Hello and a very Merry Christmas to you all.
I cant believe that Christmas has come and gone. It has now been 9 weeks since arriving in Australia. I must say that I have sat down many times to write this blog and either gotten half way through, or a little distracted with catching up with friends and family. So let me fill you in on some of the happenings since arriving in Australia.
The last 9 weeks has been filled with seeing so many people, catching up in your lives from the last 2 years.
So much of my time has been with my 10 nieces and nephews getting to know each one of their personalities again after the 2 years of being away. We have taken many trips to the beach and to the park as well as just spending time around home with them too. A fun highlight has been taking 5 of the 10 to see the christmas lights before christmas. The excitement and joy as each child screeched with excitement the colourful lights that they could see.
It has been fun meeting 2 of my nephews for the very first time. What a joy this was.
It has been great seeing close friends catching up with them, I have taken many trips to Sydney and have spend lots of time catching up with some of you.
God is so good all of the time, since I have arrived back God has put me into contact with many people who some I have not seen for a long time. I love the connections that can be made and the way he works everything together for good.
I have had the chance to share at some churches and youth groups since returning this has been such a great chance to re connect and to meet new people too BUT if you are connected to a youth group, womens group, preschool group or church group and would like to have me share, please let me know as I still have time to connect with each of you.
My phone number is 0487692504 send me a message or give me a call as I would love to connect with you all.
Since arriving I have been able to complete another uni subject - my birth- two years practicum at an awesome centre. This time was such a blessing where so many new and old connections were again made, the team at the centre are just wonderful and were so very supportive of me during the 4 weeks of my placement. I now have only 5 subjects to go. WAHOOO
Right after I completed this placement I had my wisdom teeth removed, for the first week I was fairly sick, but gradually have gotten better as the swelling went down and I am now able to function well again.
During this time my dad was admitted to hospital, which has been tough on us all. For those of you who pray I would ask that you join me in prayer for his healing.
I have had lots of beach trips which has been fun and just so nice to be by the salty water again.
As the time led up to christmas this was a time of being with family, mostly nieces and nephews which has just been such a joy.
I am still amazed that the time is just flying by. I am believing God for the promises that he has for me in order to get back to Tanzania Arusha. I am still needing to raise $700 more for each month, as the cost of living has increased slightly, part of the increase has been my permit this cost has raised from $250 USD every 2 years to over $800 for every 2 years.
Below is what it costs to live in Arusha on a monthly basis.
Rent (Which includes electricity, water, night guards, day guards and dogs)- $380 per month\
Food- $100 per month
Internet- $100 per month
Car/ petrol- $200 per month
Ministry- $50 per month
This is a very basic break down of the cost of living in Arusha on a monthly basis, I am praying and believing that God will provide for my every need as I prepare to return on the 28th February 2016, for another 1-2 year stint followed by returning for furlo somewhere in this time.
If you are interested in giving on a regular basis or would like to make a one off love donation my details are as per follows.
If you would like to donate
Carly Greening
Bank- Newcastle Permenant Building Society
BSB- 650 000
Account Number- 970033305
If you would like to connect with me for a coffee, catch up or to find out more information here's how you can connect.
*Facebook- Carly Greening
*Skype- carly.greening
*Email- greeningcarly@gmail.com
*Phone- +61 86014052
Until next time blessings as you enter into the new year of 2016.
Saturday 26 December 2015
Sunday 25 October 2015
The return to Australia.
Hi all.
So as you may or may not be aware I have now made it to the land of Australia. After 3 long days of buses, cars and planes I made it back to East Maitland.
All of my luggage arrived and I was greeted with so much love.
Right now as I sit here I am praising God for his amazing goodness, the rain that I hear as I type, the constant power, the hot pressured showers and the joy of being able to reconnect with family and friends.
As I sit here and reflect I am so thankful right now for all that the lord has been, is doing and will continue to do in my life. His arms are so stretched open with so much love to offer.
What a joy it is to be back in this place again. I will be around here for the next 4 months, so please if you would like to catch up let me know my number will be at the bottom of the page if you would like to contact me, I would love to hear from you.
Again I would like to say a huge ASANTE sana (Thank you) so very much to each of you who have given on a financial bases, for prayer and the constancy of each one of you. You have blessed me beyond words, beyond all means. It totally humbles me to the point of tears as I think about each one of you and how you have blessed me over the years.
If this is your first time catching up on all of the latest news of what I have been doing, welcome and thank you for taking this time to read my blog.
If you would like to continue giving while I am here in Australia, my details will be at the bottom of the page (Please note that the money that you give will be put aside while I am in Australia for when I return in February 2016). If you would like to know more about what exactly I am doing, or if you have questions or would like to meet me for a coffee please just send me a text (the number above).
During my time in Australia I plan on doing a little bit of causal work to assist with finances while living in OZ.
In all honesty as I sit here and write I am amazed at how much God provides for my every single need. He is so good, and I am just humbled by what he has already done in my life both in Africa and here over the last few days.
A few prayer and praise points are below.
* Please continue to pray for Tanzania and the elections that happened our yesterday (Sunday) pray for a peaceful outcome, pray for no violence.
* Pray please for the beginning of my practicum for university (This is a volunteer position, but just be in prayer that I am able to get the correct text book and that all goes well for this).
* Continued prayer for my finances as I meet my target for returning to Tanzania. Pray that God is just able to open doors where needed.
* Right now I am so praising God for family and friends, for the times shared, for catching up and sharing in the joy of lives.
*I am praising God for the rain as I sit here and hear it, but also as we still have power (Something I am still getting used to).
* Finally (Though there are so many praise points) I am thankful for God's love and goodness that he is pouring out to me.
As I finish up this blog here are ways of giving and contact details again.
Account details: Carly Greening
Bank: Newcastle Permenant Building Society
BSB: 650 000
Account Number: 970033305
If you would like to contact me you can do so in several ways.
*Facebook: Carly Greening
*Skype: carly.greening
*Email: greeningcarly@gmail.com
*Phone: 0487692594 or for those of you who still use a home phone: 49343443
I will blog again soon of the fun adventures here in Australia. Until then much love and many blessings.
So as you may or may not be aware I have now made it to the land of Australia. After 3 long days of buses, cars and planes I made it back to East Maitland.
All of my luggage arrived and I was greeted with so much love.
Right now as I sit here I am praising God for his amazing goodness, the rain that I hear as I type, the constant power, the hot pressured showers and the joy of being able to reconnect with family and friends.
As I sit here and reflect I am so thankful right now for all that the lord has been, is doing and will continue to do in my life. His arms are so stretched open with so much love to offer.
What a joy it is to be back in this place again. I will be around here for the next 4 months, so please if you would like to catch up let me know my number will be at the bottom of the page if you would like to contact me, I would love to hear from you.
Again I would like to say a huge ASANTE sana (Thank you) so very much to each of you who have given on a financial bases, for prayer and the constancy of each one of you. You have blessed me beyond words, beyond all means. It totally humbles me to the point of tears as I think about each one of you and how you have blessed me over the years.
If this is your first time catching up on all of the latest news of what I have been doing, welcome and thank you for taking this time to read my blog.
If you would like to continue giving while I am here in Australia, my details will be at the bottom of the page (Please note that the money that you give will be put aside while I am in Australia for when I return in February 2016). If you would like to know more about what exactly I am doing, or if you have questions or would like to meet me for a coffee please just send me a text (the number above).
During my time in Australia I plan on doing a little bit of causal work to assist with finances while living in OZ.
In all honesty as I sit here and write I am amazed at how much God provides for my every single need. He is so good, and I am just humbled by what he has already done in my life both in Africa and here over the last few days.
A few prayer and praise points are below.
* Please continue to pray for Tanzania and the elections that happened our yesterday (Sunday) pray for a peaceful outcome, pray for no violence.
* Pray please for the beginning of my practicum for university (This is a volunteer position, but just be in prayer that I am able to get the correct text book and that all goes well for this).
* Continued prayer for my finances as I meet my target for returning to Tanzania. Pray that God is just able to open doors where needed.
* Right now I am so praising God for family and friends, for the times shared, for catching up and sharing in the joy of lives.
*I am praising God for the rain as I sit here and hear it, but also as we still have power (Something I am still getting used to).
* Finally (Though there are so many praise points) I am thankful for God's love and goodness that he is pouring out to me.
As I finish up this blog here are ways of giving and contact details again.
Account details: Carly Greening
Bank: Newcastle Permenant Building Society
BSB: 650 000
Account Number: 970033305
If you would like to contact me you can do so in several ways.
*Facebook: Carly Greening
*Skype: carly.greening
*Email: greeningcarly@gmail.com
*Phone: 0487692594 or for those of you who still use a home phone: 49343443
I will blog again soon of the fun adventures here in Australia. Until then much love and many blessings.
Tuesday 20 October 2015
The count down is ON.
Mambo (Hey) to you all, Well I am now down into the final count down preparing to come back to OZ. For those of you who have missed out or not heard I will return to AUSTRALIA on the Saturday 24th (I will arrive in Maitland on Sunday 25th).
So as the time gets closer life continues to stay busy. I wanted to share a few glimpses of what has been happening over the past week....
One of the teams at Engedi is called the COT team (Community Outreach Team), and while I am not part of this team, I did have the chance to go with them on a treasure hunt yesterday. For those of you who are unsure of what this mean, its where we pray for clues and then go out into the village wait on God and then once we see them ask people if we can pray for them.
