Church family camp

This last weekend was the St Margaret's Church family camp.  I truly love being part of this church.  In many ways it's like my base, and one of the places where I feel I really belong.  No matter what I'm doing during the week at an American-run school, on Sunday I get to hang out with a random group of people where no one culture is dominant, and we simply find unity in our desire to worship God.  There are two St Margaret's congregations - one English speaking and one Swahili speaking (which is about 10x the size of the English service!)  In a few weeks we are having a combined service which will be great :) I love it that quite a few Tanzanian people come to the English service...it's such a blessing.  

So, this last weekend the English congregation spent two nights at Maua, a beautiful spot about 1.5 hours away from Moshi.  It's the same place we went as a teacher group in our first week in Tanzania.  Going back to the same place was a good opportunity to reflect on the last 9 months (has it really been that long???).   It was most definitely a family camp, with 80+ people including 35ish children!  I spent a lot of my time rocking babies, eating with kids on my lap, and playing games to amuse little ones.  I did have my own room though, so got some nap time in there as well.  Anyway, here are some pics of the weekend:

Maua means FLOWERS!

So beautiful and green

Yummy guava!

Scottish dancing on Saturday night

Children's talk with Pastor Tony on Sunday morning

Hanging with Yael and Gregory

Little Chameleon 

Big snail

Selfie with cows 

Joshua loves cows...

.....a lot!

with Marenka and her family at the river :)

God's blessings on your week!

New hair!

Firstly, a pic of the new hair because I happen to think it's pretty impressive:

This last week we had a random Tuesday off for a national holiday so I went with Grace to get my hair braided.  This also worked well because the next day was Crazy Hair Day at school!  I've always wanted to get my hair braided and I absolutely love it!  Here are some pics of the process: 

Firstly, we went into town the day before to buy rasta (fake hair).  I've been told three packets is a good amount so will go with it!

A long boda boda ride out to Bonite and then it was Grace's turn to get her hair done.....

....whilst I hung out with this sweetheart and had a conversation of mutual smiles :)

Grace had to leave after having her hair finished...which included burning the fuzzy hair off (I didn't have mine burnt....I had visions of my whole head catching on fire)!

Now it was my turn :) It was so much fun because we really couldn't communicate.  Her instructions about where she wanted me to move my head: "Leesa, something, something, something...." followed by my confused look and lots of laughter!  

Four hours later and we're done!  Asante sana Mama!

Grace and I the next day at school

So easy to style....

I did take just a few selfies....oops

It wasn't entirely pain free as it was braided quite tight.  Methinks this is why people here look so young....it's like getting an instant facelift!  I couldn't frown for the first day but after that it felt really comfortable.  I'm planning on keeping it in for about 3 weeks but will see how itchy my head gets without being washed for that long!  I even had to buy a special hair net so it doesn't get messy at night.  I'm already planning what style I want to get next. So fun, and only cost about $10!

Another weekend away

House moving still hasn't happened....well it sort of has, in that I'm at the new house but sleeping in a tent until the back house is ready.  There's a big flat deck on the roof of the front house which is perfect for camping out under the stars.  It's really peaceful, except for the cat hacking up hairballs next to my tent at 1:30am, and having to move the tent halfway through the night because of a storm.  I have definitely been getting the "white people are crazy" look from our night guard!  The weather looks bad next week so I shall camp in the front house living room for a bit :)

This last weekend was a teacher excursion.  Global Effect funds a few trips each year so we get to see some of the country and spend some time together.  This weekend was at Snow Cap Cottages, a place I went to with the Mountain Club a few months ago.  It's about 2.5 hours away on the other side of Kili and is in such a lush and beautiful area.  The best part was escaping from the heat.  It's a lot higher up and was cool enough that we could sleep under bed covers, wear jeans and hoodies, and even enjoy an open fire!  Soooooo needed! There was no internet access, and for part of the time it was raining which meant lots of time enjoying blankets and books.

Comfy snuggly bed :)

Green makes me happy

On a group walk

Mawenzi peeking out from the clouds

Yep, just hanging out in our hut...in our field...

Taylor and a rather huge sunflower

Early morning

Mawenzi and Kili....from the TZ side they are reversed!

Stunning Kili! It was so worth the early morning walk

With Rebecca and Taylor

A close-up of Kili

Looking towards Kenya. I love all the layers!

Holidays, where have you gone???

After spending the whole of last quarter counting down to our Easter break it has gone way too fast!  As a side note, it has been my personal mission to name this holiday Easter break rather than Spring break as it's called in the US.  Wrong hemisphere people!  Thankfully my American colleagues have been very accommodating, and it will hereby be called Easter break..haha

The weather has been crazily hot this last week, 35-36 degrees during the day, and often still 30 degrees at 10pm!  This wouldn't be such a big deal if there was such a thing as air-con.  If the power is on we can have fans, but even then it's quite hot to get to sleep.  I end up starfishing on the bed with a fan on full power 1cm from my nose.  Not fun!

This last week has most definitely been introvert recharge time.  We were supposed to be moving house (the rent here has been put up, so time to find a cheaper place) but it hasn't really happened!  The four people I've been living with are all moving into one house on the next property, but I'm moving into the back house with Taylor and Rebecca.  The new front house is ready, so they have all moved and I'm just hanging out waiting for the other house to be ready.  Last I saw there was still no floor...haha.  In the meantime, I'll be enjoying some introvert time :)

In the last few days I've been on some adventures, although it's getting harder to find new places close to Moshi where I haven't already adventured!  On Good Friday I went on a motorbike ride with the minister from my church to a place called Kibosho.  It's uphill from our place towards Kili.  Being higher up it's a bit cooler too!  There is an amazing big church as well as a convent with really nice gardens.  It was a great place to explore.

Today was a very random adventure.  I met two Australians at church who were visiting from Arusha (about 1.5 hours away) and was so excited to see some Aussies that we spent the afternoon together.  Some other people visiting from the UK were going to Uru Waterfall so we tagged along.  It was super nice to catch up with people who actually knew where Tasmania was, and even asked what city I was from!  The scenery was great, although next time I'll bring my swimmers :)

 Hanging out with Liz and Tracey

Back to school tomorrow for a preparation day before kids come the following day, then parent teacher interviews on Friday.  One week of holidays is just not sufficient!  Still, the next holidays are 2.5 months, so I won't complain.....

God's blessings :)