Kurasini Orphanage Weekend

Yesterday, Sunday, we were picked up by our new friends Alissa (Ali) and Winston who are friends of our friend Marie and work at HOPAC in Dar. We took a bajaji and then a bus and then a taxi to the Kurasini Orphanage across town (took over an hour I think) which is the only government-run orphanage in all of Tanzania... (seriously?!... yeah..)

We arrived to a very large walled-in area with buldings and large shade-trees and kids/teens everywhere, Ali took out markers and paper right away and the little ones flocked over. Steve and I were a little unsure what to do or where to start so we talked with the director, Rama, for a little bit. He's pretty much the dad around there. Eventually we had Rama round up the kids and said whoever helps us clean up trash (it was literally everywhere) we would give them a gift. So we passed out black garbage bags and set to work.

We were thankful to the ones who participated and hopeful that maybe this would be a tiny step in the right direction for them to take some pride in their current home... it was mostly older boys but several children as well :) I encouraged them to wash their hands with the soap we brought afterward then had them come over to our suitcases we brought along packed with beanie baby bears and a bag full of colorful bracelets with christian phrases on them. What was meant for the helpers obviously ended up going to everyone and because of the language barrier and lack of know-how in that particular mobbing situation (lol) we just went with it :) Eventually everyone had a bear and bracelet (for the older boys that helped I was worried they'd feel jipped at the gift options, but Steve reminded me that he had given them a brand new soccer ball with the gospel message in swahili printed all over it so I felt pretty good about that trade-off. Hope they did 2.)

One shocking thing about Kurasini is that there were actually 2 BABIES there!!! I was not made aware of this so was totally unprepared (I was told the kids ranged from 4-18... they didn't say anything about the 'kids's children!!!) One mother is 16 and one I believe is 18, the baby girls are 7 & 8 months. One of them was crawling around the floor in here with all the kids clammering to receive a gift Steve showed mercy and rescued one from the impending kick in the head from all the commotion... and YES I was VERY jealous that he got to hold a baby in africa before me! I actually never had a chance to hold either of the babies and I have no idea how that's even possible but he said i will probably hold more babies than him before our trip is done after we get to the baby orphanage :)

That night we walked all the way to a pharmacy and grocery store to get bread, hot dogs, ketchup, and pringles to have for supper (yes we're americans!) so the food really hasn't been a problem so far - Dar is actually quite 'westernized' and we often feel like we're in LA or New York or something until we notice how we're the ONLY white ppl around and then look over and notice a cement block house with a tin roof surrounded by chickens.... oh yeah we're in Africa! :) We slept VERY well that night!

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Sunday morning we were picked up by Ali and Winston and their driver friend Abeydi to head over to The Ocean Church in Dar which is actually in a movie theatre! It was pretty cool with an american pastor (who actually calls minnesota home right now and has been to the church I went to youth group at in high school in brandon, sd!!!!!!!!) It was all in English with several white missionary families but mostly tanzanians :) We both really enjoyed it and had a nice chat with the pastor afterwards :) Right after we were dismissed from church we experienced our first power outtage! Welcome to Africa!

After church we went with Ika (a friend of Ali and Winston's) in her car to Subway for lunch (we are truly suffering here...) and then to Kurasini (can't even express how much more comfortable this drive was! haha). Today has been my favorite so far, the moment we got there kids ran up to us as we were now familiar faces and one of the little ones, Zawadi (means 'gift' in swahili) immediately decided that I must hold her constantly! If I set her down she would want right back up, but really... why would I want to set her down?! I'm told she used to hit a lot and was quite violent until Ali, Winstone, & others started visiting every weekend :) she still tries sometimes but was so funny and sweet it's hard to imagine her old self.

Today was a lot more relaxed, we had more craft items (construction paper, styrofoam stickers, crayons..) and we blew up balloons for some of the younger ones to play with... I questioned taking them out because I knew once they popped they'd just sit on the ground and didn't want the babies to eat them... but honestly if you had seen what was lying everywhere you would know this was the least of worries unfortunately... These children are so precious, after only 1 day many of them completely accepted us.... which actually made me sad because I knew we would have to say good-bye so very soon :'( Another little one that decided to befriend me was Amisi (Ah-mee-see) who wanted me to carry him everywhere and would be upset if I tried to put him down... but just keep in mind, Amisi is not a small 2 or 3 year old... he is 7. I also want you to know that even though I've never been so sore or tired... I've never been so happy and full of love aside from getting married and having my own child... we can't get enough of this... 

I must say my perspective on adopting an older child has completely changed after this experience because in all honesty I would've opted to have them both adopted and brought home with us if that was an option... they were so precious and obviously desiring a family to call their own. I held Zawadi and Amisi a lot today, Amisi even fell asleep in my lap for awhile as I scratched his back and prayed over him, and my eyes just welled up with tears as I realized it was time to say good bye... I hope to meet them again, but they will always be in my heart and prayers. It was an honor to be their momma for a day.

God Keeps His Promises....

In the wee hours of the morning, right as the sun was coming over the horizon - Steve and I were in an airplane flying over Kenya... as the light brightened the ground beneath me and I could see through the clouds to what was below I quickly put on my ipod to the song 'Here we stand' by Newsboys and listened as my eyes just flooded with tears!

God keeps his promises, 8 years ago He called me to this land - East Africa and here I was with my husband flying over what I truly believe to be 'our nation' that God has given to us! This is the place God has great things in store for us and our family... we literally can only stand in awe at all that is to come...

