We left Madisi (the area in which we were training for 2 weeks) on Saturday morning at 5am. We traveled about 10 hours via very crowded busses to Mbinga. We spent the night in Mbinga on Saturday, and we were going to leave in the morning to go to our school! Well…plans don't always work out. We ended up being postponed a day here in Mbinga. We have stayed in a really nice hostel with running water and a shower for two nights rather than 1. So today, Monday morning, after waiting two days to leave here and go to our village, we were so excited to go off to our home village of Malindindo.
So this morning as we walk out the door of our hostel, 2 immigration officers in uniforms approach Abby, Briana, and I, and ask us for our passports. All of our passports, licenses, VISAs, and money are still in Madisi (10 hours away) in a safe. (They keep all our documentation for us so it doesn't get lost or stolen.) We have no documentation to show the guys, and we don't speak Swahili. So the man that is escorting us from Village Schools shows up, and shows the immigration officers a photocopy of our passports. We were so relieved that he had that photocopy. The immigration officers said the photocopies weren't enough, and that they wanted to see more paperwork. So the immigration officers take us girls and our escort James in a Land Rover to the immigration office of Mbinga. There we played the waiting game.
We waited in the immigration office (a 10x10 room) for about 4 hours, and they finally received a fax of our VISAs. Some poor person from Village Schools in Madisi had to open the safe, drive to a place with electricity and a fax machine, and then fax them a copy of the VISAS. Upon receiving the fax, they said it was too blurry, and they wanted a new fax sent. Poor James looked so stressed out. He is responsible for 3 American girls who don't know Swahili, and all of their luggage. He is such a good guy though, and really straightened out the situation. Abby, Briana and I really got to know the immigration officers though. They knew some English, and would say things like "I pray to God every day that I marry a white woman." and "Do you have husbands and boyfriends? Do you want to get married?" and "If you marry a Tanzanian, you can become a citizen here." Abby and I endured the ordeal by speaking Spanish to each other.
After 7 hours, they finally let us go home, even though they only had a blurry fax of our VISAs. After we left, James informed us that we could have been locked up in jail, but they let us go. Wow. All because we didn't have a copy of our VISAs with us.
We are again, in the hostel, day 3, and hopefully will leave tomorrow to go to our villages. I'll keep you updated!
Romans 8:28,
Liz
Monday, September 15, 2008
Training and My Assignment
These past two weeks have been a combination of challenges and encouragement. We have been in the village of Madisi doing our training for the past two weeks. In order to show us what our students’ lives are like, and to immerse us in the culture of Tanzania, I have lived with 2 host students named Dicta and Epista. They are wonderful, and the hospitality in African is unlike anything I’ve seen. They live in a modest “shack-like” house that has dirt floor, a tin roof, and mud walls. There is no electricity or running water. It has been fun living alongside of them for these 2 weeks, and really seeing what their life is like.
In these weeks, I have been laughed at while learning how to:
-speak Swahili
-fetch water from a well
-carry gallons of water (unsuccessfully) on my head
-wash clothes rigorously in a bucket with a bar of soap
-bathe with a bucket in the freezing cold
-go to the bathroom in a hole (they call them “choo”)
-do everything with my right hand, even though I’m left handed (The left hand is the “dirty bathroom” hand.)
-fetch firewood and attempt to carry it on my head
-chop firewood with an ax
-hoe a small field of corn
-light and clean a kerosene lamp
-light a fire and cook over it
-eat and cook ugali (The staple food here, basically like blended rice/grits in play-dough form)
-eat a fish while trying to ignore its face staring back at me
-climb super steep mountains for 2 miles in 7,000ft elevation (the girls do this walk twice a day just to go to school!)
-sing at awesome choir practice
Because of my deficit in all of these essential African life-skills, Epista and Dicta were shocked to find that I can:
-stir food
-shuffle cards
-ride a bike
-strike a match
-walk easily in a flat area
-cut a tomato
I have really learned so much here, and it is so fun to absorb in the culture. I feel that the kids at this school have such difficult lives in comparison with our American ones, yet I feel that theirs have more meaning, and that they are filled with such joy and peace. There is no rushing here, no stress, just a wonderful and simple life from day to day. I love it. These kids work hard all day, and then study until late at night. They are such hard workers. It is amazing to the hospitality and warmth from everyone. I’m picking up some more Swahili, but not much yet. I can carry on a full cheesy greeting/how are you, but that’s about it.
