My Aussie Adventure

Hello to all my friends and family. 

Well its now January and i cant believe that i only have just 3 weeks until i make the long journey back to Arusha. 
But before i get ready for my big departure let me fill you in on some of the adventures and blessings that i have been having over the last 2 months.
My time in Oz has been widely spread with many fun adventures.. i had the chance to get to Dubbo twice. 
As i took the 4 hour journey i was reminded by a lot of the scenery that is seen in Tanzania, but the only difference was and still is, that the roads are just so much better here than in Arusha. although they are being improved. 
As i sit here and write this blog to you all, i am thankful for the chance to be able to visit Australia. its been a real time of r and r and for that i am thankful. 
i had the chance to see many friends, as well and was completely surprised by some of the old staff that i worked with as they had a picnic with everyone in the park, the families who i used to work with. this was such a great day. 
as i returned to my 'home' church i was warmly welcomed back, each week since i have been back. i was reminded of the parable of the lost son, and how he returned, they celebrated. it was so great being able to re connect with old faces and to catch up on life again. 

i have had many chances to get to the beach, and swim a favorite past time of mine. 

I do want to say a huge thank you to those of you who have supported me, both through prayer and financially. you are all such a blessing to me in more ways than you shall ever know. 
so as i prepare my last weeks here in Oz i continue to stop and just be still, knowing that this time here is so precious. 

until i type again. enjoy your day's/ weeks and month. 
blessings 
Carly

oh if you do want to keep more updated remember you can skype with me, facebook, text or even snail mail. 

Holidays in Australia

Mambo friends and family. 

well as many of you by now may be aware i'm back in Australia and i decided that i would surprise my family for Christmas. i have been back in Oz now for just nearly 3 weeks, its been such a blessing being able to see family and friends for Christmas. 
it was all a bit of a whirl wind as i made a very quick decision to come back, and therefore kept it as a surprise to everyone. 
So i'm back in Oz just until the 7th Feb, i am loving the longer days as back in Arusha it gets dark at the same time each night, no day light savings. 
My Christmas was filled with some great times with my family,  sharing meals and being able to share in each others lives. this has and still is such a special time for me being back. 
i was so warmly welcomed by Maitland baps church as i came back, and they all cheered and clapped that i had returned. it really reminded me of the lost sheep story and how when the son returns its a celebration, a time to rejoice. being able to re connect with old friends and also making new friends has been such a blessing to me, and i am so thankful for each one of you who has come into contact with me over the last few weeks.

As i stop and just try to be still and reflect upon the year that i have had, i really have to say thankyou to God for all that he has blessed me with. i feel so blessed to be able to be apart of such an organisation that not only supports me in the work that i do, but that they are people who seek God with all there hearts. i am so thankful for each of my supporters,  each one of you are enabling me to be able to do the work that i know i'm called to, and without your support both financially and prayerfully i truly wouldn't be where i am today. 
God just keeps blowing me away as he continues to provide, and prove to me that he is bigger than all my 'earthly needs and wants'. 

as i stop and reflect i again am reminded of what it is to have enough. to have enough means to be content with the things that we own or consume. i have been thinking about the needs and wants, and what really is a need in my life and what is a want. i really have to stop and think about how i should be using what God has already given to me. it is so easy for me to just skip this or to not really think about it, but as i sit here to write i am reminded strongly that i need to think about this, and give it back to God. 

i am again humbled and reminded that it is God who has enabled me to come back to Oz to see family and friends, and that in his will and time that i shall stop and see the beauty that he has created, though i do know that this time here is just a time to rest and get ready for the next year i am so thankful that i have a new clear direction as to where God wants me to be going. i know that Arusha is where i'm called to be, and i know that The Joshua Foundation is where God wants me to be. this is exciting and new and i can't wait to begin the work there again. this next year has so much installed for it, as in i shall be studying again, at uni and we are starting a new nursery class, our school is going up to standard 5 which is huge, our teachers and myself shall continue on the mentoring course, completing a diploma in mentoring, this course has been so exciting to see the excitement in the teachers faces,, the passion that they have in wanting to learn more.  even for me i have learnt again so much in just the few weeks that i did the course. i'm so excited as we will continue to extend our school building, and as we do this we will get more kids, the school is growing. as the school grows we need sponsors for our children to addend school. 
they are just a few of the bigger things going on next year, and i ask that you please join me in praying for all of these things going on. prayer is powerful and you can make a difference no matter where you are in the world. 

