Pure Happiness

I would like to start off my apologizing for not posting in a long time! On Saturday I went into town to get on the internet and of course the power was out:) So here I am now. Time has flown by, and now I leave on Monday! So many wonderful things have happened since I have last updated, I hope I can write them all down. I think I will just start telling stories and maybe that will spark some other stories and I can recall everything.

Let's start with last week when I helped Sister Dorie, who is only 7 months older than me, milk the cows and collect the eggs from the chicken coop. We walked into the barn, and pulled out the bench and started milking those cows, in our skirts and everything. Lucky for Sister Dorie she had barn boots, me I had my flip flops:) So that was an adventure in itself. Now I know what my Dad felt like when he had to milk his cows by hand all those years. Not so fun! They milk the two cows twice a day so the precious babies have their milk to drink! Then we opened up the chicken coop to collect the eggs, we found four. And then the chickens started fighting,and I swore they were coming after me, so I ran out of there screaming...Yes it was quite the sight! Sister Dorie and I have become very close, and she leaves tomorrow to go home for her niece's birthday and won't be back until after I leave! She gave me the other half of her corn khanga, and I love it very much. I will explain to you what khangas are later, but essentially they are pieces of material with various patterns on them. That is all the women in the village wear, and they wrap them selves up with them for clothing.

This past weekend I went to a wedding reception and a graduation. They were both fun and I got some good pictures that you will get to see once I get home. I went to the wedding with two of my friends who are sisters, not SISTERS that I live with. I didn't have a dress to wear so Glory let me borrow one of hers. Yes I was the only white girl in attendance. But the venue was beautiful, and I got a handkerchief as a souvenir.

I am absolutely in love with my 2 year olds and my sisters at the orphanage. The children are so full of love and personality I have enjoyed so much watching them grown over the last 3 months. At 7pm we have church every night, the sisters kindly invite me:) and then we eat and watch random tv and it is the highlight of my day. I am going to miss their love and warm smiles! We have a wonderful time together everyday doing all of the various duties around the orphanage! It is great!

And so now I leave in one week and they want me to stay longer! haha. I said i miss my home and family i need to go. And Sister Aileen said, isn't this a home to you. Yes of course it is, but I do miss America:) Anyway...There is so much to tell and I would love to write for 5 hours about everything but I just don't have the time.

One week I will be home! Crazy. Thank you for the support love and prayers. It is in the high 80's everyday here and when I get home I am expecting there to be snow:) I think 6 months of summer is long enough! Have a great week! I will be enjoying my final few days with my African family:)

God Bless <3

Teacher Molly...

This past week I spent most of my time at the orphanage:) It was wonderful. I am finding that more and more I hate being anywhere else besides there with the children. Everymorning the children are so happy to see me. I have never been in such an invironment where day in and day out people are just so full of joy and glad that you are there serving along side of them. The sisters and I are growing closer and closer. We even have some inside jokes, which is great because of the language barrier. Speaking of that on Thursday night the power went out just as I was finishing my last bite of food. So Sister Niarou lit a candle and they all started giggling in their swahili manorisms. So they thought it was a perfect time for me to teach them some English words. Teacher Molly is now my new title. They pointed to varios things around the candle lit room and asked what they were in english. It was quite entertaining to say the least. They learned the word cupboard, chimney, table cover, and tea with milk. Then for some reason they started all giggling when they started refering to chai as ginger tea. And Sister Dorie promised that she would make some ginger tea last night, and when she forgot they all started laughing and she was saying sorry i forgot about the ginger tea. Which was hilarious because it was akward for her to speak english like that, and everyone got a good kick out of it. I guess maybe you had to be there:)

The 2 year olds are doing wonderful. Everyday this week I found by five pm i was covered in dirt, sweat, pee, and who knows what else. They all have runny noses, so i helped clean off Georgies boogers and he said "asante mama" which means thank you...i about died in laughter:) It was a very exhausting week, but very rewarding as well. I only have 3 more weeks with the children! Wow! This weekend I plan on enjoying some relaxing time with friends, venturing out to some hot springs, and going to church tomorrow. The time is just ticking away and I will be home in no time I feel!

Thank you for all of the love, support and prayers. I miss you all! Have a wonderful weekend!

L.O.V.E.

Mother Teresa once said "We can do no great things, just small things with great love. It is not how much you do, but how much love you put into doing it." Lately I feel like I haven't been doing big, great things. But then I am kindly reminded that loving matters just as much if not more, when you are taking part in anything.

