family and life: work report, may 2014

I sent out our family’s email version of the May work report a couple of days ago.  And it was really long.  So I’ve decided to break it up into sections here on the blog.  Today’s installment is the “Family and Life” segment. 

Also — and because I’ve shortened your reading for the day, my friends — I’m going to add in a few extra of life’s anecdotes.

on running in rural tanzania

“How’s the morning,” he offered as we passed one another.

His words were twisted and accented, though, making them sound more like, “Za asubuhi?“

I was so happy I didn’t even notice.

I’ve been running in and around Geita town for three years now.  And this was the first time I’d ever passed someone else running for exercise.  He was Tanzanian, probably 20 years old, and jogging slowly up the hill in our neighborhood.  I was jogging down the same hill.

the rocket stove: a very appropriate technology

With the help of our summer interns, we built our first rocket stove for use in the village a little over a month ago.  A rocket stove is a more efficient way of cooking with fire.  It uses smaller diameter wood — and less of it — but still cooks faster than a traditional open fire.

A rocket stove is incredibly easy to construct, and it can be made entirely out of materials already present in rural areas.

4th of july in geita

I didn’t take any pictures on the 4th of July.  But some of our teammates and interns did, so I’ll send you right over to their blogs.  Afterwards, I’ll tell you a little about our day:

bugakara village: a short video

We recently sent a short video to one of our sponsoring churches, in order for them to show it during their VBS, the theme of which was missions.  Filming was both short and hurried as it was raining, but, still, this ought to give you guys an idea of what we’re doing and where we’re working:

So… that’s Bugakara village.

conservation agriculture and spitting cobras

I might as well start with the most interesting photo, though I won’t actually tell you about the spitting cobra until later in the post (skip to there, I suppose, if you’re anxious)….

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I spent a couple of days this last week in Mwakiwasha village.  [You guys are familiar with Mwakiwasha village; we did a couple of photo tours there a while back: mwanza to mwakiwasha and a visit in mwakiwasha village.]  The whole family went out Monday, mostly just to greet everyone, though we also worked out some dates for vaccinating chickens, harvesting rice, and having the interns stay a few days.  It was Harper’s first village visit ever, and our friends were very happy to meet her. 

Yesterday, though, my visit was for some farm work.

missionary predicament: machine gun bribery

A machine gun hung from his neck, resting just above his belly like an incredibly dangerous bib, the kind you’d never want your kid to wear.  He stumbled over to our truck and began to greet me.  His breath wreaked of alcohol.

missionary stress and 95º living rooms

I’m a relatively laid back person.  I don’t generally have high stress levels.  I think I adapt easily and quickly to any number of factors that may change in either my surroundings or my responsibilities.  

But it’s been a rough couple of days.

servant leadership and coffee-dipping cowboys

I just got back from a couple of days out in villages, and thought I’d share with you guys a little about my trip in short form.  I often get requests for more information about day-to-day life and work in Tanzania:

baby born in a truck and a photo essay of geita

A couple of blog posts worth reading, which are nearer to me  than — and therefore not relegated to — a morning blend post.  There’s no real theme here, unless we want to call it “missionary life in East Africa?”

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From my friend, Bobby Garner, who works in Uganda.

A Baby Was Born In My Land Rover Today

An excerpt:

“Approaching the hospital, Tappe told us the baby had crowned. Actually it was more like, “He’s about to fall”. My response was, “Absolutely not!” Tappe’s next words were “He fell!” Ronald and I simultaneously looked on the floor for a baby. We didn’t see one. Then we noticed a baby on the seat as Tappe hovered above. Ronald quickly scooped the little boy up. The baby let out a gurgled cry.”

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And from Duane and Jenny Dixon, who are adopting a cute little girl from Ethiopia and, as a result, were able to visit Carson and Holly last week here in Geita.  They took a lot of great photos of Geita, the surrounding areas, and of some of our neighbors.  [And if you look backwards on their blog a post or two, you can see pictures of their beautiful little girl, Selah.  They actually passed court while in Geita.]

tanzania

My favorite photo of the many:

jude mcneal and a friend

And I just happened to notice that Jude’s friend in the photo isn’t wearing any pants, but is wearing a very strategically placed button-up shirt under his jacket.  Then I noticed that in all of these pictures, this little boy happens to be covered up with great care.  For example:

yep, the photographer must've been quite the pro