Or maybe more like the journey comes to an end. I have started the epic trek back to the northwest. I left Dodoma on a 6 am bus. I am now in Dar staying with Eve's (college roommate) parents. Saturday I will catch a 5:30 am flight to Nairobi and to Amsterdam. I am staying the night in Amsterdam in a christian hostel I found in the city. Then for the last leg I fly out at 10 am and will arrive in Portland at noon. Long way to travel in two hrs...
I think I am ready to head home. Well at this point I'm ready to just be home. I like life in Dodoma. I had an incredible experience and bring home with me many memories, blessings and friendships, but the time has come for the next step. I think I am a lot more ready for life after college than I was walking across the stage four months ago. I can't explain why. I'm actually excited to be in the working world for a little while. I like Portland. I have a community there. I know the city. I hope this next year or so will be a time to explore these things even more.
Thank you for your prayers and support during this trip. I would love to share more about my time if anyone is interested.
Please continue to pray for safety as I travel home this weekend, as well as a smooth transition back to life in the states with people there, including securing a job and the next step in education.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Friday, August 21, 2009
2 weeks...
Wow I leave Dodoma in a little less than two weeks. Some days drag by but the weeks are flying. I don’t know what I think about coming home. I love life here. I love people here. But to stay I need work. I need to learn Swahili and then I need work. I’m a little bored at the church during the week. I don’t like filling time. And in that sense I am pretty excited to go home. I feel like I have somewhat of a life to get back to. Only a part time job coaching basketball (I need to find a real one if anyone has any connections!), but a city with more life and community of people where I am really comfortable. It is going to be different not being in school. Three of my closest friends have moved out of state, and those that are in town will take more work to see. But I don’t feel finished with life in Portland. Being away made me realize that, I think. More than the city though, there are certain people keeping me there. But then I don’t want this life to be over either. I fear that as soon as I get on that airplane, all of this will only be in my memory and then will slowly slip away like it didn’t even happen. I’m not sure how to capture that emotion in words. It’s another thing that is too hard to really think about. One minute I want to get on an airplane to get out of here now but the next I can’t imagine going back and trying to function in the craziness of the western world.
Anyway, for now I am trying to focus on just being here and getting the most out of the next two weeks in Dodoma.
A couple of weekends ago there was a national holiday, Nane Nane, (8-8) on the eighth of august. My understanding is that just because of the date there is a holiday. They also had saba saba, seven-seven. I think nane nane was suppose to be a agricultural celebration of some sort. I went to a big festival outside of town, close to the first house I lived in. It was nuts. There were tons of people! It was pretty much like a county fair at home but without the rides and really spread out, and well it was still in Africa. There was food and music and ceremonial stuff, people selling clothes, dishes, movies, soap. There were government booths, agricultural booths, non-profit booths, and games. They had animals. Supposedly there was a section with lions and lepers and tortoises but I failed to find it, that’s how big it was. I walked around people watching, bought some Tanzanian coffee and honey, too pictures of a guy cooking cow intestine and walked some more. I saw one other group of white people, and at some point my friends were there but I couldn’t find them. It was a huge Tanzanian event. I guess the president even came to open it that day. I didn’t take nearly enough pictures to describe it. There aren’t a lot of those festival type things here, or at least that I have seen. Summers in Portland you can find something like this, but smaller, every weekend. In that way it was a cool thing for Dodoma, but too crazy and too many people for me.
Anyway, for now I am trying to focus on just being here and getting the most out of the next two weeks in Dodoma.
A couple of weekends ago there was a national holiday, Nane Nane, (8-8) on the eighth of august. My understanding is that just because of the date there is a holiday. They also had saba saba, seven-seven. I think nane nane was suppose to be a agricultural celebration of some sort. I went to a big festival outside of town, close to the first house I lived in. It was nuts. There were tons of people! It was pretty much like a county fair at home but without the rides and really spread out, and well it was still in Africa. There was food and music and ceremonial stuff, people selling clothes, dishes, movies, soap. There were government booths, agricultural booths, non-profit booths, and games. They had animals. Supposedly there was a section with lions and lepers and tortoises but I failed to find it, that’s how big it was. I walked around people watching, bought some Tanzanian coffee and honey, too pictures of a guy cooking cow intestine and walked some more. I saw one other group of white people, and at some point my friends were there but I couldn’t find them. It was a huge Tanzanian event. I guess the president even came to open it that day. I didn’t take nearly enough pictures to describe it. There aren’t a lot of those festival type things here, or at least that I have seen. Summers in Portland you can find something like this, but smaller, every weekend. In that way it was a cool thing for Dodoma, but too crazy and too many people for me.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
A Little Travel
Last week I went on a little get away to Zanzibar, a island off the coast of
Tanzania and Dar. We stayed in the main city, Stonetown, on Zanzibar. It’s was really different. It has interesting architecture with a middle eastern/Indian influence. The city is made up of twisty turning alleyways that you are bound to get lost in. The whole island is pretty unique because of its history, but really touristy. It was super weird to see so many white people and to be with so many tourists... to be a tourist.
Some little highlights.
An interesting spice tour of a small spice plantation, including a spiced lunch
An odd beach trip with a tour group of young brits
I was offered 4 scarves if i slept with a vendor (extremely insulting price actually!!)
Good seafood! I had tuna, prawns, king fish, shark fish, lobster…
Lots of bargaining and gift buying and befriending the vendors in the process
An awful ferry ride back to the mainland: tons of people, smaller boat, no
place to get fresh. I got pretty sick for only the third time in my life.
I enjoyed the island though and wish we had more time to go elsewhere outside of Stonetown. Being a tourist after living in the county is odd. I enjoy traveling and experiencing new places and learning, but it's weird. I spent more money
this weekend than the average person makes at the church in 3 months. I'm torn
with the desire of simple luxuries. I waste to much water in an upright shower,
but the hot water shower feels amazing. I really love the thought put into ambiance and lighting for the comforts of a room, but now see it as a mark of money, an unnecessary aspect. Things like art and music that are classified as culture come from the upper class, people who have time and money for these luxuries. I too appreciate these things and while it is real life for many Tanzanians, they are a very small portion of the population. It's still too difficult to struggle with. The two worlds can't simultaneously exist in my brain for long. I have to exist in whichever one is present and enjoy what it brings.
