We have been enjoying our time with the people of Africa immensely. On Friday Miriam, our housekeeper brought her two children with her. I think they had the day off school, but I can't be sure she didn't bring them to have us meet them and play with our kids.
Abraham is Kumi na moja (11) and Mercy is Tano (5). They spoke no English so the language barrier was pretty large. Annica and Marcy did manage some good play time with Annica's Barbie's and American girl doll, Jordan. Tobie and Abraham spent a lot of time playing with games on the Nook and also some "football" outside. There is only a small patch of grass for games, and if they try to play in the parking lot, the guards ask them to move. So the football only lasts so long. We did manage to teach them UNO, although I suspect Abraham has played before. It was fun to use our Swahili for numbers and colors. Although we were not sure how to say "Draw Two" in Swahili.
While it was a very fun day, but both Sharon and I have found that the communication piece when Mariam and Grace (the housekeeper at her apartment) are around all day is exhausting. I think the kids were pretty tired out Friday night too.
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| Tobie, Abraham, Mercy and Annica |
So two different events of this week-end were a nice break for us. First-Saturday night we went to a farm that has Volleyball and tea each Saturday afternoon about 4pm. Our friend, Maragi had said to call him anytime we wanted to check it out. With little going on Sat, this seemed like a good time. When we got there people were very welcoming. Maragi said that you never know how many people will be there and who will be there. While many Tanzanians are known to come, this night it was mostly white people living in Tanzania but with ties all over the world. So all around us we heard English being spoken (Mostly in British and Australian accents-but English none the less.) Tobie and Caleb enjoyed the Volleyball and the chance for some physical activity. Annica discovered horses and possibly the chance to ride a few times when we are here (although they only have one Western saddle that they are not sure if it fits on a horse. She might get to try some English riding) I got a chance to meet some more women from the area. Their kids are all in the International School which has a week off this week, so we got in on a plan to go to the local animal farm/zoo on Tuesday as an outing!
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| Farasi!! |
This Sunday morning, Dale preached a Mkimbizi. A church just outside of Iringa. He left at 6:15 to pick up his interpreter and make the first service. No one in our party was interested in joining him that early and it was too far for him to come back and get us. This made it a great opportunity for us to go the International Christian Fellowship church that has English services 2 Sundays a month. I really love listening to amazing singing of the African people and choirs at all the churches we have been to, but it was good for my soul to have a chance to sing some songs in our native tongue-a little Chris Tomlin and "Lord I Lift Your Name on High". Also good to sing with a guitar. I realized I really miss hearing/and singing to my husband playing:) Again, this was a good opportunity to meet more "foreigners" like us. Many of the people there are involved in different ministry/mission opportunities in or near Iringa.
Then Sharon and I had out first "hostessing" event when Pastor Ilomo, his wife Flora, and son Eric came over for dinner. Pastor Ilomo had been in St. Paul teaching at Luther Seminary last year and he came up to Fish Lake to preach and we got to spend some time with him. Although Noel and Dale have seen him many times on campus, it was fun for us to meet some of his family and get reacquainted again. When all was done, Sharon and I thought we did pretty good for our first time. (Although we forgot that most Africans use heaping spoonfuls of sugar in their coffee and tea. We will be better about it next time.)
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