A Semblance of Normal

We are settling into some semblance of a routine here at Tumaini. I hesitate to say “normal” here—really, no two weeks are alike. That begs the question: Is there really a normal? Pondering aside, Karen and I have worked out a weekly schedule, and so far, the schedule seems to be working. Our focus this year will be to help in the children’s education. During the week, the children are gone at school from about 6:15am until 5:30pm. That makes for a long day of school for the children as well as a short time home in the evening. Devotions start with the little kids at 7:30, so if the bus is on time, we only have 2 hours in the evening for us to help with homework and for the children to eat. That’s not a lot of time with 50 kids!

When we first arrived, Karen and I were able to go through the children’s report cards from last semester and note weaker subjects for each of the children. Then, for each standard, we have targeted certain areas to focus in on. During the weekends, we take advantage of the time the children are home by holding tutoring sessions. The topics of the sessions may range, but they are all intended to help strengthen weak areas. This past weekend, I focused in on French with all of the standards. To this point, no one at Tumaini has really been able to help with the children’s French, so that subject has become a particular focus of mine. Karen held a variety of sessions—handwriting, dictionary skills, dictation comprehension, and communication technology.

During the week, we decided to still use the limited time we have. 2-3 nights per week, we create worksheets for the kids to work on while we’re checking their homework. (By create, we mean that we write out short assignments on our scrap paper. We’re trying to be wise about using our resources, and scrap paper is something we have a lot of!) We try to vary each standard’s assignment from night to night. One evening, the assignment may focus on addition while the next night may focus on completing a story. We have a lot of resource material to draw from. We also create some review assignments, using the textbooks the children are currently working through.

During the day, Karen and I keep busy with planning evening/weekend sessions and organizing the office. We have thousands of worksheets that have been copied for use during previous vacations. What has not been used has been stored in a filing cabinet in our office. The amount of worksheets is simply overwhelming. But, in order to use the worksheets, it’s best to know what we have. So, we’ve been working through cataloging those sheets. It may seem like a ridiculous task to some—we may both have some OCD problems!—but we know it will be very profitable in the future to know what resources we already have at our disposal.

We also have Swahili lessons 3-4 times per week. I’m very slowly working on Swahili. Often, it feels like no progress has been made. However, when I look back at what I knew 5 weeks ago, I realize that I have learned some! Please pray for patience and perseverance for both Karen and I as we work on Swahili.

Tanzania--Arrival and Beginning

Well, I’m in Tanzania. I’ve been intending to write an update, but life has been really busy (as it is for everyone, of course!) I arrived in Mwanza on January 10th, sans my luggage. I was very thankful for the foresight I had to bring a change of clothes with me in my carryon. I then received my bags less than a week after I arrived.

On that first Sunday night, the 12th, we found out that the kids had the next two days off of school due to a holiday. That was unexpected to say the least! Karen, another short-termer, and I quickly brainstormed for activities to keep the kids busy and out of trouble! We pulled out puzzles for one afternoon, and the next day, we sat down with each child and listened as he read a selection to us. We made notes on reading ability and comprehension for future sessions.

On Wednesday the 15th, we went into town to arrange language lessons for me. There was a beginner’s class that had just begun that day, so I was able to join the class on Thursday. The next two weeks, I stayed in town with some friends of the missionaries. It was nice not to have to leave every morning at 6:00 am like I would have to if I had stayed at Tumaini! In just over 2 weeks, I was able to cram in 40 hours of language learning. In class, I felt like I learned a lot and understood what was being taught. Then, I tried to talk to people. Let’s just say that the comprehension will come with practice!

That’s just a very short update, but I did want to post something! It’s always easier once there’s something on the page (or on the blog in this case). I’m so excited for how God has led me to Tumaini for the year! I can’t wait to see what God has in store for me as I help out at the orphanage.