Photos from Kenya

This first picture was actually taken after we got back from Kenya. I was home with a cold and the kids, and they were desperate for action when I was desperate for rest. Relief came to all of us in the form of a rainstorm. I sent them out in their raincoats for some fun. They had a blast, and I did not mind cleaning them off with a hose as much as I thought I might. I'm sure they would beg to differ though!


One of the sweetest moments in Kenya, and in parenting too!


The kids encouraging Dusty to do a somersault. They succeeded.


I've recently been given a bird-watching book by our friend Patrick and have become an amateur bird-watcher. The Kakamega rain forest in Kenya is the perfect place for watching birds. Because the kids frequently want to get their grubby hands on my binoculars, I made them their own - fun for the whole family now!


A Sausage Tree! I guess these are just big seed pods, but the tree really is called a sausage tree for obvious reasons.

The Oddities of Exercising in Tanzania

Let it first be stated that exercise for the sake of improving one's health is not really something people do here. You probably do not recall any Olympic track events with Tanzanians (although a few were there). This is because individual sport is not really a value here - soccer is. People spend so much energy hoeing fields, walking or biking to their jobs/school, carrying large buckets of water or bundles of sticks on their heads, and other sorts of labor, that they do not require additional exercise.

I think it is difficult for them to understand our more sedentary lifestyle and the fact that we do not want to be plump. The concept seems to be that rich people are heavier because they don't have to work physically, so weight is considered something to be admired. In spite of this a Westerner is still usually appalled when a Tanzanian compliments him/her with "Umenenepa!" (or You've become fat!)

Secondly, white people (wazungu) are also oddities here. So when a Tanzanian sees an mzungu (one white person) exercising, it's very unique for some people, and they are inclined to stare or ask questions, or even join in - especially kids. Having people comment and stare while one is exercising can be quite bothersome, and can you even imagine joining a total stranger walking or running in America? Last week I had a boy walk with me till I turned to go back home, and he had to occasionally run just to keep up. This week a car pulled up beside me, and the passenger asked me where I was going, if I needed a lift, and what about the dog!

I am walking about three days a week with our Rottweiler Ellie (purebreds are another oddity). On Saturdays, when they are not in school, I frequently have children follow me giggling and making comments. I have recently discovered the joy of realizing that the children are giggling about Ellie's "missing" tail instead of laughing at me! It is truly a relief to know I am not the brunt of the joke, and Ellie never seems to mind.

Using my iPod has also helped relieve some of the displeasure of exercising as I generally can't hear what people are saying about me or Ellie. I try to be cordial and return greetings, but I keep going instead of stopping for conversations with those who are inclined to ask more questions.

Finally, whereas last term I did all my walking on the dirt roads and was put off by cars, bikes, and heavy foot traffic, this term I am trying to stick to the trails in the hills behind our house. It's made a huge difference in my enjoyment of exercise as now I get to relish truly magnificent views of Lake Victoria and the surrounding hills. Plus I occasionally see turtles, monkeys, and rock hyraxes. And, the only traffic is the occasional person carrying a load of something to sell on their heads. Clearly, they're working much harder than I am, and that helps keep me in my place!

What do they have in common - church, cows, and tortoises

This morning we went to church and found a few new items of note. Firstly, the new pastor's family, who live next to the church, now have a cow. It kept occurring to me that in the States, before church, we tell our children such things as "be nice to the other children, do what the teacher tells you to do, your water bottle is in your backpack" etc. However, now we are finding ourselves at church telling our kids "don't get too close to the cow, do not go behind the cow, cows can be very dangerous," etc. The kids apparently got the picture, but I had to laugh when the cow kept mooing, and then Jack mooed back - nice and loud - during a solemn communion.

Secondly, it is possible to have a one man choir. You've surely heard of a one man band, but a one man choir? We go to a very small church. This morning I counted 9 adults and 21 children. Apparently a lot of the kids come on their own. Most of the time we have about 5 or 6 people in the choir, but for the last two weeks we have had one. He does a great job, with all the moves (Tanzanians choreograph every song) and even sang some of the harmony as well. He was later joined by another member of the choir so we had the duet choir. The music is always my favorite part of church here, and today was no exception.

Finally, and this brings in the photos, Jack found a tortoise outside the church. Sometimes the church has a lesson for the kids, but sometimes the kids just wander around outside and get into mischief. This little fella was too cute, so we had to put him in Jack's hat and take him home.


The Little Fella.


The Other Little Fella.


"Aw, this tortoise is so cute. I'm so happy to hold it. I'm having so much fun!"


Half a second later: "Oh no! It's moving! There is a monster in my hands! Take it, take it or I'm going to drop this horrid creature! Aaaagh!" Hee hee.

We gave the little guy away to our friends with four kids tonight in the certainty that a)we would lose it, b)the dog would eat it, c)Jack would surely drop or crush it, d)both kids would get salmonella from holding it and then sticking their fingers in their mouths, e)it would get too big and then eat my entire garden, f)it would starve to death from shock, or g)it would outlive us, and we'd have to write it into our will.

I can't wait to see what adventures are in store for us next Sunday at church!

Tessa's New School

Every Tuesday Tessa is going to the school here on our compound. All the other children are Tanzanians, and it is our hope that Tessa will pick up Swahili from them even though instruction is given in English as it is a private Catholic school. This week will be her third time, and so far she seems to be enjoying it.


The "sherehe." (celebration) Last weekend the children of the school put on a program to celebrate Founder's Day for the man who began the Catholic order for this compound. The nuns and priests of our compound come from India, and it was a real hoot to hear an Indian nun singing an Indian type of song in English to an African drumbeat while Tanzanian children were dancing with Indian movements. Tessa's comment was "why are they wiggling their heads?"

