Quality Meets Thrift

Chacos are the best sandals. I got this particular pair of Chacos well over 5 years ago and I've worn them almost every day since. Oh the stories they could tell of my adventures. When you take a high quality purchase and average it over the number of years used, I think it is "cheaper" in the long run.

That having been said, a benefit of living in Tanzania is that I can take a 10 minute walk, find a shoe-fundi who can tack the sole down, and it will probably be good for another...hm, some length of time. We'll see. But it will only cost 50 cents!

Half a Decade

5 years ago on the 14th of this month I first arrived in Tanzania.

I thought I would look back and select a couple of photos that would in some way represent that year.

2011: Learning how to do life in Tanzania and making all new friends.

2012: Working at the office in Mara for a full year! 

It was also the year that we had several celebrations of the book of Luke being published in various languages. I loved selling books at these celebrations and being surrounded by children trying to read them.

2013: This was the year that I finally found my own house in Musoma, and so ended the 4 years of moving around and house-sitting!

This year we made a final change to the Zinza writing system that allowed us to print Luke! The celebration of the printing happened days before I left the country to visit the States.

2014: This was apparently the year that I didn't take many photos. This was, however, the year that I came back home to Tanzania following some time in the States. I also turned 30 that year!

2015: The year I had my very first visitor!



Also the year that I spent standing in front of many, many classrooms.

I'm looking forward to seeing what the next five years hold!

Trip of a Lifetime

God provided for me to take an incredible trip to visit some friends in both Australia and New Zealand.

Observation 1: New Zealand is a breathtaking country. I was often overwhelmed with the diversity and beauty of that country. I could post many more scenery pictures than this, but thought I would just give you a taste.

Observation 2: I love getting to see places that I've only seen in movies. It somehow makes the world feel more magical. For instance, I didn't just go to New Zealand and Australia...

I went to the Sydney Opera House...made famous in Finding Nemo...right?

I went to Narnia - Cathedral Cove was used in Prince Caspian as the entrance to Narnia. So, there I am running into Narnia. I always thought I would get there by banging on the back of a wardrobe.

Mount Ngarahoe was used to create portions of Mount Doom in the Lord of the Rings. I climbed it. It was a really hard climb. I was literally on all fours for half of the climb. But it was worth it to get to the top of "Mount Doom".

No, there is not a cavernous volcanic pit to destroy a ring in...but this is a live volcano, and that is steam coming out of the mountain behind me. Really hot steam, trust me, I tested it. 

Then of course there is also Hobbiton. Enough said.

Observation 3: When you have a 19 hour layover, you should definitely explore something in that city. I didn't speak the language, couldn't read the script and didn't know a single person. But I had a great time wandering around the Baiyun Mountain park. I think I ended up walking over 20km!

Observation 4: All of this travel and seeing epic beauty wouldn't have been nearly as good if it weren't for the friends I got to see. I had lovely hosts whilst traveling and really truly feel blessed by the amazing friendships that God has blessed me with over the years.

Returning to an Empty House

I've been away from Musoma for the past several weeks and during that time Sarah left to spend 6 months in the States. Alas, I am returning to an empty house.

But rather than mourning the lack of Sarah, I would like to share with you some of the things that I am looking forward to when she returns.

More canoeing on Lake Victoria!

Cooking together. Sarah has great cooking muses that she has shared with me. I've learned a lot about cooking by living with her.

Walking to and fro and everywhere in between. Walking is generally nice, but always nicer when there is someone with whom you are chatting.

And at least once, but usually twice a week, we walk to a rock (about 2 miles away) that has a beautiful view of Musoma and Lake Victoria.