Sadness =(

Almost another week has gone by and I am beginning to realize the end of my trip is coming. Sadness. So sad, I actually postponed coming back 5 days and got a later flight! It just seems like the time is going by so quick and I feel invested in these babies and in Africa. Before coming, they were just sad stories on the Cradle of Love website, now I love them all so much. It bothers me that when I leave I may never know what will happen to them (minus what Davona may post on the website). Will Maria and Carolina get adopted? Will Musa and Rahma live happy long lives despite HIV? Will my precious triplets go home with their daddy in the Massai village? And if so, will they be at the mercy of the Massai's ways...marriage at sometimes 13? What is going to happen to these little angels? I am told a majority of the babies are returned to their families...which leads to a visit we received last weekend. One of the babies' grandma showed up to the orphanage drunk. Apparently, the mom didn't want the baby and gave it to the grandma, who has too serious of a drinking problem to take care of the child. This is just one sad story of why a baby is here. One baby was beaten by her mom...most are abandoned. And these are the types of homes these babies are returning too? I don't want to sound too pessimistic, I know babies go home and are loved and are well taken care of...I guess, like I said, I feel invested in MY babies' lives. I just don't like the idea of never seeing these babies again...sigh. Oh boy is it going to be hard to readjust and come home! Anyway, I don't want to be a complete debbie downer (waahhhh, waaaahhh)...just want to be real about my feelings right now. And again, praying God provides loving Christian homes to all of these babies.

In other news, we got 3 new room mates this week. They are all teachers and seem very sweet. On the flipside, Candice left today and Nina leaves Saturday. I am sad not to have these girls around and the dynamic in the house is going to be sooooooo different. Only a little bit of time left though. Sunday, Marsha and I leave to do some traveling. We will go to Dar Salam for a few days and then Zanzibar...super excited to get a few days of rest and reflection. When we get back, I will only have 1 1/2 more weeks with the babies! Well, let me end on a happy note...here are some pictures of precious Carolina (for you Davona) taking a bath and Prince on a field trip to the coffee shop. He had a great time drinking soda (not coffee despite the mug) and eating a chocolate chip cookie. Don't be fooled by his face, just thought it was appropriate for this blog entry!

Schools

Another good week here in Tanzania. This week was fairly uneventful compared to last week. I mostly hung out with the babies =P But, I did get the opportunity to visit a few schools. The first school is extremely poor. It is located outside of Arusha in the middle of nowhere. This is a primary school and we got to sit in on classrooms and talk with a few teachers. One teachers' story stole my heart! She lives at an orphanage, so that she may volunteer at night and on the weekends. But during the work week, she dala dalas one hour through town and then walks 1 1/2 hours (!) to be at the school to teach 40 4-6 year olds! And, did I mention, she doesn't get paid? I was so blessed to meet with her and we shared teaching stories and chatted like old friends. I hope to get the opportunity to visit her at her orphanage again this week.

The second school we visited is called Peace House Secondary. It is a boarding school, just built last year, outside of Arusha. The school only accepts the poorest of the poor, which they verify through house visits and an extensive application process. If a child qualifies (meaning has no money and passes a standard test), the school pays for everything for that child. This includes, books, food, everything...Personally, I LOVED this school and was very interested to hear they have volunteer housing on campus and would accept volunteer teachers....hmmmm.

This weekend was also good. Friday night we went to a concert at a local church that featured Massai singers and dancers. It was so incredible to hear their testimonies (they are Christian). And delightful to hear them sing...


Yesterday was a day of rest and today was church! In between, of course, baby time =P We took toddlers to church again today and they are becoming naturals at travelling with us girls. A little sad that Candice and Nina leave this week! 3 more girls will be arriving tomorrow at the house though and hopefully we will get along just as well!


It is crazy to think that I only have a few weeks left in TZ. Everyday I get a little bit sadder about thinking of leaving these babies. Especially when they have such uncertain futures. I am praying every single one will be welcomed into a loving Christian family. Certainly our God is big enough?


Love! Jess


Visiting primary school

Candice and I with some of the Massai singers

Love

Some pictures

Since it literally took a week to post my last entry (really, power and/or internet kept going out), figured I'd try two entries today! This one is just a few pics. Enjoy!

We hiked this mountain, Mt. Meru!

Hiking being a relative word...more like paved our way through a tropical bush!

Lost! and found...

