Monday, January 25, 2010
Thursday, May 14, 2009
So soon..
It is the end of one adventure and the beginning of the next. Tomorrow i will move out of my beautiful dorm room and back home for 2 days and on Sunday we will be flying for 3 days to our destination Kigoma Tanzania!
So much to do in such little time...pack my dorm, pack for africa, finish up the year with little details... its crazy. I will possibly not have internet this weekend too so i have to finish up all i can before this crazy weekend.
Well...here we go!
So much to do in such little time...pack my dorm, pack for africa, finish up the year with little details... its crazy. I will possibly not have internet this weekend too so i have to finish up all i can before this crazy weekend.
Well...here we go!
Friday, April 10, 2009
Watoto Chior
Well today a childerns chior from Uganda came to the church ive been going to recently! It was so cool because i could understand some of what they were saying!!! I dont think that all that they sang was Swahili but bits an pieces were either the same words from each language or just swahili.
Seeing the videos and hearing the testemonies made me miss what i know of Africa. Its amazing to me how similar, yet completly diffrent these places are. I can't wait to go back and see my friends (those who still live there) and hold the hands of the children and be completly 100% relient on God. It is so diffrent there, and pictures, videos even words can not discrib it.
If you ask me, I cant tell you just one reason why i love this place so much. I find it rather frusterating to be honest!!! I have had a few people ask me why i love it so much, but nothing i said convinced me enough to think that they were convinced that i loved it.
My reasons:
* the people- my friends- the children
*The love for GOd in this place
*the culture, sums up the first 2 i suppose
* How closly i bond with God here-
You know, some people can have a life changing momment in Mexico, on stage, in a prayer session, worshiping on hands and knees
...but for me...
its wakeing to a muslims chant, rising with the sun, eating a chipati and waiting hours for another meal, walking the trash splattered red dirt in flipflops and a long skirt, chafing to the piont that all you can do is spread your legs and keep walking, sweating breathing in ash of plastic and other hasords in the smoky, BO and car fumed air. Listing to the babbling chatter of men and women, hearing your new name WAZOONGOO, said loudly everywhere you go. Holding the hands of 5 children at once, singing silly songs and attempting yet imbarassingly failing to dance with an african rythm, sitting in the cool shad of a hut with friends that want to learn as much as they can from you, walking home to a home cooked meal, always a suprise but never a disapiontment. Falling asleep to a blareing disco, or 3, scared of the spirts that are said to walk the streets.
Where every brease is a blessing and very butterfly a reminder that this place is beautiful.
I hate that anyone would attempt to make this place look like a slum. They dont need what we have, they have so much more than we will ever be able to grasp. Yeah they live a "poor" life, but its so much richer that i can dream of having. This is why i love it there. Not because when i walk down the street i look like a celebrity, not because physically im healther and i lowered my self to them I could NEVER feel that way...
But because when i bend down and hold the hugging arms of 20 childern they share that richness with me...God pours life in to me in this broken world.
At times i wonder...why Africa God? I didnt want to go there...send me everywhere but there... But he called and i responded... if i hadent maybe there would have been a diffrent place that He'd open my heart to, but, :) He opened my heart to here.
I have so much to learn about myself, about cultures, about God. I have alot of healing also todo in my life before He'll bring me farther, but for now, Hes Keeping His promise. As i flew home last year in June i cryed for a long time, but as i looked into the clouds He held me and promised me that where ever i go i will love it,as long as my heart is open to it. And i have. My journey to Kigoma in 36 days is going to be bittersweet, but it doesnt end there.
Please pray that i will bond deeper with my friends that still remain in Kigoma(three of my closest friends will not be there though i may get to see them on my way home) But that i will also make new ones and be open still to my new group who i adore already!
Ahhh the heart of a missionary, we all are in someway!
Seeing the videos and hearing the testemonies made me miss what i know of Africa. Its amazing to me how similar, yet completly diffrent these places are. I can't wait to go back and see my friends (those who still live there) and hold the hands of the children and be completly 100% relient on God. It is so diffrent there, and pictures, videos even words can not discrib it.
If you ask me, I cant tell you just one reason why i love this place so much. I find it rather frusterating to be honest!!! I have had a few people ask me why i love it so much, but nothing i said convinced me enough to think that they were convinced that i loved it.
My reasons:
* the people- my friends- the children
*The love for GOd in this place
*the culture, sums up the first 2 i suppose
* How closly i bond with God here-
You know, some people can have a life changing momment in Mexico, on stage, in a prayer session, worshiping on hands and knees
...but for me...
its wakeing to a muslims chant, rising with the sun, eating a chipati and waiting hours for another meal, walking the trash splattered red dirt in flipflops and a long skirt, chafing to the piont that all you can do is spread your legs and keep walking, sweating breathing in ash of plastic and other hasords in the smoky, BO and car fumed air. Listing to the babbling chatter of men and women, hearing your new name WAZOONGOO, said loudly everywhere you go. Holding the hands of 5 children at once, singing silly songs and attempting yet imbarassingly failing to dance with an african rythm, sitting in the cool shad of a hut with friends that want to learn as much as they can from you, walking home to a home cooked meal, always a suprise but never a disapiontment. Falling asleep to a blareing disco, or 3, scared of the spirts that are said to walk the streets.
