It's been 4-months since we returned from Africa and we really haven't had a chance to share our experiences with all the people we would like to. We couldn't have had these experiences if it weren't for the prayer and financial support of so many people and we have wanted to figure out the best way to share some of our stories. So it will be here for now!
Overall, the experience was truly life changing. Anthony was in Tanzania for 10 days and I was in Tanzania for 2-weeks and then went to the Congo for a week. The goal of our time in Mairowa was to do a baseline health assessment on children living the community. Our church has had a partnership with the community of Mairowa for more than 3 years. So far we have sponsored 350 children providing food, Bible teaching and "in-home" support, built a well to provide clean water, supported groups of women who do beading and then sell their wares to us to provide them with income and a sense of pride in being able to provide for themselves and their families. And, as of January, we opened a school that will have college trained teachers with a set curriculum. This is a rarity in Tanzania where free and quality education does not exist. In my opinion, this is one of the things that can truly bring change to the community. We have a partnership with another community in Tanzania, Kondoa, where we have started a similar school. This will be its second year and a new class of students will be added each year.
Mairowa is a Maasai community in northwestern Tanzania near Kenya. The Maasai people are one of the tribes of Eastern Africa. They are pastoralists known for wearing red shukas (blankets basically) and beaded jewelry. Cattle ownership is important and how they gauge their wealth. Making this jewelry is a big part of their culture and can signify different things. They are also well known for the Maasai warriors. When boys reach a certain age, they go through an initiation to become a warrior. Historically this initiation culminated by them killing a lion with a spear. It is believed that lions know the smell of Massai and the red colors that warriors always wear and are afraid of them. One other thing that Massai warriors are know for is their ability to jump!
We arrived in Arusha late on a Friday night... and our luggage didn't. 3 of the 4 bags eventually showed up about three days later, but one arrived at our house about a week after I got back from the Congo! Thankfully we had great people with us who helped us with some clothes and other necessities! We got settled at the Ilburo Lodge and figured out life sleeping under a mosquito net, turning on the heater to get warm water and a 9-hour time change! The next morning we were getting up bright and early for our first trip to the community!
Picture captions:
1 - A view from the screen at my seat as we were flying over the Sahara Desert. I happened to go to the bathroom during this time and was able to stand and look out the window for awhile. It literally looked like a vast ocean of sand with wave after wave.
2 - This was our home away from home while in Tanzania. It's a rondevalle and we stayed in the right half of it.
3 - These are some Maasai women at their boma (home) outside of Mairowa. Gives you an idea of their dress and where they live.
4 - This is a Maasai Warrior that we happened to drive past. He is holding his spear and wearing the traditional red.
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