Creating our Rhatiba

Today was a day to learn about communication between our Tanzanian friends and ourselves.  We sometimes forget that our cultures though similar are still so different.  We are more blunt in the United States regarding time tables, finances, and expectations.  Whereas in TZ, what is often not bluntly stated is rather assumed.  I need to remind myself that God has a plan for our journey.  The Holy Spirit does guide our footsteps in Tanzania.  When I was in the midst of stress today planning our seminar, I tried to sing RohoYangu but the words were lost in my plea for guidance and blessed assurance.  I knew that I needed to compose myself before walking back to Steph and Alexa.  They look to me for strength and guidance.  As I slowly walked back to the center, a small child came from around the bushes and said, "Hello Madam - How are you today."  He was probably 5 - 6 years old.  As we began our talk, I noticed the battered book bag on his  arm.  I asked, "Did you come from school?"  " Yes, Madam"  I asked if he liked to read and he shyly said, "yes Madam".  I asked him to wait for me and went to the room to pick up some of the children's books.  He said his name is Obert and we sat for the next twenty minutes reading about insects, bees, bats, and silly alphabet poems.  As we practiced our reading together and I watched him struggle to read English and the joy when I said the books were his, I realized though God did not promise to relieve my stress, he did promise to guide my footsteps.  Miracles do happen and our seminar will prove to be a blessing to both the people of Tanzania and us.  On a positive note, we presented William Kiyuvo with the quilt created by the quilters of PLC as our thank you for organizing our seminar.  I love the quilt as it blends both of our cultures - African and American.  I will post pictures of William and the quilt later.  PLC quilters - please know the blessing you have bestowed upon William.  Your quilt is a treasure to him.