Tanzania and Dar. We stayed in the main city, Stonetown, on Zanzibar. It’s was really different. It has interesting architecture with a middle eastern/Indian influence. The city is made up of twisty turning alleyways that you are bound to get lost in. The whole island is pretty unique because of its history, but really touristy. It was super weird to see so many white people and to be with so many tourists... to be a tourist.
Some little highlights.
An interesting spice tour of a small spice plantation, including a spiced lunch
An odd beach trip with a tour group of young brits
I was offered 4 scarves if i slept with a vendor (extremely insulting price actually!!)
Good seafood! I had tuna, prawns, king fish, shark fish, lobster…
Lots of bargaining and gift buying and befriending the vendors in the process
An awful ferry ride back to the mainland: tons of people, smaller boat, no
place to get fresh. I got pretty sick for only the third time in my life.
I enjoyed the island though and wish we had more time to go elsewhere outside of Stonetown. Being a tourist after living in the county is odd. I enjoy traveling and experiencing new places and learning, but it's weird. I spent more money
this weekend than the average person makes at the church in 3 months. I'm torn
with the desire of simple luxuries. I waste to much water in an upright shower,
but the hot water shower feels amazing. I really love the thought put into ambiance and lighting for the comforts of a room, but now see it as a mark of money, an unnecessary aspect. Things like art and music that are classified as culture come from the upper class, people who have time and money for these luxuries. I too appreciate these things and while it is real life for many Tanzanians, they are a very small portion of the population. It's still too difficult to struggle with. The two worlds can't simultaneously exist in my brain for long. I have to exist in whichever one is present and enjoy what it brings.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Say good byes-plus some other tib-bits
So many people are leaving! One long term and two short term volunteers from the church have left this month. A long with two other friends who were volunteers through other programs have gone home this month. It’s great to meet so many interesting people, but sad to then have to say good bye. Leah, the other girl here with lahash is also going home, this week.
It is beautiful the emphasis and importance this culture puts on good byes. Perhaps a little annoying how formal and long they are, still have to put that one in there : ). But I really appreciate the time that everyone takes out to show their appreciation and love for a visitor/friend/coworker. When the short term volunteers left, we had a big lunch. There were speeches about how wonderful they were and how much of a blessing their time at the church had been. Emotional for people who had been there for a two weeks. I thought it was great. Another great tradition is the gift of kitanges. I’m sure that’s not spelled right but the huge pieces of fabric that people make into dresses or just wear. Beautiful peaces of fabric. Often times they have saying on them that are important when they are given as gifts. The person being honoured is wrapped in the kitange and then many pictures are taken. Beautiful way to say good bye.
The last week leah’s dinner schedule has been booked! I have been also able to tag a long. Once people realized she was leaving so soon, everyone wanted to have us over for dinner. It was important to people that they had a chance to share a meal with us to show appreciation and properly say good bye. Many of the church workers don’t speak English very well but they still wanted us to be in there homes. It was great to be able to see another side of their lives. I spend so much time with them at church. I have seen their heart to serve the people around them. It’s easy to forget the many of these people working at the church don’t have great living situations either. Some fathers are absent in families, people are sleeping on couches or a family is sharing on room. It has been really fun have a chance to experience that.
Another side note that has come along with Leah leaving—She and I made dinner for our host family, we are living together right now. We made chilli and cheese bread and fruit salad. We feed 16 people! It was epic to cook this meal in Africa! First we had to get everything that we needed in town. Walking all over, first to the market, then to the wazungu shop (white people store), then the spice shop, finally trying to find everything else on the street. After trekking it all home it took us a couple of hours to cut everything up in our hands, open cans with knives, cook everything on a coal stove outside. It’s pretty different from cooking at home. Throws a little twist in it all. The chilli turned out really good! I think the family enjoyed our effort too to feeding them all. It was difficult to explain to the kids that although this was typical ‘american’ food, it wasn’t what we ate everyday. It’s difficult to explain the variety that most people have in the states. I really enjoyed being able to share that part of my life at home with them though.
It is beautiful the emphasis and importance this culture puts on good byes. Perhaps a little annoying how formal and long they are, still have to put that one in there : ). But I really appreciate the time that everyone takes out to show their appreciation and love for a visitor/friend/coworker. When the short term volunteers left, we had a big lunch. There were speeches about how wonderful they were and how much of a blessing their time at the church had been. Emotional for people who had been there for a two weeks. I thought it was great. Another great tradition is the gift of kitanges. I’m sure that’s not spelled right but the huge pieces of fabric that people make into dresses or just wear. Beautiful peaces of fabric. Often times they have saying on them that are important when they are given as gifts. The person being honoured is wrapped in the kitange and then many pictures are taken. Beautiful way to say good bye.
The last week leah’s dinner schedule has been booked! I have been also able to tag a long. Once people realized she was leaving so soon, everyone wanted to have us over for dinner. It was important to people that they had a chance to share a meal with us to show appreciation and properly say good bye. Many of the church workers don’t speak English very well but they still wanted us to be in there homes. It was great to be able to see another side of their lives. I spend so much time with them at church. I have seen their heart to serve the people around them. It’s easy to forget the many of these people working at the church don’t have great living situations either. Some fathers are absent in families, people are sleeping on couches or a family is sharing on room. It has been really fun have a chance to experience that.
Another side note that has come along with Leah leaving—She and I made dinner for our host family, we are living together right now. We made chilli and cheese bread and fruit salad. We feed 16 people! It was epic to cook this meal in Africa! First we had to get everything that we needed in town. Walking all over, first to the market, then to the wazungu shop (white people store), then the spice shop, finally trying to find everything else on the street. After trekking it all home it took us a couple of hours to cut everything up in our hands, open cans with knives, cook everything on a coal stove outside. It’s pretty different from cooking at home. Throws a little twist in it all. The chilli turned out really good! I think the family enjoyed our effort too to feeding them all. It was difficult to explain to the kids that although this was typical ‘american’ food, it wasn’t what we ate everyday. It’s difficult to explain the variety that most people have in the states. I really enjoyed being able to share that part of my life at home with them though.
Formalities
People are people and relationships are relationships, but there is something about people’s interactions here that is unlike what I feel at home. People seem more guarded here somehow. It could still be the language barrier that prevents people from letting me in, but still interactions are different. Maybe this is too harsh, but there seems to be a lack of emphasis on the truth and honesty. Perhaps it is just displayed in a different way. Let’s see if I can try to explain this.