I will give you all various stories about my week:
Monday morning I went to town and went to my first bakery in Africa, it smelled so delicious. When I returned to the orphanage, momma Beatrice left around 3pm, which left Sister Grace and I in charge of the two year old house. Complete chaos soon took over:) After bath time, sister grace was mopping and then she disappeared for a good 20 minutes, i thought she was preparing the children's dinner, but no such luck. So they began getting antsy on the potty, and i wasn't sure what to do. I finally found her, and by time dinner was ready they were very crabby, and pretty soon food was flying and they were peeing on me and themselves. I just had to laugh:) Needless to say I took my shower before I ate dinner that night.

Tuesday I spent all day with the children. In the morning I took off the 2 year olds sweaters because it was starting to warm up, and Hermini had bit of a temper tantrum. After I took his sweater off he preceded to take his pants and underwear off, took off screaming down the lawn and threw them over the side of the retaining wall. It was soo funny:) Then later he threw his shoes over the side of the retaining wall again, and I grabbed his little hand, walked him down to pick them up, and brought him back sat him down and put his shoes on. He looked down and said "Asante (thank you) Momma Molly" Precious. Then Sam was sucking on his toe while sitting on the "merry go round" toy, so I removed his little foot and a rock fell out of his pants, and dropped right on my foot. Yup, left a bruise. Ha, silly kids. I shared my chocolate bar with sister dorie and jennifer. They were preparing dinner and sister jennifer held up a cucumber and asked how to say it in english. I said cucumber and she said that is the same as a cup....which is actually cucumbe in swahili. ha.

Wednesday, while i was walking up to school, Brenda was waiting with her sister to catch a ride up the hill. I said i was walking to school, and asked if she wanted me to take her, she said yes, i am a complete stranger mind you. So five minutes after walking a car with a family headed up to school stopped and offered us a ride, i was meeting ariel, so i put little brenda in the car and off they went up to school...You don't see that happening in America either! Then up at school, the pre-one class was doing the B-I-B-L-E song, and when it came time for the child that was holding the L sign to say L....NONE OF THEM could do it. Ha teacher Hilda went through probably 8 students before one could finally say L. During lunch it down poured rain...so classes were canceled after lunch due to the rain and mud. Don't see that happen in America. Wednesday evening I asked pastor urio if we were expecting any new children. He said, "we hope to god no, but if they do come, we are ready with loving arms to welcome them." Well duh Molly, who wishes children to become orphans and move into and orphanage....Blonde moment for me:)

On Thursday the two year olds were carrying around their green wash tub and saying "carry carry, in swahili" they were using team work, it was so cute. They didn't like it when I set one of the kids in the bucket...then they couldn't pick it up:) I finished thursday out feeding the babies their poragde before they went to bed, and I immediately was covered in their food...as usual:)

Friday, I helped administer tests to standard three, so they can continue to receive curriculum from America. They needed to see how much they have learned this quarter. So they were tested over reading,math,science, and social studies. It was interesting.

Well I have one month left in Tanzania! I feel like I have become bilingual, and when I try and speak English at the orphanage, I just feel dumb:) It doesn't feel right...so now watch I come home and all i speak is swahili!

There is no safer place to be than in the hands of God. I remind myself of that daily:) Fourth quarter begins now, these last days are more important than the first days. I need to finish this trip out strong and make the most of every moment!

Thanks for the prayers and support! I will be home in one month:)

Five Weeks Left!

Sorry I haven't updates in over two weeks! I have been on my Safari and touring around with a group from Nebraska! My journey is half way over now! There are so many mixed emotions, and not sure that I actually process things that are happening over here. Everyday I have a routine and I don't think much about stuff anymore. Just waking up, seeing the sisters and loving on those babies! I have seen so many things since I have been here and even in the last two weeks that it is almost impossible to write everything down! As of today I have 37 days left in Africa...sometimes I feel that is a lot sometimes I wonder where the time has gone. I have enjoyed myself very much, and have enjoyed learning so much about this culture. I know for sure when I get back to Nebraska I am going to be hit hard with the pace of life again! Everything is so slow and laid back here. It is a nice retreat once in a while, but for the most part I enjoy staying busy!

When I was gone on my Safari, 3 of the oldest babies moved up to the two year old house! They are adjusting well, and I am glad to see them being able to be outside more and start to become potty trained! Yesterday I was feeding Elizabetty and once she was finished I told her to go sit on the potty. Well little did I know that when I looked down she already had, and she peed all over my feet:) Haha, it made me smile. She is so darn cute. There has been a lizard in my bathroom and bedroom the last few days, he hasn't gotten the point that we aren't real friends and that he should live outside with his family. The toucans and monkeys continue to frequent the area outside my window, and the 3 year olds continue to wake up at 5:45am everyday:)

My momma Africa, sister Julie is at her home for 4 weeks to spend time with her father! So I will miss her greatly. Once she returns I will only have 10 days left at the orphanage. The sisters get one leave a year, and they can go home for 1 month.

