THRIVE Retreat

I just got back from a most precious trip to Cape Town. There I was blessed to attend a retreat for missionary women conducted by Thrive Ministry. My co-teacher, Sarah, also came, and it was wonderful to experience both the retreat and the beautiful place together.

Thrive Ministry is all about supporting women working overseas, and one way they do that is by holding these retreats (funded mostly by donors) where we can come together for refreshment, teaching, prayer, worship, companionship, and simply to be loved on by all the amazing volunteers who come from the US to serve us (Wow!).

For me, the teaching sessions seemed incredibly timely. And as I processed thoughts and connections--particularly about trusting God because of who he is--I benefitted from times of counsel and prayer with retreat volunteers. My small group became a special place for sharing and praying with other missionary women and our leaders. I left with scripture passages to ponder, books to read, worship music to enjoy, and friends for the journey.

I loved clambering around on these rocks in Camps Bay.

Sarah and I had decided to spend a few extra days in Cape Town, and I think that was the perfect complement to the retreat itself. That place has so much natural beauty, and so many opportunities for exploration! We strolled along beaches set against the backdrop of Table Mountain, climbed said mountain (and I survived), rambled through the breathtaking Kirstenbosch gardens, toured the cape (partly by bicycle), took in sunsets, met penguins, ate one delicious meal after another... Yes, it was amazing.

When I remember think back to my prayer requests before the trip, that I would be ready to hear from God and that I would come back refreshed and refueled... I'm floored by how he answered, beyond my expectations.

To my friends in the States, if you have a heart for God's work around the world, this ministry is a uniquely strategic way to support his workers, from any organization. Do any of you ladies love to listen, pray, and encourage people? Or do you have talents you can use to pamper others? (They try to offer treats like hair styling, massages, and pedicures at these retreats.) I'm going out on a limb here, because they didn't ask us to do this, but I'd like to recommend volunteering at a Thrive retreat as a very meaningful "mission trip". These events are held all over the world as well as in America, for furloughing missionaries.

Click on the logo above to learn more about the ministry or to explore ways you could be involved.

If You Want Efficiency, Try an Umbrella Stand

I set off to town today with a short list of errands, one of which was to register for another cell phone line (part of my ongoing efforts to diversify my internet connection options in an ever-changing market). All things mobile here work on the prepaid system, so getting a sim card is normal, cheap, and usually easy... except when you forget--again!--that the Vodacom shop closes at noon on Saturdays.

But then I remembered where I live, how there are always other ways to get things done. I looked, and sure enough, the umbrella stands outside the phone company's store were still open for business in the afternoon hours. You can get the prepaid vouchers all over, and even use mobile banking in many places... Would these official stands be able to provide me with a new line, as well? Yes, indeed!

(The sheet wasn't there at first. I think a friend had just bought it and left it there while attending to something.)

I was intrigued to watch the process. After waving me to sit beside her on a wooden bench, this lady alternated between a smart phone and the most basic of cell phones to enter my passport information, snap my picture (against a solid-color door of a conveniently closed shop nearby), and get a signature sample that bears as little resemblance to my name as any touch screen version I've seen. The process was perfectly straightforward and took less time than I would have spent waiting in line at the main store.

Afterwards I summoned my courage and asked if I could take a picture. (Already I was thinking this might be a fun thing to share.) Zainabu, as I discovered she is named, was happy to consent. She gave me her number, and when I got home I returned the favor by looking her up on Whatsapp and sending the photo. And that's how I came to be featured in Zainabu's profile pic. :)

A Latin American Feast in East Africa

Surely one of the most enjoyable ways to learn about other cultures is to sample their FOOD. My students and I have been studying South & Central America in our geography class, and I suggested to the parents that we hold a themed pot-luck meal. The response was enthusiastic, so we all started browsing recipes online. Oh boy, so many tempting choices!

And the result was a delightful Saturday lunch together with lots of mouth-watering dishes.