What an amazing time it was. As we prayed many of us (4 all together) got different pictures and words. We started walking and as we went one of the team members saw one of the pictures. The picture was a man with one leg. As we went up to where we thought he would be he was out. Just as we were about to continue walking his wife came up. Through the translation she said he was at home in the morning but was unsure now. We walked to the house but he was not there. There were some young kids hanging around and so Emma asked if anyone had seen this guy. He was just down the dusty road a bit standing under a tree in the shade (It was beginning to get warm). As we approacehed him and his friend he introduced himself as Baba Kefi. We prayed for this man with one leg. His friend who was standing near explained that his wife was really sick so we went inside to pray for her. When we arrived she was so so sick. She went to sit up and we said to her to continue lying down. We began to pray and she all of a sudden sat up, Rod one of the team members continued to pray and then she stood up. We kept praying and this woman who had been to see the doctor who couldn't find anything wrong, people had come to visit her and the house was full with Mama's and children. She was HEALED. The miracle from when we first came into the house to pray for her to the end. When she sat up and asked through translation how she felt she said she was healed. She gave the biggest smile and just was so happy. The whole room clapped with joy. WOW. How amazing is God. This totally gave me more faith.
There were two others who were healed on this same day. Praise God for this.
I want to share these stories as a testimony of what God is capable of doing. He can do the impossible. He has this power. He can heal the sick and make the blind see. My faith on this day has been increased. It continues to grow as I see the awesomeness of how good God is.
With only a few more days of being in TZ, life has been filled with goodness. I am continuing to do my small groups with the children. Again more of God's greatness and testimonies. A little girl named Lydia who is from a Masai family has been in my group, my heart is filled with so much joy from the improvements she has made in my group over the term. Lydia just the other day was able to put sentences together in a reader book. WOW what a celebration this is. She has come in leaps and bounds and I continue to ask that you continue to lift my 10 children up in prayer. These kids each one of them have made huge improvements. Such an awesome praise point again.
As I prepare to return I have some prayer requests to go with my praise points from above.
This week I am asking that you uphold me, the team of Engedi and the nation of Tanzania in prayer, the prayer points are as per follows.
Please hold me in prayer as I travel, pray for safety as I travel the long distance starting on Thursday to Nairobi.
Pray for the nation of Tanzania as we have elections on Sunday 25th (This coming week) this is a huge prayer point as this marks a new chapter for Tanzania.
Continue to pray for our school children. Pray for my 10 little children.
The last prayer point is one that has been a struggle, but I feel as though God wants me to declare his goodness. I ask that you pray for my finances. In the flesh it has been so hard and a struggle, but God being in the spirit has provided, I believe that he will continue to provide for this need that is ongoing. For it is by the Grace of God and through faith that I believe that God will provide for my every need.
Thank you really seems so little for the current financial support that has been given to me over the years. But thank you.
With joy as I prepare to travel and see you all.
Blessings.
So as the time gets closer life continues to stay busy. I wanted to share a few glimpses of what has been happening over the past week....
One of the teams at Engedi is called the COT team (Community Outreach Team), and while I am not part of this team, I did have the chance to go with them on a treasure hunt yesterday. For those of you who are unsure of what this mean, its where we pray for clues and then go out into the village wait on God and then once we see them ask people if we can pray for them.
What an amazing time it was. As we prayed many of us (4 all together) got different pictures and words. We started walking and as we went one of the team members saw one of the pictures. The picture was a man with one leg. As we went up to where we thought he would be he was out. Just as we were about to continue walking his wife came up. Through the translation she said he was at home in the morning but was unsure now. We walked to the house but he was not there. There were some young kids hanging around and so Emma asked if anyone had seen this guy. He was just down the dusty road a bit standing under a tree in the shade (It was beginning to get warm). As we approacehed him and his friend he introduced himself as Baba Kefi. We prayed for this man with one leg. His friend who was standing near explained that his wife was really sick so we went inside to pray for her. When we arrived she was so so sick. She went to sit up and we said to her to continue lying down. We began to pray and she all of a sudden sat up, Rod one of the team members continued to pray and then she stood up. We kept praying and this woman who had been to see the doctor who couldn't find anything wrong, people had come to visit her and the house was full with Mama's and children. She was HEALED. The miracle from when we first came into the house to pray for her to the end. When she sat up and asked through translation how she felt she said she was healed. She gave the biggest smile and just was so happy. The whole room clapped with joy. WOW. How amazing is God. This totally gave me more faith.
There were two others who were healed on this same day. Praise God for this.
I want to share these stories as a testimony of what God is capable of doing. He can do the impossible. He has this power. He can heal the sick and make the blind see. My faith on this day has been increased. It continues to grow as I see the awesomeness of how good God is.
With only a few more days of being in TZ, life has been filled with goodness. I am continuing to do my small groups with the children. Again more of God's greatness and testimonies. A little girl named Lydia who is from a Masai family has been in my group, my heart is filled with so much joy from the improvements she has made in my group over the term. Lydia just the other day was able to put sentences together in a reader book. WOW what a celebration this is. She has come in leaps and bounds and I continue to ask that you continue to lift my 10 children up in prayer. These kids each one of them have made huge improvements. Such an awesome praise point again.
As I prepare to return I have some prayer requests to go with my praise points from above.
This week I am asking that you uphold me, the team of Engedi and the nation of Tanzania in prayer, the prayer points are as per follows.
Please hold me in prayer as I travel, pray for safety as I travel the long distance starting on Thursday to Nairobi.
Pray for the nation of Tanzania as we have elections on Sunday 25th (This coming week) this is a huge prayer point as this marks a new chapter for Tanzania.
Continue to pray for our school children. Pray for my 10 little children.
The last prayer point is one that has been a struggle, but I feel as though God wants me to declare his goodness. I ask that you pray for my finances. In the flesh it has been so hard and a struggle, but God being in the spirit has provided, I believe that he will continue to provide for this need that is ongoing. For it is by the Grace of God and through faith that I believe that God will provide for my every need.
Thank you really seems so little for the current financial support that has been given to me over the years. But thank you.
With joy as I prepare to travel and see you all.
Blessings.
Monday 12 October 2015
12 days to go....
The month of October...
Hey all
October... Where did September go to? I am amazed that in 12 days (Saturday 24th October) I will be landing in Oz.
Well
What a week this has been. I don't know about you but for me my last week was one that was so crazy.
Last Monday I was able to visit a good friend of mine who lives on the other side of town. As I was preparing to leave I noticed that I had a flat tyre. OK good to fix this now and to then go straight to a petrol station to fix this. I was so thankful to my friends workers who helped me and changed the tyre. It was a bit of a TIA (this is Africa) moment.
I got almost home when I could hear a loud sound. At first thought my mind went to Oh is that the car in front of me, I then felt the steering going funny. I think at this point some people were yelling out to me, but I kept going to and pulled over to a safe place.
Another flat tyre. OK this can be fixed. I called some people at Engedi after talking to a person walking by. Just as people were about to come and help, Emma's friends who are from Fiji came along reversed their car and stopped to help me. They recognised my car and were more than happy to help me as it was getting dark. Just as we were finished my home group leader Peter came along stopped his car and got out to see what was going on. By this point the sun had set and we were ready to go home. TIA yet again, but through it all God knows and is so much bigger. He has a plan and a purpose in all that I do.
We have a Mama (Mama Agape) who is due to have her 3rd baby. This past week on Wednesday she was admitted to hospital with pains. I arrived later at the hospital, a government hospital that is one of the better ones. (Saint Elizabeth). They said that she could stay in the hospital but that it would be 3 people to one bed. At this point we decided that this would not be so good, so after trying to figure out where was good to take her we decided on ALMC a Lutheran hospital. By this point it was getting late and Mama Agape was in pain. We drove there and after taking her to the emergency room she was seen and then admitted into the hospital for the night. She stayed until Saturday afternoon.
I was able to take Baba Agape (husband) back and forth to the hospital. Please continue to pray for Mama Agape and her family, as this time has been tough for them. They have 2 young children Agape (8 years) and Christian (6 years) at home. It was a joy to see their faces on Saturday afternoon when they saw their mum return.
So as the preparations begin let me share a some AWESOME stuff that has been happening.
Yesterday (Sunday) I was able to go to my African parents church Mama Lois and Pastor, along for the service was Emma, Rod and Jan.
At the end of the service there was a time for prayer and healing. A lady named Elizabeth came up to me and explained that she had been in a car accident, and that her right hand was very sore, she couldn't move it. I asked her if I could pray for her hand. As I laid hands on her hand and prayed she was healed. This was such an awesome thing, because when she came to me for prayer she could not move her fingers, but when I prayed at the end her hand/ fingers were healed.
This is such a testimony to the greatness of the God that I serve. He is awesome!!!!
On another high praise point I must share yet another awesome testimony of what the lord is doing. As I prepare to come back to OZ I had been asking the lord for a car to use while I am back, as this would make life, getting around, seeing people and doing life in OZ so much easier. He provided. The lord provided through a faithful person.
These 2 testimonies have truly encouraged me over this past week, and I am so thankful to be able to share them with you!!!
I am truly just praising God for the goodness of who he is. I have just submitted yet another assignment and finished this subject for Uni.
