News from South Africa

Hi everyone...well I've been at the orphanage for a week now and have settled in quite well. Still learning the names of all the children, but have made fast friends with them. My two special friends are Fundo and Quinelli, toddlers that stay here during the day, while the big kids go to school. Have had to adjust a bit to being here...but I woke up the first morning and thought I was still in Tanzania! I had to blink a couple of times. We have mountains all around us, fields of brown grass, and lots of houses. Things are similar to Tanzania, yet very different. They are burning brush right now, reminds of the days in TZ when we would wake to fire on a sunday morning and it was close to my house!

Enjoyed my first sunday, lots of singing, a good message, and a birthday party for one of the girls in the choir. the church meets at the preschool and they are kind enough to let us be there each week. The schools are all close to the orphanage which is nice. The little ones get a ride to school in the mornings, and the older kids complain and always want a lift too.

Went to town last week and they have 4! supermarkets, plus everything else you need. Far more access to stuff here than in Tanzania. And the roads are asphalt...Praise Jesus! We are spoiled here.

Love the Zulu culture and I'm trying to learn the greetings...they use clicking and that is hard for me to get used to. I've been talking to a pastor that lives here and we have been comparing the Zulu and Tanzanian cultures...so many similarities and some subtle differences. It's fascinating to learn about this tribe. Will write more later and add pictures as I can. Love to all, Dianne

Greetings from Mumba

Hi, today I am in Sumbawanga, the town where I went to shop while I lived in Mumba. Things are the same, but different too. Used the ATM at the bank for the first time, that was cool! The market is still the same and went to see old friends who are store owners. Made a new friend at the bus station where I had to get a ticket so that I can travel back to Mbeya on Friday...the ticket was free! So great. Got to see another group of students and that was so great. They are all studying hard and doing well. We are at an internet cafe in town doing wireless! So many changes. Will post pictures later.

Pictures are posting at the bottom of the blog!

I'm off to Mumba tomorrow. My friend Brook arrived yesterday and we will be heading back together. She says the road is pretty good, so we should make the trip in about 4-5 hours. Yesterday I was able to spend time with 9 of my former students who are here in Mbeya finishing their secondary education. It was so fun to see them and catch up and see how they have changed. The boys have more facial hair and are as handsome as ever, and Rachel continues to have a beautiful and generous heart. I'm so proud to see that they have continued with their education. I taught most of this group English for two years! Hope the pictures post!

Love, Dianne

Today is July 7th and it is Saba Saba day in Tanzania which means it's workers day and they get to rest. Not much rest going on in Mbeya that I can see though. I spent 3 days in Madisi visiting friends that have built 3 schools in that area. It was cold and rainy...reminded me of Seattle! We didn't have generator for two nights so my laptop and phone went dead! It's been great having cell service here in Tanzania...I feel so much safer.

Three years ago, cell phones were just coming to Tanzania and now everyone has one. I am sitting in an internet cafe with one of my former students Rachel, who I found because I got her cell number from another friend! I am meeting with several students here in Mbeya tomorrow and we will all go to church together and then to lunch. My swahili is coming along, I have forgotten many words, but they seem to come back when I need them. I'm staying at the Karibuni center where I forgot that they have dogs that bark all night long! Next time, I'm staying somewhere else! Will write more about my time in Madisi later because it was really good to see the work going on there. That's all for now. Love, Dianne

Made it to Tanzania

Well, after several mind-numbing hours of flying and layovers, I made it safely to Dar. I'm staying at the guest house where I used to stay when I lived here. It's good to see friends and familiar sights. Saw Mt. Kilimanjaro this morning from the plane at sunrise...it's good to be home. Will probably see my friends Steve and Godfrey as they are heading for Dar to get another school registered with the government. I'm headed out to their village tomorrow and anticipating a long bus ride. Will go through a game park which always has a few elephants and giraffe hanging out by the road. I'm happy to be back in Tanzania!

Will write more as I get the chance.