It has been a very busy week! Tuesday we had the pleasure of visiting a school organized by Lohada (an organization that helps at risk and disadvantaged children in TZ, check out their website: http://www.lohada.org/ ). Getting to the school was a bit of an adventure. Our directions: "go out of town on the road that Stiggys(a restaurant) is on, pass a Massai village on the right, go up and down a big hill and we are on the left a bit of the way." Needless to say, we got lost. We took a dala dala too far and decided to retrace our steps on foot. The scenery was breathtaking and the local flair awesome. This was a rural area (a nice change from the city) and children were just getting out of school in their uniforms (so cute). We stopped at a local vendor for some sugar cane to munch along the way. Eventually we found the school! Students were singing a melody of the seven days of the week in English. We sang along as they got louder and louder...The teacher broke for bath time so we hung out with the kids for a short while outside. The rest of the day we headed back to town for lunch and some shopping at a Massai market. On our way home we saw the beginning of a political rally. We thought is was a talent show at first...with dancers, and a band, and one guy was dressed like a woman dancing (?)...but then the speeches began. The night ended with yummy tacos for dinner (fresh guacamole made from the avocados on campus) and singing worship songs! So excited that Nina(roommate) sings and plays guitar so well and we borrowed a guitar from the Church family. Nina is learning children songs too so we can put on a show for the toddlers.

Thursday we took a field trip to go swimming with the toddlers. It was a little cold, Maria flat out refused to get in...but Martine and Rachel splashed around for awhile. We stayed and ate lunch at the lodge. The toddlers had spaghetti and were too cute eating their food. Rachel picked out all the vegetables. I guess kids are the same in every country when it comes to veggies. Another fun day!

Friday we went and visited the "Widows project" for lunch. Another great organization and cause. You pay for an amazing African lunch, cultural dancing (they had Massai dancing today), acrobats and lessons (one week we learned how to make traditional coffee, today African porridge). A majority of the money made goes to support a school for orphans and local widows. The people are all so nice. There are many muzungu volunteers that go so it is nice to mingle with new friends. On the walk back to our dala, the sky had cleared so much we could see the top of Mt. Meru AND Kilimanjaro. What a beautiful sight! All of us white volunteers got on the same dala, which was kinda funny. We overtook the dala dala. I think there were 15 of us...for once the Africans were out numbered! HA! That will never happen again, I'm sure =P

Yesterday (Saturday) we went up Mt. Meru. We had a picnic and then hiked some up the mountain. GORGEOUS! Although I did discover a plant called "stinging neddles," not cool. Hit them a few times and it hurts! Pictures to follow another blog!

Today we went to church and took the toddlers. Very fun...Martine is so funny because he strikes up converations in Swahilli with everyone he meets. Had a long one on the dala dala. The only thing I caught was he was calling me Mama...awww. Going to miss these kids so much when I leave.

Lost...Marsha and Nina deciding which way should we go to Lohada? And the school...

Lohada students sliding =P And on the way to Widows Project, Candice made a friend.

Field Trip

Today we had a fun field trip with a few of the toddlers. We took Maria, Rachel and Martine to the Mt. Meru gaming lodge. When we asked the nannies, they said of course and then dressed the toddlers in the CUTEST outfits ever. Maria had an Easter Sunday dress on, no joke. I wish I could paint a picture of three white girls and three black babies riding on a dala dala, lol. One day I will risk my camera getting stolen to take a picture on the dala dala... The gaming lodge had fun animals like a crocodile, monkeys, birds, porcupines and zebras. We walked around looking at the animals and making noises. At the end, we treated the kids with sodas. OH my, did sugar hit them quick! Suddenly, they were giggling and having a ball at the table. It was a really fun outing and we have a few more ideas planned...I am excited!

Back at the orphanage it was business as usual. Another gorgeous day here and we sat outside with the babies playing. What a great day!

Rachel checking out an animal and Maria drinking her soda (adorable dress!)

Martine, all smiles

Not sure why Rose was in this basket...but too
cute to pass up a picture!

The work of God...

The last few days in Tanzania have been wonderful. I am so thankful that we have a God who hears and answers our prayers. He has brought forth new friends and christian fellowship, two things I have been seeking in my time here. Thursday night I went to a bible study through Vineyard Church. It was a lovely time of fellowship, prayer, study and singing. I also met more people today at a church picnic after service. What has made an impression on me is to hear the work being done by missionaries in the bible study and from people in the church. Isn't amazing how God calls people from all nations and all backgrounds? Ordinary people sent to complete extraordinary works. One couple, from Canada, has partnered with a girl from the states, to work with the Massai people. They have created this amazing picture book with testimonies from Massai Christians and all about the Massai culture. You should check out the website at:
www.en-kata.com
Another couple from Australia, is working with a local organization to help with creating and maintain Christian schools in local villages. Another couple of girls are involved with a school/housing program in one the slums of Arusha (going to visit this one on Tuesday, can't wait!) Even here at the compound I am staying at, God is at work. Three men have been staying here and I have spoken with them for the last three nights. They are going to different towns,all over Africa, mobilizing/educating the youth. They give away bibles and other Christian resources. They are from Uganda, Kenya and the U.S. Another girl, Marsha, works for Adventist Relief Agency (located on our compound) and is helping to write proposals to help local albinos (huge population here) as well as other projects.