For starters at home I get annoyed with the programmed, how are you? I am good responses. If things are rough… a lot of people still say they are good. If times aren’t good, the person asking often doesn’t really want to hear about it. They just want to hear about the good things. I don’t feel this way in all communities at home. I really value the ones where I can say, ‘Things are a little rough.’ And the other person can take it as it is and the conversation doesn’t come to a halt. Any how…all greetings are programmed like that here. I haven’t learned how to say things are ok, or not good. Sometimes if I say I’m tired people don’t know how to respond. You go through the routine, hi how are you? Fine, how is home? Good, how is work? Fine. Greetings are HUGE here. But always routine. Visiting a member of the church in the hospital I saw his wife go through the same thing. I’m good, my husband is fine, he is improving, thank your for you kindness we are fine. Not true!! It was a serious situation and he wasn’t improving initially, she hadn’t slept in three days. Really should have been sleeping rather than entertaining visitors. It doesn’t seem to be acceptable to admit these weaknesses. This is just one example too.
I love the community at the church. They have so much passion and energy. I love them! But the community doesn’t seem very personal. Little things get up out in the open but big struggles are not exposed or even mentioned. Perhaps they are not here, perhaps it’s to difficult to mention them, perhaps I don’t understand. I would expect a community like this to challenge each other more, at work, spiritually, in home lives. They are very close. That is something that I love, but everything always seems so formal and fine. At home close knit communities like this one are much more transparent about what is going on in their lives. Not everywhere for sure. And a different work environment wouldn’t call for that, but in a church that is as close as this one, I’m surprised at that aspect of people’s interaction.
There seems to be no room for constructive criticism either. Even in the work environment. That is something that I really value. I want an honest assessment of my performance and how to improve it. There are some church leaders that tell us white folks to speak up when we have something so say. They tell us that they want our input, but when input is given, people often get defensive and the information isn’t received. On the other side, I want to be helpful and useful. There must be ways that I can do better or help out more, but whenever I ask they respond with unprecedented praise.
Something that I can’t quite get my head around. Not that there has to be a reason why. It’s interesting the subtle differences you learn working and living with people for an extended period of time.
For starters at home I get annoyed with the programmed, how are you? I am good responses. If things are rough… a lot of people still say they are good. If times aren’t good, the person asking often doesn’t really want to hear about it. They just want to hear about the good things. I don’t feel this way in all communities at home. I really value the ones where I can say, ‘Things are a little rough.’ And the other person can take it as it is and the conversation doesn’t come to a halt. Any how…all greetings are programmed like that here. I haven’t learned how to say things are ok, or not good. Sometimes if I say I’m tired people don’t know how to respond. You go through the routine, hi how are you? Fine, how is home? Good, how is work? Fine. Greetings are HUGE here. But always routine. Visiting a member of the church in the hospital I saw his wife go through the same thing. I’m good, my husband is fine, he is improving, thank your for you kindness we are fine. Not true!! It was a serious situation and he wasn’t improving initially, she hadn’t slept in three days. Really should have been sleeping rather than entertaining visitors. It doesn’t seem to be acceptable to admit these weaknesses. This is just one example too.
I love the community at the church. They have so much passion and energy. I love them! But the community doesn’t seem very personal. Little things get up out in the open but big struggles are not exposed or even mentioned. Perhaps they are not here, perhaps it’s to difficult to mention them, perhaps I don’t understand. I would expect a community like this to challenge each other more, at work, spiritually, in home lives. They are very close. That is something that I love, but everything always seems so formal and fine. At home close knit communities like this one are much more transparent about what is going on in their lives. Not everywhere for sure. And a different work environment wouldn’t call for that, but in a church that is as close as this one, I’m surprised at that aspect of people’s interaction.
There seems to be no room for constructive criticism either. Even in the work environment. That is something that I really value. I want an honest assessment of my performance and how to improve it. There are some church leaders that tell us white folks to speak up when we have something so say. They tell us that they want our input, but when input is given, people often get defensive and the information isn’t received. On the other side, I want to be helpful and useful. There must be ways that I can do better or help out more, but whenever I ask they respond with unprecedented praise.
Something that I can’t quite get my head around. Not that there has to be a reason why. It’s interesting the subtle differences you learn working and living with people for an extended period of time.
Monday, July 20, 2009
More photos
I added some more photos to the first album I made. The same link should work but here it is again.
Enjoy! and I'll have another post soon.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2036011&id=31601659&l=50fa4e693f
Enjoy! and I'll have another post soon.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2036011&id=31601659&l=50fa4e693f
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Just a little update
I haven’t posted in a while. Things were busy…and then I didn’t feel like writing. Sorry to all. Let’s see if I can recap some of the last three weeks.
I feel like I am settling into life here. Fewer things are new so fewer things to report. There are still plenty of things that I sit and wonder about. Things that confuse me and frustrate me, but I’ve been here long enough that even the thoughts seem to be cycling through.
Bible Camping
Two weeks ago we took the older Lahash, Compassion, and a lot of the youth from the church to a seminary outside of Dodoma in an area called Msalato. We spent three days in classes, singing, and playing games and eating. A lot of the time was spent in classes covering both biblical lessons and health related lessons such as HIV education, growth and development, and trauma healing. It was a lot of sitting for me. I have a hard time sitting for that long. The kids really seemed to enjoy themselves though. I think it’s more typical of a Tanzanian camp. I think it was really good for the kids to be in a different environment with there peers and even eating three meals a day.
Wazungu time
I’ve been spending some time with some other white folks in town. At first I was hesitant to hang out with them because that isn’t what I’m here for. Not that socializing is a bad thing but I’m here to learn about Tanzania and the culture and people who live here. It has been really fulfilling though to hang out with other people. I am more fed by that community and spiritually and emotionally encouraged. It’s relaxing to be able to get away and spend some time with people who have similar interests and cultural back grounds. Little things like being on our own schedule and wanting to go do something or play games rather than just sit around and watch tv. The people I’ve met are pretty cool too. It’s always fun to hear people’s stories. And seems like people also serving in a third world country have some similar stories. It is always good to have fellowship. I’m torn though. There does need to be a balance. I realize the value of having and escape and having people to process things with, but I also need to keep learning and figuring things out for myself. I still need to spend time with the family and play with kids at church.
