray came by Pilgrim with the new Leeds med students. (The old group had left the day before). The 12 mattresses I had picked up the day before were skinnier in width than the first 10 so I thought it was bc Ray had given me smaller ones. I was joking with him but he looked at them and said they weren't the ones he had given me! The mattress covers are sewn on so there's no way to know if the mattress under are the ones you bought or gave the fundi. I had actually thought of that but realized there was no way to check without ruining the cover. I never thought the fundi would be so daring as to change the size of the mattress. So not only did he pocket money by selling my nice mattresses, but he had to use less material to cover them also! I was so angry and upset. I was mad at myself for not being more suspicious, I was angry that Antony & Jack didn't help me out more with it, & I really just wanted to go yell at the fundi. I had him cover 18 mattresses in all for a lot of money and so he was making a lot anyway. Ugh! But, thankfully, there is only one boy per bed so I think it's ok.
Thurs, I met with Mama Dianna again to buy some final things for the cabin & cleaning supplies. I was going to spend the night at Pilgrim since the boys would be moving in that night. I decided to buy all the boys in the cabin a medium sized trunk to keep their belongings in. They don't have that many personal items but the ones they do have, they have nowhere to really keep them. After buying sodas too for the night to celebrate, we headed back to set up the new cabin. Hannah & I decorated the trunks with their names and designs. We made up the beds and it looked so wonderful. I was so excited for the boys! Jack was off with Mama Lynn all day and night so I was sad that he wasn't able to join in the celebration. When the boys got home from school, they were very unruly. They were hitting a lot and misbehaving. Ben said it was like that at school also-so much so that Mama Gemma cancelled school for Friday and kicked 2 of the boys out of school completely. Finally after a lot of fighting and such we gathered the boys in the dining room. Ben talked with the boys and calmed them down and ministered to them. After that they ate dinner and had the sodas and they were much better behaved. The boys watched a movie afterwards and the new cabin boys stayed while Ben, Dada Gloria, & I talked to them. Ben is staying in the caretakers room and will be here a year, so he had some great rules about cleaning and such. When the boys went over and saw their trunks and beds, they were so happy and excited. Even though they had nothing in the trunks, they locked them up and wore the keys as necklaces. It's really amazing how small things like having a trunk to lock your thing in is so special to these kids. I went and watched the rest of the movie with the kids and then chatted for a long while in the kitchen with Josh, Ben, & Dada Gloria. Josh is part of the American team but he is staying here until Oct. He will be staying at Pilgrim and is wonderful with the boys, especially the older ones. I will certainly keep in touch with him when I return. Dada Gloria had made up a nice bed for me in the boys room which was really sweet and I slept very well (better than at Malika). It was great to see their routine in the morning of bathing, getting dressed, brushing their hair, & putting oil on (like lotion). It was a wonderful morning. Then Josh & I headed to Mailisita then Moshi.
Whew...my arms are actually tired from writing three posts;-). Thanks so much to everyone for being patient with the blog & I apologize to all those who have been worried about me. I must say that I am excited in some ways to return home-I can't wait to see my parents at the airport. But I am very nervous about returning to western culture. I know you all are so supportive and I know that will be a great comfort. I also again want to thank all those who donated. Everyone here has been so appreciative and thankful and I get to enjoy it all first hand. I hope you know that I always let them know that it was through the generosity of friends & family that I've been able to do so many wonderful projects. I really do feel like I have made a lasting difference here & a large part of that is because you all have supported me monitarily, emotionally, & spiritually. Thank you so much! I will be home Thurs afternoon and will try to call everyone on Fri & Sat. I plan to return to Richmond after the weekend, not sure exactly when. Love you all!
Monday had to be one of the best days I've had! I set off with the American team, Jack, Tiz, & an older couple from Holland to check on the house they built in Tindegarney. They had only camped out there 4 days to start the project but it isn't done even still and so we were checking on it and were going to go swimming nearby it! We traveled on the back of a pickup truck and the scenery was amazing! It was a gorgeous sunny day and I get along really well with the American team--having been their roommate for a while now and hanging out with them a lot. I think I will visit them in TN sometime soon in the US. So it took about 1.5 hrs to reach the house out in Masai land-which is what you would typically think of Africa: mud huts, children along the dirt road waving, young boys herding cows & goats, women with all sorts of beaded jewelry, etc. The house looked good and we looked around some, treated a young infant with a severe head infection, and set off for the hot springs called Chamka Springs. The Masai mama that the house was being built for came with 3 of her 9 children. The house was being built for her bc her husband had abandoned her and her 9 children so she & her children were staying in a small shack on her husband's brother's land (this brother had fathered one of the 9 kids too). So we went about 45mins and arrived at this oasis. Now, I had heard on oases, but never seen them. In the middle of the desert (reminds me a lot of Arizona), there is this hot springs that looks like a tropical lagoon. There are palm trees and the water is about 9 meters deep and you can see everything so clearly all the way to the bottom. I didn't bring my bathing suit to Tanzania bc I didn't even think the opportunity would arise, so I just wore some mesh shorts, sports bra & Tshirt. I helped put swimmies on the Masai kids and helped them into the water. They don't know how to swim very well, so they didn't stay in too long. Mama Gemma's son, Jared, came and Mudy (a LIA child who is deaf). The American team and I were jumping off the tree branches into the water. Josh, Brian, & I went exploring where the water went and realized how strong the current was when we tried to come back;-). Jared had so much fun jumping off the branches & Mudy is such a sweetheart, I think he had a great time too! The water was luke-warm and so amazing. You have to remember I've been taking bitter cold showers here so I loved the swimming even more. We swam for probably 3hrs and then headed back to drop off the kids and the Masai mama. I was in the best mood I've been in here after that. I am constantly amazed here at the beauty of the land and this day was even more so.
