My stomping grounds for the next few months:
c/o Hope Academy
PO Box 146
Ajaokuta LGA, Kogi
Nigeria
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Nigeria
I'm off to Nigeria, trusting that the Lord will provide the needed VISA.
My stomping grounds for the next few months:
My stomping grounds for the next few months:
Saturday, May 22, 2010
It started with a book
Several weeks ago a man from church asked if I had a book of English
songs that I could give to the choir, it just so happened that I did.
African culture is very opportunistic, if you don't ask you might not
receive. So I gave him the book, what I didn't realize is that this gift
came or rather went with strings attached. The next week the choir came
to me saying that a book of English songs was only so good if they
didn't know how to sing them properly, they asked if sometime in the
future I would be willing to help them learn a new song. Not knowing
that meant soon, I said sure, I would love to teach them a new song. A
few Sundays later Rachel and I were recruited to teach them a new song
from 'the book'. They were very gracious and maybe a little timid about
taking initiative, they let us lead and even had us pick the song, it
was nothing like their past songs, it didn't have a unique African beat,
it didn't have quick tempo or a special flair, it was very old and plain
and so..... American, at least to my ears. They seemed to enjoy it
because we were invited back the following week. I was again asked to
choose the song. After selecting one and teaching them the basics of the
song I let them loose, its my hope that they will get the idea, that
they will take the song and run with it, choosing to make it theirs and
not just something straight from the book, there seems to be this
awkward balance between respecting us and letting us lead and taking the
initiative themselves and making it their own. When asked if I would
return for a third week to teach, I tried my best to convey to them that
I don't have my week planned, that I wasn't sure of the 'program' for
the next weekend but that I would try to be there. Tuesday morning
arrived with a knock on our door and a written invitation to choir
practice which would include a coca and a group photo. I thought this
was a bit odd and a little formal but that's how cultral can be
sometimes, a little different. When we arrived tonight for choir
practice the room was decorated with special fabric on every wall, the
floor had been mopped and the Christmas Lights hung. I was still hoping
that it would be just a choir practice but when they went to get the FM
Superintendent I knew I was only fooling myself. They had gone through
so much trouble to honor us, as they brought out the spread of African
dishes I had to ask myself 'Where are you?' that this group would go
through so much trouble for you? They would express their love is such a
real way, all because of some songs. This was definitely not America,
here they surprise me with dinner and ask me to give words and want to
have their picture taken with me, like I'm Mickey Mouse at Disneyland. I
was honored, I was blessed. A student and I were discussing the
difference in cultural and how nothing that formal has happened to me in
the US, he said it was because they want to honor me as their guest, I
said I have been here for 4 months, how long until I am no long a guest?
He just laughed. Next time I'll think about what can happen, all because
of a book.
songs that I could give to the choir, it just so happened that I did.
African culture is very opportunistic, if you don't ask you might not
receive. So I gave him the book, what I didn't realize is that this gift
came or rather went with strings attached. The next week the choir came
to me saying that a book of English songs was only so good if they
didn't know how to sing them properly, they asked if sometime in the
future I would be willing to help them learn a new song. Not knowing
that meant soon, I said sure, I would love to teach them a new song. A
few Sundays later Rachel and I were recruited to teach them a new song
from 'the book'. They were very gracious and maybe a little timid about
taking initiative, they let us lead and even had us pick the song, it
was nothing like their past songs, it didn't have a unique African beat,
it didn't have quick tempo or a special flair, it was very old and plain
and so..... American, at least to my ears. They seemed to enjoy it
because we were invited back the following week. I was again asked to
choose the song. After selecting one and teaching them the basics of the
song I let them loose, its my hope that they will get the idea, that
they will take the song and run with it, choosing to make it theirs and
not just something straight from the book, there seems to be this
awkward balance between respecting us and letting us lead and taking the
initiative themselves and making it their own. When asked if I would
return for a third week to teach, I tried my best to convey to them that
I don't have my week planned, that I wasn't sure of the 'program' for
the next weekend but that I would try to be there. Tuesday morning
arrived with a knock on our door and a written invitation to choir
practice which would include a coca and a group photo. I thought this
was a bit odd and a little formal but that's how cultral can be
sometimes, a little different. When we arrived tonight for choir
practice the room was decorated with special fabric on every wall, the
floor had been mopped and the Christmas Lights hung. I was still hoping
that it would be just a choir practice but when they went to get the FM
Superintendent I knew I was only fooling myself. They had gone through
so much trouble to honor us, as they brought out the spread of African
dishes I had to ask myself 'Where are you?' that this group would go
through so much trouble for you? They would express their love is such a
real way, all because of some songs. This was definitely not America,
here they surprise me with dinner and ask me to give words and want to
have their picture taken with me, like I'm Mickey Mouse at Disneyland. I
was honored, I was blessed. A student and I were discussing the
difference in cultural and how nothing that formal has happened to me in
the US, he said it was because they want to honor me as their guest, I
said I have been here for 4 months, how long until I am no long a guest?