This means that I now have 6 out of 16 subjects to complete. My aim is to be DONE by October next year.
I will complete another subject (My 0-2 practicum) in November for 4 weeks, and I would ask that you join me in prayer as I complete this subject.
As it has been 2 years since returning to OZ, I will be around for a little longer the dates will be 24th October (arriving) and leaving on the 28th February.
If you would like more details on my movements in these months please send me an email, Fb message, Skype or when I return a text message when I get a sim for my phone. I would love to take the time that I have to share in your lives, to share the happenings and to spend time in your communities however this may look.
So as I prepare to return I do have a few prayer requests that I would love for you to join me in praying with me.
* Pray with me as the national elections for Tanzania are coming up I will leave a few days before voting. I ask that you would join me to pray for the nation of Tanzania as these elections are big.
* Pray for safety as I travel on the 22nd October first via shuttle to Nairobi and then flying out the next day to arrive in OZ on Saturday evening (24th October)
* I still have many available times to catch up with you all. I would love to share in your lives, your church lives, youth groups, kids church, women's groups, home groups and any other happenings that may be going on from the months of the end of October- Late February.
* Please pray for our house Mama (Mama Agape) who is about to have her 3rd child. She was in hospital last week with pains, but has been sent home. I would ask that you join me in praying for her and her family as she prepares to have this baby. Please pray for the doctors here and that her birth would be smooth.
Well for now I am about to race back down to school to teach my 4-5 year olds..
Send me an email, keep me posted as I would LOVE to connect with you all again soon.
Blessings.
Hey all
October... Where did September go to? I am amazed that in 12 days (Saturday 24th October) I will be landing in Oz.
Well
What a week this has been. I don't know about you but for me my last week was one that was so crazy.
Last Monday I was able to visit a good friend of mine who lives on the other side of town. As I was preparing to leave I noticed that I had a flat tyre. OK good to fix this now and to then go straight to a petrol station to fix this. I was so thankful to my friends workers who helped me and changed the tyre. It was a bit of a TIA (this is Africa) moment.
I got almost home when I could hear a loud sound. At first thought my mind went to Oh is that the car in front of me, I then felt the steering going funny. I think at this point some people were yelling out to me, but I kept going to and pulled over to a safe place.
Another flat tyre. OK this can be fixed. I called some people at Engedi after talking to a person walking by. Just as people were about to come and help, Emma's friends who are from Fiji came along reversed their car and stopped to help me. They recognised my car and were more than happy to help me as it was getting dark. Just as we were finished my home group leader Peter came along stopped his car and got out to see what was going on. By this point the sun had set and we were ready to go home. TIA yet again, but through it all God knows and is so much bigger. He has a plan and a purpose in all that I do.
We have a Mama (Mama Agape) who is due to have her 3rd baby. This past week on Wednesday she was admitted to hospital with pains. I arrived later at the hospital, a government hospital that is one of the better ones. (Saint Elizabeth). They said that she could stay in the hospital but that it would be 3 people to one bed. At this point we decided that this would not be so good, so after trying to figure out where was good to take her we decided on ALMC a Lutheran hospital. By this point it was getting late and Mama Agape was in pain. We drove there and after taking her to the emergency room she was seen and then admitted into the hospital for the night. She stayed until Saturday afternoon.
I was able to take Baba Agape (husband) back and forth to the hospital. Please continue to pray for Mama Agape and her family, as this time has been tough for them. They have 2 young children Agape (8 years) and Christian (6 years) at home. It was a joy to see their faces on Saturday afternoon when they saw their mum return.
So as the preparations begin let me share a some AWESOME stuff that has been happening.
Yesterday (Sunday) I was able to go to my African parents church Mama Lois and Pastor, along for the service was Emma, Rod and Jan.
At the end of the service there was a time for prayer and healing. A lady named Elizabeth came up to me and explained that she had been in a car accident, and that her right hand was very sore, she couldn't move it. I asked her if I could pray for her hand. As I laid hands on her hand and prayed she was healed. This was such an awesome thing, because when she came to me for prayer she could not move her fingers, but when I prayed at the end her hand/ fingers were healed.
This is such a testimony to the greatness of the God that I serve. He is awesome!!!!
On another high praise point I must share yet another awesome testimony of what the lord is doing. As I prepare to come back to OZ I had been asking the lord for a car to use while I am back, as this would make life, getting around, seeing people and doing life in OZ so much easier. He provided. The lord provided through a faithful person.
These 2 testimonies have truly encouraged me over this past week, and I am so thankful to be able to share them with you!!!
I am truly just praising God for the goodness of who he is. I have just submitted yet another assignment and finished this subject for Uni.
This means that I now have 6 out of 16 subjects to complete. My aim is to be DONE by October next year.
I will complete another subject (My 0-2 practicum) in November for 4 weeks, and I would ask that you join me in prayer as I complete this subject.
As it has been 2 years since returning to OZ, I will be around for a little longer the dates will be 24th October (arriving) and leaving on the 28th February.
If you would like more details on my movements in these months please send me an email, Fb message, Skype or when I return a text message when I get a sim for my phone. I would love to take the time that I have to share in your lives, to share the happenings and to spend time in your communities however this may look.
So as I prepare to return I do have a few prayer requests that I would love for you to join me in praying with me.
* Pray with me as the national elections for Tanzania are coming up I will leave a few days before voting. I ask that you would join me to pray for the nation of Tanzania as these elections are big.
* Pray for safety as I travel on the 22nd October first via shuttle to Nairobi and then flying out the next day to arrive in OZ on Saturday evening (24th October)
* I still have many available times to catch up with you all. I would love to share in your lives, your church lives, youth groups, kids church, women's groups, home groups and any other happenings that may be going on from the months of the end of October- Late February.
* Please pray for our house Mama (Mama Agape) who is about to have her 3rd child. She was in hospital last week with pains, but has been sent home. I would ask that you join me in praying for her and her family as she prepares to have this baby. Please pray for the doctors here and that her birth would be smooth.
Well for now I am about to race back down to school to teach my 4-5 year olds..
Send me an email, keep me posted as I would LOVE to connect with you all again soon.
Blessings.
Wednesday 23 September 2015
Life and language.
Hey all.
WOW Mid September, has crept upon me so fast. This actually means that its only about 5 weeks until I will be making the long (most likely 3-4 day) journey back to Australia. This is the first time in 2 years that I will get to re unite with each of you. I want to be able to share in your lives and through this to catch up with you all.
I will be back for about 3-4 months maybe 5 months at most.
My decision for coming back for this amount of time has been based on several different things. These include.
* The obvious of seeing family and friends and catching up in your lives.
* I will be completing another practicum (0-2 years) for 4 weeks from the 9th November.
* Removal of wisdom teeth.
* Support raising through churches, youth groups, women's groups, kids groups I am totally open to this. And there are
*Weddings and people bringing new life into the world.
These are the main reasons though the biggest is that it has now been 2 years since I was last standing on Australian ground, walking the beaches and living life there.
Right now in all honesty my mind is feeling somewhat burdened. Though I know to cast all of my cares on the one who cares for me, I am still feeling an un certain about my finances. This is not me saying that my time is over, but I know that God is using me in this time yet again to stretch and grow me more into his image.
I wanted to share just a little bit about the cost prior to arriving as to what it actually costs to live here. I want to do just a small break down in what some of the areas are. I have and continue to live a very simple and low budget life, but as I sit here I think about the cost that it actually takes to live here in Africa. My total cost of living without including car repairs which is an added cost is $445 Australian dollars per month. Below I have included the costs of my living into Australian dollars.
Costs broken down
Rent per month- $249.99
Internet per month- $55.00
Petrol per month- $60.00
Food per week- $25.00
Personal per month eg: Outing expenses, birthdays etc- $50.00
Car repairs every 2 months- May vary from month to month as my car is very old... and often needs several repairs each time it is checked. This can very from $200- 500 depending on what is going on with it.
One off times for university books per semester- Anywhere from $40.00- $80.00
I would ask that you continue to join with me in prayer and would really need to say a huge thank you to each of you who currently support me. It is through each of you that I am able to stay here to do the work that the lord is calling me to. Again words of thank you really just are not enough, but knowing that because you have blessed me, each of you will be blessed by this.
I place this into my blog update to you all, not for pity or for any other reasons than to ensure that I am being accountable to each of you.
I know that the lord has and is using me in all situations to know and understand what it is like to live with plenty and what it is like to live with little. He is such a good good God and I know that he will provide my every need.
A huge testimony of this was my time in America. The lord provided for my ticket, accommodation and living while there. I didn't have to pay. What a blessing this was. I am so thankful that the lord hears and understands my every need. In fact its not just my every need that he hears but each one of you reading he hears and knows our hearts desire and cry.
As I sit here with no power 9% on my computer battery, and 6% on my phone I have the song playing be my vision playing. He truly is my wisdom my strength and my support in every situation. Where nothing is to great for him. What a peace to rely back on.
Oh the lord is good even when we have no power!!!!
You may now be wondering why my blog this time round is named language. I am of late reminded of the multi languages that I come into counter with on a daily basis. In one day it is not uncommon for me to hear New Zealand language, Kiswahili, Ki Masai and well at times when other Australians are around I get to hear the OZ accent.
Just last week I took our house Mama who is expecting a baby to the clinic. Along the way I asked her husband to teach me Ki Masai, and my what a joy filled time this was as they tried to teach me this new language (New as in I don't know how to speak it but have heard it many times).
