Preparation and Anticipation

Prepping for the Next Step while Appreciating the Current one. 

Typical Day at School

Friends, 

    As language school comes to a close and I begin packing my belongings to move out of the city and into the village I am struck with an intense feeling of nostalgia. It feels like I just arrived in Africa yesterday and yet, the first leg of my journey here is almost over. I know I still have a long while to go, but it got me thinking how truly short life is. I know we say it all the time but how often do we live it? When I left the states everyone said ‘three years?? Thats a long time!!’ But is it really? In the grand scheme of our lives I don’t think it is. If I live to be 75, it will have been only 4% of my life! 

People say that as you get older the years feel shorter. Well, I’m only 23 and they feel like they are flying by to me. I want to be sure and take in everyday as it comes and enjoy the time I have on this earth- however short or long it will be or feel like. I know for a fact that I am in ‘the good old days’ right now and I want to take advantage of that; but I also don’t think they have to end at any particular time. I think it is a state of mind and regardless of what is going on in your life there is always something to be grateful for and something special about that part of the journey. 

Charels Teaching us
important things at school

During the season of lent, especially we should be taking a step back and truly examining our lives- how can we do better? how can we serve God more? Lent is a season of waiting, but I think, if we’re not careful- our entire life can become a season of waiting. Waiting to finish a contract, waiting for the promotion, waiting for retirement, etc. but I think it's SO important to focus on the moment and cherish everyday that God blesses us with. 

Since arriving in January, I have learned so much! I thought a knew a bit of Swahili when I arrived, but looking back now I knew so little really. I thought I knew a fair amount of the culture from studying it in school (for those of you who don’t know I was a geography major with an AOS in eastern Africa) but nothing compares to living it everyday. Some things were accurate- like traditions and customs, but things that you see daily we never discussed in the classroom- like how the dresses are made or what snacks are normal here. Im sure this is common sense, but it has hit me over the head since moving here- there is no comparison between learning things in a classroom vs experiencing them for yourself.

Kitanga- Dress Fabrics

Things that I thought were so cool and interesting when we first arrived have become my normal- taking the Dala Dala (public bus) to school everyday; wearing traditional African dresses that I have built up since arriving, buying fruit and vegetables from the street vendor to cook. We have become a part of this community- now when I walk down the street I know someone about every 20 meters (on our street at least- not in the whole city). I’ve become comfortable and developed a routine here. I have no idea what to expect in the village- what kind of routine will I have there? What kind of hours will I be expected to work? How long will it take me to make as many friends there as I have here? Will my neighbors except me as easily? Only time will tell and I am excited to continue to live in the moment and find out why God has led me to this specific place at this specific time. 

Dala Dala

Swahili update:

My Swahili is coming along- I am decent at understanding the general gist of conversations but if I have to participate I struggle and my grammar is probably awful, I’m sure I sound like a first grader forgetting small words and stumping over big ones but practice makes perfect! Swahili mass will be the only option there so that plus being totally submerged all of the time will defiantly build my skills and vocabulary very quickly. I am pretty confident with greetings of all kinds (of which there is a lot). I think I have the basics down and I understand the structure of most words and sentences **if I know the vocabulary being used.  

My next post will come to you from the village! I will be moving on Monday, April 4th and I ask you to keep me and my transition in your prayers, as I keep all of you in mine. I wish you all a peaceful continuation of the lenten season and entrance into spring!

Sending Love from Africa