Today has been a really fun day. After working 7 days in a row, I finally got a day off and boy am I enjoying it! I was able to sleep until 8 today which was a huge surprise to me since the roosters start making noise at 4 in the morning. I was able to take a leisurely (cold) shower- lasting no more than 5 minutes (or else we will run out of water) and I was able to sit at the table for breakfast (something hard to do with 12 people staying at the hostel with a table for 8). All in all, its nice not having the other people here. But, I shouldn't say that too soon because most of the people leave for Arusha, Bagamoyo or Norongoro tomorrow so I will be by myself again and I know I will miss the hustle and bustle. After breakfast, Cindy ( a woman from Ft. Lauderdale, FL who also happens to be going home tonight), the Danish girls and I went to the carvers market. Even though I was only tagging along, I couldn't help but pick up a few things for family and friends. Because it was Sunday morning, there were not too many people there which was nice except that it meant that the shop owners tried even harder to get us into their shops ("Rafiki, good price for you!" "Sunday price for you, rafiki", etc.) But its totally fun and definitely worth it. :)
My dad recently asked me about what type of food I have been eating. The answer is quite simple- lots and lots and lots of starch. We have white bread toast in the morning (along with eggs. Lord, I don't ever want to eat scrambled eggs again....), rice at lunch and pasta and rice at dinner. There are different sauces to put on top of the rice or pasta but it still rice and pasta. Last night, because it was only Cindy and I eating dinner, we had fresh green beans and carrots (along with the rice and sauce) and I just about died. They were very good! The one good thing we get is fresh fruit- every morning with breakfast and after dinner for desert we get fresh papaya, mango, bananas or watermelon. I love it.
My dad also let me know that a link to my blog is on Vanderbilt Presbyterian's homepage. So cool! To my friends at VPC, thank you so much for all of your thoughts and prayers. It is so comforting to know that you are here with me in spirit. :)
I would have put up another link to more pictures today but I just realized that my camera battery died (probably from taking too many pictures yesterday). So, tomorrow or the next day, be on the look out for new pictures!
Until later,
Namaste!
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12 comments:
Hello Jennifer,
Dr. Harp spoke about your blog at the church service this morning which was very heartwarming. He also spoke with Dad and I after church and we discussed your blog. We all feel you are very brave and we know that this experience is one that will remain with you your entire life.
We are happy that you were able to rest a little this weekend. Enjoy each moment...
Love and hugs,
Mom
Hi Jennifer,
I just learned about your blog today and really enjoyed reading all of them. Also love your pics. Your are giving these children more than you'll ever know. Hang in there through the difficult days. We are praying for you and for the children.
Carol H.
Jen!
We're here at Montreat and all thinking of you. I loved reading your posts! I especially liked the post with the title "I Blessed The Rains Down in Africa..." I played the song that it's from (Toto's "Africa") for Mrs. McD and she loved it! We're all really proud of you and miss you lots! I'm definitely going to check back soon. Take care of yourself.
Rex
Hi Jennifer,
We are all thinking of you back home while you are doing your great deeds. I hope you don't miss home too much.
Love,
Scott Wiebel
Hey Jennifer!!!!!
I hope you're having an awesome time in Africa! We are all in montreat right now!! I think it is so cool that you are doing God's work in Africa!! Good luck and have fun!!!!
hi jen!!
i just walked down into assembly hall, at montreat... and saw vpc group around a round table leaving you comments on this awesome blog of yours! this is so fantastic what your doing. hopefully i get to hear about it in future times. take care, keep your wonderful spirit up.
<3 katie p
btw the above comment is from abbie w.
Hey Jennifer,
Finally got settled enough to check out your email you. Sounds like life is interesting. Enjoy the experience and the rice! Ha! I will keep check on you and of course, hold you in my prayers.
Peace,
Susan
Hi, Jennifer,
I've just read all you have written since your arrival in Africa, and you are an excellent journalist. The work you are involved in and the life you are living right now are fascinating, and I'm so proud of you for actually "doing" and not simply "talking" about doing something. This total immersion in another culture will change you in ways nothing else can - in all the best kinds of ways. Have thought of you often since I learned you were headed for Africa, and the church worship bulletins keep your name in front of your Vanderbilt Pres. church family. Take care and God Bless.
Jo Rist
And I celebrated our birthday, July 9th, in Pagosa Springs, Colorado and thought of you. Stay well and treasure each moment. John
Jen,
Awesome! Others have said it, but I must affirm that we are very proud of you. Linda and I keep you in our prayers and prayers also for those you are in service to. I'm at Montreat and will be back in a few days. We've got a lot of news to talk about especially the news of Bruce Reyes-Chow as the new moderator. I believe that you have met him and I think that he will do well at continuing the foundational work of Rick UC. Sorry, got off track for your blog. wishing and prying you Peace and Comfort. McD
http://www.faithinpubliclife.org/content/news/2008/07/for_darfur_a_step_toward_justi.html
Hey, Jen,
Check this link out--you may already know about it, but it does give some hope!
It is such a beautiful day at Montreat that I'm sitting out on the porch at Assembly to go on-line to write this to you!
I hope you had a great birthday! I'm sorry that I missed it, but I was in the car and/or church bus driving all day to get to Blue Ridge, GA for our mission trip! You would have been proud of all of the work that our kids did! They spent hours and lots of muscle and sweat taking off molding (some with mold on it!), pulling up ancient linoleum, scraping off the old glue, scrubbing the floors, putting on new tile (a significant organizational and spacial awareness challenge!), taking off all of the hardware and mirrors, scrubbing the walls, painting the walls (two coats), cleaning and staining the molding, putting the molding back on the walls (not as easy as it sounds with old fiberboard walls!) and then cleaning everything after they reseated the toilets with new wax rings! All of this in 3 bathrooms in only 2 days! They are worthy of the name VPC Youth Group!
All of us are in awe of everything that you are doing! Keep on keeping on--you are truly being the "Hands of God".
Peace and Love,
LMcD
Jennifer I get so sad when there is no update! I check in on you every day at work. Your pics are beautiful and I can't wait to see more. You look SO good. I talked to Grandma the other day and tried to give her some guidance of how to access everything easily, she is still a little confused but she's getting better with the email! I'm moving back to NY Sept 1 and I hope you can come out for Thanksgiving! Have fun, do good, and enjoy every moment you have, it's such an amazing experience {and I'm still jealous LOL}
Much Love,
Monika
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