Where have we been?

So a lot has been happening to us, and we have had no chance to share it with most of you. Today we are bombarding you with a few blog posts, to help make up for our recent lack.

Firstly,

Where have we been? What have we been doing?

Mid-October we left Nairobi for Goribe Secondary School, just South of the Kenyan border in Tanzania. It was a very small village, spread out over many kilometers. We had a hard time. Going without creature comforts like running water, electricity, more than minimal furniture, and a grocery store was hard enough. But the hardest parts (and eventual reason for leaving) were a lack of being able to communicate, and a lack of being able to begin work for want of a work permit. We were lonely, isolated, bored, hungry, dirty, and driving each other crazy.

Amy and I didn't (and still don't quite) know if what we were going through was usual YAV homesickness/lonliness or if we were a special case. We didn't know if we were questioning our placement on legitimate grounds, or if we would get used to it.

Phyllis listened to our concerns and helped us figure out what to do. She found us a placement in Ratta Mixed Secondary School in the rural outskirts of Kisumu, Kenya. We have now been here for about 3 or 4 days and feel very good about where we are.

We are still homesick, dirty and a little hungry. But feel significantly less isolated, are able to communicate with others, and are only driving each other the normal about of crazy.

We have been to the school daily, and will begin teaching Monday. And there seems no shortage of projects for a proactive YAV to jump into. We feel like Ratta is a great fit for us, and our happy to be here.

Our time in Tanzania certainly wasn't wasted time, and we will never forget what we saw and felt there. Tanzanians (at least the ones where we were) really are amazingly friendly people. No matter where we went, people were undettered by our lack of KiSwahili in welcoming us to the villiage, to Tanzania, to Africa.

I felt first hand the importance of water, and the true gift from God that is rainfall. (It is amazing how much faster rainwater will filter than brown river water!!!) I will never be upset about a rainstorm again (not even on graduation day!)

I learned that even cooking rice and beans can take three hours if you are out of kerosine, and when you have to sit there and fan the flames for the minimal dry firewood you can find.

It donned on us that we are living this year off the charity of others. We are being supported financially, spiritually, psychologically, and emotional by our family and extended family (friends) back home. And our best meals have come from invitations (or insistence) that we come in for some food. "Karibuni, Karibu nyumbani." Is perhaps what we heard more than anything else. "Welcome in. Welcome in my home."

And, among other things, it gave us a chance to slow down, and see God. It is amazing how easy it is to talk to and feel God's presence, when you are unhappy; and how much more work it is when you are distracted by easy-going life.

One of the main reasons why I chose the YAV program was to get closer to God. And there were moments in TZ, where I knew my only solace, my only chance at feeling at peace, was through God. Those moments truly were among some of the best of my life. It is easy to give your faith, trust, future, your life to God when there is nothing else to give it to. I just hope that I can continue to find that peace in my life, even when things seem to be going brilliantly. I hope I can remember that I need God, even when it feels like I do not need anyone but myself.

At YAV orientation they gave us a packet of, "A Little Collection of Readings and Reflections to accompany you on your journey..."  It is where we have gotten many quotes from our blog, including this one:

            A New Way of Struggling

To Struggle used to be

To grab with both hands

            And shake

            And twist

            And turn

            And push

            And shove and not give in

But wrest an answer from it all

As Jacob did a blessing.

But there is another way

To struggle with an issue, a question—

Simply to jump

            Off

                        Into the abyss

                        And find ourselves
               Floating

                        Falling

                        Tumbling

                        Being led

Slowly and gently

But surely

To answers God has for us –

To watch the answers unfold

Before our eyes and still

To be a part of the unfolding.

But oh, the trust

Necessary for this new way!

Not to be always reaching out

For the old hand-holds.

                                                -Susan W.N. Ruach