I try to keep busy during the week splitting my time between the orphanage and the primary school. I am trying to enjoy every single day, and see what God has in store for me, I don't want to miss any thing. On the other hand I miss home greatly, and can't wait to see everyone!

Thanks for the prayers and support! Please pray for endurance and strength, and that I stay safe and healthy this last stretch:) Can't wait to share pictures and more stories with everyone when I get home! Have a great Saturday.

<3>

Updates from Africa

Hello my faithful blog followers! It has been quite the week. Pastor Martin Russell has been in Tanzania visiting, he is the man that helped me set my trip up! He has invited me to random places this week, and i have seen a lot more of Tanzania because of it:) On Monday we went to a Maasi congregation church. The choir was so wonderful, and we were treated with great gifts when we left. On Tuesday we went and visited a school, and it is located on a very beautiful part of the mountain! On Thursday we went and saw a water well that was built by the Northern Diocese in a village that needed it so very badly. It was very hot and dry out there in Checkereni! I got some sunshine that day. On the way back to Moshi we stopped and saw some caves. Workers used to work there for $1 a day carrying bricks out of the caved on their head up very steep inclines. I got some pictures that you all can see when I get home!

Monday I leave for my Safari to Ngorogoro Crater and the Serengeti. I am sure that I will have lots to report when I return! I am looking forward to seeing all of the wonderful animals and that part of this country!

Now an update from the Orphanage! Things are going so wonderfully. The 2 year old house has finally learned my name, and they chant it throughout the day whether I am around or not. They are absolutely precious! My favorite time of the day is when I get to help with bath time and then help feed them dinner! I am learning to laugh a lot more and to just got with the flow of two years olds. Everynight before I go eat my dinner, I have been going in and saying goodnight to them. Last night they were all sitting on their potties eating suckers and just loving life. It was such a wonderful moment:) The 13 of them truly love each other like brother and sisters. If one is sad someone is right there to rub their back. If one of them is falling behind the others sure enough someone will go and grab their hand and help them along. Of course they fight like all 2 year olds do, but they are just so darn cute! They are showing me such a great example of love and kindness.

The sisters are wonderful and take very very good care of me:) They are always so full of joy and laughter that it is contagious! So whenever I am home sick or not feeling that well, it is easy to get cheered back up if you hang around these ladies for a little while!

And lastly I will leave you with this, on the dala dala into town this morning, i was sitting in the back and they opened the trunk to put in a bag and a chicken flies out and goes between my feet and rides under the seat ahead of me for the rest of the trip...priceless.

Only in Africa! Thank you so much for the support and prayers. I will update again when I am back from Safari! God Bless.

Love Molly

Hadzabe Tribe

I just returned from a visit to the Hadzabe tribe in Karatu, TZ. It is about a 5 to 6 hour drive from Moshi. I went with Martin Russell who helped me set up my Africa trip. He is out for a visit until the 10th of October. We left Moshi on Thursday, drove to Karatu, got to the Crater Rim View Hotel and ate dinner and went to sleep. We left Friday morning at 6:30 am to travel to this tribe. They are a bushmen tribe that travel to knew "homes" about every month. They completely live off of the land. You all can see pictures when I get back! When we got there we greeted each other with handshakes and smiles. They were such welcoming people. The men were sitting around a circle smoking basically marijuana while the woman were in their spot making jewelery out out of various materials found on the land. The children were playing with each other just like normal children do. The kids were so dusty, but absolutely beautiful! So about 10 minutes after we got there, Martin says we are going hunting with two of the men. So off we went, trecking through the land, following these two Hadzabe hunters. It was Martin, our guide, our driver Yusuph and myself. Totally wore the wrong thing, I had on flip flops and capri's, I could have used boots and jeans. I got tripped by some thorns and various plants, everything was so prickely!

We probably covered two miles in 1hour 15 minutes. The hunters were so swift navigating through the shrubs haha. I was stumbling behind. They hunt with bow and arrows and they have their knifes. About 40 minutes into this adventure the one caught a squirrel and climbed up the tree to retrieve it. We went to a place where there was more shade and they started making a fire by rubbing sticks together and using dry wood. Sure enough there was a fire in a few minutes and they plopped that little squirrel right down on it and started cooking him. (don't worry I got it all on video!) The squirrel was on it's back and then after some point they ripped off the legs, pulled out the guts, split it in half and started cooking it some more. They ate alllll of it. The head, the bones, everything, besides the intestines! It was crazy! And then they put the fire out and off we went back to their base camp, where the rest of the men were still smoking...They have a hard life, but they make it easier by smoking haha. When we got back the men and the boys started target practicing with theirs bows. Got that on tape too! The women and children were so beautiful! It was quite the site.

