two worlds collide.

Last week found me discontent and wishing for the things of home. It also found me remembering that this is where God has me and where he wants me for the time being. I know that Satan can use my discontented, focused on the future self to try and screw up God’s plans, and I DON’T WANT THAT! So, I’m trying to focus on the now. Dang it, it’s easier said than done!

Friday, after my blog posting, I went around town to do a little shopping. One of my stops landed me at what turned out to be the shop of a guy who’d sold me salt and pepper shakers and a painting last month near the street. This guy speaks great English, but is unfortunate kind of pushy. He’s the kind that if you want your price, you have to walk away. And as you walk away, he’ll give you the price you want! Well, after getting the price I wanted, he asked where I was going. “To shop,” I told him. “Are you going to the market?” He asked. “Yes.” I replied. “Well, can I accompany you?” “No!” “Why not?” “I like to be alone.” Mama, aren’t you proud of my reply? Must be the introvert in me ;)

Last Sunday we enjoyed sunrise on vodarock. I found myself missing home, family, and the scrumptious Easter breakfasts we used to feast upon after hikes up Spud for sunrise. Breakfast here was good nonetheless, and after a rest and taking my time getting ready, we hiked to the camp next door for an Easter service and lunch with the college kids and other wazungus. It was a pleasure to socialize with people my age. Life is so different when you live in the bush of Africa…

Tuesday found us at William’s funeral and it also found us hot from the sunshine. After the 2k walk that I took with some of the men here (call them my dads J), we stood through the service, and the slide show, and the toast, and finally got food way past our lunch time. The reception was much more like a wedding then a funeral. The food was amazing, and the alcohol abounded. Due to the fact that they didn’t serve dinner that night at camp, Andrew, Amethyst and I went to town and bought snacks. Upon return, I shared my snacks with the Morrison’s and then headed down to my banda.

I entered my banda to see a giant spider on the wall right by my bed. As I set my stuff down, I told myself that I was bigger than the spider. But, further inspection told me that this spider was bigger than my bravery. I called Tricia. “Can you please send someone?!” Garrett came to my rescue.  “That is a big one!” he said. “And it’s hairy. It looks like the bad kind. Maybe you should sleep on the other bed.” Ha! Thanks for the comfort. It took him some tries, and me making funny noises as I watched, but he finally smooshed it. He brushed it outside, and was going to leave it on my porch I think. “Can you please get it off my porch!?” I asked. “Oh, sure.” And he brushed it off into the semi-darkness.

If you put your thumbs and your pointer fingers together to make an ‘O’, that was about the size of this booger. Well, ok, that included his legs. His body was a fair bit smaller. Still, I had to turn on classical music, talk to God out loud, and read Psalm 18 to help calm myself down. And I almost slept in the other bed. Funny how nighttime and living by yourself can drive your creepy crawly/freak-out-ness to new levels. I memorized Psalm 18:3: “I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.” That night, my enemies were spiders and my imagination!

We started Kiswahili Wednesday due to William’s service Tuesday and Monday off for Easter. This being the case, we also had Kiswahili on Saturday. What a wacky week. The good news? Saturday – Lord willing – we take a train to Zambia for our break! Please pray for safety in our travels, good timing, and that we’ll hopefully be able to see Victoria Falls!

Sunday, we had an all day cultural affair: we went to church at Kanisa la Biblia. Sunday School/Church started at nine. And got done around noon. When we arrived, they kindly gave us seats in the tiny building, me right up front. I must admit to feeling a bit awkward at first. Here we are, the only wazungus in the place, and they stick me right in the front row!

The singing was lively and joyful. I don’t think one of the songs was anything less than upbeat, and in Avery’s opinion there was a lot of clapping. The pastor only spoke Kiswahili. My prayer was that I would be able to get something from the service, and God’s way of answering that was by having a nice young man, Kelvin (and also the pastor’s wife some), translate the sermon for us. So, we listened to one of my first bilingual sermons. Oh, and to all those Cougar fans out there reading this… There was this adorable little person in church wearing a vintage WSU sweat suit. I totally had to gawk a bit to make sure I was seeing right. It pretty much made my morning!

We ate lunch around two at the pastor’s house. His wife made a lovely meal of ugali, greens, and fish. DJ did an awesome job of speaking Kiswahili with the pastor. I continued with my Kiswahili stage fright.

On our walk to catch a ride that turned out to be a dala dala (mini bus), we walked down a dirt road. You know that one song that you hear on the radio about finding love in a hopeless place? I’m not sure who sings it, but it’s some chic. Well, there we were, seeing sights you’d expect to see in Africa like Tanzanians, lots of dirt, chickens, small houses and dukas… And that song is playing in the background! It was to me a hilarious mix of cultures.

 Once crammed in the mini-bus, we waited. You seem to do that a lot here. And I got to talk a tad – as in a greeting and not much more – with these two ladies who had adorable baby/toddlers. They thought it great that I could speak a few words of Kiswahili (muahaha, if they only knew that I could speak more than a few words… ;). I even got a high five from one of them! It wasn’t long before they started nursing their mtoto. African women, however, don’t see a need for such things as blankets or those neat little cover-ups you see some mamas in the states using to nurse. Nope, they just pull up or down their shirt and let their babies nurse. Talk about letting it all hang out!

Thanks Lord for…

*         Avery asking me if I was going to come visit them someday in the future. It’s nice to know that I’m wanted J

*         A compliment about my eyes that helped fill me love tank.

*         God’s little ways of cheering me up when I’m down.

*         Prayers of the righteous.

*         The chance for another stamp in my passport.

*         Days of sun.

*         The end of the rainy season coming.

*         April 14^th – 28 happy years for my mama and dad.

Wiki njaima!