Language is such a powerful way of communicating, and I am just again amazed at how we hear it, speak it and show love through it.
I truly do love being in a place that shares so many languages, what a joy, at times this brings. At times it may be the hilarity of not knowing how to pronounce the word or saying it out of context or incorrect, but this is what brings us together, in community in so many ways. On days at school I am often finding myself speaking in Ki Swahili as well as English in order to make my point or ask my question to the children, and often in fact very often the kids will look at me with a blank look. Why I think, then I stop and remember that they cant understand some of what I am saying... Back we go to a more simple way of communication.
I love that the home group which I am in, had several Masai guys in a conference join us to sing and pray together before separating. We sang in Ki Masai and then in English. What joy it must bring to our kings face when he sees that we can relate to each other through language that is not our own....
Over the next 5 weeks I will be preparing my 3000 word assignment for university, which will then take me down to 6 modules. WAHOO this is cause for celebration as I can see the end of the tunnel. I will continue to teach my small groups in preschool 1 and 2 this term. In preschool 1 (3-4 years) I am working individually with the children. This has been so encouraging to see them grow and understand English and Swahili. There are 5 children in this class that I am working with. I will name the children at the bottom and would ask that you join with me in prayer for these children as they continue to grow and understand all that they can while in school.
In preschool 2 (5-6 years) I am working with 8 children, 3 out of the 8 children I am working with on an individual level while the other 5 are in small groups.
The children are as per follows.
Preschool class 1.
Jeremiah
Quils
Anton
Evenlight
Sianna
Preschool class 2
Christian
Lydia
Elisashama
Lisa
Pray
Sayuni
Abedbego
As my computer has dwindled down to 5% I am now going to call this one finished, I would totally love to hear from each of you and am always blessed when I do. Please dont underestimate this in anyway, as its always such an encouragement to hear about your lives.
Many blessings to each of you. Until I see you so very soon in OZ.
WOW Mid September, has crept upon me so fast. This actually means that its only about 5 weeks until I will be making the long (most likely 3-4 day) journey back to Australia. This is the first time in 2 years that I will get to re unite with each of you. I want to be able to share in your lives and through this to catch up with you all.
I will be back for about 3-4 months maybe 5 months at most.
My decision for coming back for this amount of time has been based on several different things. These include.
* The obvious of seeing family and friends and catching up in your lives.
* I will be completing another practicum (0-2 years) for 4 weeks from the 9th November.
* Removal of wisdom teeth.
* Support raising through churches, youth groups, women's groups, kids groups I am totally open to this. And there are
*Weddings and people bringing new life into the world.
These are the main reasons though the biggest is that it has now been 2 years since I was last standing on Australian ground, walking the beaches and living life there.
Right now in all honesty my mind is feeling somewhat burdened. Though I know to cast all of my cares on the one who cares for me, I am still feeling an un certain about my finances. This is not me saying that my time is over, but I know that God is using me in this time yet again to stretch and grow me more into his image.
I wanted to share just a little bit about the cost prior to arriving as to what it actually costs to live here. I want to do just a small break down in what some of the areas are. I have and continue to live a very simple and low budget life, but as I sit here I think about the cost that it actually takes to live here in Africa. My total cost of living without including car repairs which is an added cost is $445 Australian dollars per month. Below I have included the costs of my living into Australian dollars.
Costs broken down
Rent per month- $249.99
Internet per month- $55.00
Petrol per month- $60.00
Food per week- $25.00
Personal per month eg: Outing expenses, birthdays etc- $50.00
Car repairs every 2 months- May vary from month to month as my car is very old... and often needs several repairs each time it is checked. This can very from $200- 500 depending on what is going on with it.
One off times for university books per semester- Anywhere from $40.00- $80.00
I would ask that you continue to join with me in prayer and would really need to say a huge thank you to each of you who currently support me. It is through each of you that I am able to stay here to do the work that the lord is calling me to. Again words of thank you really just are not enough, but knowing that because you have blessed me, each of you will be blessed by this.
I place this into my blog update to you all, not for pity or for any other reasons than to ensure that I am being accountable to each of you.
I know that the lord has and is using me in all situations to know and understand what it is like to live with plenty and what it is like to live with little. He is such a good good God and I know that he will provide my every need.
A huge testimony of this was my time in America. The lord provided for my ticket, accommodation and living while there. I didn't have to pay. What a blessing this was. I am so thankful that the lord hears and understands my every need. In fact its not just my every need that he hears but each one of you reading he hears and knows our hearts desire and cry.
As I sit here with no power 9% on my computer battery, and 6% on my phone I have the song playing be my vision playing. He truly is my wisdom my strength and my support in every situation. Where nothing is to great for him. What a peace to rely back on.
Oh the lord is good even when we have no power!!!!
You may now be wondering why my blog this time round is named language. I am of late reminded of the multi languages that I come into counter with on a daily basis. In one day it is not uncommon for me to hear New Zealand language, Kiswahili, Ki Masai and well at times when other Australians are around I get to hear the OZ accent.
Just last week I took our house Mama who is expecting a baby to the clinic. Along the way I asked her husband to teach me Ki Masai, and my what a joy filled time this was as they tried to teach me this new language (New as in I don't know how to speak it but have heard it many times).
Language is such a powerful way of communicating, and I am just again amazed at how we hear it, speak it and show love through it.
I truly do love being in a place that shares so many languages, what a joy, at times this brings. At times it may be the hilarity of not knowing how to pronounce the word or saying it out of context or incorrect, but this is what brings us together, in community in so many ways. On days at school I am often finding myself speaking in Ki Swahili as well as English in order to make my point or ask my question to the children, and often in fact very often the kids will look at me with a blank look. Why I think, then I stop and remember that they cant understand some of what I am saying... Back we go to a more simple way of communication.
I love that the home group which I am in, had several Masai guys in a conference join us to sing and pray together before separating. We sang in Ki Masai and then in English. What joy it must bring to our kings face when he sees that we can relate to each other through language that is not our own....
Over the next 5 weeks I will be preparing my 3000 word assignment for university, which will then take me down to 6 modules. WAHOO this is cause for celebration as I can see the end of the tunnel. I will continue to teach my small groups in preschool 1 and 2 this term. In preschool 1 (3-4 years) I am working individually with the children. This has been so encouraging to see them grow and understand English and Swahili. There are 5 children in this class that I am working with. I will name the children at the bottom and would ask that you join with me in prayer for these children as they continue to grow and understand all that they can while in school.
In preschool 2 (5-6 years) I am working with 8 children, 3 out of the 8 children I am working with on an individual level while the other 5 are in small groups.
The children are as per follows.
Preschool class 1.
Jeremiah
Quils
Anton
Evenlight
Sianna
Preschool class 2
Christian
Lydia
Elisashama
Lisa
Pray
Sayuni
Abedbego
As my computer has dwindled down to 5% I am now going to call this one finished, I would totally love to hear from each of you and am always blessed when I do. Please dont underestimate this in anyway, as its always such an encouragement to hear about your lives.
Many blessings to each of you. Until I see you so very soon in OZ.
Thursday 3 September 2015
Time to return.
Hello everyone.
Again its been far and few times that I have blogged and posted, but now that I sit here back in Tanzania (without power) I have sometime to stop and reflect clearly on the last 7 weeks (My time in America).
WOW did 7 weeks fly by so fast. I felt like I blinked and the time was over and I was ready to board the plane back to Tanzania.
My 7 weeks were a time of growth, development and learning above all. 5 of my weeks spent in the States (Billings Montana) were to complete my 5 week 3-5 year old practicum, a requirement of the university.
What a blessing it was, to take an opportunity paid for to see the way another early childhood centre operates.
I was based in a semi rural centre, that has been owned and operated for over 20 years. The new director is the daughter in law of the prior owners. This gave me a feeling of community. Many of the families have had many generations come to the centre.
I had a group of 10 children per day that I was working with directly. I followed their interests and from there implemented a project for the last 3 weeks of the practicum.
I loved being able to extend, grow and challenge these children, and as I did this I was able to see them going deeper in thinking. This was a goal that I had set for myself for the children as part of my planning. It took only a few days, and could see each day a new excitement of the way the children discovered, grew, learnt and eventually challenged each other in their own ideas. I truly felt and could see the provision of the lord upon each and every step that I was able to take, as he guided me and directed me in the ways and approaches in which I needed to take.
Within my teaching practicum I felt the lord teaching me, reminding me of his great love, not just his love for me, but the love that he has for these children, many of whom don't know him. Some of their home situations were just heart breaking as I discovered more about some of the children's family situations.
As I reflect I can truly see that he wanted me in this situation to show and be love. This part was a blessing as these little children over time began to trust me. Relationships were built. I truly see that the lord was teaching me, as he always is. This time it I felt him showing me more of his wisdom, his ways and his ideas. I had to stop often and remind myself that he is the one who has guided me across the other side of the world and that I need to obey his plan for my life. This took at times stopping and giving it back (actually this was more times than not), there were things I had to say Ok lord I dont get this, or I dont agree with that, but YOU God are the one who put me here. This gave me a true peace as I embraced and went head into the work that was required of me.