Then we headed out, stopped at a "park" for out boxed lunch, which consisted of, bread and butter, fried chicken, a crepe, hard boiled egg, chocolate, and apple juice. We stopped and saw another tribe on the way back, who live in huts and then men make things out of metal. On the way home we stopped at a Tented Hotel. A luxury tent hotel, with an in ground pool and all. The tent have bathrooms off of them and a huge restaurant at the hotel. While we were sitting at the pool having a coke, monkeys were running by, no big deal! Then we headed back to our hotel for the night, and left for Moshi this morning, and returned around 1:00pm. It was a great trip!

I will be going on my Safari to the Serengeti on October 11th! I am looking forward to seeing more of Tanzania! But for now I am back up to the orphanage seeing my babies! They are so sweet, and I have missed them in the last two days.

Thanks for the support and prayers. Hope you all have a great Saturday, and talk to you soon!

No Hurry, No Worries...

No hurry and no worries describes Tanzania to a T. Last night I was thinking, I have only been here a month, have I learned anything yet, or are there somethings that I want to take home and apply to my every day life in Nebraska. Well the answer is yes. At home it seems like I am ALWAYS in a hurry, running back and forth between places, always having something to do. I like to add un needed stress to my life, Quenton can attest to that. It seems like I am constantly worried about something back home, or trying to plan and micro manage everything. WELL since being here, I have come to find out that that way of life is not entirely necessary.

I know that there is a huge difference between living in Africa and America, but some of the basic principles still apply. People over here have amazing faith and thank God for everything. Even though some of them barely have a roof over their head, they still enjoy life and are happy and content. They thank God for blessing them and helping them to survive another day. Going into town you see many people walking hand in hand, or taking a nap on the side of the road, soaking up the sunshine. People are always happy over here and never in a hurry. They don't worry about day to day hardships, they just work hard and trust that everything will fall into place:)

The people of Tanzania have been a big inspiration for me so far...( well not the ones that constantly shout "mzungu"-white person- or the ones that make kissy noises or ask me to give them their money, those people just frustrate me:) ) But the people who barely have anything to their name but are so full of joy and love and hospitality, they are teaching me a lot. For instance, when I get home I am going to make a true effort to sloooow down. There is no need for me to be running my self ragged day in and day out, and trying to plan things, and micro manage things. I need to give all of my worries, trials, and concerns to God, and trust that he will help me through it all. In America we have so much, yet so many of us are unhappy. And that is truly because we are spoiled. I feel that it is necessary to humble yourselves and live among the least of these, to truly experience what joy is about. My first month has been full or emotions of joy, sadness, and just plain being overwhelmed:) But I can tell that God is working in me and helping me to become the women that I am supposed to be. He is helping me become more relient on him, and helping me to focus on the joys of the day instead of the sorrows.

I have two months left, and I can't wait to see what else is in store and to see how God will use me:) And now I will leave you with a funny story....

A few days ago I was outside with the two year olds and Hermici was hugging Sister Nirou around the legs. All of a sudden he starts to pee (they are potty training and don't wear diapers) and I grabbed Sister Nirou's arm and said "Look out, he is peeing!" And she sighed, with a big smile on her face and said "Nimeshiba, hakuna matata!" Which means, he is satisfied, no worries. I about died laughing. It was one of the top ten moments here so far. Next in line to eating homemade pizza for dinner with the sisters and watching a comedy show in Swahili on TV with them:) Priceless.

Thank you for the prayers and the wonderful messages! Have a great Tuesday.

Love Molly

A Walk Up Hill.

During our lunch break at school, one of the architects working on surveying the school asked me what the main differences are between America and Africa. That was my first time that I have been asked that. I told him that things are much more simply in Africa, you have what you have and you make the best out of it. I told him that in America we have so many options that people are very spoiled and in the long run end up not very happy at all. I told him that in America there is more fast food and mor obese people. He chuckled. We then got into a discussion about school. I told him that elementary schools in America have time during the day when the kids will go to music class for an hour, or go to gym class. He thought I was talking about extra curricular activities. He couldn't wrap his mind around that. We talked about how different school in general was between Africa and America. His name is Caleb and he wants to come to Massechucetts to get his masters in interior design. The classrooms that I have been helping out in have desks a chalk board cemenet floors and minimal decorations or school supplies. And yet these kids are very respectful and take their education very serious:) Only 7% of Tanzanian children complete secondary school. Which was so shoking for me to hear. Around 10:30am we have Chai, where we drink coffee and eat amazing treats, it's a great pick me up in the mornings. It has been very "cold" here the last few days. Misty rainy dreary. I can even see my breath most mornings. But it never fails that the sun comes out every afternoon:) It is in the middle of winter here, and the temps are slowly warming up.