Tues, I was in Boma with the New Castle group-they were buying all the timber for the preschool. It took all morning but I got to ride on top of a huge cattle truck which was a great view and very fun;-)! I'm going to miss riding in the back of trucks when I am back in the U.S.=)! That afternoon, Jack went with me to pick up the mattresses in Moshi. We finally got it all arranged with a truck and headed back. We dropped 4 off at Mailisita were the American team but Josh were heading to the airport to go home. I had said good-bye earlier in the day in case I didn't see them again. I was glad to see them one last time but I was very sad too. They have become good friends and I really miss seeing them in the morning and chatting about our days and such. So they headed out and we went to Boma to drop 2 off at Malika and then 6 at Pilgrim. When we got to Malika, the school run hadn't been done so all the boys piled in the truck and we headed off. (The preschool is at Pilgrim & the rest at Malika, so the boys not in preschool are Malika for school and the younger girls are at Pilgrim for preschool). We dropped off the mattresses and kids and picked up the girls and headed to Malika to drop them off. Then I got a ride back to Mailisita bc they were going back to Moshi anyway. I made sure to tip the truck driver for all the extra driving. (Normally, here you don't tip for anything really).
On Weds, I met with Mama Dianna in Boma to buy bed sheets and things like that for the new cabin. We spent a good bit of money but it was kind of fun going shopping for bedding and things like that. We brought them back to Pilgrim and another volunteer, Jade, & I wrote the boys' names on them who were in the new cabin. Each boy is getting his own bed which is so wonderful. They had been sleeping 2 or 3 to a bed. I read the list and realized how much I have grown attached to these boys. I was excited for every boy to have their own space. The oldest boys have their own cabin that was built last summer but these boys who are on average 11/12yrs old have had sleep with the younger boys in the main house. That afternoon, Ray came by Pilgrim with the new Leeds med students. (The old group had left the day before). The 12 mattresses I had picked up the day before were skinnier in width than the first 10 so I thought it was bc Ray had given me smaller ones. I was joking with him but he looked at them and said they weren't the ones he had given me! The mattress covers are sewn on so there's no way to know if the mattress under are the ones you bought or gave the fundi. I had actually thought of that but realized there was no way to check without ruining the cover. I never thought the fundi would be so daring as to change the size of the mattress. So not only did he pocket money by selling my nice mattresses, but he had to use less material to cover them also! I was so angry and upset. I was mad at myself for not being more suspicious, I was angry that Antony & Jack didn't help me out more with it, & I really just wanted to go yell at the fundi. I had him cover 18 mattresses in all for a lot of money and so he was making a lot anyway. Ugh! But, thankfully, there is only one boy per bed so I think it's ok.
Thurs, I met with Mama Dianna again to buy some final things for the cabin & cleaning supplies. I was going to spend the night at Pilgrim since the boys would be moving in that night. I decided to buy all the boys in the cabin a medium sized trunk to keep their belongings in. They don't have that many personal items but the ones they do have, they have nowhere to really keep them. After buying sodas too for the night to celebrate, we headed back to set up the new cabin. Hannah & I decorated the trunks with their names and designs. We made up the beds and it looked so wonderful. I was so excited for the boys! Jack was off with Mama Lynn all day and night so I was sad that he wasn't able to join in the celebration. When the boys got home from school, they were very unruly. They were hitting a lot and misbehaving. Ben said it was like that at school also-so much so that Mama Gemma cancelled school for Friday and kicked 2 of the boys out of school completely. Finally after a lot of fighting and such we gathered the boys in the dining room. Ben talked with the boys and calmed them down and ministered to them. After that they ate dinner and had the sodas and they were much better behaved. The boys watched a movie afterwards and the new cabin boys stayed while Ben, Dada Gloria, & I talked to them. Ben is staying in the caretakers room and will be here a year, so he had some great rules about cleaning and such. When the boys went over and saw their trunks and beds, they were so happy and excited. Even though they had nothing in the trunks, they locked them up and wore the keys as necklaces. It's really amazing how small things like having a trunk to lock your thing in is so special to these kids. I went and watched the rest of the movie with the kids and then chatted for a long while in the kitchen with Josh, Ben, & Dada Gloria. Josh is part of the American team but he is staying here until Oct. He will be staying at Pilgrim and is wonderful with the boys, especially the older ones. I will certainly keep in touch with him when I return. Dada Gloria had made up a nice bed for me in the boys room which was really sweet and I slept very well (better than at Malika). It was great to see their routine in the morning of bathing, getting dressed, brushing their hair, & putting oil on (like lotion). It was a wonderful morning. Then Josh & I headed to Mailisita then Moshi.
Whew...my arms are actually tired from writing three posts;-). Thanks so much to everyone for being patient with the blog & I apologize to all those who have been worried about me. I must say that I am excited in some ways to return home-I can't wait to see my parents at the airport. But I am very nervous about returning to western culture. I know you all are so supportive and I know that will be a great comfort. I also again want to thank all those who donated. Everyone here has been so appreciative and thankful and I get to enjoy it all first hand. I hope you know that I always let them know that it was through the generosity of friends & family that I've been able to do so many wonderful projects. I really do feel like I have made a lasting difference here & a large part of that is because you all have supported me monitarily, emotionally, & spiritually. Thank you so much! I will be home Thurs afternoon and will try to call everyone on Fri & Sat. I plan to return to Richmond after the weekend, not sure exactly when. Love you all!
posted by Jess at 6:22 AM
1 Comments:
Hi Jess. We're all glad things seem to have worked out for you. Quite an experience! We look forward to having you back in the States. I know your parents will be expecially glad.
Love, GP & GM
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