In the 7 weeks spent in the States I was also caring for my friend Beth's little girl Abby. She is 4 years of age and lives half of the time in America and the other half in Africa (Where I met them originally). Abby is such a delight. I had the joy of learning from her too. This was so clear as one day I was needing to get somewhere and Abby without any flinch just says "Lets just pray", to which she lead the prayer in such a simple manner.
This stopped me several times in my track as this 4 year old was able to articulate the simple words and as she displayed the simple faith to believe. I needed to see this, and each time I did I thought WOW how much do I complicate my thoughts when at times it can be just so simple. The faith of a child is one truly not to be ever under estimated. Children often show us more through their faith at the perfect moments which is so refreshing.
I was so blessed in that this time being in America it was not winter time but summer. I loved this, swimming, running cycling and lots of trips to the park were had. I was able to see a little more of Montana in the summer and was blessed with each fun experience had.
My time came to a fast end, and through all of this I had to change my flights back to Tanzania. This is due to the new rules from Kenya.
After many phone calls to the airline and being put on hold all day, they finally said to me that they would not charge me in the change of flights to Kilimanjaro. This was and is a MIRACLE. The thought of having to pay an extra $500 was over whelming. But again GOD was and is the one who knew, he just gave me a peace about it all. That true peace that passes all understanding.
So now I am back in sunny, hot and dry Arusha where I have returned to no power again. (Rations are occurring more and more. Though to my surprise it came back on just now).
I was thankful for hot running water with pressured showers and power all of the time, but must say I am pleased to be back in Arusha with the surprises and power cuts.
So while I have the power I shall go to do all those fun things like washing and charging of electric devices.
Blessings until next time.
Again its been far and few times that I have blogged and posted, but now that I sit here back in Tanzania (without power) I have sometime to stop and reflect clearly on the last 7 weeks (My time in America).
WOW did 7 weeks fly by so fast. I felt like I blinked and the time was over and I was ready to board the plane back to Tanzania.
My 7 weeks were a time of growth, development and learning above all. 5 of my weeks spent in the States (Billings Montana) were to complete my 5 week 3-5 year old practicum, a requirement of the university.
What a blessing it was, to take an opportunity paid for to see the way another early childhood centre operates.
I was based in a semi rural centre, that has been owned and operated for over 20 years. The new director is the daughter in law of the prior owners. This gave me a feeling of community. Many of the families have had many generations come to the centre.
I had a group of 10 children per day that I was working with directly. I followed their interests and from there implemented a project for the last 3 weeks of the practicum.
I loved being able to extend, grow and challenge these children, and as I did this I was able to see them going deeper in thinking. This was a goal that I had set for myself for the children as part of my planning. It took only a few days, and could see each day a new excitement of the way the children discovered, grew, learnt and eventually challenged each other in their own ideas. I truly felt and could see the provision of the lord upon each and every step that I was able to take, as he guided me and directed me in the ways and approaches in which I needed to take.
Within my teaching practicum I felt the lord teaching me, reminding me of his great love, not just his love for me, but the love that he has for these children, many of whom don't know him. Some of their home situations were just heart breaking as I discovered more about some of the children's family situations.
As I reflect I can truly see that he wanted me in this situation to show and be love. This part was a blessing as these little children over time began to trust me. Relationships were built. I truly see that the lord was teaching me, as he always is. This time it I felt him showing me more of his wisdom, his ways and his ideas. I had to stop often and remind myself that he is the one who has guided me across the other side of the world and that I need to obey his plan for my life. This took at times stopping and giving it back (actually this was more times than not), there were things I had to say Ok lord I dont get this, or I dont agree with that, but YOU God are the one who put me here. This gave me a true peace as I embraced and went head into the work that was required of me.
In the 7 weeks spent in the States I was also caring for my friend Beth's little girl Abby. She is 4 years of age and lives half of the time in America and the other half in Africa (Where I met them originally). Abby is such a delight. I had the joy of learning from her too. This was so clear as one day I was needing to get somewhere and Abby without any flinch just says "Lets just pray", to which she lead the prayer in such a simple manner.
This stopped me several times in my track as this 4 year old was able to articulate the simple words and as she displayed the simple faith to believe. I needed to see this, and each time I did I thought WOW how much do I complicate my thoughts when at times it can be just so simple. The faith of a child is one truly not to be ever under estimated. Children often show us more through their faith at the perfect moments which is so refreshing.
I was so blessed in that this time being in America it was not winter time but summer. I loved this, swimming, running cycling and lots of trips to the park were had. I was able to see a little more of Montana in the summer and was blessed with each fun experience had.
My time came to a fast end, and through all of this I had to change my flights back to Tanzania. This is due to the new rules from Kenya.
After many phone calls to the airline and being put on hold all day, they finally said to me that they would not charge me in the change of flights to Kilimanjaro. This was and is a MIRACLE. The thought of having to pay an extra $500 was over whelming. But again GOD was and is the one who knew, he just gave me a peace about it all. That true peace that passes all understanding.
So now I am back in sunny, hot and dry Arusha where I have returned to no power again. (Rations are occurring more and more. Though to my surprise it came back on just now).
I was thankful for hot running water with pressured showers and power all of the time, but must say I am pleased to be back in Arusha with the surprises and power cuts.
So while I have the power I shall go to do all those fun things like washing and charging of electric devices.
Blessings until next time.
Monday 24 August 2015
My time in America.
Hi all,
WOW has the month passed by fast. For those of you who are not aware, I have been in the United States Montana for the last almost 7 weeks. 5 of these weeks have been spent doing my practicum for my studies (My bachelor of early childhood education). I have been at a little centre out of town and have learnt lots from them.
My days have been busy as I have combined working int he centre full time, my studies (one other subject) and looking after my friend little girl Abby in the evenings.
I have been very thankful for the unlimited power supply and fast internet, as well as hot showers and some of those little luxuries like chocolate.
I have in the midst been able to spend a little time too enjoying the warm sunny Montana weather. I just did a 8.5 mile (12.8k) run which was tough, but fun to do.
I have been able to see some of the sites here too and love that it doesn't get dark until nearly 9pm, though this is reducing, being able to swim and run has been lots of fun too.
It has been nearly 2 years since being back to Australia now, and I am so looking forward to seeing each one of you. I will first head back to Tanzania in one week and then will be back in Australia at the end of October. YAY. I cant wait to see you all, and am really looking forward to catching up with each one of you. Please email me or send me a facebook message if you would like to catch up as I would love to spend quality time catching up on your lives and the happenings there. Each one of you are such an encouragement to me in your own way, which is such a blessing to me too.
If you know of any people, churches, youth groups, women's groups, kids groups or even just catch up groups that would like to hear a real life missionary speak and share then let me know as I am looking for places to share this time around.
My plan is to stay from the end of October and then return back to Tanzania around February or March next year (2016), I feel that it is important to spend this extended time in Australia, to catch up on each of your lives and to share together in community.
Again I want to say a huge thank you for the financial support that each of you have given to me. This is a huge blessing to me and without your support I would not be able to complete the work I believe the lord is calling me to.
This is just a short email before heading back to Tanzania, but if you have questions or just want to say Hello then please email me or send me a facebook message.
Until I write again
Blessings to each one of you.
Carly
WOW has the month passed by fast. For those of you who are not aware, I have been in the United States Montana for the last almost 7 weeks. 5 of these weeks have been spent doing my practicum for my studies (My bachelor of early childhood education). I have been at a little centre out of town and have learnt lots from them.
My days have been busy as I have combined working int he centre full time, my studies (one other subject) and looking after my friend little girl Abby in the evenings.
I have been very thankful for the unlimited power supply and fast internet, as well as hot showers and some of those little luxuries like chocolate.
I have in the midst been able to spend a little time too enjoying the warm sunny Montana weather. I just did a 8.5 mile (12.8k) run which was tough, but fun to do.
I have been able to see some of the sites here too and love that it doesn't get dark until nearly 9pm, though this is reducing, being able to swim and run has been lots of fun too.
It has been nearly 2 years since being back to Australia now, and I am so looking forward to seeing each one of you. I will first head back to Tanzania in one week and then will be back in Australia at the end of October. YAY. I cant wait to see you all, and am really looking forward to catching up with each one of you. Please email me or send me a facebook message if you would like to catch up as I would love to spend quality time catching up on your lives and the happenings there. Each one of you are such an encouragement to me in your own way, which is such a blessing to me too.
If you know of any people, churches, youth groups, women's groups, kids groups or even just catch up groups that would like to hear a real life missionary speak and share then let me know as I am looking for places to share this time around.
My plan is to stay from the end of October and then return back to Tanzania around February or March next year (2016), I feel that it is important to spend this extended time in Australia, to catch up on each of your lives and to share together in community.
Again I want to say a huge thank you for the financial support that each of you have given to me. This is a huge blessing to me and without your support I would not be able to complete the work I believe the lord is calling me to.
This is just a short email before heading back to Tanzania, but if you have questions or just want to say Hello then please email me or send me a facebook message.
Until I write again
Blessings to each one of you.
Carly
Sunday 12 July 2015
Power, time and internet
Power,
time and internet
Well today for some of
my followers I know is the 4th July. So happy 4th of July to you!!!. July has
come in the blink of an eye. SO much has and is going on here in TZ. For those
of you who are not American, may you enjoy the celebrations and cultures of others
around you.
Let me back step to June
a little...
I want to share with you
some of what I find to be the hilarity of living in Tanzania. For me right now
the hilarity of this place is the power chase or really should I say the lack
of power.... and the Internet!!!