I have been assigned to a village called Malindindo, in Ruvuma region, which is on the border of Tanzania and Mozambique. I will be living with Abby Tibbetts (Rounda’ Bout), and we are so excited about it! We didn’t really know each other very well before the trip, but we have had so much fun together during training. We will be teaching an intensive English course for about 8 hours a day. We have about a 2 day bus ride on the way. Hopefully we will be able to have weekly internet access! I am so excited!
I love you all, and I’m having a great time learning about the Tanzanian culture. Thanks to everyone who wrote a note to me in Ashley’s little project; so far I’ve gotten letters from Ashley, Keith, Amanda, Emily, and Dwight Schrute. Love it.
Please write me an email if you can, since I’d love to receive letters, know about what’s going on in America/who is the president/pop culture fun. I should have weekly internet access. lizziejean@gmail.com
Love,
Liz
In these weeks, I have been laughed at while learning how to:
-speak Swahili
-fetch water from a well
-carry gallons of water (unsuccessfully) on my head
-wash clothes rigorously in a bucket with a bar of soap
-bathe with a bucket in the freezing cold
-go to the bathroom in a hole (they call them “choo”)
-do everything with my right hand, even though I’m left handed (The left hand is the “dirty bathroom” hand.)
-fetch firewood and attempt to carry it on my head
-chop firewood with an ax
-hoe a small field of corn
-light and clean a kerosene lamp
-light a fire and cook over it
-eat and cook ugali (The staple food here, basically like blended rice/grits in play-dough form)
-eat a fish while trying to ignore its face staring back at me
-climb super steep mountains for 2 miles in 7,000ft elevation (the girls do this walk twice a day just to go to school!)
-sing at awesome choir practice
Because of my deficit in all of these essential African life-skills, Epista and Dicta were shocked to find that I can:
-stir food
-shuffle cards
-ride a bike
-strike a match
-walk easily in a flat area
-cut a tomato
I have really learned so much here, and it is so fun to absorb in the culture. I feel that the kids at this school have such difficult lives in comparison with our American ones, yet I feel that theirs have more meaning, and that they are filled with such joy and peace. There is no rushing here, no stress, just a wonderful and simple life from day to day. I love it. These kids work hard all day, and then study until late at night. They are such hard workers. It is amazing to the hospitality and warmth from everyone. I’m picking up some more Swahili, but not much yet. I can carry on a full cheesy greeting/how are you, but that’s about it.
I have been assigned to a village called Malindindo, in Ruvuma region, which is on the border of Tanzania and Mozambique. I will be living with Abby Tibbetts (Rounda’ Bout), and we are so excited about it! We didn’t really know each other very well before the trip, but we have had so much fun together during training. We will be teaching an intensive English course for about 8 hours a day. We have about a 2 day bus ride on the way. Hopefully we will be able to have weekly internet access! I am so excited!
I love you all, and I’m having a great time learning about the Tanzanian culture. Thanks to everyone who wrote a note to me in Ashley’s little project; so far I’ve gotten letters from Ashley, Keith, Amanda, Emily, and Dwight Schrute. Love it.
Please write me an email if you can, since I’d love to receive letters, know about what’s going on in America/who is the president/pop culture fun. I should have weekly internet access. lizziejean@gmail.com
Love,
Liz
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
An Unexpected Surprise
(This is J.R. posting an email that was sent to her blog. Please don't feel bad if Elizabeth doesn't get a chance to respond to your comments.)
This was an unexpected surprise being able to use the Internet again. I really do think that this will be the last time I get on for a long time. Things are still good and they are getting better! They found our luggage in Nairobi and I already have it safe and sound. The Internet here is dial-up and crazy so I might not be able to type very long.
I think I have caught up on sleep now. We are now in a small town called Mafinga. The towns here really remind me of the poorest parts of Mexico. The shops look the same, they sell Coca Cola out of glass bottles, everything is dusty and people are very friendly.
Yesterday we took a 10 hour bus ride from Dar to Mafinga and today we will leave Mafinga and finish the long bus ride to Igoda where we are training. We stayed here in a hotel last night. It would be very shabby for an American hotel, but we thought it was luxurious! We actually had a mattress and running water that (sometimes) worked. We have been eating a lot of beans, rice and chips (aka fries). In the villages they won't have a lot of chips, so we're getting our fill in now!