Where every brease is a blessing and very butterfly a reminder that this place is beautiful.
I hate that anyone would attempt to make this place look like a slum. They dont need what we have, they have so much more than we will ever be able to grasp. Yeah they live a "poor" life, but its so much richer that i can dream of having. This is why i love it there. Not because when i walk down the street i look like a celebrity, not because physically im healther and i lowered my self to them I could NEVER feel that way...
But because when i bend down and hold the hugging arms of 20 childern they share that richness with me...God pours life in to me in this broken world.
At times i wonder...why Africa God? I didnt want to go there...send me everywhere but there... But he called and i responded... if i hadent maybe there would have been a diffrent place that He'd open my heart to, but, :) He opened my heart to here.
I have so much to learn about myself, about cultures, about God. I have alot of healing also todo in my life before He'll bring me farther, but for now, Hes Keeping His promise. As i flew home last year in June i cryed for a long time, but as i looked into the clouds He held me and promised me that where ever i go i will love it,as long as my heart is open to it. And i have. My journey to Kigoma in 36 days is going to be bittersweet, but it doesnt end there.
Please pray that i will bond deeper with my friends that still remain in Kigoma(three of my closest friends will not be there though i may get to see them on my way home) But that i will also make new ones and be open still to my new group who i adore already!
Ahhh the heart of a missionary, we all are in someway!
Friday, April 3, 2009
Spring Break!
Well today begins my spring break and still 44 days togo... yikes!
I am so greatful for the time to catchup on projects or more so get them done so i don't have to cram later :)
But...this time of year is also very difficult, specially knowing that so many missionaries are headed out for short term trips to Mexico (well other places more so since the difficulties there) Its hard to sit and wait for another 44 days! But i will and ill try to focuse on prepareing for it by finishing buisness here!
Latly ive learned a BUNCH about Swahili! My leader from last year gave us a sheet of useful verbs and conjigations for it. i've learned a little more then half of them! I am so impressed with my own memmory, but they say if you really love somthing then you'll learn it better :) and i love Swahili so i guess its true! I just hope i will allow my brain to use it when i return!
Anyways i will try to stay more up-to-date with this. If you read please leave comments so that im not just babbeling :D
Me-shell-a
I am so greatful for the time to catchup on projects or more so get them done so i don't have to cram later :)
But...this time of year is also very difficult, specially knowing that so many missionaries are headed out for short term trips to Mexico (well other places more so since the difficulties there) Its hard to sit and wait for another 44 days! But i will and ill try to focuse on prepareing for it by finishing buisness here!
Latly ive learned a BUNCH about Swahili! My leader from last year gave us a sheet of useful verbs and conjigations for it. i've learned a little more then half of them! I am so impressed with my own memmory, but they say if you really love somthing then you'll learn it better :) and i love Swahili so i guess its true! I just hope i will allow my brain to use it when i return!
Anyways i will try to stay more up-to-date with this. If you read please leave comments so that im not just babbeling :D
Me-shell-a
Only 1 1/2 Months to go! - April 1, 2009
Ham-jambo mimi Rafiki! (Hello my friends)
I hope that this email finds you well, especially right before Easter, one of my favorite Holidays to celebrate!
The time is drawing nearer to my (our) departure to Tanzania! By the time most of you get this i will have exactly a month and half until we fly out! So many emotions are running through me about this date, excitement to be traveling and to revisit friends, to serve and grow! Also with that comes flutters of worry and meaningless stress about the changes that have occurred in my absence and to be experiencing different events with a different team and what my friendships with my national friendships will be like again. I know the sooner the trip draws near, the sooner this school year will end (and many of the memories with it). It's such a struggle to have my heart so firmly planted in one place, yet it longing for another. Oh the heart of a missionary, so bitter-sweet!
My semester has been busy as always, but also quite peaceful. My summertime in the States will be cut even shorter after i return from Tanzania because i have been accepted as a Resident Assistant for next year! This job entitles me to have supervision over one of the dorm wings (or hallways). The job entitles "watching out for" about 14 girls, Decorating the wing, making sure things stay in order clean and that the relationships amongst the girls stay healthy and safe. I am super excited to have been accepted in this role, i think it will also help coming home from Tanzania be slightly less traumatic.