June was a really busy
time for me as I had 3 major assignments due all around the same time. This
should be simple right. Go lock yourself away and get it done!!! Well this
particular week of June the power decided to cut off. The Internet bundle that
I had cut off, and on top of all of this my car was in to be fixed.
Ok Ok OK.. I thought,
God you surly do have a sense of humour, as this is not the first time this
kind of thing has happened to me.
I get into a dala dala
(Local bus) and catch it to town, where I go to several different coffee shops
only to find that they too have the same problem as me... NO power and NO Internet.
As I stop, I have to think on the spot where can I go that will have both power
and Internet all at the same time?????? All the while in the back of my mind I
am thinking I am wasting time, precious time that I should be using to write
papers, BUT instead I’m racing around town chasing after power and Internet. I
truly do have to stop and breathe.
God I say YOU have a
plan in this. I am sure you can see the hilarity of this. What is it that you
want me to learn??? I have felt like the lord has been trying to teach me...
something.... perhaps a lesson???? AHH yes.. A lesson in letting go. A lesson
in giving it back to him. A lesson in learning to see the joy in the situations
that I feel have none. So really he has been teaching me many lessons... The
more I trust in his words the more I can lean back and know that he is the one
who needs to take full charge of my life, not just the parts that I want to
give him.
So cutting the many long
stories that have all been rolled into one, shorter for you the reader, did I
get it done? Did it all come together?
The answer to all of this
is YES, and the reason it is YES is because I know that God is bigger than my
own thoughts. I just had to trust him. I got all 3 of my works completed, after
sitting for many hours straight, i'm sure at times the owner of the coffee shop
looked oddly at me to see if I would really stay ALL day at the place... The
answer was YES. I did stay many hours in that one place at the coffee
shop.
These days, as I study I
am becoming quickly aware of what internet is fast in places and what is slow
(This is due to the times that at my house we have no power, or my 'smile'
internet 4g is suppost to run fast when really often at times it just cuts
out).
I have truly looked back
over this last year and wondered how I actually did survive submitting works
with at times horrible power, lack of internet and even worse before having a
computer that would die with the power cuts too.
I am thankful that I
have now got a computer that lasts for longer than the amount of time with
power and that the battery will hold for a good length of time.
I truly am thankful
though as I reflect back for Jesus being the centre of it all. I am thankful
that I even have several coffee shops and places that I can go if the power and
Internet fail at my house. I am thankful that I live in a community where
friends have offered for me to come to their house to work so that I could get
things done. I am thankful regardless of all of the power cuts and lack of Internet
that I have access to this technology.
I think and reflect back
to 2008 when I came here, and the Internet was even worse than what it is now,
as too was the power. I remember most nights there would be NO power; Skype was
not even something that could be used let alone the other cool technologies
that are now readily available.
It makes me stop in my
tracks and just marvel at Jesus. This is exactly what he is. MY power sauce.
But the AMAZING part is that his connection wont cut off. He won’t just leave
me in my midst or cut off just because. I have that endless power supply. The provider
to all of my needs... This too I am humbled by and often stopped by. He cares
enough about me. His sauce is my light.
SO what next????? Well
my studies are still going, and I am hoping to be done by the end of next year,
then adding on an extra year while working again full time.
In the meantime...
I have been seeking the
lord on how to get my practicums completed for part of my studies, and as I
looked more into detail it was apparent that completing my practicum in
Tanzania was not possible, I will already be doing another practicum in
Australia when I return.
As God works in his
amazing ways, the plan he has for me was different to what I could see (Dont
worry I am not leaving Tanzania).
An amazing opportunity
came up, one that I thought would not be possible, to go to do a 25 day
practicum in the United States. My ticket is being covered as is
accommodation... while helping a friend with her daughter in the evenings and
weekends, still being able to study, but learning and growing from a new
culture and educational system for the short time. I began looking into
centre's and after much prayer, emailing and phone calls I have been accepted
into a centre for the 25 days. I will work for a centre in the States am
thankful that I have found a centre that I can do this placement at. I will
leave on Monday 14th July and return back to Tanzania on the 1st
September. I will return to Tanzania at the end of the practicum where I will
pick up working with my small groups of children in Phonics and
Mathematics.
I have been able to
watch these children grow and develop confidence in both areas, reading words
and answering questions.
My plan is to still
return at the end of October, where I will stay for a duration of up to 5
months.
During this time back in
Australia I would love to connect with people through church groups, youth
groups, schools and any other fun ways that we can share together some of the
amazing things that God has been and continues to do in my life serving here in
Tanzania, as well as hearing from each of you.
I would love to connect
with your church. If you think your church would be interested in hearing a
real live missionary then send me an email, and I would love to make the time
to come visit. I am asking this now as I know that by the end of the year
things get busy.
If you have forgotten my
email here it is again: greeningcarly@gmail.com
For our connection is at
the vine which is the centre of where God is in and through each one of us. I
love the thought of being connected and cant wait to reunite with each of you
at different times.
I again want to say
lastly before signing off another humbled thank you (Which really does not seem
even ever enough) to each of you who continually to believe in me and support
me in the ways that make being a missionary possible. Please know that the
amounts in which you are giving are going towards things like fresh food,
internet to connect with you all and to do university studies, base rent a
place to live, phone credit to connect with people and much much more. Please
be encouraged that you are each encouraging me personally as I walk this
journey of faith.
Until I write again next
time. Enjoy your power, connect with me, and enjoy a coffee or a tea!!!!
Sunday 31 May 2015
The month of May
Hi all,
well May has come, and is about to go, I feel as though I blink and the month is finished and I find myself thinking again I need to write my blog for the month... so here it is.
This month I have been so blessed beyond words in that I celebrated my birthday, and truly do count each day as a blessing.
As I sit here, in the dark as we again have no power, I think about what it is that I want to share this month with you all.
Life as I know it life as a missionary. What does this actually mean? How does this look? Why am I here doing what I am doing?
As I think about these things, I want to share a little insight into some of these questions.
What does it actually mean to be a missionary? Well for me this means that I have had to give up many different things in order to truly serve Jesus. It means that at different times I know what it is to have much, to be with plenty, but I also truly know what it means to have nothing. To be without, that my only option is to rely on God. It means that I am learning and growing to be both with and without. I feel that over time the lord has been teaching me this, more on the scale of being without. I am trusting his every words, and holding tight to the promises that I know that he has for me. This for me is part of being a missionary.
I find that to be a 'missionary' I have to let go of some of the things the stuff that perhaps I once held to. Its about laughing in the times when you cant see what is next or how to move. Its truly about trusting the lord in everything that I do.
How does this look? and what does it mean? Some of you may wonder, what does this actually look like on a day to day scale? To me each day brings new adventures, some more of a challenge than others, some just plain funny. Take for example I have had to have my car to be fixed (serviced) and I left inside of the car a box with lots of toilet rolls. Well I thought that they would be fine there, but as I went to get my car I noticed that they were gone. When I asked about this, James the fundi (Mechanic) says to me... "Oh I thought they were trash". I laughed because I was using them for school (collage for the kids). This is just one example of how communication or lack of can be funny on a daily basis.
So my day usually consists of being at school with preschool for the mornings, I come back home just a short walk away to where often the workers on our base will greet me and see how things are going. This is all in Swahili.
I then usually come home and then begin university work. Lots of readings and being online for chats.
I am thankful to be surrounded in community. This means that every Wednesday we have team prayer and every other Thursday we have a team dinner. (Its a pot luck dinner and we rotate around the base to people's houses), every other Friday we have what is called workers lunch. This is where our whole team meets together and we eat lunch together in community.
Living as a missionary really means living in community with others, each day. Walking together, growing together, laughing and living.
Every other Sunday evening we have team worship. This is where we meet at times have worship a time of teaching a time of growing in community together.
Communal living,
Why am I here? I have for so many years felt such a strong calling upon my life, and while this is a season of growth, stretching and really hearing and listening to the lord, I know that I know and have that peace that passes all understanding that this is where the lord wants me to be right now. I have been appointed for a time, a time where I can truly serve others, Its as I learn to love that I can serve. Its through teachings that I have with the children at school.
I am here because I believe in the calling that God has upon my life. I believe that he has put me here in this place to grow and learn, to serve and love, to be loved.
It is the Lord who gives me my hope and strength each and every day, to serve, to love, to learn and to grow.
As I say (Write really) this is a season of growth, a time of learning. This is exciting for me as I can see this in my life first hand the work that he is doing in me. I am not totally there yet, its a process, its gradual, because the lord knows exactly how much I can take, just as he does with each of you reading this update. He knows it... how thankful I am that I serve a God who is so caring in this way, and that it is through him that all things are possible because he is the one who gives me strength.
So there is my short spin on the life as a 'missionary'. It is in no way boring or a life that is just not fun. If anything I am so thankful that each day is slightly different each time.
What next you may wonder....
I am and will continue to trust in God for my every need, and I am asking that you would continue to join me in prayer for this too. Some Praise (Because there is ALWAYS something to be praiseful of) and Prayer (There are ALWAYS needs to be prayed for) are.
Praise Points-
Getting great grades in an assignment, this I danced was so excited for.
I am so thankful and full of praise that I was able to Skype with Maitland Baptist Church last weekend. This totally made my weekend.
