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!

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!

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

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

...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

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!

Providing...

MAMBO VIPI??? (whats up?)

Hope all is well for everyone, i hope that people are getting the chance to stop by! If so please feel free to leave comments :)
Anyhow, Today marks 98 days until departure. Our dates were altered slightly and we will now be leaving on May 17th From San Fran!

We had our third meeting today, wow do i love my team! And not only has my team been super encouraging but God has been providing in awesome ways. In the last 3 weeks i have already raised about $900!!! Much quicker then last year and so needed! Not only have i been affirmed financially but i am perpetually encouraged by promised prayers and inspiration from my senders. Thank you all for such amazing support!

I am in disbelief at how God has been providing for our trip. I had so much doubt and fear diving into this and i still have a long 3 months and 3,000 dollars to go, but this complicated process is worth the wait , pain, and humility. There is something special about Africa that only those who have gone can attest to. There is something about the people and the culture that grabs your heart and can't quite let go. It is not just the poverty, the beautiful location, the dangers and anticipation or economy. It's more of the culture and it's beautiful rhythm, its hospitality and love that only God could have planted there. It's the victory of their salvation, their praise to God through their struggle, despite their imperfection and devastating situations they live to honor and be faithful to their God.

One of the songs that inspired us on last years trip is called Mambo sawa sawa, It is an encouraging tune that proclaims that things are going to be ok because God is on His throne. How awesome it is to know our God is on His throne, despite our struggle with faith, finances, emotions, relationships, daily life, God is still the king of kings.

I feel so encouraged right now, yet i still have suspicion that life's gunna bight me in the butt! I suppose this isn't too bad because at least ill be somewhat prepared, but even things that have gone wrong God keeps providing. It is amazing!

Thanks, Asante, for listening to my little ramble. I will soon give updates on flight info and a little blurp on where i may possibly (Lord willing) be staying for a couple days longer as i am over there!

la la salama (good night)

Meeting #2

Ham Jambo mimi Rafiki!
Yesterday team Tanzania had our second meeting and it was lots of fun and full of good energy!
As a group we got to play a few team building games. One was we each had to put our feet in a yarn circle for 7seconds at the same time. As the circle got smaller and smaller and smaller we had to get close and personal with each other like linking arms, or hugging each other. Whatever it took we jumped in to do it! It was great to know that everyone was willing to just jump in and go for it! It also revealed special leadership skills in some! Very cool experiment.
It was nice getting to spend some time with the other team members, i am especially excited that Rachel, she is my friend that is returning as well this year, i am excited that she is on the team. I realize it would be very hard to cope by myself if she wasn't on the team.
I am already seeing personal conflicts and struggles within myself on this return trip, i knew they would eventually fester through but i am also learning to accept this trip as a new and fresh experience which is extremely difficult because there have already been so many changes both there and in my own heart. It is amazing to me how much a year has changed me as a person, as a student and as a woman of God.
I extremely excited for this team though, i see how God is slowly training thier hearts for this trip and its hard to sit down and be quite at times! I mean if you look at it, ive spent the last 9 or so months telling everyone about my trip, making a large scrapbook and stareing at pictures and memorys, its hard to now be quite and let them experince Africa on thier own, yet as a team. Hmmm this look like a good opertunity to put this into somthing perductive! Ill have to think on that one :)
Hope everyones have a great Week, as of now its time for me to get back to Homework!
Ninakupenda wewe

Support Letter 2009

Dearest friends and family,

This year of 2008 has been incredibly diverse in comparison to all other years I have experienced! As many of you know I am now halfway through my second year at William Jessup University studying International Psychology, I am also highly considering a second concentration in Child Psychology! This summer I took a trip to Kigoma, Tanzania in East Africa and it was an experience that has permanently altered my life in the sweetest of ways. Since returning from Tanzania I have had a difficult time adjusting to my newly expanded worldview (for those who do not know this term, it is defined as our view of the world created from our own personal experience). It has been a difficult 7 months, but completely worth while! Here are just a few of the exciting events I’ve been able to participate in since returning in June!