In preparation of Tanzania our team has been having team meetings every other week! We have been learning alot of Swahili(the language most spoken in Tanzania) through learning basic verbs (which I'm starting to get the hang of) And singing songs in Swahili(all of which i already know, or at least thought i knew ! I have had the privilege of teaching a bit of it as well and my leader from last year(Daniel) has taken the time to come and teach us alot as well. I love my team and how open and honest we have been with each other. I hope and pray that our bond will only grow stronger!
As for financial support i am getting there! $4,000 is just alot to take in, i have raised approximately $1,720, Very close to half way. Such a blessing!!! And i am still expecting more promised donations!
I know God is doing sometime Good!
Well to close, i just have a few prayer requests for those prayer warriors out there!
* Lately i have been feeling alot of "spiritual warfare" Which in our terms is just deep stress and pressure on things that really are easy targets of worry doubt and for me personally loneliness.
* Also just keep praying that God will provide means for financial support, even if that means a short summer job!
* Praise- That good changes are happening in my life, even though it seems grim at the moment i know that these things are building me into a stronger person and will help me in the future!
Asante sana!(thank you)
Wana Baraka na Amani ( Have blessings and Peace!)
Michelle Renee Ross
I hope that this email finds you well, especially right before Easter, one of my favorite Holidays to celebrate!
The time is drawing nearer to my (our) departure to Tanzania! By the time most of you get this i will have exactly a month and half until we fly out! So many emotions are running through me about this date, excitement to be traveling and to revisit friends, to serve and grow! Also with that comes flutters of worry and meaningless stress about the changes that have occurred in my absence and to be experiencing different events with a different team and what my friendships with my national friendships will be like again. I know the sooner the trip draws near, the sooner this school year will end (and many of the memories with it). It's such a struggle to have my heart so firmly planted in one place, yet it longing for another. Oh the heart of a missionary, so bitter-sweet!
My semester has been busy as always, but also quite peaceful. My summertime in the States will be cut even shorter after i return from Tanzania because i have been accepted as a Resident Assistant for next year! This job entitles me to have supervision over one of the dorm wings (or hallways). The job entitles "watching out for" about 14 girls, Decorating the wing, making sure things stay in order clean and that the relationships amongst the girls stay healthy and safe. I am super excited to have been accepted in this role, i think it will also help coming home from Tanzania be slightly less traumatic.
In preparation of Tanzania our team has been having team meetings every other week! We have been learning alot of Swahili(the language most spoken in Tanzania) through learning basic verbs (which I'm starting to get the hang of) And singing songs in Swahili(all of which i already know, or at least thought i knew ! I have had the privilege of teaching a bit of it as well and my leader from last year(Daniel) has taken the time to come and teach us alot as well. I love my team and how open and honest we have been with each other. I hope and pray that our bond will only grow stronger!
As for financial support i am getting there! $4,000 is just alot to take in, i have raised approximately $1,720, Very close to half way. Such a blessing!!! And i am still expecting more promised donations!
I know God is doing sometime Good!
Well to close, i just have a few prayer requests for those prayer warriors out there!
* Lately i have been feeling alot of "spiritual warfare" Which in our terms is just deep stress and pressure on things that really are easy targets of worry doubt and for me personally loneliness.
* Also just keep praying that God will provide means for financial support, even if that means a short summer job!
* Praise- That good changes are happening in my life, even though it seems grim at the moment i know that these things are building me into a stronger person and will help me in the future!
Asante sana!(thank you)
Wana Baraka na Amani ( Have blessings and Peace!)
Michelle Renee Ross
Sunday, February 22, 2009
...today
Today, i miss them. I walked in to a store tonight and heard a Celine Deion song. May seem random that that would reminde me of them but really its not :) On our safari trip the man that was driving us blasted her in our car the whole way there and back from safari...we were sick of hereing her by the end but funny how you fall in love with things that remind you so dearly of that time in life. Well i cant say i love her singing because...i dont much but i love how our memory is triggered and distracted by these things. :)
Well ill probably write more later(technacly today since its 1 30 am ) Because we have a meeting tonight!
But my count so far...
84 days till take off...
i have raised $1,295 PRAISE THE LORD FOR HIS FAITHFULNESS AND PROVIDING
And i have been so greatly encouraged this past month but also tested. :)
off to bed! Lala salama
Well ill probably write more later(technacly today since its 1 30 am ) Because we have a meeting tonight!
But my count so far...
84 days till take off...
i have raised $1,295 PRAISE THE LORD FOR HIS FAITHFULNESS AND PROVIDING
And i have been so greatly encouraged this past month but also tested. :)
off to bed! Lala salama
Monday, February 9, 2009
Last years Pictures!
Finally here are just a few of the pictures! This covers the first 4 days of our trip. Our flights, london, arival in Kigoma and day at the beach, and time in Kamala, our first outreach!
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