Learning that Lasts in Dodoma

In the last 1.5 years I've been a part of 4 Learning that Lasts workshops (October 2014 newsletter, Learning that Lasts in Nairobi, Learning that Lasts in Mbeya).

It has been such a pleasure to have so many opportunities to travel around and teach others how to teach adults. I must admit to some surprise that I enjoy it so much since 'teaching' was one thing I swore I never wanted to do. Isn't it amazing how God can bring us to a place that we never expected to be!

Last week in Dodoma I had a few firsts to celebrate:

It was my first time being the lead teacher and organizing the event (among other things this meant I handed out the completion certificates).

It was also the first time that this workshop was held completely in Swahili!

Also, it was my first time to visit the capitol of Tanzania.

Praise the Lord for all of these firsts! Please be praying that the participants take the tools they got last week and use them to be more effective teachers.

Don't Get Thin

The "Share a Coke" campaign has arrived in Tanzania with culturally relevant names and sayings.

For instance, I had a coke with this bottle top last week:

Here in Tanzania it is a compliment if you tell someone "you have gotten fat". Every ex-pat, upon returning from time in the West (and Western food) will prepare themselves, in one way or another, for that compliment. Coke is reaching out to its Tanzanian constituency with this bottle cap, not by a particular name, rather by encouraging them that "you should not get thin".

Have a coke; don't get thin!

The Squatty

I first remember encountering a squatty-potty 10 years ago in Jericho (yes, the one in Israel). I looked at it and the beautifully porcelained and tiled squatty looked back. I decided I really didn't need to go that badly and walked away.

Now, 10 years later, necessity has driven that fear away. Depending on the build and location of squatty-potties, they can actually be quite nice. Take this one for example, from a trip last week to the Kwaya language area.

Notice the nice three wall, doorless structure. This allows for a nice breeze and fresh air, plus, just look at that view!

Wok this Way?

I remember in university talking with some friends about how clever it would be to have a Chinese restaurant called "Wok This Way". Well, here you go! You can always try out Wok This Way Cafe in Nairobi (near Yaya Center).

Although, I'm not sure that they serve Chinese food...

Spending some time in the air

We had some visitors from our office in Mbeya, Tanzania this past week. Literacy, scripture use and vernacular media services personnel made the trip...and the SIL plane and pilot! The pilot gave the missionary kids a lesson on the life and work of a missionary pilot. He then took them on a tour of the plane!

Oh, and because I LOVE planes I tagged along... and then a few of us got to see Musoma from a completely new angle!

And since we're talking about planes, here is a short video of me jumping out of one during my recent trip to New Zealand!