So as i continue to rest, relax, and rejuvenate i pray that you too shall do the same thing. 
i would love to see those of you who are around, and i am free lots of the time, so send me an email, facebook message or even a text message. if you wish to contact me via phone then send me a facebook message and ill send you my number. 

i pray that you have a very happy new year and that God would fill each one of you with the promises, visions and ideas as the new year begins. 


  

No power but short update...

greetings friends to you all. 

well i hope and pray that this last month has been one filled with lots of great times for you all. 
i must say that this is now the 3rd attempt to write this blog, because every time i sit to write it i get part way through and then go off to do something, forgetting to save it. so let's see, oh yeh the last month. 
WOW what a whirl wind its been, i feel as though i have blinked and its almost over, as i'm sure many of you feel this way too. maybe it has something to do with every year older you become the quicker they go. or something to that effect. so as i sit here, typing to you i can now barley see the keys as we have no power AGAIN, and its getting dark...  this is now going on 6 days without power, well power coming on and then going off about an hour later or sometimes even minutes later.  so as i write i am hoping that my computer battery is charged enough to make it to the end of this blog... we shall see. so i am writing listening to the sound outside of the generator going, and going... i get excited when i see a light on, it gives me hope that i will be able to get the mundane things done like washing, and then to power up my computer and every other technical item that requires power, i guess its so easy to forget that without power you cant take hot showers, or that then the water might run low because its pumped and needs power to make it go. but you  used to using solar lights after days on end with no power,  and using candles placing them strategically in the house, trying to make sure that they are not going to fall on something and either drip candle wax everywhere, or burn something or better still someone. ( believe me i have done all of these things, including spilling candle wax all over my computer, its a hard job then to make it work). but i am thankful that we have gas, we can still cook using our oven and stove...  hot showers are something i become so thankful for.... but you would think i would learn to plug everything in when the power is on, but... NO often i forget and then it becomes too late,  because the power goes out, and again im left with no electrical things.but its ok because when we do have power it really makes me stop and be still. it often makes me go to bed earlier than usual, and gives me more time to be still rather than doing all of the time. (For those of you who know me well this being still stuff can be rather the challenge for me). but im not alone in any of this, as i have the whole of my base and the rest of Arusha all in the same boat as me... the power aside on other notes on the home front here, i recently applied for UNI and well i got accepted. this has been something that i have wanted to do for a long time now but never did, until one of my friends here encouraged me, along with some others to just apply and do it now. so i prayed about it and the timing seemed right, and after the application process i got in. so March next year i will be doing a bachelor of education. early childhood education. as i stopped and reflected that i got in, all these thoughts went through my mind, oh man. i am doing uni via distance and we have had and still have no power 6 days, and how slow the internet is....  how can i do this. but then i stop and just feel the presence of the lord upon me, with that peace that passes all understanding, that it will be ok.....  this presence that only God can fill me with. knowing that it is his will for my life to be stepping out to this next phase in life, and that i am his vessel, i am being obedient to his calling upon my life.  that gives me peace.
right now i am also completing a 1 year diploma in mentoring course at our base, this has been so encouraging, and really re started the fire that has been waiting to burn so bright. as i am hearing and learning i am so thankful for the people around me who share the same heart as me, who are all so eager to learn and furfill what God is calling them to. at this point in my life i am thankful for what God has and is giving me.
(on  a side note i need to either learn to type faster, leave out spelling mistakes or just hurry up cause the battery is going to die) 

we shall be finishing up school this coming friday and shall be having a thanks giving dinner that night so much we can be thankful for.... 
so as i leave enjoy and God bless. 