On Thursday I went to my first "send off" with Sister Julie Anna. A send off is essentially a going away party for the bride to be with her family and friends the thursday before their saturday wedding. We packed some scones and away we went. Little did I know that we would be walking uphill for 2 hours to reach our destination. It was in a little village with very beautiful sights:) I was pooped though. They had a traditional service with a pastor, wishing them good luck in their future and such. The bride had maroon and gold on and her sister had the same dress on. The women members of the family had different combinations of maroon and gold on. After the serivice, we walked another 20 minutes to where the celebration was to take place. There was a dj, tents, and caterors. They had traditional wedding cake, which was a goat....Yup didn't partake in that haha. It was very interesting to see another cultures' celebration of marriage. And the wedding is today and there will be over 600 people there, I have been told. Thankfully Sister Julie Anna and I got a ride back to the Orphanage with sister Allie so we didn't have to walk:) But it was quite the adventure needless to say.

The babies are doing wonderful. They are slowly learning my name, Dada Molly, (sister Molly). They bring me so much joy. Waking up every morning the sisters warmly greet me, and my breakfast is always waiting for me. Then I go play with the babies and they attack me and drool all over me. It is a wonderful feeling to know that when I wake up every morning I have people waiting for me to give them my love and it is very much reciprocated. I am learning new swahili words as well. Tabia mbya sana means "very bad manners." I hear that a lot with the little ones as the Sisters are trying to show them right from wrong. This morning I woke up to freshly baked cake for breakfast. It was a mix between coffee cake and pound cake. A great way to start the day.

That's all for now! Thank you for your continued support and prayers. I am enjoying my time here very much. I still miss everyone at home, but at least now it is more bearable to be away. I know my time is limited here and that I will be returning in a litte over two months, so I need to make every moment count here! Have a great day!

Love Molly

Things That Have Made Me Smile

So the last two days have given me many reasons to smile. On Sunday I went to church up the hill from the Orphanage, and I was one of three white people in the whole place, out of about 500 people:) Didn't understand a word again, but that's ok! There was a 15 minute break during the middle of church which was weird, and during offering everyone filed up to the front and dropped in their money. So after church there was a a choir contest with 24 Tanzanian Choirs. They sounded so beautiful! Don't worry I recorded some of them. After church we had lunch with some people there and I saw my first goat being roasted (wasn't done in time for us to eat darn....) and ate real sugar cane. It was so awkward because you just chew on it and then spit if out...kind of felt like a cow:) Sunday afternoon was nice and full of relaxation. I got back to the orphanage and the babies were sitting outside playing! It was so nice to get to enjoy the warm sunshine with them outside! Then I helped feed the two year olds again, which is always a joy! haha. Then yesterday....it was my first day helping out at the primary school. THAT WAS AN ADVENTURE! Screaming kids running around, saying teacha teacha, pulling on you and climbing on you!

The first class I helped Ariel and Aimee with was pre-1. There were about 50 kids ages 3.5-6 in one classroom. They were writing FAT,NAP,LAP in their assignment books and practicing cursive C. At 3.5 years old? That seemed a bit crazy to me...Then we sang songs and I did my best rendition of Itsy Bitsy Spider in front of everyone and messed up the words, it was classic:) Then we had Chi...Tea Break. I had the best roles i have ever tasted in my life! They tasted like funnel cake. It was a nice treat in the morning when it was 60 degrees and drizzly out. Then we went to the Standard Three room which has ages 9-11, and we taught writing and religion. For writing they read a short english picture book like Arthur's Great Adventure for example and then they answered five questions. Lesson of the day, Tanzanian children don't know what the word favorite means:) For religion we are teaching them to memorize the books of the bible. So we started with the first 12 of the Old Testament. It was priceless to hear them try and pronounce Deuteronomy. HAHA:) Loved it, they were trying so hard. Then we had lunch which was much needed, as i was starving by then. After lunch was absolutely insanity....There was no plan, 70 kids in one room and 3 american girls in charge.....We sang a lot of songs and our voices went horse:)

Then Ariel walked me home and we carried her laundry down to the orphanage, we tried to put it on our heads to fit into the culture, but it was an epic fail:) Then there were monkeys in the trees right outside my bedroom! I hear a ruckus as all of the three year olds were running outside and screaming monkey in swahili. It was so surreal. AND THEN....after being rainy and cloudy all morning, when I was walking Ariel back to the main road, we saw the top of mt Kilimanjaro in all of it's glory, clear blue skies and not a cloud around. It was breath taking!!!! and of course i didn't have my camera....hopefully there will be other opportunities to get a good picture of the mountain. So...yes many things to smile about in the last couple of days!

