Things have been a bit of a whirlwind these last few days. I am so thankful that I had roommates when I arrived, girls who had somewhat of an idea of the area and/or how to get around. We made our first trip to Arusha (the nearest town to us, about a 20 min drive). We took the dallah-dallah. Which is absolutely crazy/cramped, 25 people together in a 10 passenger van. The driver played Kanye West(!) which led to a conversation with a student who loves P. Diddy, lol. Town is very crowded and busy. I was able to get groceries at a supermart, money from an ATM, and a piece of chocolate cake =P
We also walked up to USA River last night (a 15 min walk) to find a few stores who have basics (eggs, bread, toilet paper). So, it is good to know I won't always need to go into town for food. The plaza also has a coffee place (yea!) and a restaurant, which I hope to try at some point.
Besides the trip to town, my day has mostly revolved around taking care of the babies. There are about 25 babies right now. It is a little overwhelming at times. Today, at one point, I was in a room by myself with 10 babies. 2 little ones in my arms, a few in swings, a few crawling around and I think 3 toddlers. I have yet to figure out when I can take breaks for lunch, etc. I hate leaving babies crying and keep turning back to hold them a little longer. They want your love and affection so much. Feeding time is pretty intense. They have a table that holds the 10 little babies, then there are around 7 high chairs, and a table for the toddlers to eat meals. Yes, ALL the babies are fed at once. You basically walk down the line feeding one baby to the next. I am slowly learning the art of the cloth diaper. I have failed quite a few times (which at least makes the nannies laugh) and poked my finger a few times with the pin. Today, I put a nappy on a little girl (Hope, she is precious). 10 minutes later she came up to be with her pants and nappy around her ankles, half naked. Ooops. Nannies got a kick out of that one. So, I am learning!
I hope to attend a church this weekend. I would love to meet some Christians here, so please pray that connection would happen! Love to hear from everyone, please feel free to e-mail me.
Hugs and kisses,
Jess
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Saturday, June 20, 2009
I have arrived!
Right now there are monkeys (no joke) outside my window hooting...crazy. I have arrived!! The trip here was pretty uneventful. One cool thing was my first flight to Ethiopia was 95% Christian missionaries. A few teams, a few rogue individuals like myself, all of us on our way to serve in Africa. It got me hyped for my trip and excited to see so many others stepping out in faith (also relieved because I felt our plane was sufficiently covered in prayer) =P
It was beautiful to see Mt. Kilimanjaro from the plane (took pics) and the drive in was amazing. Everything is so lush (sunflower fields and beautiful exotic plants) against the mountains. My driver did have a laugh at me when I tried to get into the "passengers" side of the car (which is the drivers side here) and then was very nervous about us driving on the left side of the road. Thanks for your prayers for safe travels as I almost didn't get picked up. They thought I was suppose to arrive tomorrow. But, thankfully (Praise God!) my ride called the airport to confirm my flight! The Tanzanians were so nice anyway...they gave me phones to call the orphanage and by that time my ride had arrived with my visa.
Right now I have 2 roomies, two college age girls (feel like I am in college again, dinner was a peanut butter sandwich). I have my own room (for now) and bathroom. There is an Australian couple living on the compound volunteering as well (just not living in our building). They all seem very nice and welcoming. More volunteers will be arriving in the next week or so but am happy about how friendly everyone has already been.
I met the babies! They (over 30 of them) are so sweet. The toddlers all climbed on my lap (had 4 on me at one point) and are super cute. I even changed my first poopy cloth diaper (well attempted until the nannies laughed at me and took over). Anyway, day one was great!
Thanks for all your prayers and encouragement! Check the blog often for updates!
Okay, time for bed (jet lag stinks)!
Love,
Jess
It was beautiful to see Mt. Kilimanjaro from the plane (took pics) and the drive in was amazing. Everything is so lush (sunflower fields and beautiful exotic plants) against the mountains. My driver did have a laugh at me when I tried to get into the "passengers" side of the car (which is the drivers side here) and then was very nervous about us driving on the left side of the road. Thanks for your prayers for safe travels as I almost didn't get picked up. They thought I was suppose to arrive tomorrow. But, thankfully (Praise God!) my ride called the airport to confirm my flight! The Tanzanians were so nice anyway...they gave me phones to call the orphanage and by that time my ride had arrived with my visa.