During the program our landlord, one of the priests, asked me if Tessa would like to go up on stage and recite a poem. I said "she doesn't know any poems," to refuse him as I knew she would be too shy to give a public performance of any kind. His return comment was, "you bring her to our school for a month and she will get smart." Hmmm.


The kids at the gate to the school. Everyone was eager to pose for my camera. I wish I could give them all a copy of the picture.



Tessa's classroom. The kids all wear uniforms, so I just do my best to have her in white so she mostly matches the other kids when they take off their red sweaters. Isn't it amazing that kids here wear sweaters at all? Even when we think it's hot, they still can feel cool so it makes sense for them. I'm just wondering how long I can keep her white jeans and shirt truly white from the wear and tear of the playground at the school! We're fortunate the school has a playground - it is the only one I've ever seen in Musoma, but it makes American playgrounds look like Disneyland, and is totally void of anything remotely resembling safety.


Tessa outside her school building on her second day of school. The kids absolutely adore her. Everyone knows her name - from the smallest 3 year old to the oldest teen. Word got around fast about the little "mzungu" (white person) coming to school. She doesn't seem to mind the attention, but is starting to make comments about how her skin is different from theirs - it's a great open door for lots of good conversations at home.

Backyard Follies

Rain at last! This photo was taken on October 30th at about 4:30 even though it looks like night-time. We have been back in TZ since mid July, and finally the rains have started for real. It has been VERY dry and hot, so we all are very happy to have some big rain, even if it means that the laundry isn't drying, and I have to mop up puddles from the back porch or the leaking roof in our bedroom. The kids have a blast in their boots and rain coats in the puddles when I'm in a good enough mood to let them go splash around and then deal with all the wet clothes, hair, boots, etc. It's worth it for them to have such a great time together. Good clean fun!

Mostly the rain is a huge relief to the vast majority of people here who rely on farming for food. It really puts things into perspective for me because I'm accustomed to appreciating rain only for bringing relief from the heat or from having to remember to move the sprinkler for my flower gardens. But here, it really is the difference between life and death.


Sibling affection in the hammock - aren't they sweet? OK, I admit, I did ask them to give kisses for the camera, so it wasn't totally spontaneous, but they were happy to oblige. We all love to hang out the hammock, get a few books, and have some quality time together under the leaves. That or just have some serious tickle-fests!


The mysterious lily. Some of you guessed what it might be, but so far no right answers. Keep them coming! I wanted to show a picture of it on the actual plant to give you a better idea of what the whole picture looks like. This was about two days into its blooming. It has up to 12 flowers each time it blooms so it smells wonderful for a whole week.


Our house as seen from the back yard. The back porch is on the left, and the master bedroom's windows are on the right. Our most recent addition is that we put in a little sand pit under one of these windows, which the kids are loving. We just got some sand from our road and surrounded it with some rocks. People often ask us what "that" is growing up our tree. One friend suggested it must be "Jack's Beanstalk" and the name has stuck. It always makes my imagination go wild thinking about what could be at the top. Fee Fi Fo Fum...


The view as seen from our back porch. Unfortunately you cannot really get a good glimpse of the hills on the other side of the bay from this photo, but we get to see them every day. Somehow having a great view really refreshes us all day. Plus, usually we have a very blue sky, which you can't see here either. One of the best things about our home is that we have huge old trees to give us shade - a great blessing in a hot land.

Six more irresistable family photos plus a quiz photo at the end

Tessa looking cute in Jack's circle of trains


The station master surrounded by those he loves


Ok, before any of you pitch a fit be informed that Dusty only takes the kids for slow rides around the small loop in our compound, which is a private dirt road. Even I find no harm in it, and they love it! He does insist on them wearing "protective" eye gear and footwear.


Dusty uses his "piki piki" for going to the office as it uses far less fuel than the truck (recall our fuel prices are astronomically higher than in the States). He also uses it to stimulate his mind and talents as it seems to always be begging for a repair or two, or three...


Waiting for a ride on the piki piki all geared out


After her turn on the piki piki, Tessa said, "Thanks for the ride, Pop!" We have no idea how she decided to call Dusty "Pop," but it was as cute as she is!


The QUIZ photo: Anyone who can tell me what type of lily this is will win an all expense unpaid trip to Musoma, Tanzania, a glass of fresh lemonade here on our back porch, and a lily bulb to take back through customs. The lilies have a very sweet and strong fragrance, and the leaves are broad and flat and grow up to 4 feet high. Each stalk can produce up to 12 flowers. Any guesses??

Some photos of where we live and work

This is a view of the Lake with our roof visible (barely). If you can spot the round building near the center, then look just to its right, you will see two roofs. Ours is the one in the back. From our house, we actually have a great view of the lake, and you're welcome to come see it anytime!


Musoma has tons of these rock outcroppings; they're very common around Lake Victoria. I recently discovered this one near our home and scrambled up it with our dog, Ellie. It's a great place to hang out because the tree gives shade on the top, the rock is flat at the top, it has a great view, and there are monkeys and rock hyraxes!


Dusty is currently the construction manager for our new office building. This is the plot of land where, God willing, we will be building the new translation office.


Dusty in his office talking to a friend of ours from church. This is the mission control center! Well, it is for Dusty anyway, and for operations, construction, and linguistics. All hands on deck!


Finally, here is a shot of the newly renovated administration building, and the linguistics building to its right, where Dusty's office is. Renovating and building are difficult anywhere in the world, but here we have many challenges. Dusty somehow manages to use his skills, education, engineering experience, and Swahili to rise to meet them all. When he leaves the house to go to the office, I frequently tell him, "Go build the kingdom one brick at a time!" And he does. Other days I say, "Have fun storming the castle!" which you Princess Bride fans will appreciate.