The Journey Ahead - in Snapshots

Someone recently told me that the older you get, the faster time goes.  Literally.  A year when you're 5 is 1/5 of your life.  A year when you're 28 is a significantly less percentage, making every day speed by faster and faster.  I've seen this happening more and more as time goes on - this past year of furlough has FLOWN by!  I can hardly believe I leave in just a few hours to drive to Chicago... and then I'm on a plane to Tanzania!

The thing is, as I've described what's coming up, I've noticed that not everyone has as good of a working perspective of Tanzanian geography as I have recently acquired by necessity.  So sharing the journeys to come with people ends up sounding like a lot of crazy Swahili words mixed together in a jumble, leaving people with less idea of what's happening than before I opened my mouth.  Instead of adding to the confusion, I thought I'd share a bit of what I know (which isn't much!) with you in snapshots. :)

Are you ready for this?!

When I arrive in Dar es Salaam (1), I’ll be heading to conference (2).  To give hugs to people I haven’t seen in a long time… say hello to people I’ve been talking to via email but have never physically said “hello” to, and saying goodbye to others who are leaving the Land of Tanz for their previously-labeled “homes.”

This was two summers ago... crazy how fast time flies!

Hopefully sometime in here (3), I'll be able to purchase a car, get my updated Tanzanian driver's license, and start sorting/packing up the stuff that I stored away before I left!

New families are coming in soon after for training, and I'll be helping with the kid's portion (3).  I'm excited to work with some of the kids I'll be teaching in just a few months... and hopefully help these families deal with all the transitions along the way!

Then, I’ll be off to language school (4).  Three months of learning a musical, repetitive language that I’ve struggled to grasp the past two years.  Living in a permanent tent… and having lots of new fun 4, 6, and 8-legged-visitor-friends along the way, from what I hear.

My Living Quarters for Language School

The Inside View

Yet another classroom... this time I'LL be the student!

I’m just hoping this guy won’t be coming any time soon!

Then, I’ll be discovering yet another new “home” called Musoma (5).  For this I’m excited.  To get to know the families I’ll be working with even better.  And a little overwhelmed.  Since it took quite a while to figure out where to find things for the best price in Dar, and I feel like I’m starting completely over.  I’ll be starting to teach.  In a two-room school house, which I have the feeling is just one more way God is teaching me to rely completely on Him.

These are just the kids that were there when I went to visit.  Many more to come!

For all you visual learners out there, here's a key to see where I'll be! :)

I'm so honored to have each of you coming with me!  ...although you can be glad no spiders will be residing on your pillows... :)  I couldn't do any of this without you!