Right now I have 2 roomies, two college age girls (feel like I am in college again, dinner was a peanut butter sandwich). I have my own room (for now) and bathroom. There is an Australian couple living on the compound volunteering as well (just not living in our building). They all seem very nice and welcoming. More volunteers will be arriving in the next week or so but am happy about how friendly everyone has already been.
I met the babies! They (over 30 of them) are so sweet. The toddlers all climbed on my lap (had 4 on me at one point) and are super cute. I even changed my first poopy cloth diaper (well attempted until the nannies laughed at me and took over). Anyway, day one was great!
Thanks for all your prayers and encouragement! Check the blog often for updates!
Okay, time for bed (jet lag stinks)!
Love,
Jess
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
PRAISES!
9 days before I leave...but who's counting? Let me give the LORD some praises:
1. I have reached my financial goal and exceeded by over $1000....PRAISE!
2. I have received many donations of toys, clothes, etc for the babies....PRAISE!
3. I have confirmation of a name of a person picking me up at the airport (major source of stress that I would not be picked up)...PRAISE!
4. I have confirmation that Visa will be at the airport....PRAISE!
5. My checklist of things to do for the trip, complete....PRAISE!
6. I thought I lost my camera, it is found...PRAISE!
7. Anxieties are lessened about trip and being prepared...PRAISE!
8. I have Skype downloaded which means video phone calls for those who download...PRAISE!
9. Closing at school, almost done, those lists are also complete....PRAISE!
God is good. It is awesome to recognize all the little ways God has responded to me in preparing for this trip. It seemed like every time I stepped out, He would meet me and reward me in some little way...
Team Niger leaves this Saturday to host camp. Please pray they would be ready for the trip and that God would use them immensely while in Niger.
Love to all =P
1. I have reached my financial goal and exceeded by over $1000....PRAISE!
2. I have received many donations of toys, clothes, etc for the babies....PRAISE!
3. I have confirmation of a name of a person picking me up at the airport (major source of stress that I would not be picked up)...PRAISE!
4. I have confirmation that Visa will be at the airport....PRAISE!
5. My checklist of things to do for the trip, complete....PRAISE!
6. I thought I lost my camera, it is found...PRAISE!
7. Anxieties are lessened about trip and being prepared...PRAISE!
8. I have Skype downloaded which means video phone calls for those who download...PRAISE!
9. Closing at school, almost done, those lists are also complete....PRAISE!
God is good. It is awesome to recognize all the little ways God has responded to me in preparing for this trip. It seemed like every time I stepped out, He would meet me and reward me in some little way...
Team Niger leaves this Saturday to host camp. Please pray they would be ready for the trip and that God would use them immensely while in Niger.
Love to all =P
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Nerves and Excitement
I am officially getting nervous about my trip. Don't get me wrong, I am also super excited. I know this is going to be an amazing adventure. I know the Lord is going to move through me and change me in ways I can not imagine. I know I'll look back on this and feel blessed and happy for being able to serve the neediest of people. So why am I so stinkin nervous? It is the classic case of my knowledge and my feelings not lining up. Please pray my anxieties would be lessened. Afterall, it is usually about the journey and not the destination, correct? I know there are lessons to be learned even now, in my preparation for my trip. Probably, to surrender those nerves to the Lord, huh? =P
People keep asking how the preparation is going...I feel right now, it is getting the check lists done. I could use your prayer that my VISA would arrive and that my travels would be smooth. I have a lot of anxiety about the travel. Thanks everyone for your support! Also, here is the address for Cradle of Love:
Cradle of Love Baby Home
P.O. Box 360
Usa River, Arusha,
Tanzania
EAST AFRICA
While I am at the orphanage I can receive letters and padded envelopes. Please don't send anything larger as I will be charged a fee (if it even makes it to me, boxes are targets!). Don't forget I will have Internet access as well!
Love you all,
Jess
People keep asking how the preparation is going...I feel right now, it is getting the check lists done. I could use your prayer that my VISA would arrive and that my travels would be smooth. I have a lot of anxiety about the travel. Thanks everyone for your support! Also, here is the address for Cradle of Love:
Cradle of Love Baby Home
P.O. Box 360
Usa River, Arusha,
Tanzania
EAST AFRICA
While I am at the orphanage I can receive letters and padded envelopes. Please don't send anything larger as I will be charged a fee (if it even makes it to me, boxes are targets!). Don't forget I will have Internet access as well!
Love you all,
Jess
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