On Sunday I was eating breakfast with my new friends at Maxwell when one of my fillings fell out. At first I thought it was chunk of my tooth, but later realized it was my filling.
Tomorrow I'm headed to the dentist to get it fixed. The whole thing should cost me less than $100 (not like I have $100 anyway), which is a blessing compared the medical fees in the U.S.
Desi and I have had enormous amounts of fun thinking up "You know you're an SM when..." phrases. Read them at:
http://www.worldrightsideup.blogspot.com/
I have progressed from math tutor to math teacher. Though teaching scares and stresses me, I kind of like it. Right now I'm preparing a test for the freshmen.
I'll only be working here at Maxwell for another 3 days, then I have the weekend off to do some touristy things, and then on April 5 I head back to Tanzania.
I'm not-so-secretly hoping that I can return to Maxwell someday. I have really enjoyed my time here!
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Rest Your Heart in Me
I wrote a poem this morning, inspired by the beauty on Maxwell's campus. I hope you are blessed by it.
Rest Your Heart in Me
I kissed you with the sun
I whispered through the breeze
and still you argued that
you couldn't hear Me
I sent you blooming roses
Surrounded you with spring
Don't know why you say that
you cannot touch Me
I listened to your heart
I read between the lines
But you persisted that
I didn't hear your cries
Enchanting you with snow
When the world seemed so bleak
Clean, white redemption was
Just within your reach
Won't you please realize
I'll give you everything
All I ask of you
Just rest your heart in Me.
Rest Your Heart in Me
I kissed you with the sun
I whispered through the breeze
and still you argued that
you couldn't hear Me
I sent you blooming roses
Surrounded you with spring
Don't know why you say that
you cannot touch Me
I listened to your heart
I read between the lines
But you persisted that
I didn't hear your cries
Enchanting you with snow
When the world seemed so bleak
Clean, white redemption was
Just within your reach
Won't you please realize
I'll give you everything
All I ask of you
Just rest your heart in Me.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Maxwell Adventist Academy
I've been here at Maxwell for four days now. I started tutoring my first night and have spent my days and evenings tutoring ever since. I get up in time for worship at 6:45am and fall into bed when study hall ends at 10pm. The days are long, but I really enjoy it. I've made friends with the staff and SMs here. They are all so friendly and helpful.
The students call me "Miss Katie," at the request of the dean. I like it; it's cute. When I don't have tutoring appointments, I chat with the assistant girls' dean (an SM from North Carolina) or I read. It's nice to have access to books!
Sometimes students sit me down to ask me questions about Walla Walla. I'm learning how to be a good recruiter. I like it.
The students are all very kind to me. They greet me every time they see me and ask me how I'm doing. Many of them have gone out of their way to introduce themselves to me or spend a little extra time with me.
Being on this campus reminds me again how much I loved boarding academy. If any Milo staff or students are reading this, thanks for 3 amazing years!!!
I'll be here until April 5. On Sunday there is a banquet. I'll be preparing food and possibly serving also. I'll probably write more about that next week.
Please keep the students, especially those in Math 1 and Algebra 1, in your prayers. Many are struggling. The teacher is at a loss for what to do, and I feel his pain. On the flip side, I also empathize with the students...it's frustrating to not understand something. So please pray for them to find understanding and be able to pass their math classes.
The students call me "Miss Katie," at the request of the dean. I like it; it's cute. When I don't have tutoring appointments, I chat with the assistant girls' dean (an SM from North Carolina) or I read. It's nice to have access to books!
Sometimes students sit me down to ask me questions about Walla Walla. I'm learning how to be a good recruiter. I like it.
The students are all very kind to me. They greet me every time they see me and ask me how I'm doing. Many of them have gone out of their way to introduce themselves to me or spend a little extra time with me.
Being on this campus reminds me again how much I loved boarding academy. If any Milo staff or students are reading this, thanks for 3 amazing years!!!
I'll be here until April 5. On Sunday there is a banquet. I'll be preparing food and possibly serving also. I'll probably write more about that next week.
Please keep the students, especially those in Math 1 and Algebra 1, in your prayers. Many are struggling. The teacher is at a loss for what to do, and I feel his pain. On the flip side, I also empathize with the students...it's frustrating to not understand something. So please pray for them to find understanding and be able to pass their math classes.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Another long journey, another country visited....
Whew! It's been a long day. I couldn't get to sleep last night because I was so excited and nervous about this trip. I think I finally got to bed around midnight.
I woke up at 6:15am, left our compound at 7:15am, and was on a bus rolling out of Arusha by 8:15am. I was warned that there was road construction on the way to Nairobi, but I didn't realize that the ENTIRE trip would be on a dirt road. The few patches of pavement were fleeting moments of bliss.
While still in Tanzania, I looked out the window to see 3 giraffes strolling by the road. After we crossed the border, we had to slam on our breaks when an ostrich marched onto the road. Then on the way from Nairobi to Maxwell, a massive baboon scampered in front of our car. Then my driver (whom I could barely understand) told me a series of stories about baboons attacking people in that vicinity. He thought it was hilarious. I thought it sounded stressful. And the strangest part (according to him)? Baboons can tell the difference between men and women and won't attack men. Great.