Am praising Jesus for great community and the diversity that it brings living here, I am thankful for all the people who I have met, in just a short time I have become friends with Canadians, Americans, Bulgarians, Kiwis, Fellow Australians, Germans, Danish, Netherlands and so many more I am sure that I am forgetting. I love the connections that can be made all over the world.
Some Prayer points, as there are things that you can be praying for, no matter where in the world you may be right now.
Pray with me for my car, as it is being fixed, but please pray for the finances to pay for it, this is an added cost that comes around every so often, often throwing out the budget for the month that I have. This will equate to around $380.00 Australian dollars. My car has been and continues to be a blessing to me, as it means that I am able to attend church as well as being able to provide lifts for people when needed, please join me in this prayer need.
Please continue to pray for me as I finish off three more subjects for university. I am almost half way there. In this I pray for provision for better power, (AKA no more power cuts), and internet that will work.
AND finally
The final prayer request I have is to please be up lifting each of the 10 kids in prayer. Please pray that they would continue to have confidence in their ability. Pray for me as well to give fun, exciting and new ways of teaching mathematics and phonics each day to these precious children.
I too need to remind each of you that if you have a prayer request, praise point or just want to share something fun that's going on in your life to please send me through an email, facebook or even skype with me to keep me up dated. I love to rejoice and celebrate with each of you even if it is from afar.
Ill leave you with my account information below.
Newcastle Permenant Building Society.
Account name: Carly Greening
Account number: 823918007
BSB number: 650 000
May the month of June be filled with joy, until the next update.
Blessings.
well May has come, and is about to go, I feel as though I blink and the month is finished and I find myself thinking again I need to write my blog for the month... so here it is.
This month I have been so blessed beyond words in that I celebrated my birthday, and truly do count each day as a blessing.
As I sit here, in the dark as we again have no power, I think about what it is that I want to share this month with you all.
Life as I know it life as a missionary. What does this actually mean? How does this look? Why am I here doing what I am doing?
As I think about these things, I want to share a little insight into some of these questions.
What does it actually mean to be a missionary? Well for me this means that I have had to give up many different things in order to truly serve Jesus. It means that at different times I know what it is to have much, to be with plenty, but I also truly know what it means to have nothing. To be without, that my only option is to rely on God. It means that I am learning and growing to be both with and without. I feel that over time the lord has been teaching me this, more on the scale of being without. I am trusting his every words, and holding tight to the promises that I know that he has for me. This for me is part of being a missionary.
I find that to be a 'missionary' I have to let go of some of the things the stuff that perhaps I once held to. Its about laughing in the times when you cant see what is next or how to move. Its truly about trusting the lord in everything that I do.
How does this look? and what does it mean? Some of you may wonder, what does this actually look like on a day to day scale? To me each day brings new adventures, some more of a challenge than others, some just plain funny. Take for example I have had to have my car to be fixed (serviced) and I left inside of the car a box with lots of toilet rolls. Well I thought that they would be fine there, but as I went to get my car I noticed that they were gone. When I asked about this, James the fundi (Mechanic) says to me... "Oh I thought they were trash". I laughed because I was using them for school (collage for the kids). This is just one example of how communication or lack of can be funny on a daily basis.
So my day usually consists of being at school with preschool for the mornings, I come back home just a short walk away to where often the workers on our base will greet me and see how things are going. This is all in Swahili.
I then usually come home and then begin university work. Lots of readings and being online for chats.
I am thankful to be surrounded in community. This means that every Wednesday we have team prayer and every other Thursday we have a team dinner. (Its a pot luck dinner and we rotate around the base to people's houses), every other Friday we have what is called workers lunch. This is where our whole team meets together and we eat lunch together in community.
Living as a missionary really means living in community with others, each day. Walking together, growing together, laughing and living.
Every other Sunday evening we have team worship. This is where we meet at times have worship a time of teaching a time of growing in community together.
Communal living,
Why am I here? I have for so many years felt such a strong calling upon my life, and while this is a season of growth, stretching and really hearing and listening to the lord, I know that I know and have that peace that passes all understanding that this is where the lord wants me to be right now. I have been appointed for a time, a time where I can truly serve others, Its as I learn to love that I can serve. Its through teachings that I have with the children at school.
I am here because I believe in the calling that God has upon my life. I believe that he has put me here in this place to grow and learn, to serve and love, to be loved.
It is the Lord who gives me my hope and strength each and every day, to serve, to love, to learn and to grow.
As I say (Write really) this is a season of growth, a time of learning. This is exciting for me as I can see this in my life first hand the work that he is doing in me. I am not totally there yet, its a process, its gradual, because the lord knows exactly how much I can take, just as he does with each of you reading this update. He knows it... how thankful I am that I serve a God who is so caring in this way, and that it is through him that all things are possible because he is the one who gives me strength.
So there is my short spin on the life as a 'missionary'. It is in no way boring or a life that is just not fun. If anything I am so thankful that each day is slightly different each time.
What next you may wonder....
I am and will continue to trust in God for my every need, and I am asking that you would continue to join me in prayer for this too. Some Praise (Because there is ALWAYS something to be praiseful of) and Prayer (There are ALWAYS needs to be prayed for) are.
Praise Points-
Getting great grades in an assignment, this I danced was so excited for.
I am so thankful and full of praise that I was able to Skype with Maitland Baptist Church last weekend. This totally made my weekend.
Am praising Jesus for great community and the diversity that it brings living here, I am thankful for all the people who I have met, in just a short time I have become friends with Canadians, Americans, Bulgarians, Kiwis, Fellow Australians, Germans, Danish, Netherlands and so many more I am sure that I am forgetting. I love the connections that can be made all over the world.
Some Prayer points, as there are things that you can be praying for, no matter where in the world you may be right now.
Pray with me for my car, as it is being fixed, but please pray for the finances to pay for it, this is an added cost that comes around every so often, often throwing out the budget for the month that I have. This will equate to around $380.00 Australian dollars. My car has been and continues to be a blessing to me, as it means that I am able to attend church as well as being able to provide lifts for people when needed, please join me in this prayer need.
Please continue to pray for me as I finish off three more subjects for university. I am almost half way there. In this I pray for provision for better power, (AKA no more power cuts), and internet that will work.
AND finally
The final prayer request I have is to please be up lifting each of the 10 kids in prayer. Please pray that they would continue to have confidence in their ability. Pray for me as well to give fun, exciting and new ways of teaching mathematics and phonics each day to these precious children.
I too need to remind each of you that if you have a prayer request, praise point or just want to share something fun that's going on in your life to please send me through an email, facebook or even skype with me to keep me up dated. I love to rejoice and celebrate with each of you even if it is from afar.
Ill leave you with my account information below.
Newcastle Permenant Building Society.
Account name: Carly Greening
Account number: 823918007
BSB number: 650 000
May the month of June be filled with joy, until the next update.
Blessings.
Friday 17 April 2015
Seasons
Wow its the middle of April. How the year is going by before my very eyes.
Let me track back a little, as its been sometime since I have written to you all. I want to share with you something that has and still is close to my heart. The rawness of where God has taken me over the past few months, a journey that has been one that I have been on. I write this to you not to boast in how much money I have been given, but to share with you the journey that the lord has placed me on.
At the beginning of the year I asked the lord to stretch me, and boy did he stretch me in ways beyond my imagination. This season has been one of growth, challenges and lots of stretching.
So I asked the lord to stretch me in my life, I didn't really think about how this would actually look or what it would mean, but I wanted to see more of God, and in seeing more of him I knew that I needed to be stretched. How this looked was totally different to what I had imagined or even thought.
One of the biggest areas that God has been stretching me has been in my finances. Some of you may be aware of this and I am truly thankful for each of you in my life who have been praying for me during this time. This topic is always a hot one, as I want to ensure that I am stewarding my money in a way that is honouring to you as supporters and to Jesus.
My base bill (Rent) had just increased by about $34.00 per month and is due to increase the same amount in August. That is a total of $68.00. This amount of money is what would usually go on other expenses such as food and petrol.
My heart sank. What am I going to do? How will I live Jesus?
I wanted and knew that my only option was to trust and obey in what I felt God was saying. He has not yet said to me that my time is over, I have felt him clearly say to trust during this season. To give it to him, not to fret or worry, but to be actively seeking him for all that I have in all areas of my life.
I prayed for several days, fasting and waiting to hear what he had to say. I hated even the thought of leaving, and just didn't feel a peace about it but I wanted to cover all areas ensuring that I was hearing correctly from the Lord. I just felt God kept saying this is a time of stretching, a time of growth, use what you have very carefully, be wise with your spendings. I asked the questions what does this mean, are you telling me that my time is finished as a missionary? But again I felt like the lord was saying this is time for growth, get closer to me, and I will show you. He kept assuring me that he would never leave me or forsake me. Even though in my mind I couldn't see a way of living here. God has other plans.
The more I kept checking my bank account the more I just didn't know what to do. Even though the answer was in front of me. God wanted me to trust him through this whole situation. Through it all I have felt a peace that I know that God will provide for my every need.
I went to see the leadership on my base and explained my situation, showing my finances and was given a 3 month grace to continue paying a lower base bill. I really felt the lord urging me to email people and to personally thank each one of you. You have blessed me beyond words, more than I think you may ever even imagine. Through your faithlessness to supporting me you are hearing, listening and obeying the words of God. Thank you really doesn't seem enough.
