the grouchy bugs.

 I’ve been here four months now. Can you believe it’s been that long? Time really does fly. The older you are, the faster the time! This week is our home stay with a Tanzanian family. I will admit to feeling a fair amount of dread over this stay. Camp has become home. I had my little bathroom-less banda in the woods. The food was great and the company too. It was familiar and comfortable. I didn’t really want to leave for a week. Not to mention having to pack up my banda. Again. First for our Zambia trip, and now this! But, as most unknowns in life are, it’s now fine and dandy and as Tricia said our first night here, “We’re in a home!” We haven’t had much of a true home as of late.

Baba Mchungagi – Father Sheppard or Pastor – is the senior pastor of one of the Assemblies of God churches in Iringa town, and he and his wife – Mama Mchungagi – along with some of their - I think – relatives’ kids are our hosts. Baba is a gentle and happy man with a bit of a tummy and Mama is an excellent cook who has us pumzika (rest) a lot. That’s one of the beauties of this culture. They’re very welcoming, hospitable, and they let you take lots of rests! Their house has many rooms, and squatty potties. I am blessed with my own room, and I’m pretty sure my bed’s bigger than DJ and Tricia’s! But theirs’ has a bathroom…

 Sunday we rose early for breakfast and church. The 7:30 am service is in both English and Kiswahili, and they sing in English! The service was nice, although a bit loud on the ears. After service, we got to see where kids meet for church. The church meets in a building owned I think by a lumber yard. As we walked to the kids spot, our senses were met with the aromatic scent and sight of sawdust. It made me think of my daddy. Miss you dad. Less than two months till I run into you and mama’s arms!

Mama Mchungagi makes wonderfully delicious food. Meats in sauces or with a sort of breading. Rice. Chipati (like a tortilla, but not). Ugali (another sort of carbish dish made of maze flour). Lots of fruit and cucumbers. They introduced us to a new kind of fruit. I can’t remember the Kiswahili name, but the fruit looks like a brain, has black seeds the size of almonds and tastes like an incredibly sweet pear minus that grainy texture. I am a huge fan. I hope we’re graced with this fruit’s presence more before the week is over!

Sunday we went for a pleasantly long walk in the afternoon air. The sun shone, and the temperature felt quite perfect. This last week I did a couple of intense workouts with Andrew and Amethyst (among others) – intense to the point of feeling ill – so almost every major part of my body has been complaining at one time or another. It started with my thighs. It gave me great pain to sit down. It moved to the muscles behind my armpits. Recently it’s been my neck, upper abs, and almost every step I take, my claves scream at me, letting their presence and protest be known. I was grateful for the long walk to loosen them up. Iringa is quite a beautiful place to be. Lots of green and mountains scattered with giant boulders. We are so blessed to be here!

The day I posted my blog was also the day we had our early graduation ceremony. Games. Dancing. Delicious Tanzanian food. What a day! I had the pleasure of leading games, and it was pure joy to watch everyone’s faces and see how much fun they were having. I even got in on the balloon toss. My poor partner ended up the wet one J

I’ve got news for you dad: since 9000 miles is a bit far away for you, DJ’s taken over as my protector. One day, I think it was a Saturday, I was lying in bed and some small man who works at camp came upon my porch and looked in my window. In Tanzanian culture, the bedroom is a very private and sacred place. I felt bad he had to see such a sight of me. I wondered if he came to take care of my bee problem, which is still a problem. You see, around the time of my getting back, honey bees took up residence on my porch. When I left Saturday, they were still there... Anyhow, when DJ heard about the guy peeking into my window, he was sitting at another dining table facing away from me. He turned sharply with a great look of shock on his face and said, “WHAT?!” I did discover later that he thought the guy was climbing into my window. A bit of a difference, but still... A bit awkward to have some guy peeking into my window!

This week I had my share of tears and grouchy bugs. May is a huge month of memories for me, some unpleasant, others bittersweet. I was struggling with the upcoming home stay, God’s voice, and the kiddos were getting down each other’s throats and I couldn’t take it. Tricia encouraged me after dinner (the remains of a good cry were still on my face at dinner) and my mama called me that night. She’s so kind and thoughtful! I also got sweet texts from Aunt Susie, and one of mom’s Bible Study ladies shared Ephesians 3:16 for me through mama. Thank you Emily, great verse!

Later in the week, the grouchy bugs visited again. I read some Proverbs, journalled about my complaints, and then wrote what I was thankful for and some Proverbs verses pertaining to my attitude. Afterwards, I worked out and had a long, nice chat with Amethyst, edited pictures, and went to dinner. It worked wonders. Distraction seems to be the trick for me when I’m struggling with grouchy bugs and useless thoughts. So next time you come upon a problem, upside down attitude, or are struggling with pointless thoughts, go to God’s word, journal prayers, thank-you’s, verses, whatever you need to. Pray. Then distract!

For my thank you’s this week, I want to dedicate them to my mama. I surely hope she enjoyed her mama’s day despite her daughter being far, far away!

*         For being brave and supportive and letting me live across the ocean – only about eight more weeks, mama!

*         For sharing her heart with all the mamas and daughters at the mother/daughter tea on Saturday – even when her own daughter wasn’t there

*         For her strength these last few months in incredibly difficult circumstances

*         For so kindly giving herself to the church and to others

*         For managing to take care of her daughter even when she’s far away – especially in regards to money transferring and taxes!

*         For years of giving and loving her daughter so gently and selflessly

*         For being such a shining beauty and letting Jesus shine through her

*         For being a kind and faithful wife to her husband for the last 28 years!

And to all the other mamas out there – your job is not easy. It seems also to be underappreciated. But I’ll speak for all of us kids out there. You are needed, loved, and wonderful. Thank you for all you do! HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!

Ps: a bonus thank you – for my silly kiddos… Dressing silly, making goofy movies and taking funny pictures!