It’s hard to put into words how different our life is here.  So, I wanted to give a quick glimpse into what a typical week is like for us here in Africa (if there is such thing as a typical week here)

{SUNDAY}

Last Sunday started out fairly normal as we got ready for church with the electricity cut off halfway thru.  Any sort of self-pity flew out the window as we piled into our car and noticed the old beggar standing at our gate with a severely wounded leg and in desperate need of corrective surgery.  We see this kind of thing a LOT here, but today we put him in our car, gave him the breakfast that I grabbed for the drive, a small amount of money toward surgery and took him to our church.  He stayed the entire time and listened intently.

I actually understood more than 10 words in the sermon this week.

 

Claire and Kennedy performed in children’s choir, yet again.  I believe they each sang about 2 words and clapped on beat 3 times.

Kennedy cried because she missed her church back home in the States.

We spent the rest of the day with no electricity.

{MONDAY}

I left my 2-year-old at language school pre-school for the first time.  I cried, as she cried, when I left her in a small room filled with 30 little 4 and 5 year-old African faces, 2 Swahili-speaking teachers, and a little packed bag that she held on to for dear life.  It was hard.  No one wants to make sacrifices when it comes to their children.  Okay, as I type that I’m humbled at the sacrifice of our Heavenly Father of his only Son.  Never mind on the self-pity avenue I was about to travel down.  Moving on…

Anyway, Elliot survived, but didn’t like the ugi she was served at snack-time.  She was given a school book and homework that night.  I guess her teachers have higher aspirations for our toddler than we do. Haha ;)

Language school is held outside, under the beautiful scenery of the Uluguru Mountains.  We tried our best to concentrate in the midst of heavy rain, a visit from a tarantula, and the constant temptation to worry about how my little Elliot was doing in her new environment.

We watched last weeks episode of American Idol, which is our weekly treat.

{TUESDAY}

I realized that I’m pretty comfortable driving here on the left side of the road now(not on the drive from Morogoro to DAR…you would have to be insane to be comfortable on that drive) and with the exception of various close encounters with piki-piki’s, bicycles, and cattle.  It rained hard that day, I had to get out of the car b/c I thought I got a flat tire while driving thru a worse-than normal road.  I almost fell in the mud when my flip-flop got stuck and my body continued.  

We spent the day at a nearby orphanage again.  Claire came along and had a wonderful time.  She asked to remove her shoes, in which I answered no.  There was deep mud everywhere due to it being rainy season.  All I could think about was the disease and parasites she could get thru walking barefoot.  She looked up at me, looked over at her friend’s feet and said “If they don’t have shoes…I don’t have shoes.” I want a heart like that. 

We are going back to the orphanage this week, hopefully, with some supplements for 4-year old Upendo.  She has a severe oozing, ear infection that continues to come back.  I can’t wait for Alisa to get here…she always knows the remedy for things like that.   

 We had some friends over and had a good normal night playing games.  We even had chocolate chip cookies. They don’t sell chocolate chips here.

{WEDNESDAY}

We prayed on the way to school.  Claire’s prayer:  “Please help me not to have to go potty during class and please help me not to tell anyone our family password.” Elliot had a bad day at language school.  So did I.  I prayed a lot that day.

{THURSDAY}

I was tired from a long night full of joy and many tears as I watched my sister give birth to my precious niece, Iris Danielle (over skype).  It was hard to concentrate at language school.  I was tired and I missed home. 

God answered our prayers and Elliot didn’t cry this time as she entered her class.  It’s actually quite precious to hear dozens of little voices yell, “Elliot, Elliot (Ee-lee-ott).”  They love her there and take very seriously their responsibility to care for her, as they are 2 years her senior.

{FRIDAY}

I secretly got mad at Aaron during our Swahili training b/c he knew more answers than me and got a better score on his homework.  It was just another average rainy day, with no electricity…until Shantelle’s vehicle was stolen in a populated area of town.  God protected her and we have given many praises for this.  There is a reason for this and I am proud to watch Shantelle seek God’s glory and give Him praise thru a difficult time.  I was also proud to hear that she busted out some pretty good Swahili in her first few moments of panic.  ;)

{SATURDAY}

I woke up with pink eye.  Apparently the little girl, with swollen eyes, that hugged me and held my hand yesterday shared it with me.  No worries.  One of the only things that is easier here than in the states is getting medicine.  You simply walk into a Duka la Dawa…tell them what you want and you get it (for very cheap, I might add). 

We spent the morning at the police station.   We watched a friend’s grandchild as she attended a funeral of her close friend who died from Maleria.  We ordered “take-out” which means the following:  Aaron takes our plates from home and heads down to a tiny restaurant.  He orders, waits for an hour, and brings our “take-out” food and plates home. It’s a fun treat for Saturday nights.  Mr. Kim came over for our usual evening coffee and chats.  He misses home. We watched a movie with sub-titles, so he could follow along.  We skyped our family; which is both a wonderful and painful occasion (hard to put into words).   And now I am writing.

{TOMORROW}

…WE NEVER KNOW. 

So, tonight we pray and ask God for strength, wisdom, humility, and strength to seek HIM thru every new and God-ordained experience.  It’s not easy, it’s definitely not ordinary, it’s not the home I know and love, but I thank God for every moment HE has given me to see and learn more of HIM thru this new place that I now call…home.