Safari
I went on safari last Saturday. It was just a one day stint rather than the week long trip that was originally planned. I went with three friends here I’ve met that are from the US, a german woman who was visiting the building hospital for a four of weeks and a swiss guy who was volunteering with the mission airlines for a couple of weeks. We made a good group. We chartered a plane to go to a big park south of Dodoma. It was only a 45 min flight and the pilot was really good. The park was great. Weird to be spending so much money and doing something so touristy, but I had to just try to let that go and enjoy the experience. We saw just about everything. Elephants, giraffes, lions, wild bores, zibras, crocodiles, hippos, lots of antelope things…different kinds don’t remember all the names, all kinds of different birds. We didn’t see cheetahs, rinos, or hyenas but saw just about everything else. It was pretty neat to see the animals in the wild rather than in a small space at the zoo. I wish we could have stayed longer. It was a lot to see in one day. Too much driving I think. I would have liked to have sat and watched the animals for a while. I am really grateful for the opportunity though. That was my chance, and I loved it. We had a really nice lunch. I had three cups of coffee. It was so good I just couldn’t stop.
I’ll try to get a better story for my next post. And I’ll try to make it before the next three weeks is over. And I’m working on getting some more pictures up soon.
I feel like I am settling into life here. Fewer things are new so fewer things to report. There are still plenty of things that I sit and wonder about. Things that confuse me and frustrate me, but I’ve been here long enough that even the thoughts seem to be cycling through.
Bible Camping
Two weeks ago we took the older Lahash, Compassion, and a lot of the youth from the church to a seminary outside of Dodoma in an area called Msalato. We spent three days in classes, singing, and playing games and eating. A lot of the time was spent in classes covering both biblical lessons and health related lessons such as HIV education, growth and development, and trauma healing. It was a lot of sitting for me. I have a hard time sitting for that long. The kids really seemed to enjoy themselves though. I think it’s more typical of a Tanzanian camp. I think it was really good for the kids to be in a different environment with there peers and even eating three meals a day.
Wazungu time
I’ve been spending some time with some other white folks in town. At first I was hesitant to hang out with them because that isn’t what I’m here for. Not that socializing is a bad thing but I’m here to learn about Tanzania and the culture and people who live here. It has been really fulfilling though to hang out with other people. I am more fed by that community and spiritually and emotionally encouraged. It’s relaxing to be able to get away and spend some time with people who have similar interests and cultural back grounds. Little things like being on our own schedule and wanting to go do something or play games rather than just sit around and watch tv. The people I’ve met are pretty cool too. It’s always fun to hear people’s stories. And seems like people also serving in a third world country have some similar stories. It is always good to have fellowship. I’m torn though. There does need to be a balance. I realize the value of having and escape and having people to process things with, but I also need to keep learning and figuring things out for myself. I still need to spend time with the family and play with kids at church.
Safari
I went on safari last Saturday. It was just a one day stint rather than the week long trip that was originally planned. I went with three friends here I’ve met that are from the US, a german woman who was visiting the building hospital for a four of weeks and a swiss guy who was volunteering with the mission airlines for a couple of weeks. We made a good group. We chartered a plane to go to a big park south of Dodoma. It was only a 45 min flight and the pilot was really good. The park was great. Weird to be spending so much money and doing something so touristy, but I had to just try to let that go and enjoy the experience. We saw just about everything. Elephants, giraffes, lions, wild bores, zibras, crocodiles, hippos, lots of antelope things…different kinds don’t remember all the names, all kinds of different birds. We didn’t see cheetahs, rinos, or hyenas but saw just about everything else. It was pretty neat to see the animals in the wild rather than in a small space at the zoo. I wish we could have stayed longer. It was a lot to see in one day. Too much driving I think. I would have liked to have sat and watched the animals for a while. I am really grateful for the opportunity though. That was my chance, and I loved it. We had a really nice lunch. I had three cups of coffee. It was so good I just couldn’t stop.
I’ll try to get a better story for my next post. And I’ll try to make it before the next three weeks is over. And I’m working on getting some more pictures up soon.
Monday, June 29, 2009
photos
I also uploaded some photos on facebook. that seemed easiest. I think everyone should be able to use this link.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2036011&id=31601659&l=50fa4e693f
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2036011&id=31601659&l=50fa4e693f
New house, new family, new outlook
I have a new place to live for the week…well last week. This update is a little old. Big changes going from living far away with few people ages ranging from 17 to 27, having lots of time and space to myself, with only ok English to living in the city with tons of people ages ranging 7 to about 80, sharing a room, and having people speaking fluently in English. I was getting kind of lonely out in kisasa by myself. At first having so much time to myself was just what I needed but then it became not as much of a good thing when I started to think too much and miss home too much. It was perfect timing…just like god knew what I needed : ). Now with so many people in the house there is always something going on. The kids always want to play. And I have no space to myself at all, but there are people I can have a real conversation with.
I’m staying at the bishop’s house for a week. There are 11 people sleeping here most nights and his wife is in Dar and their daughter is at school. So many people! There’s Peace who is 7 then Grace who is 12, a little bossy and doesn’t like to lose games… then Victor is 13 I think. He has some good insight on the world for a 13 year old. All the kids are really smart. And then Kabiro is the bishop’s nephew that lives with them. He’s 20 and really great. Then Shangwe is a girl that lives with them. I think she’s 20 something. She does the cooking and the cleaning. She is really close to the girls, pretty much like family, but then also the maid. Then both grandmothers are living here too. Neither speaks english. They are/were sick and are healing at their home until someone can take them back. They also have an older daughter who is going to school somewhere else. And the amos and esther. Wow! Oh and there is a girl staying, sharing a room with me. Sad that I don’t have my own room. I don’t have a space at that house at all to go hide away in. She is some bishops daughter, first was just passing through now maybe staying for 3 months. Not sure. She doesn’t speak very good English. She sleeps on the floor on a mattress. She seems to keep to herself…but I can’t have a conversation with her. She doesn’t really talk with anyone else in the family either. Haven’t quite figured that situation out.
The kids are fun. Good distractions. I’m not lonely…well in the same way. They love games. The first night I was here I showed them my card trick. It’s a pretty good one. Victor kind of picked up on it. Once I showed him, he mastered the presentation. I was proud! And we play phase 10, set, crazy 8s, kings in the corner. It’s great. If you know me… I LOVE card games. The other fun thing is that I’ve been doing exercises with the kids. Mostly the two girls. I’ve been trying to do push ups and sit ups just to do something physical with my body. I was trying to hide in my room one day to do them and Peace found me. I asked if she wanted to join…so she and grace did. We’ve done them everyday since. I guess that’s not something I thought of bringing here. Something that is so inate in me. I didn’t think anyone else would be interested. Since then I did a little stretching session with the little lahash kids. I didn’t have a translator so it was a do as I say kind of a thing. I enjoyed it. And Grace showed a bunch of her friends at the church on Saturday. That was fun!
