Paul – Playing telephone pictionary with the team; it’s a fun way of playing an old game. We had so many gut busting laughs!
Katrina – A little girl lived down the road from us; she was probably about 4 years old and we nicknamed her “Little mzungu”. She was super cute and way too smart for her own good. She came to visit us often and would babble non-stop in Swahili not caring that we had no idea what she was talking about. One day, Paul and I were sitting in the hammock and she walked up the path – we lifted her in to sit with us and she promptly bit my arm and spit in Paul’s face.
–> photo credit: Dan Lidwin
Time I saw God move
Paul – I’m a people watcher. I love to just sit and watch how different people encounter Papa. Our Pastor had a very different way to speak with Him. He spoke in tongues but not your typical Ba, Ba, Da, Na, Ka kinda stuff; it was more of a singing shouting type of thing…very unusual but very unique.
Katrina – We had some really incredible “team times” this month. Every night after dinner, the seven of us would gather around and share what we were learning or pray for one another. Living in a Christian community has been one of the best experiences of my life. We continually challenge and encourage one another to be the men and women of God that we are destined to be. And since, we have lived together for so many months we’re also able to tell each other how we have changed – and that is a beautiful thing.
Best thing I ate
Paul – Chocolate cake for my birthday! It was such a nice surprise from Katrina and the team.
Katrina– “Zanzibar Pizza” – a delicious type of street food that we bought for about 75 cents. It was a light pastry in the shape of a square fried with vegetables, curry spices and an egg inside.
Craziest thing we did
Katrina – Ministry in Masai land: One day we drove about an hour away in to the absolute middle of nowhere. We saw giant baobab trees – the biggest trees I have ever seen in my life. It was very dusty with lots of giant thorn bushes and huge locusts; we felt like we were walking around the desert in bible times. The Masai people wear very colourful pieces of fabric, crazy earrings with big holes in their ears, sandals made of tires, lots of beaded jewelry and they have branded burn marks on their cheeks. It’s a very traditional and sometimes uncivilised society, but we had the privilege of sharing some stories about Jesus and praying with them.
Paul – Our squad leaders. They stayed with us for a week and we had great talks and good times. It’s always fun when they visit our team.
Katrina – Ruth – she was our cook this month and also became our closest friend. She was a young lady with an incredible talent and she cared for us so well. I enjoyed our conversations in the kitchen and the many laughs we shared.
Something I learned
Paul – That I increasingly HATE foreign dogs. They turn into werewolves in the middle of the night and terrorize us as we try to sleep.
Katrina – To really listen for God’s voice and respond to His promptings throughout each day.
Most challenging moment
Paul – Staying focused. Being in month 10 just made me realize how close to home we were. I had to make a conscious decision to remain focused and ask God to help me remember why I am on this mission trip.
Katrina – After 3 months in Africa, the abrasive culture became very tiresome. It’s frustrating to not be able to walk anywhere without being asked for money, or to buy something, or to give someone something. Even when people seem friendly at first, they always have an ulterior motive because they all think that we are rich.
Paul – Swimming in the frigid river that ran down from Mt. Kilimanjaro. It was always so clear and clean and so refreshing. I don’t usually swim in cold water; but then again, I’m not the same person I was 10 months ago.
Most rewarding moment
Paul – Meeting a very smart 12 year old boy who spoke VERY good English and talked about politics and stuff. You never ever meet anyone that smart and at that age in Africa; especially in the small village we were visiting.
Katrina– Preaching at church about how God is a Refiner; it was something that I have been learning a lot about this year. Also, visiting “Neema House” with Paul – a baby home for 10 precious little children where we got to spend a few hours and help feed lunch. They were so cute, and the orphanage was a very amazing and inspiring place.
Paul – The sunset on Zanzibar. The ocean was a turquoise blue colour and the orangey, red sun set was absolutely stunning.
Katrina– Mount Kilimanjaro and the river that flowed down from the mountain. My favourite spot this month was sitting on a giant rock in the middle of the fast moving, fresh, cold stream, reading a book, underneath giant tropical trees with monkeys swinging overhead. It was absolutely perfect!
–> photo credit: Wade Carlton
