Greetings from Tanzania!!

This internet is extremely slow, so this will be a small post and the pictures aren't working.

Anyway, we are having an AMAZING time!! First, let me say "Thank you soooo much" or "Asante Sana!!" to all who have helped make this trip possible and for all the donations!! Everything was needed and is going to good use! I must say, I really feel that some of the items must have been small inspirations, because I randomly added them to my basket while walking through the store and they turned out to be favorites of the children. Like, the soccer ball (which they call a football). The kids absolutely love it! And, the Velcro catching mitts with a tennis ball to play catch, everything has been a hit! :) Of course the candy was probably the favorite gift amongst our school supplies and medical supplies, which is understandable. :)

The kids are also obsessed which technology. Anytime we bring out a camera or phone, the kids are all over them, taking millions of pictures, videos, and looking through my pictures of friends and family. I try to step back and not worry about things getting broken! The kids are extremely tech savvy and learn very quickly. They also know English fairly well and we communicate fairly easily. The main challenge is learning all their names!

Scotty, one of the orphans, names Iluka, wants you to come visit! He is close to your age and wants you to play with him. I thought that was so sweet! :)

Mom and all who apply, please send ideas of songs and games to entertain the children! :) We've played a lot of Simon Says,  Do as I'm Doing, Head, shoulders, knees and toes, and sang a lot of songs! But, I need some new ideas which require NO supplies. :) Yup, it's a challenge!

Katie and I have also been "baptized by fire" and were asked (told) to sing in church on Sunday. We sang a church hymn "I know that my Redeemer lives." Thomas, the coordinator is EXTREMELY talented and can hear a song and then play it on his keyboard. So, he listened to the song on Katie's Ipod and accompanied us in church! The rest of the service was something I will never forget. The spirit and energy in the room was incredible! Everyone danced and sang and we sang along, from the Swahili hymn book! Church in the states will feel boring now! :)

The kids put on an amazing welcoming party last night and we danced till after 11pm! It was so adorable and touching! We had a blast and were sweaty and tired by the end of the night! I loved it! 


I know you want to know about the bathroom!! ::) There is a western looking toilet. However, it does not flush with a button. There is a bucket of water next to it and you pour water into the toilet, sort of forcing everything down!! Don't ask me where it goes. :)

We are given a bucket of hot water every couple of days and do what we can. This is in the same room as the toilet. Once finished, we pour the water behind the toilet, where the water drains down a hole.

This country is BEAUTIFUL!! It looks a lot like Hawaii but feels more dense. We live in the "jungle" an have a small river nearby which is the main source of water. It really is a paradise on Earth. It made me realize that we all have different blessings. While there is a LOT of poverty here, the surroundings are incredible and fruit trees grow well, providing food.

Ok, time is running out. I will tell you more soon!! Love you all!!

Family and Friends, I miss you! Mom, how is Mr. Darcy???