Bajaj in Dar

Last week I went to Dar es Salaam and got to have a couple bajaj rides. I have grown quite accustomed to walking and taking motorcycles in Musoma, but these little bajaj beauties are still a fun and fresh experience for me. So, feel free to take a ride with me.

Thanks Dar for the fun ride, until next time!

Oh, a random addition to this blog is my favorite billboard, spotted from the bajaj. This encourages "selfies" using a new smart phone. The linguist/language learner in me both loves and is appalled that "selfika" is now a Swahili verb.

Sleepover!!!

Sarah and I hosted a sleepover for a few of the girls here in Musoma. A couple of them are heading to the States for about a year, so it was a perfect opportunity to have a bit of a hoopla before they head out.

What does a sleepover with Sarah and Ronit include?

Pancakes and smoothies for dinner.

Dance party and games.

Pizza for breakfast made in various shapes and forms: Do you prefer a koala or a gecko?

Playing with dogs.

I hope it was fun for all who were involved, I definitely enjoyed myself!

Welcome to Church

I grew up non-denominational, now am a member of an Assemblies of God church in the States, and a member of an Anglican church in Tanzania. I've also regularly attended a Presbyterian church in the past.

Why does this matter? Well, the denominations don't so much, the unity of the body of Christ does. Worshiping in various denominational arenas has broadened my views and love of the body of Christ in many of its shapes and forms.

This is my church here in Tanzania:

The setting itself is nice: small congregation, no "vyombo" (burst-your-eardrums-speakers), lovely breeze, and greenery all around.

The pastor, Mchungaji Nashon, works at our SIL office, in the operations department. He is a soft spoken and delightful preacher who consistently preaches on active participation in our faith and salvation whilst balancing that with the fact that it is only by God's strength and grace that we are able to do that.

After every service we file out together, singing a song, and shaking each others' hands as we form a circle and pray together to close the service.

I really love my Musoma church.

Happy 4th!

This year I celebrated the 4th of July with an international crowd and homemade fireworks.

We had some Dutch, a Brit and some Germans! (Thankfully the Dutch and British flags are also red, white and blue - so almost everyone was wearing their national colors)

I was quite impressed with what you could do by setting steel wool on fire and swinging it around.

Here is a short video so that you can get a bit more of an idea of the magic:

We ended the evening by sitting around a campfire and singing every song that came into our heads. There were camp songs, worship songs, hymns, songs in Dutch, and songs in Hebrew. Considering the fact that America is a melting pot, I think it was a very appropriate celebration of the 4th.