Within less than 24 hours of meeting with the leadership here, God provided one person. My heart stopped and I just cried with thankfulness, not because I had been given money but because it is God who provided. NO sooner had I read the email and God provided again, within less than 1 hour. By this point, I was just sitting at my desk, thanking Jesus for these 2 people who have actively heard and obeyed what God was telling them to do. I am so humbled beyond words, But God didn't stop there over the next few days God provided again and again. I am so thankful beyond all means for the support from Maitland Baptist Church and each of you my supporters, who pray and financially support me. Each of you are blessing me in more ways than you will ever imagine. You are my family, even though I am across the other side of the world. The love and care that has been from each one of you brings me to tears, as I cant ever repay you for the love and care that you have shown. God is using each one of you right now, and I am truly thankful for this. Even as you read this, God is using you.
This time of stretching is not over yet, and is still tough. I had to make many changes to my budget, ensuring that I was even more careful with my living expenses and what I was doing. For I do feel that part of my calling is to be a good steward of what I have, in all areas of my life. This in no way has been easy for me to write, in fact I have written this a few times and stopped. I kept hearing the Lord say to me to write to you. To share this part of my journey. Share the hard times not just the good times.
I know that seasons come and go, and some last longer than others, some you can see the fruit that is right before your very eyes while at other times you have to wait for that harvest to grow. I am reminded of a picture that God showed to me, in a maize filed where the grass is so long. I cant see what is next. I do know and have that peace that passes all understanding that there is something yet to come, something bigger and greater than me. I know that its not my doing but that all glory goes to the Lord. I cant see exactly how long this season will last, but I do have the hope and faith that God is bigger, and that he will provide for me in all areas of my life.
I have really had to stop again and again and remember what is a need and what is a want.
Some of my basic needs include things like: university text books that I have to purchase, monthly base bills, petrol for my car and food to eat. These are all needs that I believe the lord will provide for, I know because he has provided up to this very point. I stop and remember and thank Jesus that I haven't gone without. I have always had enough.
May you as the reader be blessed because you have blessed me.
If you have questions or comments please feel free to email or send me a facebook message.
Until next time
Shalom
Let me track back a little, as its been sometime since I have written to you all. I want to share with you something that has and still is close to my heart. The rawness of where God has taken me over the past few months, a journey that has been one that I have been on. I write this to you not to boast in how much money I have been given, but to share with you the journey that the lord has placed me on.
At the beginning of the year I asked the lord to stretch me, and boy did he stretch me in ways beyond my imagination. This season has been one of growth, challenges and lots of stretching.
So I asked the lord to stretch me in my life, I didn't really think about how this would actually look or what it would mean, but I wanted to see more of God, and in seeing more of him I knew that I needed to be stretched. How this looked was totally different to what I had imagined or even thought.
One of the biggest areas that God has been stretching me has been in my finances. Some of you may be aware of this and I am truly thankful for each of you in my life who have been praying for me during this time. This topic is always a hot one, as I want to ensure that I am stewarding my money in a way that is honouring to you as supporters and to Jesus.
My base bill (Rent) had just increased by about $34.00 per month and is due to increase the same amount in August. That is a total of $68.00. This amount of money is what would usually go on other expenses such as food and petrol.
My heart sank. What am I going to do? How will I live Jesus?
I wanted and knew that my only option was to trust and obey in what I felt God was saying. He has not yet said to me that my time is over, I have felt him clearly say to trust during this season. To give it to him, not to fret or worry, but to be actively seeking him for all that I have in all areas of my life.
I prayed for several days, fasting and waiting to hear what he had to say. I hated even the thought of leaving, and just didn't feel a peace about it but I wanted to cover all areas ensuring that I was hearing correctly from the Lord. I just felt God kept saying this is a time of stretching, a time of growth, use what you have very carefully, be wise with your spendings. I asked the questions what does this mean, are you telling me that my time is finished as a missionary? But again I felt like the lord was saying this is time for growth, get closer to me, and I will show you. He kept assuring me that he would never leave me or forsake me. Even though in my mind I couldn't see a way of living here. God has other plans.
The more I kept checking my bank account the more I just didn't know what to do. Even though the answer was in front of me. God wanted me to trust him through this whole situation. Through it all I have felt a peace that I know that God will provide for my every need.
I went to see the leadership on my base and explained my situation, showing my finances and was given a 3 month grace to continue paying a lower base bill. I really felt the lord urging me to email people and to personally thank each one of you. You have blessed me beyond words, more than I think you may ever even imagine. Through your faithlessness to supporting me you are hearing, listening and obeying the words of God. Thank you really doesn't seem enough.
Within less than 24 hours of meeting with the leadership here, God provided one person. My heart stopped and I just cried with thankfulness, not because I had been given money but because it is God who provided. NO sooner had I read the email and God provided again, within less than 1 hour. By this point, I was just sitting at my desk, thanking Jesus for these 2 people who have actively heard and obeyed what God was telling them to do. I am so humbled beyond words, But God didn't stop there over the next few days God provided again and again. I am so thankful beyond all means for the support from Maitland Baptist Church and each of you my supporters, who pray and financially support me. Each of you are blessing me in more ways than you will ever imagine. You are my family, even though I am across the other side of the world. The love and care that has been from each one of you brings me to tears, as I cant ever repay you for the love and care that you have shown. God is using each one of you right now, and I am truly thankful for this. Even as you read this, God is using you.
This time of stretching is not over yet, and is still tough. I had to make many changes to my budget, ensuring that I was even more careful with my living expenses and what I was doing. For I do feel that part of my calling is to be a good steward of what I have, in all areas of my life. This in no way has been easy for me to write, in fact I have written this a few times and stopped. I kept hearing the Lord say to me to write to you. To share this part of my journey. Share the hard times not just the good times.
I know that seasons come and go, and some last longer than others, some you can see the fruit that is right before your very eyes while at other times you have to wait for that harvest to grow. I am reminded of a picture that God showed to me, in a maize filed where the grass is so long. I cant see what is next. I do know and have that peace that passes all understanding that there is something yet to come, something bigger and greater than me. I know that its not my doing but that all glory goes to the Lord. I cant see exactly how long this season will last, but I do have the hope and faith that God is bigger, and that he will provide for me in all areas of my life.
I have really had to stop again and again and remember what is a need and what is a want.
Some of my basic needs include things like: university text books that I have to purchase, monthly base bills, petrol for my car and food to eat. These are all needs that I believe the lord will provide for, I know because he has provided up to this very point. I stop and remember and thank Jesus that I haven't gone without. I have always had enough.
May you as the reader be blessed because you have blessed me.
If you have questions or comments please feel free to email or send me a facebook message.
Until next time
Shalom
Sunday 8 February 2015
The month of Feb
Greetings to you all.
So I have decided to try out a new way of communicating to you all, so please be sure to give me feedback as to what you prefer. Currently I am using my blog and now im trialling this out to see how effective it is.
Ok now onto more of the news of what’s been happening here in Arusha Tanzania. Well to start its been super hot, and again lots of dirt and dust. No rain has come yet but in time it will…
School is in full swing and so is my uni work. I am enjoying my afternoons running out to meet my old housemate and her baby, where we will walk and then I run back home. Along the way i'm usually greeted by several children some from school and others who live in the village. Sometimes they will chase after me, and other times it will be a simple greeting or shout out Mzungu (white person). It all varies on each day as to who is around, and as I run I can usually have an awesome view of Mt Meru and some days Mt Kilimanjaro both of which I have climbed. Its always a good achievement when I arrive back home after a good run.
Right now i’m currently finishing off my 3500 word assignment for uni and then will have a short break and begin 3 subjects in March. This I know will keep me busy and going, and again I am so thankful to have the chance to be able to complete my degree while being overseas.
I am thankful for the faster internet that allows me to keep in communication with family and friends and if you would like to actually talk to me, via skype this too can happen. my skype name is carly.greening otherwise keep looking on facebook as this is where most of my photos are posted.
This term my focus for school will be to work with the children who are low in English, and to work one on one or in small groups with these children. This terms focus for this is in Mathematics. Next term I will draw my focus to the English, reading, writing, phonics. We have 3 classes, preschool year 1, preschool year 2 and a nursery class. In the 2 preschool classes we have 30 children and nursery class have 23 children. Both older classes have 2 teachers and nursery class has 3 teachers. I am so thankful that we are so blessed to have 7 preschool teachers who are called to work here with us. To have extra teachers in classes is not common for Africa. In fact its usually less teachers and more children.
Some praise points for the month of Jan/ Feb
- So thankful for each one of my supporters, (Please know that I am praying for each of you so often), you truly are a blessing to me more than you know it.
- Am really thankful for being able to communicate even though its so far away. As I reflect from 2008 when I first came to visit the skype would barely work and it was always just hard. But now I can communicate with so many of you so often. This is something to celebrate
- Lastly in the praise section I am thankful for having this chance to complete university via distance.
As there is always something to celebrate there are always things to pray for. Some of these include.
- Prayer for wisdom as I write and continue on with my university work
- I would ask that you pray for times when i need to purchase university text books. These textbooks can cost anywhere between $50- $80 Australian dollars. I would ask that you pray for me as the times come. This is part of my financial prayer need, so I would ask you to join me in praying.
Thank you all, may you continue to feel the warm sunshine, and stop to see the wonder and beauty that is all around you.
Carly
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