Visiting Tanzania...

It was a long and bumpy ride, but not without its interesting scenes! We spent almost 8 hours traveling by bus to visit friends in Tanzania.

We met Pastor William Makali and his wife Martha last year when 6 of us ventured from the US to help them with their ministry to the village of William's birth. When Mom announced she would accompany me back to Kenya we both realized that she could not travel all the way to Kenya and not make the short jaunt to visit our friends William and Martha.
Mom's synopsis of the trip "I would recommend flying!" - that is at least until Tanzania completes the construction on the roads...all the roads from the border to Arusha!

These two photos show a very common form of transporting goods - a Mkokateni...Mom was pretty fascinated with them...not that I can blame her...
When we finally arrived, we were met by the smiling faces of (l to r) Emmanuel (first born), Martha, William and Upendo(last born)...I just love Upendo - she and I spent much time visiting and becoming friends during my December visit last year. She recently graduated High School and plans to attend college in the US.
When I met William last year he proudly told me "two of my kids are American!" - Upendo and Victor (middle child, in the US in college right now) were born in the US while William was attending University and Seminary.
After spending a lovely Sunday afternoon and evening with the Makalis, we spent the night in a nearby hotel.

Monday morning we arrived bright and early to help Martha with her preschool/daycare. Since this day was quite rainy, the daycare kids were not in attendance...
...so we had just four. The girl (closest to me in the photo) is named Faraja and she is 5. She is a bright, quiet and studious child. Next to her is Godbless. He is 3 1/2 and full of energy and mischief. The big boy (with the dark blue sweater) is Athumani. He is 4 1/2 and loves attention.
...and the youngest is Daniel - he is to the right of Athumani here below. He is just 3 and was shy at first, but showed his impish personality a bit later...
I call Daniel the 'master builder'...look at this ship he put together!
Godbless wanted to get in on the action so he pushed himself and his creation in front of the camera...
Meanwhile Faraja was quietly putting together puzzle after puzzle...

One by one Martha took the 3 older children and worked on their words and numbers. Mom loved encouraging each one of them to do their best.
Snack time! But first we must wash our hands. Martha is teaching them social skills, hygiene and manners along with their letters and numbers.



Uji time! That's a porridge made of corn meal...not my favorite, but the kids love it!


It was Faraja's turn to share a special treat she brought from home. Martha teaches them all to share and each one was prompted to say "Thank you Faraja" as they took their cookies.
Then it was story time. I discovered they like the pictures more than the words! and Daniel loved helping me turn the pages.

Time to prepare to be picked up. The kids help carry the benches to the front door...
...and put away all the toys they played with...
...and Daniel put his socks back on...
Assembled at the front door, putting shoes on and gathering back packs...
See Daniel pulling his tie up?
Now they are all dancing, Daniel with his tie over his head!
Okay...time to finish with the shoes...
...and head out doors! Last December I felt compelled to leave $100 with Martha to help with the preschool (for some strange reason the TZ immigration folks did not charge me $100 for my visa to enter the country)...and she proudly announced that this swing set was my gift to the school...which is perfect since I just loved the slide, swings and bars as a child!
The kids spent some time swinging...
...climbing...

and playing in the mud!
Bringing water from the spigot...
...rolling up the sleeves...

...for some serious play! They are making 'chapatis'...first Athumani...
...then Daniel...
...then Godbless...
...and Faranja decided to make a cake...
Washing the mud off their hands...
...and back to the swing set!





As her graduation present Mom and I gave Upendo these earrings...they look beautiful on her!
Martha posing in front of the preschool she is building...she has made progress since I visited in December, but has a ways to go. Once this building is complete the children will have more room to play and learn, and the family will get their home back!
Proudly posing under her sign...Ushindi means "victory" in Swahili...
We had a special visit; full of fun, laughter, stories and warmth. These are special people and I thank God for bringing them into my life.