When we landed in Dar it was pouring rain, but by the time we got our visas and baggage and got outside it was sunshine and warmth greeting us from all sides - it was glorious!!! We purchased tickets to Arusha for Tuesday morning (a day earlier than planned = YaY!) and waited for our driver to pick us up. I spotted the Friendly Gecko sign and waved at him, his name is Jacob and doesn't speak very much english but thanks to our trusty english/swahili dictionary and phrase book we got him talking a little bit (as I was humorously smashed in the back seat with 3 large suitcases and a broken window that wouldn't roll down - lol I was still smiling!!!) Oh yes, my seatbelt was broken as well so I just had to pray a little harder as we weaved in and out of traffic barely missing buses, cycles, and PEOPLE that were literally everywhere! We also saw a lot of people walking through the slower/stopped traffic trying to sell things.

Once we got the Friendly Gecko over an hour later, the director was not there and we were feeling a little clueless  because our phone & the internet was not cooperating and we couldn't even find a clock anywhere, but then again we're on Africa time now and God's teaching us trust & patience so we survived. Eventually we found some european volunteers and they directed us toward a western restaurant which we got to by bajaji (like a car build over a motorcycle or something (has 3 wheels), anyways we survived that and had a nice lunch: cheeseburger, french fries, and pepsi! I know, not very adventurous but we thought we'd have a treat then commit to the culture (haha) although I'm a little worried because it would seem eggs, beans, & veggies are staples and pardon the bluntness but do they WANT everyone to be gassy 24/7 cuz I just don't see any other way around it?! lol, other than that our tummies are still doing fine and we're in good spirits if not just a little tired yet :) I think we'll get the hand of the time change very quickly though.

This afternoon we are going with one of the guesthouse's volunteers (Flora) to the Help 2 Kids orphanage to hang out with their 30 children so that will certainly be exciting and then dinner with everyone at the guesthouse tonight at 6pm (but remember our time here is 8 hours later than what it is back home in Iowa).

We appreciate your prayers, traveling was awesome apart from being excruciatingly tired at the aiport in London before we took off for Dar but did just a little sightseeing in London for Steve (since I've been there) and he really enjoyed that so it was worth it :) Very smooth sailing and actually slept pretty well from London to Dar which was great cuz that meant it was actually night-time in Dar as well so our sleep shouldn't be too far off now :) this is going to be quite the adventure and will certainly be over MUCH too soon but I still can't wait to get home to see my little princess.... it really hurt to say bye to her :'( but I hear she's having a BLAST hanging out with grandma and grandpa (my parents) and watching her new favorite person = DORA (lol)

(sweet little girl, I believe this was Angela, at the Help 2 Kids orphanage the our guesthouse works with & supports - a portion of proceeds from our stay goes straight to them!)

And So It Begins...

Today... YES, today!!!

Today is the day that Steve and I will fly out of Sioux Falls to Chicago, then to London, & then to Dar Es Salaam, TZ (East Africa) where we will bring our FOUR very large (& heavy) suitcases full of blessings to the Kurasini Orphanage in Dar (this saturday & sunday) & Neema House in Arusha (hopefully all next week)!

Back when this mission was just a thought, I'm not sure either of us really believed we would ACTUALLY be in Africa by the end of the year, but that thought eventually turned into a bit of a pest! It was constantly coming up in conversation where we'd find ourselves speaking theoretically about a trip to Africa very soon... After that it turned into a full-out BURDEN in our hearts to prepare & get there as soon as possible. I"m not certain of the exact date, but before newsletters went out we both agreed that over Thanksgiving would be a great time to go (what better place to realize all you have to be thankful for?!). We actually toyed with the idea that if for some reason the funds weren't in by Thanksgiving, we'd go over Christmas or just whenever it worked as soon as it worked... anyone else notice that we ARE in fact going over Thanksgiving?!

Once we put our dreams into writing and sent newsletters to family & friends we began praying... together... DAILY for all the details to be worked out, for God to give people a specific amount that was to be used to support this mission, and that all would join us in prayer. Since letters went out I can not recall ever getting stressed about God providing a way for us to get to Africa, nor did we worry about how much we should donate or to whom... we've just had total peace that God would provide & that He would lead us... Well, let me just say that we are taking a LOT more (like double) what we were initially thinking was a good number to take along to cover our own expenses and to bless others... which means = God wants us to dream BIG!

There truly is nothing too big for God! Kurasini Orphanage needs their washing machines fixed? Done. Neema House needs a donation to help them purchase their own property & build what they need? No problem. It costs $3,000 for 2 adults to get a round-trip to Dar? Piece of cake! These things that might not have been, WILL BE because of the faithfulness of His people, because of YOU! God is so good & we praise Him for all that will be accomplished during these next 2 weeks.

Prayer Needs:
That God would hold our hearts together as we say bye to Sarah for the longest absence we've ever faced...
That He would protect and strengthen all of us...
Traveling mercies - no missed/delayed flights & that Steve and I will always get to SIT together!
That we would hear Him ever so clearly EVERY moment throughout this beautiful adventure...
ABUNDANT energy & passion like we've never experienced before to do all we're called to do!!!

(If you're unsure how to pray = Google 'the Lord's prayer' or look up Matthew 6:9-13 & just say that with your thoughts toward us... I like the King James Version... oldy but a goody ;) Blessings to you!