The teachers, students, and little brothers pose with the "class project".

Warning: Continued scrolling may send you running to the kitchen. Because here is the final menu:

Seco de Carne con Tamarindo (Beef Stew in Tamarind Sauce)

Pupusas con Curtido y Salsa Roja (Corn Fritters with Coleslaw and Salsa)

Feijoada (Black Bean & Mango Stew) with Pao de Queijo (Cheese Bread) 

Empanadas, choice of meat or bean/veggie filling

Hungry yet?

Not pictured are some neat fermented drinks: pineapple, hibiscus, and tamarind.

We had desserts, too: Baked bananas, Brigadieros (chocolate-caramel candies), and my first attempt at a mousse. (It didn't come out quite right, but hey--It set, I was able to remove it from the mold, and most importantly, it was saturated with passion fruit!)

Thank you, parents, for putting in the effort to make this such a fun event--and for involving your kids in the preparations. I think they enjoyed it all the more for that. (Note to those reading this in more developed countries: Every component of every dish was made from scratch. No shortcuts are available here.)

Next semester we'll study Asia, so who knows...!


Photo credit (for all but the last two) goes to Michael Nicholls. Thanks, Michael!

Airplane Field Trip

We had a real treat today--a guided tour of the SIL/MAF airplane!

Some colleagues from the south of the country are in town this week, and they traveled in style--the organization's five-passenger plane. (The airplane means that the group could make the journey within a single day, which helps these meetings happen at all!) The plane is flown by our colleague Steve, who is an experienced missionary pilot and like his plane now serves both Wycliffe and Mission Aviation Fellowship.

While they're here, Steve agreed to give the kids an airplane show-&-tell. We gathered at the learning center, where Steve taught us how an airplane flies, explaining the various parts involved. (Did you know all those flaps are not called flaps? Ailerons, elevators, the rudder, spoilers... and yes, some are flaps...) He also shared about the process of becoming a pilot and specifically a missionary pilot. He sure had the kids' attention!

But the classroom time was just a warm-up for the main event, when we all drove down the street to Musoma's air field to check out the plane.

Look at those smiles! These kids are no strangers to air travel, but here was a plane just the right size to examine in detail.

And of course, they had Mr. Steve to actually show them how everything works.

He demonstrated all of the... flaps (a category name is just easier!)... that he'd explained in the classroom.

He even let the kids take turns climbing into the cockpit!

Talk about best field trip ever!

Afterwards, a couple young flying enthusiasts (and their dads) got to go for a ride in the plane. Back at the learning center, we heard them coming and rushed outside to wave as they flew overhead. Don't know if they saw us, but I do know that flight made the day for those boys!

Happy Australia Day!

Aussie, Aussie, Aussie! Oi! Oi! Oi!

Aussie, Aussie, Aussie! Oi! Oi! Oi!

Aussie! Oi!

Aussie! Oi!

Aussie, Aussie, Aussie! Oi! Oi! Oi!

Had you visited the learning center today, you could have heard this chant ringing out loud & clear throughout the morning. Why? It's Australia Day!

One of the joys of working on an international team is sharing each other's holidays. It's especially good for the missionary kids, giving them a fun way to remember their passport country. For their friends, it's a great enrichment of their multicultural life!

Yesterday my teammate Kelly helpfully reminded me about Australia Day, and we invited all the kids to wear Australia stuff (including the colors green & gold). As always, some remembered and some forgot, so I supplied everyone with paper crafts--flags and koala masks. Our two Australian students even brought their big flag from home.

I am told that the classic way to celebrate Australia Day is to enjoy a barbecue on the beach with family and friends. So I decided to move our chai time from the veranda down to the edge of the lake. Not quite the same, but a deviation from the routine always feels special.

Of course, koalas gravitate toward trees...

And if the oldest koala climbs a tree, the others will follow!

Took a while, but they all made it.

Whether legitimate or borrowed, we all had a blast showing off our Aussie pride!