I have 3 days left in Iringa!  I have been busy lately doing everything that I thought I had plenty of time to do and now I am squeezing it in!  This last week of work has been great too so I am really enjoying everything about being here!  Now that my time is running down, I am realizing more and more, probably things that a newcomer would pay attention to but now I am more in awe than ever!
 
I worked on the mosaic Tuesday and part of Wednesday and Thursday, I worked in the workshop at Neemah for the first time so that was a lot of fun.  I got a lot more work done than the people I was working with because they like to talk!  The main detail is that they were all deaf so instead of working, they were signing!  Even though I wish I knew them more or more personally, they are all great people and full of smiles!
 
At Huruma Center, we had a busy week.  Sophia's brother was here visiting and she will be gone this coming week so we were doing many Easter activities.  On Monday I was there alone and one little girl and I read a book (in Kiswahili!) so it was bonding time for us because she helped me pernounce words and laughed at me a little but it was a lot of fun!  I'm sad to leave there because I feel like I was finally developing a few small relationships but I am very excited for two girls who are coming next week to share the same opportunity I have had. 
 
Wednesday will be my last day in Iringa and then I am starting the tradition of spending Good Friday and Easter on the beach!  A few people I have met that are staying at the head office and I are traveling to Matema which is on Lake Nyassa near Malowi.  I will return from there on Monday and Tuesday I will be on a bus to Dar with Agneth's (Chavala) sister to go to Zanzibar and next Friday I fly home!  So this will be the last update you get from me until I am back in Minnesota!  Please pray for safe journeys as the bus system here could use a lot of prayer!  And thank you for all of your prayers and support that have gotten me this far.
 
Peace and Blessings,
Jenny

The first month seemed like forever and now I only have 3 weeks left and it is going way too fast!

Out at the Huruma Center, we have been doing a lot of projects with the kids involving Easter. We made paper mache baskets and painted eggs. I feel like they might be forgetting the real reason for Easter but I think that as it gets closer, they will be reminded and understand the true meaning.

At Neemah center, this week involved many things. Tuesday was a day of trying to figure out how to move the mosaic without ruining it and going around town to buy hardwood which we found out does not exist! Wednesday I traveled out to a village with the physio to watch her perform therapy on a few children but she didn't work on anybody. We visited one child and drove another back into town for surgery and that was all so I am hoping I can go again this week and see therapy. We also started the second mosaic this week. It is going much better than the first one now that we sort of know what we are doing!

Although my time here in the beginning was quite a challenge, I feel like God is stealing my time away from me now. It is going by so quickly and I can't grasp it at all! I am enjoying everything (well, almost--a few foods and rats are an exception) and I couldn't ask for a different experience. A few things are still falling into place like my time at Huruma but even that is so much better! Thank you so much for your support and prayers, they are definitely getting me through.

Peace and blessings!
Jenny

Things in Iringa are starting to fall into a pattern and I am truely enjoying myself!
 
On Thursday, I finished the mosaic so that was a big accomplishment!  The other people I was working on it with were gone all week so it got kind of lonely working on it alone but it went well and I was very glad to finish it!  There is another one to do and I do not know if my time at Neemah will be spent working on it or if I will work in the workshop. 
 
Huruma center is getting more hectic and the schedule is changing so things are more difficult but the kids are realizing how to communicate with me and I am recognizing a few words (very very few!).  Sophia and I have been planning activities based around Easter and trying to organize a few bigger things like a small bike trip or a "fun day" for them. 
 
I saw Pastor Lufeugela the other day so that was a nice suprise as I was walking to Neemah!  He is doing well and he strongly feels that I should return to Mtera! 
 
That is the lastest update of what is going on over here in Tanzania, I hope everything is going well back in MN!
 
Peace and Blessings,
Jenny

Greetings from Iringa! 

Lately I have been keeping myself very busy between Neemah, Huruma Center, and trying to meet people.  I enjoy spending time at Neemah and working on the mosaic so any spare time I have, I've been going there.  We are having a lot of fun and almost done with the first one! 

