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.