Poa! Cool!

I am officially in Tanzania! I think it really just hit me today even though I've been here since Thursday. Today, was the most culture we have seen since arriving in Africa. We went to a village called Lulenge where we met three amazing children's choirs and tons of Massai men and women. There must have been at least 300 people packed into one tiny little Church. We arrived there around 9:45am this morning, had tea, hung out, and finally began the Church service around 12:30...which lasted until 4:00pm. Woah, talk about a long service. Before the service began I played guitar with a Massai man. We couldn't communicate using words in our own languages but the language we spoke together was music. We took turn playing, singing to each other as well as teaching each other new things. It really shows the power of music. Two people of different cultures, different ages, different genders, on different hemispheres can come together through music. I get chills just thinking about it. I also had a chance to play for the kids. They were fascinated by the guitar. I don't think they had ever seen one before. They all wanted to touch it and make it play beautiful music. So awesome.

The Church service was very unique, I'm still not quite sure about what all went on because the service was in Swahili but it was still amazing. And I've never seen two chickens, three goats, two lambs, and one cow in a Church before today and it was pretty cool. The animals were auctioned off after the service to raise money for the Church and the community.

I ate goat. I ate goat twice. I also watched two goats get slaughtered. Once yesterday and once today. Yesterday wasn't that bad but today was...gross. Goat liver. Never in my life did I think I'd be eating goat liver.

This trip is so amazing. The hospitality of these people is incredible. The landscape is beautiful. The songs are breath taking. The faith, the love, and the sense of community is powerful.

It has been four days and I am in love with Tanznaia. God is so good.

So close!

I cannot believe how close I am to going to Tanzania. Over a year ago I registered for the class and now...it is five days away! It almost seems surreal.

I have set a table up in my room and have put everything that I need to bring with me on the table. Oh my goodness is there a lot of stuff! And of course I am a horrible packer. I usually start a few days in advance but then get frustrated, put it off for a few more days, until it ends up being midnight the night before I leave and I finally tackle it. My goal is to be totally packed by Saturday night so on Sunday I can just go to Church, load up the car, and head back to Wartburg.

I haven't read the article yet, but apparently there is an article about Tanzania in the Papillion Times. I am anxiously waiting for our newspaper to come so I can read it! How crazy is it that the week I leave for Tanzania there is an article in my hometown newspaper. It must be a God thing. :D

This is going to be such an eye opening experience. It is still so hard to believe that in 5 days I will be on my way to another country! To another continent! So exciting! I don't even have words to describe it.

While I'm there I will try to update this as much as I can! And I promise I will have tons of stories to share when I come back! Thanks for all the support, thoughts, and prayers!

17 Days and Counting!

Karibu! This is my moja (direct translation- one but I really mean first) post and hopefully not my last! In kumi na saba (17) days I will be traveling with a group of Wartburg students to Tanzania, Africa. I have this wonderful opportunity because Wartburg offers many study abroad classes, especially in May term.

I am taking the Tanzania & the Global AIDS Crisis. This semester we have read a few books about the AIDS conspiracy and another about a Maasai warrior. There were a few more books on the list to read but those are going to be read on the plane. :D We have also studied the countries of Africa and I am proud to say I can name and identify all 53 countries! While we are in Tanzania we will take Swahili classes but we have started to learn a few phrases already! Everyone should be pleased to know that simba indeed means lion. Weren't the creators of The Lion King so clever!

The question has been asked many times, so I will answer it today. "Molly, what exactly are you doing in Tanzania?" That's a great question! The first few days we are going to be in class all day learning Swahili and in the late afternoon we will be going to the orphanage to spend time with the kids. We when know enough Swahili to get by we will visit different villages. While in the villages we will follow the culture and customs as best we can to get the most out of our experiences. I think I am most excited for the Church services we will be attending. I have heard the African choirs are amazing! We stay overnight at a game park and get to see all the animals! A couple days we will spend serving the people of Wami Dakawa by painting their Church. And a couple more days will be spent working on building a Church in Gwata. We get to hike a mountain in Uluguru (yes, I never thought I'd say that I would be hiking). Our final days will be spent in Zanibar which is a more touristy area. We get to go on a spice tour, swim, and enjoy the beach. Throughout our trip we will spend time learning about HIV/AIDS through an organization called Faraja (comfort).

Looking at everything we are doing I know that the 24 days I am in Tanzania will just fly by but will be so worth it! Everyday I look at my tattoo which reads, "Be The Change". Every morning I reflect on the famous Gandhi quote, "Be the change you wish to see in the world". Going to Tanzania is going to give the opportunity to be the change in the world. I can't remember who said it or where I heard it from but this quote always sticks in my mind, "If you aren't part of the solution, you are part of the problem". Thus far, I have been part of the problem. I have been ignorant and failed to see my brothers and sisters in Christ struggling in other countries. Now, I have opened my eyes and can see all the hurt there is in the world and I can't wait to start mending wounds and more importantly mending hearts.

In just 17 days I'll begin my journey that while hopefully last a lifetime.