My first trip to Magugu

On Wednesday I had the chance to go to our school in Magugu for 2 and a half days. We left on the bus with the Pastor Ezekiel, we arrived to the central bus stand where many people are coming and going we find the bus and get told there are 3 seats left. We payed our money and got on and were seated at the very back of the bus.
We set off and everyone got comfy, as the bus then picked up even more people, even though there were only '3' seats left, (they can choose who takes the last seats and we were chosen) the people just kept getting on packed to the brim we continued to squeeze more and more people onto the bus.
The 3 hour trip was rather nice with some sleep and entertainment as well. We stopped the bus, to let some out as others got onto the already crowded bus. As we stopped the ladies came rushing to the windows to try and sell there goods to us. buying a soda and nuts for less than $1.00 we happily continued on. The afternoon was hot as we drove to reach our destination.
As we sat so closely next to each other, flying over the gravel roads that are currently being fixed holding on we then finally reached our destination we got off the hot bus and were then given a lift to Ezekiel's house by his friend.
We were warmly welcomed by Fausta (Ezekiel's wife) and his family. Magugu is a very dry and hot place,
The next day (Thursday) was graduation day for form 4. We were honourable guests (as in we had to sit up with all the other important people on the stand). We walk to the school (Joshua school Magugu), and I get introduced to all the teachers. I had the chance to meet Pina who is our preschool teacher and deputy principle of the primary school.  i was so excited to be able to be in community with such amazing and humble teachers. The school goes up to form 4. we then get asked to sit up on the stand, as we sat and watched and waited for about 1 hour for the graduation to begin.
we finally got started and the graduation started with 4 boys who were able to do these amazing flips off 2 tires. these guys were only in form 2. What talent at such a young age.
The talent continued as the day went on, the whole of secondary had some part to play in the graduation.
The whole school had such a great community feel about it where all the children were included to play a role. what an honour to be able to be apart of something so special.
The day went on with many speeches and lots of sodas were had.
We finished off the day with lunch which included rice, potato, meat, fruit, and soda.

The really cool part about the whole graduation was that 2 of Ezekiel's children were graduating.
We walked back after the event and had the chance to take Ezekiel, his wife and 2 of his kids out for a celebratory meal. We walked to the eating place and enjoyed laughing and sharing together in community together.

Friday morning I had the chance to see the preschool class. I was so encouraged by the work they are doing out there. I could see such an enriched learning environment that was happening. In the preschool class because there are 2 classes they have year 1 class in the morning and year 2 class in the afternoon. both groups of children take porridge and lunch before either going home or starting the class, Friday's are sports day for the school, and I got to see preschool enjoying elastic games, skipping, group games and balls games in action outside.
We finished the afternoon and went back to Ezekiel's house, where we said our goodbyes and went for chips ma eye (egg and chips in an omelette)
We then rush to walk down to the bus station where we sit and wait for the bus. Its coming says Ezekiel. We sit and wait some more, walk to get lollypops from the shop, sit and wait some more. to give perspective the bus was to come at 1pm, then we got the call to say it was 2pm, and finally by about 3:50pm the bus came. No problem we say as we sit in the heat. we were just grateful not to be sitting in the sun but to have cover to sit and wait.
We get on the hot bus squeezed in again we set off.
The battle to keep the window open is always interesting, as many like to be hot inside the bus. (even though its boiling hot outside). Ah different cultures...
We drive for about one and a half hours and then come to a stop. at first we thought someone was going for a bathroom stop, but then people started getting off the bus. we sat for a bit and waited. but after about 15minutes we thought ok lets get up and stretch our legs. we get off with all the rest of the bus and look to see at first what we thought was a flat. but no it wasn't a flat. we crouched down to see and apparently it was the spring. we stood around in the middle of nowhere wondering how long this was going to take and realised that both our phones were really low in battery.
We chatted to some people as we waited. After what seemed like ages cars and buses came along. and they went as well.  People ran in hope that they would get a ride back to town, we talked and decided our best bet was to grab our bags and try and hitch a ride back to town. the sun on a positive note was setting and it was amazing.  though in all of it I had a peace about the whole situation. its amazing how God just brings a peace to you in the midst of a situation, but yet at the same time it pushes your faith just that little bit further.
As we waited and talked and waved our hands out hoping someone would stop for us we were finally in luck. A doctor and his son were heading back from Tangerine game park. We explained our situation and  he gave us a ride back to town. He shared his story with us about how he lost his eldest daughter just 2 months ago, and his son shared about how he wants to become a pilot.
During all of this again God just washed a peace that passes over me. hearing this mans story really made me stop and just give thanks to God.
Hearing someone's testimony for me is such a powerful thing. we arrive back to town and Amy my house mate picks us up and we all go together to dinner.