Well Bible camping starts tomorrow. I hope it goes well. I’m helping teach and HIV lesson as well as games and crafts. Should be fun. There are lots of ages going. A change of pace from the normal routine is always exciting.
I’m staying at the bishop’s house for a week. There are 11 people sleeping here most nights and his wife is in Dar and their daughter is at school. So many people! There’s Peace who is 7 then Grace who is 12, a little bossy and doesn’t like to lose games… then Victor is 13 I think. He has some good insight on the world for a 13 year old. All the kids are really smart. And then Kabiro is the bishop’s nephew that lives with them. He’s 20 and really great. Then Shangwe is a girl that lives with them. I think she’s 20 something. She does the cooking and the cleaning. She is really close to the girls, pretty much like family, but then also the maid. Then both grandmothers are living here too. Neither speaks english. They are/were sick and are healing at their home until someone can take them back. They also have an older daughter who is going to school somewhere else. And the amos and esther. Wow! Oh and there is a girl staying, sharing a room with me. Sad that I don’t have my own room. I don’t have a space at that house at all to go hide away in. She is some bishops daughter, first was just passing through now maybe staying for 3 months. Not sure. She doesn’t speak very good English. She sleeps on the floor on a mattress. She seems to keep to herself…but I can’t have a conversation with her. She doesn’t really talk with anyone else in the family either. Haven’t quite figured that situation out.
The kids are fun. Good distractions. I’m not lonely…well in the same way. They love games. The first night I was here I showed them my card trick. It’s a pretty good one. Victor kind of picked up on it. Once I showed him, he mastered the presentation. I was proud! And we play phase 10, set, crazy 8s, kings in the corner. It’s great. If you know me… I LOVE card games. The other fun thing is that I’ve been doing exercises with the kids. Mostly the two girls. I’ve been trying to do push ups and sit ups just to do something physical with my body. I was trying to hide in my room one day to do them and Peace found me. I asked if she wanted to join…so she and grace did. We’ve done them everyday since. I guess that’s not something I thought of bringing here. Something that is so inate in me. I didn’t think anyone else would be interested. Since then I did a little stretching session with the little lahash kids. I didn’t have a translator so it was a do as I say kind of a thing. I enjoyed it. And Grace showed a bunch of her friends at the church on Saturday. That was fun!
Well Bible camping starts tomorrow. I hope it goes well. I’m helping teach and HIV lesson as well as games and crafts. Should be fun. There are lots of ages going. A change of pace from the normal routine is always exciting.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Not sure what to think
I finished the first package of malaria pills. That means I’ve been gone for two weeks. The first one dragged by, but the second one was lightening speed in comparison. It’s nice to be in more of a routine and know kind of what to expect out of each day.
This week we went on home visits to the houses of the Lahash sponsored kids. Lahash, the organization based in Portland that I came with, has a child sponsorship program that people donate money to support about 70 children in the area. The money goes to pay for schooling, uniforms, books as well as some food and other supplies. I’m not sure how often the home visits happen, but we went tow days this week and I think the same will happen next week. We went on foot and in two days we probably visited 10-12 kids at maybe 10 different homes. The visits are to make sure that the money is going to the right things and they are getting food and have a bed. We would talk with the parents and the kids. Really really hard. There are just so many awful stories to hear of people’s lives. And they just keep coming, one horrible story after another. I’m not sure what to think about it. I’m not even sure how to process it. I’m not sure I can…or really want to. I just feel numb. I my heart should be breaking over the poverty, but I’m not. It should cause have the desire to help or create change, that it should make me want to change the way I live my life, but I don’t really feel at all. I think it’s just too much. I don’t even really want to try to process it. I feel helpless. What can I do to REALLY help? It’s so complicated…so complicated.
I guess that’s what I’m here for is to figure out how programs like this work. So far I’ve been impressed with the services that they provide, and mostly the way that they go about providing them. I think the westerner in me would want things to be more organized and consistent, but that doesn’t seem to be the way things work here. I don’t even know where to start but it has to be better to do something rather than nothing right? I just don’t know how to feel about it. The existence of poverty, and trying to change it. The standard response is that through the broken world can we best see God’s love and grace and mercy poured out. But why are there some people like me that have the job to go out and show the love by helping and by being there, while there are others that have to live the life of pain and brokenness. My worries are so little, yet they are my worries. Why do I get to live the life I do when there are millions of people who can’t even comprehend what I have. How should that impact me? How will that change the way I live. I don’t really want to give up everything. I’m weak. I feel like it should change me or inspire something in me but I just feel numb. I almost don’t want to feel it. I don’t know that I could handle it.
Just trying to think that through is so exhausting. It just goes in circles. I don’t know even really want to address it ever. I just want to be in my own world. I just want to curl up and read and be in a different world. But that’s what I’m here for. I just don’t know how to do it.
This week we went on home visits to the houses of the Lahash sponsored kids. Lahash, the organization based in Portland that I came with, has a child sponsorship program that people donate money to support about 70 children in the area. The money goes to pay for schooling, uniforms, books as well as some food and other supplies. I’m not sure how often the home visits happen, but we went tow days this week and I think the same will happen next week. We went on foot and in two days we probably visited 10-12 kids at maybe 10 different homes. The visits are to make sure that the money is going to the right things and they are getting food and have a bed. We would talk with the parents and the kids. Really really hard. There are just so many awful stories to hear of people’s lives. And they just keep coming, one horrible story after another. I’m not sure what to think about it. I’m not even sure how to process it. I’m not sure I can…or really want to. I just feel numb. I my heart should be breaking over the poverty, but I’m not. It should cause have the desire to help or create change, that it should make me want to change the way I live my life, but I don’t really feel at all. I think it’s just too much. I don’t even really want to try to process it. I feel helpless. What can I do to REALLY help? It’s so complicated…so complicated.