At Huruma Center, computer classes are going slowly.  One child is very interested and sometimes he is the only one, but that is also easier sometimes.  If it isn't computer time, I do my best to play with the children or do math or english since those are the only 2 things I can understand! 

My Swahili is still lacking!  I study but I still have no skill in speaking the language.  I'm still trying but it is quite the challenge! 

I haven't been feeling very well the last week so that slowed me down a lot.  I didn't make it to Huruma one day and I've been sleeping a lot but I think I'm almost done with it so this week should be good again! 

Last weekend I went to the top of Gangilonga rock.  It was about a 25 minute walk from my house and it overlooks Iringa.  It was absolutely gorgeous and it was something different to do.  I'm trying to find and take any opportunity I can to spice up my time here and make it the best I can! 

Things are going well, I'm doing good, and enjoying what I do!  I thank you so much for all of your prayers and support, I know they are helping me get through this amazing experience!

Peace and Blessings,
Jenny

Hi everybody!  Thank you all for the b-day wishes and the congrats on PT school.  It's nice to read your messages and know that I'm remembered!  

As for Africa, this week was filled with new experiences.  On Monday, I went to Huruma Center alone since Sophia is gone so I had no way to talk to the children.  The plan was for me to teach the computer to the older children but they weren't available for a while so I was stuck with the little kids. Things went ok, we made airplanes and they had a good time.  Then I taught 4 older kids how to use the computer.  We started with the basics--meaning how to turn it on or open a program.  I did that Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and although some of them didn't always show interest or care that I was talking, it went well for the most part.  I figured out ways to talk to the kids or things to do before computer time so I don't think they thought I was too lame!

I've also been working at Neemah.  I have been doing something I never thought I would, especially in Africa!  I have been working on a mosaic all week with another guy from the UK.  Neemah is building a new place with a new cafe so we are making huge mosaics, probably 5-6 geet tall by 4 feet wide.  It is a lot of fun and I've spent much more time there than I planned.  Eric and I, plus Jennie in the afternoons, get along really well and have fun to make the best of it so they are definately helping me out!  I didn't go out to the village this week for PT but I observed on Thursday just here in Iringa, the place is right next door.  I'm pretty sure they thought I had some sort of a degree already so I had to clarify that I couldn't actually do anything or practice on anybody!  

I am half way through my time here and here are some things about me that have and will continue to change:
1. my quads had better be stronger! (does squating explain enough?)
2. I like to watch soccer- it is the only sport on TV
3. I will cherish every drop of water that comes out of a shower head
4. I eat so many fruits and vegtables that I don't like at home because they are delicioius over here
5. maybe I'll be able to cook when I get home
6. People are so friendly here, the US could use a change
7. After working on the mosaic, I suddenly like art
8. having such a great family is a honor and I will never ever forget that
9. childrens toys are over-rated at home.  here, they use broken china as couches and sticks as people when they are playing house.  it is so cute!
10. i realize even more how much i have and how amazing life is, with or with out all of it

Thats all for now, you have the most recent update!  Thats what I'm doing and how I'm doing and I think things will continue to get better. 

Peace and blessings,
Jenny

I have finished my first week here after the group has left and I am still adjusting to everything!  I don't quite have a routine yet so I am flying by the seat of my pants but soon things will fall into place more.  I work at the kindergarten every morning.  The kids are so full of energy!  The language barrier is a challenge, but once again, with time, it will come.  On Wednesday, I began going to the Hruma Center, the orphanage, with another young girl from Germany.  She can speak Swahili so that makes things much easier!  Although times can be tough, I'm enjoying my time over here and am looking forward to the next two months.  I will try to keep you updated on my journey over here in Tanzania! 
Peace and Blessings,
Jenny

We are having a great time - have meet many wonderful people. The spirit is alive and working.
We just returned from Ruaha National park - the tenting experience was wonderful - if camping could be that nice at home i would become a camper - many animals. We just got caught in a rain storm- they come and go - nice to cool off. We are going to have a final group meal at the Lutheran center tonight. The chef is wonderful - the center is just being finished and they are working our many problems. It is a nice clean safe place to stay - right across  the street from the Fultz's - they are amazing the work they do. Some us will be coming home in a few days but Bill E, John and Stephanie Kennedy  will be flying to the Serengeti tomorrow to finish off the trip! We look forward to share pictures and stories with everyone when we get home!