After spending 7 hours on the bus, we finally pulled into the hotel. The driver was waiting there for me. We hopped in the car (did I mention I had 2 bags for 2 weeks and no one had yet commented on how much stuff I brought?) and set off to find an ATM. We did find one, in a mall. I walked in and froze in astonishment. The mall would probably be considered trashy by American standards, but it was far above anything I'd seen since arriving in Africa. Despite how trashy it mostly was, the food court was decent. I bought a roll and a tart at a bakery. The tart was DELICIOUS. It had a scrumptious crust, a thick whipped cream filling, and fresh raspberries on top. Wow! I'm glad I found the bakery. I was so hungry, having not eaten in 7 1/2 hours.
We had to run a few errands in town, and we finally arrived at Maxwell at 5pm, making my trip a total of 10 hours. I spent the next hour and forty-five minutes conversing with staff about how tutoring would be set up. They even handed me a key to the administration building right away! I was pleasantly surprised by their support and helpfulness.
After dinner I attended dorm worship, where I was introduced to the 35 residents of the women's dorm. They clapped for me, which was really sweet. Now I'm waiting for them to finish trying on banquet dresses so I can start tutoring. I am pretty tired and would like to fall right in bed (it's 8:45pm and already past my bedtime), but I want to start off with a bang. I mean business here, and I want them to know that.
Fun trip, great people. I'm going to enjoy my 2 weeks here. :)
I woke up at 6:15am, left our compound at 7:15am, and was on a bus rolling out of Arusha by 8:15am. I was warned that there was road construction on the way to Nairobi, but I didn't realize that the ENTIRE trip would be on a dirt road. The few patches of pavement were fleeting moments of bliss.
While still in Tanzania, I looked out the window to see 3 giraffes strolling by the road. After we crossed the border, we had to slam on our breaks when an ostrich marched onto the road. Then on the way from Nairobi to Maxwell, a massive baboon scampered in front of our car. Then my driver (whom I could barely understand) told me a series of stories about baboons attacking people in that vicinity. He thought it was hilarious. I thought it sounded stressful. And the strangest part (according to him)? Baboons can tell the difference between men and women and won't attack men. Great.
After spending 7 hours on the bus, we finally pulled into the hotel. The driver was waiting there for me. We hopped in the car (did I mention I had 2 bags for 2 weeks and no one had yet commented on how much stuff I brought?) and set off to find an ATM. We did find one, in a mall. I walked in and froze in astonishment. The mall would probably be considered trashy by American standards, but it was far above anything I'd seen since arriving in Africa. Despite how trashy it mostly was, the food court was decent. I bought a roll and a tart at a bakery. The tart was DELICIOUS. It had a scrumptious crust, a thick whipped cream filling, and fresh raspberries on top. Wow! I'm glad I found the bakery. I was so hungry, having not eaten in 7 1/2 hours.
We had to run a few errands in town, and we finally arrived at Maxwell at 5pm, making my trip a total of 10 hours. I spent the next hour and forty-five minutes conversing with staff about how tutoring would be set up. They even handed me a key to the administration building right away! I was pleasantly surprised by their support and helpfulness.
After dinner I attended dorm worship, where I was introduced to the 35 residents of the women's dorm. They clapped for me, which was really sweet. Now I'm waiting for them to finish trying on banquet dresses so I can start tutoring. I am pretty tired and would like to fall right in bed (it's 8:45pm and already past my bedtime), but I want to start off with a bang. I mean business here, and I want them to know that.
Fun trip, great people. I'm going to enjoy my 2 weeks here. :)
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Kenya and a Victory!
On Monday, March 23, I'm headed up to Kenya to Maxwell Adventist Academy (just outside Nairobi) for a week or two. I'll be tutoring algebra for students who aren't passing the class. I love math and I love traveling (plus I loved boarding school) so this trip should be a blast!
I had a wonderful God-given victory this morning. I went through a lot of work to process a work permit ahead of time for one of our volunteers so she wouldn't have to buy a tourist visa AND a work permit. The immigration office wouldn't fax the permit to the airport, so I showed up at the airport at 6:45 this morning, ready to greet our new volunteer, Julie. I fully expected a battle with immigration. Of course they want us to pay for both the tourist visa and the work permit, BUT the law doesn't say you have to have both. Yet. Regardless, if the officials simply decided they weren't going to accept the work permit, that would be the end of it. So before I left this morning I read about David's battles in 2 Samuel and prayed, "Lord, fight this battle for me!"
When I arrived at the airport, and immigration officer took the work permit from me (with a smile!) and processed it for Julie, then warmly welcomed us. I was shocked. God won the battle before I even arrived...I didn't have to do a thing! Praise Him!
Today I received letters from 2 of my dearest friends. That always brightens my week!
I'd love to hear from you. I'm on Facebook and Myspace, and I check my e-mail frequently. I'll try to respond if you send me a message!