I guess that’s what I’m here for is to figure out how programs like this work. So far I’ve been impressed with the services that they provide, and mostly the way that they go about providing them. I think the westerner in me would want things to be more organized and consistent, but that doesn’t seem to be the way things work here. I don’t even know where to start but it has to be better to do something rather than nothing right? I just don’t know how to feel about it. The existence of poverty, and trying to change it. The standard response is that through the broken world can we best see God’s love and grace and mercy poured out. But why are there some people like me that have the job to go out and show the love by helping and by being there, while there are others that have to live the life of pain and brokenness. My worries are so little, yet they are my worries. Why do I get to live the life I do when there are millions of people who can’t even comprehend what I have. How should that impact me? How will that change the way I live. I don’t really want to give up everything. I’m weak. I feel like it should change me or inspire something in me but I just feel numb. I almost don’t want to feel it. I don’t know that I could handle it.
Just trying to think that through is so exhausting. It just goes in circles. I don’t know even really want to address it ever. I just want to be in my own world. I just want to curl up and read and be in a different world. But that’s what I’m here for. I just don’t know how to do it.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Learning the Language
I’ve been trying my best to learn as much Swahli as I can. I definitely wish that I had been better at trying to learn before I came, but life was pretty crazy before I left and it has been fine to learn here. I knew some basic things and a little about the structure of the language which was helpful. I don’t think anyone expected that I knew anything coming in. Even now when I try to practice what I know people are surprised and ask how I know Swahili. English is pretty widely spoken here. I think because of the English colonization in East Africa, and then of course the influence of the US domination of the world. High school age I think it all taught in English.
It’s kind of fun trying to learn. It’s great because people are really willing to help. People get excited when I say anything in Swahili and appreciate that I try I think. That definitely makes learning worth while. My host family is great about teaching me too. I usually ask what words are 5 or 6 time and sometimes still don’t remember.
I can remember lot of greetings and respond to them. There are so many greetings! You can’t spend too long greeting everyone. I’ve got ‘what is your name?’ and ‘where are you from’ down. I think I understand the verbs I trying to learn some important ones, to go, to wash and to eat. I know a lot of other random words.
Of course what comes with learning the language are always mistakes. Good thing I stick out and people assume that I don’t speak Swahili I guess. It’s embarrassing, but if I can get laughs it’s easier to brush off the mistakes.
I was in the market one of the first days I was here and was in the way of someone moving a table. I meant to apologize as I got out of the way. So, pole means sorry, that’s what I meant to say, but instead I said poa…which means cool. Oops. I realized right away and tried to correct myself but couldn’t remember the right word. I could hear them laughing about it as they passed. Oh well. Also the other day at the church someone gave me a greeting of respect, ‘shikamo.’ This is something you usually say to someone older than you, but I was younger than this guy. He was just trying to be nice and to welcome me. In response you are suppose to say ‘marihaba,’ which gives respect in return. Instead I said ‘nimashiba’ which mean I’m full. They laughed pretty hard but then corrected me so I guess its ok.
I’ll keep trying to learn. I don’t know how far I can get in 3 months but might as well give it what I’ve got. It would be great to be able to talk to someone who doesn’t speak English and have some actual communication…even if it’s not clear and awkward. As this point I can’t get much across.
Please continue to pray for my adjustment to living here. That I can find rest and comfort in the Lord and that the language continues to come along. Also that I will serve in a purposeful way.
It’s kind of fun trying to learn. It’s great because people are really willing to help. People get excited when I say anything in Swahili and appreciate that I try I think. That definitely makes learning worth while. My host family is great about teaching me too. I usually ask what words are 5 or 6 time and sometimes still don’t remember.
I can remember lot of greetings and respond to them. There are so many greetings! You can’t spend too long greeting everyone. I’ve got ‘what is your name?’ and ‘where are you from’ down. I think I understand the verbs I trying to learn some important ones, to go, to wash and to eat. I know a lot of other random words.
Of course what comes with learning the language are always mistakes. Good thing I stick out and people assume that I don’t speak Swahili I guess. It’s embarrassing, but if I can get laughs it’s easier to brush off the mistakes.
I was in the market one of the first days I was here and was in the way of someone moving a table. I meant to apologize as I got out of the way. So, pole means sorry, that’s what I meant to say, but instead I said poa…which means cool. Oops. I realized right away and tried to correct myself but couldn’t remember the right word. I could hear them laughing about it as they passed. Oh well. Also the other day at the church someone gave me a greeting of respect, ‘shikamo.’ This is something you usually say to someone older than you, but I was younger than this guy. He was just trying to be nice and to welcome me. In response you are suppose to say ‘marihaba,’ which gives respect in return. Instead I said ‘nimashiba’ which mean I’m full. They laughed pretty hard but then corrected me so I guess its ok.
I’ll keep trying to learn. I don’t know how far I can get in 3 months but might as well give it what I’ve got. It would be great to be able to talk to someone who doesn’t speak English and have some actual communication…even if it’s not clear and awkward. As this point I can’t get much across.
Please continue to pray for my adjustment to living here. That I can find rest and comfort in the Lord and that the language continues to come along. Also that I will serve in a purposeful way.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Address and phone!!
I got a phone. It wasn’t too bad. I tried to use my old phone from home but it wasn’t unlocked to other providers. It’s kind of spendy to call the US but I guess you can skype or buy international phone cards for fairly cheep. I’d love to hear from anyone!! The best times are probably afternoon and evening for me…10 hrs ahead from most of you.
Number is 255-789-770-282 255 is the TZ country number
I also have an address I share it with the whole church. I hear it takes about 2 weeks to send something. If you do send something let me know about when it should arrive so I can get the box checked. I guess it doesn’t get checked very often.
If anyone does end up sending anything!! I have requests for hand sanitizer and floss. forgot to bring enough of both of those...i'm going to run out of hand sanitizer fast...
Emily Deichsel
Grace & Healing Ministry
PO Box 3230
Dodoma, Tanzania
And Happy Birthday Mom!!!
Number is 255-789-770-282 255 is the TZ country number
I also have an address I share it with the whole church. I hear it takes about 2 weeks to send something. If you do send something let me know about when it should arrive so I can get the box checked. I guess it doesn’t get checked very often.
If anyone does end up sending anything!! I have requests for hand sanitizer and floss. forgot to bring enough of both of those...i'm going to run out of hand sanitizer fast...
Emily Deichsel
Grace & Healing Ministry
PO Box 3230
Dodoma, Tanzania
And Happy Birthday Mom!!!