The week following my return I spent the remainder of the summer serving as a youth intern at Twin Oaks Southern Baptist Church in Citrus Heights with an amazing youth group! The day that I finished there I literally went straight to school for leadership training. This year I am an Orientation Assistant and I have had so much fun with my group of new students, we call ourselves the KIX Crew (Keeping It Extreme). This group has been such a blessing to my transition back into school and life in America. Once school began life became ridiculously busy for me; 6 classes, plus choir, leadership, and my on-campus job. All together I know I only survived by the grace of God. Despite my crazy schedule, there were a few other great opportunities that opened up for me! I had the pleasure at serving with Youth with a Mission YWAM in San Francisco though my school. We took a weekend outreach team to serve on the “tenderloin” and despite my nervousness, it was an amazing experience. My favorite part I must share; one of our outreaches was to go to Golden Gate Park with an extra lunch and eat with the homeless. As my group searched for someone to eat with, a man came up to our group trying to sell us drugs. We declined and asked if he and his friend would like to eat lunch with us, instantly they accepted our offer. I started talking to the man and found out that he was from the Republic of Congo. Not only did I get to speak with him in Swahili, but also in French!!! We all shared a great lunch together, but it made me sad to that this man was stuck in San Fran, addicted to a horrible drug and lifestyle.

it is amazing to me how much diversity of culture there is right here in America! In the past few months I have also had the pleasure of being acquainted with a young woman named Susan who recently arrived here from Kenya! My dad met her at work and got us in contact, we became fast friends and I have fallen in love with the wonderful family she is staying with. They have welcomed me to their home many times. These new friends have been helping me with Kiswahili, the language also spoke in Tanzania and comforted me as I long to return.

Last year once I returned home from my three weeks in Tanzania I had a lot of people asking me if I would return the next summer. I told them that if I had the opportunity I would and to my great surprise I have been faced with, yet again, another incredible opportunity to return to Kigoma! I can not describe in words how incredible this return trip will be for both me and my friends in Tanzania. Typically when people leave from mission trips, no matter how much they promise to keep in contact most do not follow through. Knowing this fact breaks my heart even more. I do not want to be tourist to Tanzania; I want to be a servant of the Lord’s people there. However, in order to do this I will need a lot of help! In one of my Intercultural classes we learned about a special type of missionary that is needed just as much as those who actually leave to interact with people, they are called senders. Missions would cease to exist without the various types of senders who: prepare, pray, organize, support financially, and do many other necessary and impactful works! I have written to ask if all of you will be my senders (for some again) this year? J

We will depart for a 3 week trip to Kigoma, TZ on May 18, 2009. The cost is $4,000 this year, higher then last year. Fortunately I am finished with shots and a passport, but honestly I am in need of a lot of prayer, encouragement, and financial aid! With this letter I have sent a small magnet to represent and reminder of this trip. The shape is of the continent of Africa, as you may also notice there is a small butterfly placed inside of it upon the location of Tanzania. This butterfly is a symbol to me of my trip last year, no matter how calm, chaotic, uncomfortable, or sweet the times felt, peace and literally a butterfly were present! I ask that when you see this colorful magnate you will remember me and my team from William Jessup University and pray for us before, during, and after we return from Tanzania.

Thank you for your time and I send my blessings to you and your family this new year of 2009!

Napenda, (love)

Michelle Renée Ross

Support Info

Hey Denise!!!
Thank you so much for all your hard work! You are amazing :D

The questions are:
Name: Michelle Ross
Class: Sophmore
Major: Psychology Major with Emphasis of ICS
Amount needing to raise: $4,000

Why are you excited about Tanzania?
This year i will be returning to Kigoma, Tanzania, which in it self is the most exciting event! Aside from that fun fact i am grateful and overwhelmed with the chance to be with all my wonderful friends there who i miss so dearly. I am excited for this team of amazing people, most of which have never been! Out of everything, I am excited to serve Gods children, and grow deeper in my faith with Him. :)

Prayer Requests?
That God will provide financially. That i will adjust well to my new team, and experience. For a great reunion with my friends from TZ, and emotional and spiritual peace!
Praise, that God is using me in this beautiful place again to deepen our faith, and further His kingdom!