As I write this, I am sitting on the porch of Tumaini Restaurant watching Lushoto go by. The number of people who come here on a Saturday is amazing, but half the number that will be here tomorrow, market day. Today was our first drive down the mountain on our own. Well, we were actually accompanied by three Swedish volunteers who are staying at the Irente Hostel over the Christmas holidays.
This past week saw the start of English classes. The class size has varied from 8 in one class to a high of 18. The students’ attendance is dependent on what is happening with the children. The students include 32 health care workers and the driver, Christian.
The girls range in age from 18 to 22 years old. They come from all over Tanzania, including one girl from Zanzibar. They come from all educational backgrounds and have varying knowledge of English. It is very interesting and rewarding work, but sometimes already challenging.
Tom has been very busy helping around the Home with projects ranging from childcare, chain saw repair, dryer repair, and splitting fire wood. Soon, he will start his own class, teaching a young girl named Nema who is about 7 years old. Nema lives at the home. Because of some medical problems, they have not found a placement for her. She attends primary school, but they are on Holiday break until mid-January. The Assistant Director of the Home asked if perhaps Tom could work with Nema and her friend Anna.
It has been challenging particularly with the holidays approaching so quickly. We thank God for the invention of the internet, computers, Skype and iPods. We have talked about how difficult it must have been for those early Lutheran missionaries, buried in Tanga, who probably waited weeks or months at a time to hear from their families. The seeds of faith that they planted have produced an abundant harvest in the people here.
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