Thanks for all of the prayers and messages! They for sure keep me going. And if anyone would like to send me some McDonald's via FedEx, that would be much appreciated! Take care and God Bless:)

Pizza and a Hair-do

The last couple of days have been great. On Thursday afternoon I got to enjoy some time loving on the babies and spending some more time in the two year old house! It was time for bath time again, and this time it went much smoother. Once again i was in charge of Vaseline and getting them dressed. They were precious today and actually listened:) Before bath time I spent some time swinging with Anita. She just looked so sad and needed some love, so we played on the swing to bring some joy to her life. Thursday night for dinner I walk into the room that we eat and Sister Julie surprised me once again and she made HOMEMADE pizza, with fresh vegetables. That is hard to come by in Tanzania. She also made a great salad and some potatoes. So filling. Yesterday I spent the day with the babies. Their finger nails were scratching me up real bad, so I took the liberty and trimmed all of them up. Today I got my hair braided. Six hours later, and what seems like 20 lbs of fake hair, it is complete. This way my hair is done and I can just tie it back. One less things to worry about here. Starting on Monday I am going to be helping out in the primary school up the road which is an English Medium style school. Not sure what my tasks will be, but I know I can help out in some capacity. Splitting my time between the orphanage and at the school. Aimee and Ariel are two girls from Omaha that live up the road from me in Machame and they teach at the school. It has been mentioned that we might be starting a youth group for the kids. Mondays and Wednesdays, splitting them up by age group. This would be a great thing for the youth to be involved in, and something for me to look forward too. I will keep you updated:) Other than that things are going pretty well. I am getting into a routine now, which helps the days pass. Thanks again for all of the support! Take care and talk to you soon.

Getting into a Routine.

As I was reading the other day I stumbled across some scripture from Jeremiah that touched my heart. Of course I can't remember what verse and chapter, but it went something like this..."don't leave anything prematurely, god has a plan for you and stay to see it out all or your days...." i probably butchered that but it was worth a try! any way i found comfort in it.

My days up at the orphanage have been great. Very very relaxed though, I sometimes go a bit crazy. Back home I am so used to busy busy busy, that I feel that I am not making an impact when I am just hanging out with the kids and not doing a whole lot. But rest assured God has a purpose for me here:) He has blessed me with wonderful Sisters that show me hospitality and love each and every day, it is great, even though we don't understand each other always. The whole English - Swahili barrier. But they show me grace and try and help me improve my Swahili. So a typical day looks like this: wake up at 8am, have breakfast, consisting of bread, hard boiled eggs, and coffee, getting ready for the day, then going into the baby house at 9am. They are usually getting their milk or being bathed, so I watch them and love on them and make sure no one hurts themselves while the sisters are busy with the other babies. I help feed them lunch around 11am then they go down for a nap at 1130am. Then i go to the 2 year old house and help feed them. They have their blended food in a tin cup. Most of them can eat by themselves, but some need to be spoon fed. That's where I come in to help. Then I eat lunch around 1230pm, consisting of rice, beans, vegetables, and water. In the afternoon I have time to hang out while the babies are sleeping. I usually read, or write, or find something to do. They usually wake up between 130 and 200 and then i play with them some more. I can come and go as a i please and do what i want there. I work better with directions, but the sisters insist that i don't work that hard! The other day I went to the market with Sister Julie and got fresh fruit, vegetables, and meat. Then i helped prepare a salad for dinner by chopping up vegetables....I usually eat dinner around 630-700, by then it is pitch dark out...After dinner I shower, read, occasionally call my boyfriend:), journal about the days events, and then go to bed. I have been going to bed at 10 PM and getting up at 8 AM, that's ten hours of sleep a night people! Something I never saw in college. ha

The occasional trips into town are wonderful! Today I road the dala dala into town all by myself. Big step for me. It is the equivalent to and astro van and they pack as many people as they can in there and stop at various stops and it gets you to town haha! There was a baby pracitcally sitting on my head this morning, and i was shoulder to shoulder and knee to knee with everyone else. And of course I was the only white face on there...It was a bit awkward. But it only costs $.67 to go on the 45 min-1 hour adventure into town. So it is way cheap, but surely an adventure. While in town I usually score some American Food and get more credit for my phone so I can have communication with the outside world. I have met a few friends here so far, so we get together in town and hang out. Two girls from Omaha live just up the road from me and are teaching in a school near me. So it will be nice getting to know them better! And the best news of all! I am getting my hair braided on Saturday, something to look forward to. It will be easier to maintain my hair because I don't have to worry about washing it and having clean warm water to do so:) Gross i know, but only in Africa.

