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.