So many stories of people I have met the last few days/weeks doing God's work in this country. Again, it amazes me how they come from all over the world and it inspires and excites me to see God at work in so many different ways. Yes, the poverty and sickness is real and overwhelming here but just as real is the response of God's people. I hope to visit a few of the organizations in the short time I have left in Tanzania.

Besides church and the church picnic today, my weekend was very relaxing. My two roomies have been very sick (they caught whatever the babies had) so I didn't want to stay in the apartment too long. Yesterday morning, I went to USA River to the coffee shop and had a belgium waffle and vanilla latte (yum!). I stayed for 2 hours listening to worship and having a great time with God. It was a beautiful day and I walked home to beautiful views of Mt Meru. I convinced Marsha (the ADRA girl from Germany) to go to market with me at Tereguru. Market is crazy, so I'm thankful for Marsha (she speaks some Swahilli). We were the only two Muzungus (white people) out of hundreds of people. Which always gets some funny reactions. Some people want to grab us or touch us, most just want to talk with us. Most, when they find out I'm from America, want to know if I am friends with Obama, lol. One guy told me once to have a drink and say hi to Obama for him. Anyway, it is quite the adventure. We bought some great fabric, wandered around some and then enjoyed a soda together. Marsha then took me to a tailor nearby the orphanage. We came up with some creative ideas for shirts, skirts, and dresses. We even drew out sketches,lol, so hopefully they will turn out the way we envisioned. We pick them up next week, very fun. The rest of the night, I watched some movies on Marsha's labtop (thanks again Marsha!). It was a nice treat to end a great day!
After picnic today, I cleaned our apartment (got to get rid of those germs) and our electricity went out (no surprise). What was incredible is tonight was the first night without the moon. With no electricity and no moon, the stars are unbelievable. You can see planets and the milky way. Nina (my roomie) and I decided God turned off the electricity to bless us with his light show!
Anyway, a great weekend! I did miss the babies. I joke with the other girls about "spottings." The babies live below our apartment, so many times when I am leaving to go somewhere, if they are outside, the toddlers spot me. Oh the guilt! They come running up! I get hugs and kisses and I love yous! And then I have to say good bye and leave =( We try to avoid spottings if possible. But it was nice to have a weekend off to refresh and this week we are excited about a few "field trips" for the toddlers (more blogs on that to come!)
Hope everyone had a great weekend as well! Love to hear from you!

Love,
Jess

Even more pictures...yay =P

These are some of the other
volunteers I've gotten close to and Mt. Meru where we live

I am a true African momma with Anya on my back =P

A few more pictures..

Here is a great safari picture, we saw this cub reunite with it's momma











Toddler snack time before bed



Two of the triplets, Anya and Nina (just so you know, these are the 2 babies I would adopt...plus a toddler or two)

And another fun baby picture...Brian playing with some babies











Prince and I...if you think he looks a little mischievious you would be correct!

Some pictures...

Twins: Kurwa and Dotto

Maria sharing her toy with Carolina, so sweet

Sorry there are so few...it takes sooooo long to upload any picture.

Babies and safaris...

Entering week 3 here in Tanzania and I am loving it! By now I have a semi normal routine (bearing in mind that this is Africa and very unstructured by nature). What is a typical day for me? I wake up around 8am, have breakfast and head downstairs for baby time. Babies are out of bed and in full force by the time I come down and I am immediately welcomed with hugs and kisses. The nannies come in for a quick devotional and singing worship songs...beautiful to hear, even if I can't understand what they are saying. Next is breakfast. Younger babies take a nap and then it is toddler time (love the toddlers). I usually stay downstairs for lunch and then come upstairs to have my own lunch and break. More baby playtime, then dinner and bedtime. I love the end of the day since it is just the toddlers awake and they are so cuddly and loving ( Na ku penda means I love you). Some days of course are different if we need to go to market (takes a good chunk of the day) or somedays I am in the nursery (4 newborns, so cute). I love that the babies are recognizing me and so excited to see me anytime during the day.

I was able to try a church, Vineyard. It is non denominational and english speaking. They even have a screen for praise and worship and everyone was very nice and welcoming. I am also excited to try a bible study this Thursday night.

I was very fortunate to go on a mini-safari last weekend. We spent 3 days and 2 nights in the Serengeti and then the Ngorngoro Crater. AMAZING. No words can describe how beautiful it was to see the animals live in nature. We saw everything, over 40 lions, elephants, zebras, giraffes, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, monkeys, rhinos, everything. Highlights include watching hyenas eat a fresh kill, a lioness reunited with her cub, and another lion dragging her kill to her babies. So AMAZING! We also had a VERY close encounter with a couple of hunting lions and an elephant, I will save the story for in person (make sure to ask!) but I will tell you I was terrified. Don't worry, have tons of pictures and videos =P

Things are going so well, I am really loving Tanzania and this experience. I am so greatful and thankful for this trip. Praise God for all good things come from above! Love to hear from you, feel free to email me back!

Hugs and Kisses to all!
Jess