That's all for now! Thanks for the support, prayers, and love. I miss you all. Hopefully my days will continue to go by smoothly and not drag on for ever:) I am trying to enojy every single moment that I have been given here. I will not get any of them back. I am look forward to every day here as a gift from God, and to see what he has inside that present for me. Take care everyone and enjoy your day!

<3 Molly

P.S.

The new website for the orphanage is http://www.neemaorphanage.org

Hospitality as it should be.

So much to update all of you one! This morning I rode along to the airport to drop Farryl off. She is headed back home, and now here I am without her support and knowledge! It will be ok because she gave me a crash course in the ten days that we were able to spend together. I moved my things up to the orphanage on Thursday, and spent my first full day there thursday to friday. It is very peaceful up there but as usual a lot to get used to. There are four houses up there, 3 for the children divided up by age group and one for meetings, church, and misc things. On Thursday I helped feed the babies, which was a challenge and a big fail on my part. You place the baby in your lap, place a cloth around there neck for a bib and you feed them their blended food out of a metal cup with a large serving spoon. Now most of you know that I am left handed, but I am often challenged when it comes to doing new things and figuring out which hand to use and what works best. Well the story ends with baby joseph knocking over the food, me spilling on him and my self and a sore back:) But I will get used to it hopefully. These babies need love and that's what I am here to give. It is so easy to put my needs first, but really i have everything and more and i just need to be loving on them and filling them up.

Then it was time to help with the two year olds and bath time. It was Farryl and my job to dry them off then put on vaslene when they were dry and then cloth them. Then we sat them on their potties. Well those smart children know that we aren't really incharge and they were running a muck and sitting on their potties, falling in their pee, and being rascals:) But whenever Sister Wendy came back in the room, they sat down and looked around like they had been doing nothing wrong. Haha It took a lot of energy to take care of 13 two year olds for a bit, but we got it accomplished.

This weekend I am back down in Moshi at the convent staying with the Sisters because Sister Agnes and I are doing a home visit tomorrow and it was easier for me to be in town to go along with. Tomorrow we are visiting a child who has left the orphanage and going to see them at their new home. To see how they are doing and if all of their needs have been met. Then it's back to the orphanage in Machame to love on the kiddos. It has been a hard adjustment because most everyone I am surrounded wth speaks swahili and me not so much, even though I am learning. The Sisters are all so welcoming and loving, but it is just hard when we don't always understand eachother. I have been a bit lonely lately, especially in the evening when it is dark out and everyone is settled in and then there is me haha. But I have some good books and journaling to do so that helps the time go by a bit faster.

Since I have been here I have noticed the never never ending hospitality. The people that I have met do not have a ton to give, but they give their hearts out and welcome you into their houses with warm arms. Last night we went to say goodbye to Nasibou, one of the children that has left Neema, at his nanny's house and they offered us dinner even though we were eating in an hour and there were probably 20 people in a tiny tiny tiny one bedroom house. it was nuts. i was a bit overwhelmed. But moments like this teaches me that it's ok if everything isn't perfect and your house isn't in order, it is better to love and have relationships with eachother, and most of all laugh, even though i hardly know what is going on, then to worry about anything else at all:)

I have a lot left to experience and take in. I am still overwhelmed at times, but slowly it is getting easier. I just have to remember to put Jesus at the center, and it is really his work that I am doing. I am just the hands. It is easy to become selfish when you are stepping out of your comfort zone, but that won't really help:) Please pray for strength, wisdom, and endurance. And that I stay safe and sound and am not homesick anymore! I want to fully enjoy my time here without counting the days until I get home, I want to leave everything here and have no regrets that i didn't get to do certain things because i was to busy being sad. I can't wait to see all of you and talk to you when i get home! Thanks for the support and take care:)

Church and Visit to Arusha

Church Sunday was an experience. It was all in Swahili, but you could just feel the power of God in that place. The sisters and the young women in school sang at different times and their voices together are just beautiful! The pastor introduced me and I stood up and waved, it was kind of awkward, haha. There was a sister sitting next to me and she was translating most of the sermon for me. I took communion with them, and pretty sure the "grape juice" was some form of alcohol, but who knows. Sunday was pretty low key I got to read and write and nap after church. Then Sister Angus took me into town to meet Farryl and she was with three other wazungu, white women:) Two from Ohio and one from Germany. We went to Farryl's house where she is staying and had dinner, but my tummy wasn't feeling that well so i didn't each much...