I had a wonderful God-given victory this morning. I went through a lot of work to process a work permit ahead of time for one of our volunteers so she wouldn't have to buy a tourist visa AND a work permit. The immigration office wouldn't fax the permit to the airport, so I showed up at the airport at 6:45 this morning, ready to greet our new volunteer, Julie. I fully expected a battle with immigration. Of course they want us to pay for both the tourist visa and the work permit, BUT the law doesn't say you have to have both. Yet. Regardless, if the officials simply decided they weren't going to accept the work permit, that would be the end of it. So before I left this morning I read about David's battles in 2 Samuel and prayed, "Lord, fight this battle for me!"
When I arrived at the airport, and immigration officer took the work permit from me (with a smile!) and processed it for Julie, then warmly welcomed us. I was shocked. God won the battle before I even arrived...I didn't have to do a thing! Praise Him!
Today I received letters from 2 of my dearest friends. That always brightens my week!
I'd love to hear from you. I'm on Facebook and Myspace, and I check my e-mail frequently. I'll try to respond if you send me a message!
Monday, March 16, 2009
Packages and Mail
Hello dear family, friends, and supporters!
I won't be home for another 3 months, but unfortunately I have to call a halt to all mail. If you have something to send me, get it out by the end of the week! After March 20, don't send me any more packages. They won't arrive on time!
As far as letters go, you might be able to get away with mailing them until March 31. After that, I strongly suggest you don't even mail me letters anymore.
If you do want to mail me things, feel free to send them to my home address. I will get them when I get home in early June. Just write me an e-mail and ask for my address. kathryn.currier@wallawalla.edu
(I don't feel comfortable posting my home address on a public blog.)
Thanks for everything, especially the wonderful birthday package that many of you pitched in for. I LOVED it!!
And Melissa, the cookies were amazing! They were a little broken, but still soft and chewy and fresh. Mmmm good! I love the combination, too. You're so creative! And thank you for wrapping them in plastic wrap. I needed some!
For those of you who will be sending things by the end of the week, here is my address:
Katie Currier
c/o Cradle of Love
P.O. Box 360
Usa River, Arusha, Tanzania
EAST AFRICA
Be sure to send everything AIRMAIL, and for my sake, please write on the customs form that the contents have "No cash value." That way I am less likely to be charged to receive it.
With love,
Katie Currier
I won't be home for another 3 months, but unfortunately I have to call a halt to all mail. If you have something to send me, get it out by the end of the week! After March 20, don't send me any more packages. They won't arrive on time!
As far as letters go, you might be able to get away with mailing them until March 31. After that, I strongly suggest you don't even mail me letters anymore.
If you do want to mail me things, feel free to send them to my home address. I will get them when I get home in early June. Just write me an e-mail and ask for my address. kathryn.currier@wallawalla.edu
(I don't feel comfortable posting my home address on a public blog.)
Thanks for everything, especially the wonderful birthday package that many of you pitched in for. I LOVED it!!
And Melissa, the cookies were amazing! They were a little broken, but still soft and chewy and fresh. Mmmm good! I love the combination, too. You're so creative! And thank you for wrapping them in plastic wrap. I needed some!
For those of you who will be sending things by the end of the week, here is my address:
Katie Currier
c/o Cradle of Love
P.O. Box 360
Usa River, Arusha, Tanzania
EAST AFRICA
Be sure to send everything AIRMAIL, and for my sake, please write on the customs form that the contents have "No cash value." That way I am less likely to be charged to receive it.
With love,
Katie Currier
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
"Sina Pupa Mungu Amenipa"
Before I begin with what I intended to talk about, I want to say thank you to whoever sent me the anonymous valentine (written in Swahili!) in the package from Walla Walla. Whoever you are, THANK YOU! :)
Kangas are worn by all the local ladies. A kanga is a square piece of fabric with some sort of design and a Swahili proverb at the bottom. The words can be anything from "Honor your parents and you will be blessed" to "I'm sorry for your loss." Locals often use them as gifts.
On Friday Marsha and I wandered the streets of Arusha while we were waiting for the mechanic to finish fixing the car so we could drive out to Lake Manyara for the weekend (I'll have to write another blog about that). We found some kangas and I bought a few. My favorite is the one I'm wearing this morning. It's blue and white and says: "Sina pupa Mungu amenipa." It's translated as: "I have no pupa because God has given me." 'Pupa' can be translated as hurry, haste, eagerness, or greediness. Take your pick. Basically, "I'm not in any rush because God provides."
Amen.
Kangas are worn by all the local ladies. A kanga is a square piece of fabric with some sort of design and a Swahili proverb at the bottom. The words can be anything from "Honor your parents and you will be blessed" to "I'm sorry for your loss." Locals often use them as gifts.
On Friday Marsha and I wandered the streets of Arusha while we were waiting for the mechanic to finish fixing the car so we could drive out to Lake Manyara for the weekend (I'll have to write another blog about that). We found some kangas and I bought a few. My favorite is the one I'm wearing this morning. It's blue and white and says: "Sina pupa Mungu amenipa." It's translated as: "I have no pupa because God has given me." 'Pupa' can be translated as hurry, haste, eagerness, or greediness. Take your pick. Basically, "I'm not in any rush because God provides."
Amen.
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