The 10 hour bus ride was crazy! We drove through safari-like places, and saw monkeys, antelope and giraffes. There was a little girl named Mary that was about 4 years old that sat with me and Abby (Rounda Bout) during the whole bus ride. On our laps. She was so cute! She fell asleep in my arms and called me Mama. Her mom didn't care at all that she was with us. The mom just slept for about 6 hours while we played with her kid! I have some really cute pictures.
I'm getting used to the whole bathroom situation, which is weird. I've never really camped before, so this is a totally new experience for me. I've been taking my malaria meds, vitamins, and wearing my deet bug repellent, so don't worry Mom and Dad! I'm safe.
The people here are really nice to Americans. Today we are going on a scavenger hunt in town. They are giving us 10,000 shillings (which is $10.00) and we are going to get a bunch of food and supplies for our village. It is their way of teaching us language and bartering and such. All the girls (4 of us) are going together. It will be fun I'm sure. We just have to be firm with them.
I'm so happy, guys. I still don't think it has sunk in that I'm going to be here for 4 more months! Right now it is pretty chilly. It warms up during the day though. It's 9am here, and I think like 2am there? I'm not sure. Anyways, my time has run out in this Internet cafe, but I love you all sooooo much and I am safe and happy. Don't worry about me! Things are good. We will have training for the next 2 weeks in Igoda and then we will travel to specific villages.
Love you so much,
Liz
This was an unexpected surprise being able to use the Internet again. I really do think that this will be the last time I get on for a long time. Things are still good and they are getting better! They found our luggage in Nairobi and I already have it safe and sound. The Internet here is dial-up and crazy so I might not be able to type very long.
I think I have caught up on sleep now. We are now in a small town called Mafinga. The towns here really remind me of the poorest parts of Mexico. The shops look the same, they sell Coca Cola out of glass bottles, everything is dusty and people are very friendly.
Yesterday we took a 10 hour bus ride from Dar to Mafinga and today we will leave Mafinga and finish the long bus ride to Igoda where we are training. We stayed here in a hotel last night. It would be very shabby for an American hotel, but we thought it was luxurious! We actually had a mattress and running water that (sometimes) worked. We have been eating a lot of beans, rice and chips (aka fries). In the villages they won't have a lot of chips, so we're getting our fill in now!
The 10 hour bus ride was crazy! We drove through safari-like places, and saw monkeys, antelope and giraffes. There was a little girl named Mary that was about 4 years old that sat with me and Abby (Rounda Bout) during the whole bus ride. On our laps. She was so cute! She fell asleep in my arms and called me Mama. Her mom didn't care at all that she was with us. The mom just slept for about 6 hours while we played with her kid! I have some really cute pictures.
I'm getting used to the whole bathroom situation, which is weird. I've never really camped before, so this is a totally new experience for me. I've been taking my malaria meds, vitamins, and wearing my deet bug repellent, so don't worry Mom and Dad! I'm safe.
The people here are really nice to Americans. Today we are going on a scavenger hunt in town. They are giving us 10,000 shillings (which is $10.00) and we are going to get a bunch of food and supplies for our village. It is their way of teaching us language and bartering and such. All the girls (4 of us) are going together. It will be fun I'm sure. We just have to be firm with them.
I'm so happy, guys. I still don't think it has sunk in that I'm going to be here for 4 more months! Right now it is pretty chilly. It warms up during the day though. It's 9am here, and I think like 2am there? I'm not sure. Anyways, my time has run out in this Internet cafe, but I love you all sooooo much and I am safe and happy. Don't worry about me! Things are good. We will have training for the next 2 weeks in Igoda and then we will travel to specific villages.
Love you so much,
Liz
Sunday, August 31, 2008
From Dar
(This is J.R. posting an email that was sent to her blog. Please don't feel bad if Elizabeth doesn't get a chance to respond to your comments.)
I love you very much!
I'm here safe in Dar. I'm actually at a weird Catholic Convent thingy right now, but they're being nice and letting us use the Internet. It has been a really rough trip for me, but it has been fun. We are traveling with all 8 of the Americans, and they are all so nice! We get along great, so that is good.
I haven't been able to really sleep at all on the planes, so I think I've slept 4 hours in the last 80. I'm beyond exhaustion. They also lost our luggage in Nairobi, so I don't have it yet. They hope to find it all tonight, and deliver it to us. We are staying at a really nice guest house right now that has electricity and fans and running water.