THEN yesterday we went into Arusha, crazy town. Farryl me and the two Ohioians set out on a journey. We went to the bus stop, and they were very eager to put white women on the bus, good money, except it's the same price for everyone. So i say next to farryl, and then a women and a child got on the bus and she had a chicken in her bag! It's little head was sticking out and scared the crap out of me haha. It was 1.5 hour ride to Arusha. When we got there we went to the Masi market and bought some treasures and then we met Farryl's Lawyer friend Will for lunch. He works for the U.N. at the Rwanda Criminal Tribunal Hearings....where they have court going on from the 1994 Genocide in Rwanda. He took us to lunch at the Blue Heron....and let me tell you....the food was FABULOUS! I got a pizza and diet coke (coke light as they call it) and devoured it, it was the first time my tummy has been full since ive been here. After lunch will took us to his work, and we got to go listen to some hearings! They are open to the public, had to go through security and such. But it was cool! We sat in a room and watched through the wall with head phones. It kind of dragged on bc the counselor wasn't making a very good cross reference trying to blame the whiteness for something. But i am glad that we got to go. The bus ride home took FOREVER! and there were sweaty people all over, practically sitting on my lap because they don't leave until that bus is jammed full! After a long day i slept so good last night!

SO today Farryl and I are in town (moshi) doing internet, getting fabric, phone credit and such. We are going up to the orphanage today this afternoon (in Machame)! I am getting so anxious! I feel like I have been lolly gagging around here, but like Martin and Pastor said it is good to get used to the culture and acclimated. I will meet the girls from omaha today up there. Then I will come back to the convent and rest up, and off to sleepy i will go:) Tomorrow I finally move in with the babies. I saw my room and it is actually really big, so that will be nice to have my own space!

So that is all for now! Can't wait to move in with the babies and start serving them and loving on them:) Have a great day everyone!

Greetings from Africa

Well finally made it! It was a very long journey, but here I am. I am glad to be here but very overwhelmed at the same time. It is going to take alot to get used too, but I know I will eventually. Didn't expect to be homesick already. Went to Arusha national park yesterday with 20 3-4 years olds and 10 adults, all packed into an old toyota bus. Car seats? Nope we held them all in our laps, it was very fun! It was some of the kids first times ever being in a vehicle! The smells here are crazy too! Something to get used to. Thank you for all of your support! Please continue to pray for strength and endurance. More to come later!

Molly

Leaving for Africa Tomorrow

Tomorrow is the day! After preparing for over a year for this great journey, or Safari as it is called in Swahili, the time has finally come. I leave tomorrow from Omaha at 1:40 pm, fly to Detroit, arrive at 4:40 pm, then leave for Amsterdam at 5:40 pm. Arrive in Amsterdam at 7:3o am then board my final plane at 11:00am and arrive in Kilimanjaro at 8:25 pm:) Hopefully everything will go smoothly. I have been told that two sisters from the orphanage and my new friend Farryl will be picking me up from the airport and we will begin our journey to the orphanage in Machame. On September 3rd I have the privilege to go with Farryl and some others to Arusha National Park, we are taking the 3 and 4 year olds for a visit! Other than that I have no idea what my adventure has in store for me, and I couldn't be more excited.

I am more excited than nervous. I am very ready to arrive in Africa and begin serving. I cannot wait to see what the Lord has in store for me. I know that I am going to be changed forever and my heart is going to be stretched in ways unimaginable.

I will keep all of your posted as this journey unfolds:) Thank you for your prayers and encouragement. As soon as I have internet access in Africa I will update you all. Until then take care and remember that Jesus loves you.

One month before I leave!

Well, only one month before I leave for Africa! It still feels very surreal to me. I think once I am on the plane it will finally start to sink in. I thought I would fill you all in about the details of my trip. As much as I know that is. The orphanage that I will be staying at is located at the base of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. The orphanage is home to about 60(I could be wrong) birth to age three little ones. I will be living with the sisters in their headquarters at the orphanage, and eating my meals there. I am so excite to see what God has in store for me there. While I am in Africa I hope to go on a Safari, and maybe some other adventures as well. Thank you for your support and prayers. Stay tuned......

welcome to my blog:)

Welcome to the liveloved blog! I will be traveling to Moshi, Tanzania this fall to live in the Ushirika wa Neema Orphanage and be a volunteer:) I know that God has great things in store for me and can't wait to see his will for me unravel while I am over there. This is where I will be posting all of my updates about my epic adventure in Tanzania. So please follow me on this one in a life time journey. More to come as my departure approaches.

I will be gone September 1-November 30.