My first Dodoma home
So much to say! Ah ok. So I’m at my host family’s home. It’s small but pretty nice. I have my own room…I think that means that Oliva is sleeping on the couch…that doesn’t make me feel very good. So I’m staying with Mariam who is about 6 months pregnant I think. Her husband…the name didn’t stick. So many names to remember. I’ll get back to you on that one. I do know he is a police officer and also teaches at the church as part of a program to stop crime at an earlier age. Mairam works at the church. Oliva is Mariam’s niece I think… She seems to do the house work. She either knows less English or is less willing to talk. I’ll have to work on her. She already calls me her sister though. I had a great two evenings with them. I’ve been pretty tired once I get home, but we just hang out talk eat and then go to bed. I was worried about it but I’ve had fun staying here. Mariam has a great laugh and me not knowing things or being awkward makes her laugh so that feels good : ) It is a really far from town, which makes it hard to hang out with people at night. I’m ok with that for now. There is a lot to enjoy staying here with the family. But I think as time goes I’m going to need that community and support. I’ll see how it goes.
So I went to the market with Mariam on the way home the first day. There were huge piles of dried fish for sale. Sardine I guess. Didn’t look appetizing. First we got potatoes and then Mariam asked what kind of food I liked. I didn’t know how to respond. Lots of different kinds. We ended up at the butcher. Oh she meant what kind of meat… a hard one because I’m picky and really don’t like a lot of meat. Didn’t say anything. The butcher puts a hears on the scale…my stomach dropped to my feet, then he cuts a huge chunk of liver off and adds it to the scale. I think she could see it on my face. I was a little frightened. I just told her I hadn’t ever eaten any of those things before and that at home I didn’t eat a lot of meat. She was thinking then, and I reassured her that it would be ok I would try it. I think the alternative was to buy beef especially for me and I know that this heart and liver was a special treat for the guest already. So we proceeded on our way to get some veggies which I enjoyed. Well my brother got his wish. I talked to him when I first arrived in Dar and the only thing he told me was to eat something I wouldn’t normally eat. At that point I had eaten a processed beef patty…but I’ m guessing this is more a long the lines of what he had in mind. So I ate liver. I wasn’t really all that bad, but I didn’t enjoy it. Really dense I guess is the best way to describe it. I know it’s not that odd…people in the US eat it, but for me it’s out there. I think it upset my stomach a little bit. I didn’t eat it again when it was served tonight. I hope that is ok. I think it’s pretty expensive. I told myself initially I would just eat the meet to be polite, but if that’s what upset my stomach I really just want to pass. For someone who doesn’t eat very much meat and no red meat, liver might have been a little much.
I’ll have to take and post a picture of the toilet….ceramic hole in the ground. I’m getting use to it…but still am not sure how to keep from splashing. Tanzanians don’t use toilet paper. I’ll have to keep my own supply. They bought some for me in the bathroom at home, but I’m pretty sure no one uses it but me. I hope its ok that I do. I’ll buy it but that’s something I’d like to continue.
The time change is just hitting me. Maybe in combination with not feeling well yesterday, but I was so exhausted. I guess traveling I slept so much during the day on planes and buses, it made up for not sleeping through the night. I can usually fall asleep but I wake up in like 4 hrs lay in bed and then wake up every hour after that. I think I’ve heard one day for every hr difference. This is night 5 so my body might still take some more time.
So I went to the market with Mariam on the way home the first day. There were huge piles of dried fish for sale. Sardine I guess. Didn’t look appetizing. First we got potatoes and then Mariam asked what kind of food I liked. I didn’t know how to respond. Lots of different kinds. We ended up at the butcher. Oh she meant what kind of meat… a hard one because I’m picky and really don’t like a lot of meat. Didn’t say anything. The butcher puts a hears on the scale…my stomach dropped to my feet, then he cuts a huge chunk of liver off and adds it to the scale. I think she could see it on my face. I was a little frightened. I just told her I hadn’t ever eaten any of those things before and that at home I didn’t eat a lot of meat. She was thinking then, and I reassured her that it would be ok I would try it. I think the alternative was to buy beef especially for me and I know that this heart and liver was a special treat for the guest already. So we proceeded on our way to get some veggies which I enjoyed. Well my brother got his wish. I talked to him when I first arrived in Dar and the only thing he told me was to eat something I wouldn’t normally eat. At that point I had eaten a processed beef patty…but I’ m guessing this is more a long the lines of what he had in mind. So I ate liver. I wasn’t really all that bad, but I didn’t enjoy it. Really dense I guess is the best way to describe it. I know it’s not that odd…people in the US eat it, but for me it’s out there. I think it upset my stomach a little bit. I didn’t eat it again when it was served tonight. I hope that is ok. I think it’s pretty expensive. I told myself initially I would just eat the meet to be polite, but if that’s what upset my stomach I really just want to pass. For someone who doesn’t eat very much meat and no red meat, liver might have been a little much.
I’ll have to take and post a picture of the toilet….ceramic hole in the ground. I’m getting use to it…but still am not sure how to keep from splashing. Tanzanians don’t use toilet paper. I’ll have to keep my own supply. They bought some for me in the bathroom at home, but I’m pretty sure no one uses it but me. I hope its ok that I do. I’ll buy it but that’s something I’d like to continue.
The time change is just hitting me. Maybe in combination with not feeling well yesterday, but I was so exhausted. I guess traveling I slept so much during the day on planes and buses, it made up for not sleeping through the night. I can usually fall asleep but I wake up in like 4 hrs lay in bed and then wake up every hour after that. I think I’ve heard one day for every hr difference. This is night 5 so my body might still take some more time.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Dodoma at last
I arrived in Dodoma last night. I stayed in a guest house and will go to my host family today. This morning I slept in and then went to the church. Met a bunch of people. I've got to pick up on the swahili fast! A lot of people speak some english.
I found an internet cafe..well Leah showed me a good one. Not sure I could find it myself yet but I'll get there. At least i have her to show me around for now.
Well I'll write more soon but I'm running out of time. Just want to let everyone know I arrived and am tired but well.
I found an internet cafe..well Leah showed me a good one. Not sure I could find it myself yet but I'll get there. At least i have her to show me around for now.