This might be the last post from the trip, thanks a lot!

Hi Everyone we have arrived in Iringa after a wonderful time with Mtera Parish. Wednesday we traveled in two vehicles from Iringa to Mtera school where we spent two nights. While there we had the opportunity to meet many friendly people and were able to work bega kwa bega with them on renovations. We organized books in the library as well as cleaned the shelves. A few of us painted blackboards with the assistance of some of the students. Another task that we participated in was moving a large pile of cement blocks. It was hard work but very rewarding to be able to work side by side with our Tanzanian friends. Following our work at Mtera school we traveled to 4 preaching points of our partner parish and were graced with very warm welcomes everywhere. Our time with the people of Mtera was great, I'd like to keep writing but our internet is limited and we are about to go to Ruaha National Park for the next 3 days.

Hello St. Paul Lutheran! We've done some exciting things in Tanzania lately. Yesterday we went to Illula Medical Center. We got a chance to meet Dr. Saga, who has been a physician at Illula for 40 years. Dr. Saga also met my uncle when he was in America in 1990 and connected with my dad last year. He greeted Michael and I with hugs once we had established our connections and made sure to introduce us to his wife. A baby was born while we were there so we got to see the new mtoto (child). I am speaking much Swahili here and am very grateful I learned some of the language before coming here. We also went to Image Secondary School. The students greeted us with song and dance! Internet time is limited so this is all I can write. Kwaheri!

Allison

Hey Everyone,

We are all safe and sound in Iriniga.  We worshiped at the cathedrel Lutheran church in Iringa with Don and Eunice today.  We all had a great time.  I was happy to run into Gary Langness as he had traveled here with the Fultz's.  We are going to eat lunch here shortly with some pre-med students from Colorado College. the weather here is very nice compared to the heat we experienced in Dar. The place that we are staying at here in Iringa is the newly renovated lutheran center which is very nice! We are the first group to have stayed in it, actually when we arrived we had to wait a few hours to move in because they we still finishing it so we were very gracious to be able to stay there. Tomorrow we will be traveling to Illula Hospital as well as Image secondary school

Bill and Mike

We are glad to be able to post that we have successfully made it Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. We are staying in a Catholic Hostel and by surprise we have internet access right away! Its been a long day of travels but we are grateful to be here safely. In the morning we will be leaving at 830am for our drive to Iringa where we will be staying for a few days before going to Mtera.Once in Iringa we'll hopefully get some pictures on here. Thank you for all of your support in helping us get to Tanzania!

There are 8 of us going this year to visit our companion church and Mtera School. Here we are packing the school supplies and congregational gifts that will be given from St. Paul Lutheran Congregation.  Our trip begins on Thursday Jan. 3 when we leave in the afternoon for a 9 hour flight to Amsterdam. We have about 4 hours in Amsterdam and then we board another 9 hour KLM fight to Dar Es Salem, Tanzania.  We will arrive in Tanzania about 11:00 pm Friday night.  Our first night will be in the Pentecostal Guest House, which by the way has air conditioning and is very appreciated with the hot (90’s) and humid (75 dewpoint) weather.  On Saturday we will have an 8 hour drive to Iringa, stopping in a game park for lunch.  This is where we will see our first African animals. Saturday night we will stay at the Lutheran House which has just been renovated. Sunday morning is worship at one of the Iringa Lutheran church.  By Sunday we hope to be able to use a computer and add some pictures to this website.  May God Bless our journey as we go!

Traveling:  Carole England, Stephanie and John Kennedy, Jenny Coozennoy, Allison Beebe, Mike Beebe, Stephanie England, Bill England