Saturday- I wake up to a phone call from Ezekiel as he was just saying hello, and as I sit here reflecting over the past few days, I stop and am truly thankful for all that God has done, is doing and is about to do in my life.
I am so humbled by the way that he brings situations together. the way in which he protects me as I live here, and do his works. yep its his works that I am doing and  yet again I am convinced that its is only by his grace and my obedience that I am able to do any of this.

if you want to know more about any of the works I am doing here send me a fb message or email.
also check out the photos on facebook of this adventure.  

A little more on life here in Arusha.

Hello to all my friends out there who are keeping update with my life here in Arusha. so as times goes by so fast I have to stop and take the time to write to you all.
As I had said in my last blog, this last term im taking on a new role in my work life. this is exciting and im really excited by what im doing. the role that I shall be stepping into is a mentoring role. for the first little while I am learning the new role, this is exciting and yet daunting all at the same time. I guess its just a new part in the journey that God is calling me to be doing.
of late one of our preschool teachers has been very unwell and so I have had the chance to be working in the youngest preschool class. here they are just great and full of life ready and eager to learn, and so no two days are ever the same.

as I stop and reflect, I am reminded that its now been 2 years since I took  off to come here. and its now that I can really see so clearly just what God is doing in my life.
we have been talking on our base a lot about showing excellence. as I think about this in my own life I stoop and think about how this looks on a daily basis. in showing excellence its not just about doing great things all of the time, but more its about the grace that God gives us to do this job on a daily basis.
I of all people am still learning how this all looks, but am encouraged daily by the people whom I work along side of on a daily basis. the love, grace and team work that is shown here on this base is really something else. I am encouraged and humbled to be working along side such encouraging followers of Christ.
I am encouraged to live in the community, and really do feel the peace that passes all understanding that this is where god wants me to be.

I have been blessed with 2 great house mates, we have begun running in the mornings together, and its just great to be in community with friends.

I have just completed a 14k bike ride today, and as I rode with the cool breeze, I looked around me and was just so thankful for what God has given to me. let me back up a little. my car has had a few problems over the last little while and I have had some of the guys on my base look at it, but alas its still broken, hence why I drove my car to another place and then rode the 13ks home. as I also rode along I just saw things from such a different angle, as I wasn't in such a hurry, and could just enjoy the presence of God as I rode along, and so as I say all of this I now must go as we have some dinner guests coming to my house tonight.

please continue to pray for me and keep me updated with the happenings in your part of the world.

The adventure and fun of living in community

The adventure and fun of living life in Arusha.
Well dear friends family and those of you who read this blog of mine, it has been sometime since I last blogged about my life here so thus no time like the present to update you all.

The last 2 months- the last 2 months if my time here at Engedi have been some what busy. As an understatement. We had the end in August which came with many hand overs to my role and job. I finished the term in the preschool class and handed the battery over to our new teacher Catherine. She is from Tanga and is taking the role of full time teaching for me. This now releases me to be free to work with both preschool classes. A new role in which I'm excited to be taking on. As the term closed I then had a much needed break and prepared for my parents arrival. They arrived at the end of August and have spent the whole month with me. This has been suck a blessing to have family come across and visit to see the way life here is lived. I am so thankful for there visiting. It's great to be able to stop and see things through someone's eyes who are experiencing Africa for the very first time. We have has many laughs together as well as some more serious discussions. We were able to head to Zanzibar, which was an experience in itself. This was quality time that I will forever value to be able to spend time with the folks. It's been really cool to be able to take them around Arusha and for them to see all the places that I have talked about and to meet all the people I have mentioned for so long.
As I said my role is now changing again, and it again will look different from what I had imagined, I will be working with both preschool teachers and am currently praying about doing uni via distance as of next year. Prayer for this would be great.
I'm super excited by what God is doing and about to do in my life and I'm seeing do many changes along the way. I am humbled time and time again that it's by his grace that I'm here and doing this work. In fact this September marks 2 years since I left Australia to come to Africa to work. His grace is enough and it's daily that I stop and thank him for where I have come and where I am going.
I know that many of you don't hear from me as often as last year, but please know that I still regularly think about and pray for each of you by name, I am still ever so thankful for those of you who financially support me and those of you who are also praying for me without these 2 important pieces I would not continue to stay here to complete the work I know God is calling me to. So again thankyou. Each and everyone one of you.