Well I'll write more soon but I'm running out of time. Just want to let everyone know I arrived and am tired but well.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Dar es Salaam
So at the end of day two I'm in Tanzania!! I'm staying with Eve's parents. They have a great place. It is so good to see them as well. It was great to be able to spend the night in Nairobi. Edmond and Christine were great hosts. I've been blessed with such generous loving people in my life.
A short little flight to Dar and i made it with all of my baggage. There was a little complication where one of my bags didn't get checked all of the way through to Dar, but it was sorted out in Nairobi and made it here. It's hotter here than in Nairobi. Maybe it won't be so humid when we go in land more. Tomorrow at 2 I get on the bus for the last leg. I hear it's about a 6 hr bus ride to Dodoma. I shouldn't have much trouble sleeping..i haven't on every plane ride so far.
I'm starting to see mosquitoes. bring on the bug spray
Thank you for prayers. Please continue to pray for me as a settle into the culture and language.
A short little flight to Dar and i made it with all of my baggage. There was a little complication where one of my bags didn't get checked all of the way through to Dar, but it was sorted out in Nairobi and made it here. It's hotter here than in Nairobi. Maybe it won't be so humid when we go in land more. Tomorrow at 2 I get on the bus for the last leg. I hear it's about a 6 hr bus ride to Dodoma. I shouldn't have much trouble sleeping..i haven't on every plane ride so far.
I'm starting to see mosquitoes. bring on the bug spray
Thank you for prayers. Please continue to pray for me as a settle into the culture and language.
Friday, June 5, 2009
Tanzania!
I am off!! I am sitting in the airplane about 30,000 feet in the air. I can look out my window and see I caps of the arctic. Not exactly the landscape I’m headed towards but incredible none the least. We flew over the Rockies too earlier. Part of my heart tells me I belong in those mountains.
I don’t have anyone sitting next to me on the plane…no one to chat with but my long legs are pleased to have the extra leg room. My first flight is ten and a half hours from Portland to Amsterdam, followed by a seven and a half hour flight to Nairobi. I have a 20 hour layover in Kenya so Dan, from Lahash, set me up with some people that live in Nairobi who are gracious enough to let me stay at their place and tour me around Nairobi a bit. Then the final stretch is a little not even two hour flight to Dar es Saalam. After I night in Dar with my college roommate Eve’s parents I’ll set out to travel the final 300 miles to Dodoma by bus. So calculate this up, leaving Portland noon on June 5th, arriving in Dodoma evening of June 8th! Even with the 10 hour time difference that’s a long time to travel. I think I’m 5 hours into it now.
Please keep me in your prayers for safe travel and that I will search support and direction from the Lord as I adjust to life in Tanzania.
More soon I hope
I don’t have anyone sitting next to me on the plane…no one to chat with but my long legs are pleased to have the extra leg room. My first flight is ten and a half hours from Portland to Amsterdam, followed by a seven and a half hour flight to Nairobi. I have a 20 hour layover in Kenya so Dan, from Lahash, set me up with some people that live in Nairobi who are gracious enough to let me stay at their place and tour me around Nairobi a bit. Then the final stretch is a little not even two hour flight to Dar es Saalam. After I night in Dar with my college roommate Eve’s parents I’ll set out to travel the final 300 miles to Dodoma by bus. So calculate this up, leaving Portland noon on June 5th, arriving in Dodoma evening of June 8th! Even with the 10 hour time difference that’s a long time to travel. I think I’m 5 hours into it now.
Please keep me in your prayers for safe travel and that I will search support and direction from the Lord as I adjust to life in Tanzania.
More soon I hope
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Summer in Tanzania
I will be graduating from Lewis & Clark College in Portland this May with a bachelor of arts in Chemistry, an appreciation for God’s brilliant diversity and a desire to see change in this world. God used my experiences at a liberal school to strengthen my personal relationship with Him and spark my passion to love His human creation.
Over the last four years I have developed a heart for the vulnerable. I am interested in serving those infected and affected b HIV/AIDS. This biologically fascinating disease is a puzzle that has yet to be solved. HIV/AIDS killed an estimated 2.1 million people world wide in 2007. Over three quarters of these deaths occurred in sub-Saharan Africa. As research continues in attempt to develop a vaccine or cure for HIV/AIDS, treatment in these areas cannot be ignored.
As I pursue a medical degree and a masters in public health after Lewis & Clark, I desire to provide holistic care to poverty stricken communities. This summer with Lahash International I look forward to continuing my journey learning about practical and situational treatment of this disease. With Grace and Healing Ministry, I will serve the spiritual, physical, emotional educational and environmental issues affecting the vulnerable in a community in the capital city of Tanzania.
I am encouraged as I become a partner of Lahash International. Over the years God has increased my desire to serve the vulnerable and the needy. Now I am provided with this opportunity to explore this passion in a way that also pursues my interest in international public health care. I will work with Grace and Healing Ministry in Dodoma, the capital of Tanzania. I will live in the community for 3 months providing physical, spiritual and emotional care. I am eager to for this journey of new experiences, but I know that it is not something I can do alone. Please consider partnering with me to bring care to Dodoma.
Keep in contact
emilyd@lclark.edu
Learn more about Lahash International
www.lahash.net
Over the last four years I have developed a heart for the vulnerable. I am interested in serving those infected and affected b HIV/AIDS. This biologically fascinating disease is a puzzle that has yet to be solved. HIV/AIDS killed an estimated 2.1 million people world wide in 2007. Over three quarters of these deaths occurred in sub-Saharan Africa. As research continues in attempt to develop a vaccine or cure for HIV/AIDS, treatment in these areas cannot be ignored.
As I pursue a medical degree and a masters in public health after Lewis & Clark, I desire to provide holistic care to poverty stricken communities. This summer with Lahash International I look forward to continuing my journey learning about practical and situational treatment of this disease. With Grace and Healing Ministry, I will serve the spiritual, physical, emotional educational and environmental issues affecting the vulnerable in a community in the capital city of Tanzania.
I am encouraged as I become a partner of Lahash International. Over the years God has increased my desire to serve the vulnerable and the needy. Now I am provided with this opportunity to explore this passion in a way that also pursues my interest in international public health care. I will work with Grace and Healing Ministry in Dodoma, the capital of Tanzania. I will live in the community for 3 months providing physical, spiritual and emotional care. I am eager to for this journey of new experiences, but I know that it is not something I can do alone. Please consider partnering with me to bring care to Dodoma.
Keep in contact
emilyd@lclark.edu
Learn more about Lahash International
www.lahash.net
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