During our 10 hour layover in London, we did a lot of fun sight seeing. I rode a double decker bus, saw Big Ben, and went to the national gallery and saw some DaVinci, Picasso, Monet, and Van Gogh. It was fun. The weather here is hot, but not very humid. It is better than Texas weather for sure. Even though I'm delirious from exhaustion, and I don't have my luggage, I'm still staying positive. I really like it here, and I have a good feeling about all of this! The Tanzanians are so nice to us, and the group I'm with is so loyal and wonderful to each other. I am having a great time. Tonight we had fish for dinner and the head was still attached. The Tanzanian girl next to me ate the whole head. Gross.
I love you guys all so much! I'm not sure when I'll be able to get online next (maybe in a few months) but I want you to know that I am happy and safe. I can't wait to see my students and get settled in my hut! Pray for me!
Love,
Liz
Friday, August 29, 2008
I'm gone.
By the time you read this, I'll be on a plane somewhere. Or even in Africa, who knows? I don't quite know what to say right now actually. I'm a mixture of so many emotions. I am ready. I know that I have been called to go out, and I'm off! I have about a 12 hour layover in Chicago, then about a 10 hour layover in London, then a flight to Kenya, then a flight to Dar es Salaam, and then an 18 hour bus ride to our village. Rock on.
I am so excited to go out. Pray for me, that I will be bold with the gospel, and that I will teach my little heart out to these kids! Pray that the language will not be a barrier, and pray for my health too! I think that I might be able to email one or two times when I get there. I wish I could contact you all, but I can't, therefore... Do us all a favor: If I contact you, leave a comment on this blog so that everyone knows whats up with me. That would be encouraging to others, and it would be like a fun update chain for all! Hooray!
I've been wanting to go on a trip like this since about junior high. So this is it. This is my dream.
Psalm 37:4 says: "Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart."
I love Him, and going out and teaching these kids is the desire of my heart. I'm filled with joy.
Love you guys,
Liz
I am so excited to go out. Pray for me, that I will be bold with the gospel, and that I will teach my little heart out to these kids! Pray that the language will not be a barrier, and pray for my health too! I think that I might be able to email one or two times when I get there. I wish I could contact you all, but I can't, therefore... Do us all a favor: If I contact you, leave a comment on this blog so that everyone knows whats up with me. That would be encouraging to others, and it would be like a fun update chain for all! Hooray!
I've been wanting to go on a trip like this since about junior high. So this is it. This is my dream.
Psalm 37:4 says: "Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart."
I love Him, and going out and teaching these kids is the desire of my heart. I'm filled with joy.
Love you guys,
Liz
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
It's not about me.
Please listen to my new song. It was on the radio the other day, and I just started weeping in the car. Sure, The Newsboys are a little cheesey, but you get the picture. Maybe.
I'm back in Houston now. I wish I would have been able to see everyone and say goodbye. I'm really sad that I didn't get to see my DIGS girls, but I still love them!
Moving all my stuff and packing was pretty much death, but J.R. helped. We tried to make it fun. I actually created an intense Project Runway-ish competition in which we both designed a bubble wrap costume for each other.
Our only materials: 19 feet of bubble wrap, and one piece of tape.
My bubble prom dress.
His bubble toga.
It was a fierce competition. Ok, well I am beyond exhausted, so I will blog more later. Bye!
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
My Utmost for His Highest
Is a good book. I highly recommend it. The people at Village Schools asked us to buy a copy for the trip. The original version was made in 1935, so the lingo is a little...old school. I had the choice of getting an updated edition of language, but I passed. There is just something about the old language, words like, "vither". (You've Got Mail reference anyone?) Anyways...
It reminds me of when I was in AP English in high school, and you had to analyze passages and write about them. Except these actually have a point to them (which is nice). Yesterday's had an awesome quote:
"Are you more devoted to your idea of what Jesus wants than to Himself?"
How challenging. I guess it's the ol' faith vs. works discussion. Also, it describes Luke 18, and the story of the rich ruler, where Jesus says,
" 'One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.' But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich." Luke 18:22-23
What a perfect example of throwing away all that entangles us to run the race; for the prize that is Jesus. There are so many things that we are "rich" in, that we are still holding onto, and that hinder us from abiding in Christ. Things in our lives that we are unwilling to "sell", even if asked to. I feel that right now I'm willing to give away my worldly possessions, but I know that I have some selfish things in my heart that I am rich in- and unwilling to sell for the Lord. I need to be more focused on the spiritual aspects of my trip, rather than logistics. I'm working on it!
See ya later!
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