If you would prefer to hear from me via email send me a message or contact me via the Internet world.

May god bless you all until I write again

hello to you all

HI to all of my supporters...
so  I firstly need to make a huge apology for not writing to you all sooner, as always life is super busy especially with working full time. no excuses really as I am just plain terrible with communication sometimes.
so now I have a moment to sit with internet that is actually working and not cutting in and out constantly.
so life here from the last time I blogged has been crazy, full on and lots of fun...
im so loving the role that im in teaching and being able to have so much input into the lives of these kids and teachers lives.
as of this term I have been able to make it once a week to visit the families from my class. this has been to get to know them and to talk with them about what we have been doing in our class throughout the term. the out come of this has just been so amazing, God is truly working in all of this and for that I am so thankful.
its so encouraging to be able to visit these parents and to be able to build community with them, through one common purpose there children. my aim is to be able to visit 2 families every Tuesday and then once im through the first round to do it all over again.
so far I have visited 9 families out of the 26.
I have also had the chance to walk out to the village to greet some of the teachers who don't live on our base. its such  a  beautiful walk out there and such a great way to build community together.

the very first parents house that I was able to see I went away thinking WOW God how amazing you are.
after talking and much conversation about  his son he has been the one parent who really seems to be on board with the new changes to my class and then it just kept going and again each week I have been amazed at how God is moving in the lives of these families.
Im constantly amazed at how God can bring things together for his own purpose and will.
as always in this transient place I have to say goodbye to so many people whom I meet.
in the last month and this month I have farewelled 3 amazing families that I have become friends with over the time of being here.
this is a challenge to see such good friends come and go, but by Gods grace I am able to see the season of what he has given to me.
I am so blessed to be living on a base with such community around me. where someone is always around, and community living is happening at its best and not so best....
very soon within this month of July I will get 2 new house mates coming from New Zealand, so the house will become busy and full again.
I have also just had my good friend Miriam come to visit from the states. she used to live at my base but moved back to the states. so it was so nice being able to catch up with her and have a house mate for a bit.
I have recently stared back at Frisbee again and its so much fun. I go into town to be able to play once per week which is a great way to be also in community, and at the end of August I have my parents coming to visit me which im sooo excited by... ill update more when they come on all the fun times we will spend together.

there have also been a few times that have challenged me over the last few months, like when a boy form standard 3 lost his mother. she died which was very sudden.  it really makes me stop and give thanks to God for the people that are in my life. we took a visit to his home with a few kids from his class and  some of our teachers. and the children's families from our school gave money to help out in the time of need. to me this truly shows community living, and in so many ways it makes me stop   and look at the simplicity of life.

we are still talking so much about sewing and reaping on our base and through this we are able to help educate and work with the people on our base. that its not just all about getting but what we can give into our community and peoples lives.
this is through the way in which we do things the way in which we live our lives. the way in which I live my life, and am reminded of how in a professional development time with our teachers Lynda on our base shared with us about the 'lost' child, and how we need to count our children. not to let the ones who are struggling get to far behind before it seems just too late.  this just hit home so hard for me, and made me think about the 26 kids that I look after on a daily bases, this is when I know that this is the calling that God has placed upon my whole life.  
to not just give up on the one child who is too tough but to work with that child and to give them a hope that they are worthy of being helped, when all that's within me may just want to give up and say this is all just too hard, but it is gods grace and peace that passes all understanding that when things get tough I can look to him and rely Gods great strength and peace.
I don't write any of this to make any of you feel bad, but its something that I felt to share with you about and how it has challenged me.
its not always easy living in a country that has corruption coming out of its ears but its something that has been on my mind over the last few weeks.
I am so humbled by the fact that its by Grace that we have been saved. and that nothing can separate us from gods great love, not even the 'lost' children that I see everyday.

so there you have it a quick update that took ages to compose, on how life has been here for me.
I love hearing from you all and look forward to communicating again via the big wide internet.
so if you want to get in touch with me then here's how.  please feel free to write to me at greeningcarly@gmail.com
or you can send me a facebook message, or Skype me at carly.greening.

until I blog again take care.