The Village

Today I had the opportunity to get more deeply immersed in the Tanzanian culture. We traveled about an hour to the village of Kiru for a Children of Promise meeting. This organization’s primary mission is to spiritually feed the poorest of the poor in the region. Through the sponsorship of people in the states, these kids get their education paid for, other supplies and the financial support they need to help make a difference in their lives and others.

All the children being sponsored in this village, came together to exchange letters their sponsors had sent and allow those in charge of the program to touch base with them and their parents. The kids sang for us, we gave them blankets and then as we waited for lunch to be served. As we waited, 3 of us ladies gathered in large circle with many of the kids and sang songs with them. We would alternate between English and Swahili songs. They laughed and really seemed to enjoy the singing and interaction with us. They are so fascinated with white people. It was truly a joyous time.

I eat very well here and certainly will have put on a few pounds when I return. Breakfast and dinner is always at our missionary’s home (and it is fabulous), but lunch is always authentic Tanzanian food. It is good, but they eat the same thing almost everyday--rice, a stew to pour over the rice and a veggie of sorts. Today, they killed the goat shortly before we arrived as the hide was still hanging in the tree. And they don’t waste a thing when making the stew—the stomach, intestines, veins and all go in the stew. It takes a bit of getting used to, but that’s how they eat. Bananas are very prevalent here and we have them at almost every lunch. They are very small, but with pretty much the same texture as the ones in the states. I like the food, but sometimes I must tread with caution on certain dishes, because once you take it, it’s highly offensive not to eat it all.

After being in country for over a week, I still cannot get used to the grotesque poverty that exits here. The horrendous shacks that serve as homes, no running water, and small children (5-7 years old) carrying and caring for their younger siblings. The filth and what would appear as disgustingly unsanitary conditions are simply a way of life.

I can only do a small part to help, so I have decided to support a 4 year old boy from Kiru. I also plan to add to the standard support, so he can get a private Christian education at Aldersgate rather than a government education which is not so good here. As Mother Teresa often said, “We can’t do great things, but only small things with great love.” So helping one young boy by giving him a chance at hope with an education and by making God’s Word a part of his life will at least make a difference to him. I am so thankful that I have been blessed with the resources to help. Thanks be to God!

I will miss my rafiki (friend) Jeremiah. I had to say goodbye to him today. We talked a lot over the past week and I got to know him on a very personal level. He is a special man working hard to please God and follow the plan He has laid out for him. Kiru is Jeremiah’s village, so it was particularly special for me to visit and sponsor a child from there.

What an incredible blessing it has been thus far. I have not the words to describe. I miss my boys terribly, but stay focused completely on my time here. I don’t want to miss a single thing that God has waiting for me, because I’m preoccupied. And it is easy to be fully immersed. I feel at home here without a doubt.

Peace.