He just laughed. Next time I'll think about what can happen, all because
of a book.
Friday, May 21, 2010
Calling America
Today I had to call America, well not all of America just a credit card
company. I've decided next time they should call me. Do they have any
idea I have to load units on my phone off a scrap of paper that looks
like a scratch ticket? Do they know that if I run out of units I have to
walk down the road to a little shop that may or may not have more units
to charge my account? I tried to tell them I was in Africa but clearly
they have never been here, they had little sympathy for my current
situation. People here don't even bother to say goodbye, they just hang
up after business is over, on and off, lickity split-why? 'Cause it
costs money to talk on the phone, its not like I just wanted to chat
with an America so I thought I'd give the credit card company a call,
give me a break! I felt like they were being very unreasonable, putting
me on hold! After using the units from two phones I walked down the the
road to make a third phone call to finally solve the situation. I am one
step closer to ending my Nigeria saga, I purchased two plane tickets
today, finally! I'd like for my friends in the fraud department to come
to Africa, oh the lessons to be learned.
company. I've decided next time they should call me. Do they have any
idea I have to load units on my phone off a scrap of paper that looks
like a scratch ticket? Do they know that if I run out of units I have to
walk down the road to a little shop that may or may not have more units
to charge my account? I tried to tell them I was in Africa but clearly
they have never been here, they had little sympathy for my current
situation. People here don't even bother to say goodbye, they just hang
up after business is over, on and off, lickity split-why? 'Cause it
costs money to talk on the phone, its not like I just wanted to chat
with an America so I thought I'd give the credit card company a call,
give me a break! I felt like they were being very unreasonable, putting
me on hold! After using the units from two phones I walked down the the
road to make a third phone call to finally solve the situation. I am one
step closer to ending my Nigeria saga, I purchased two plane tickets
today, finally! I'd like for my friends in the fraud department to come
to Africa, oh the lessons to be learned.
Monday, May 10, 2010
25 Ways to make a bad day great in Bujumbura
1. Go to the Beach
2. Go to your favorite coffee shop, greet your favorite Barista
3. Enjoy some Burundi Tea
4. Invite your friends over
5. Bake!
6. Walk around the market
7. Discover a new bus route
8. Have a great conversation with students
9. Discover that Buja has soft serve ice cream
10. Go swimming
11. Buy a whole bunch of fruit and veggies for less than $3.00
12. Get a package from America
13. Master a new recipe
14. Have guests over to your apartment
15. Take a walk
16. Break into the chocolate stash that was supposed to last until
December but may not make it to next week :)
17. Practice Kirundi with street kids
18. Grade papers in the sunshine
19. Wear jeans for the first time in months, finally it has rained
20. Have fries and a coca, you know you've been craving them all week
21. Surprise the Burundians on the bus by paying the correct bus fare
22. Talk with friends from home
23. Be comfortable enough to not feel like a tourist
24. Go upcountry
25. Sit in church and actually know what's happening
2. Go to your favorite coffee shop, greet your favorite Barista
3. Enjoy some Burundi Tea
4. Invite your friends over
5. Bake!
6. Walk around the market
7. Discover a new bus route
8. Have a great conversation with students
9. Discover that Buja has soft serve ice cream
10. Go swimming
11. Buy a whole bunch of fruit and veggies for less than $3.00
12. Get a package from America
13. Master a new recipe
14. Have guests over to your apartment
15. Take a walk
16. Break into the chocolate stash that was supposed to last until
December but may not make it to next week :)
17. Practice Kirundi with street kids
18. Grade papers in the sunshine
19. Wear jeans for the first time in months, finally it has rained
20. Have fries and a coca, you know you've been craving them all week
21. Surprise the Burundians on the bus by paying the correct bus fare
22. Talk with friends from home
23. Be comfortable enough to not feel like a tourist
24. Go upcountry
25. Sit in church and actually know what's happening
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Proud Mama
A student told me today that I spoke English well. I tried to have my best teacher face on and to not laugh in his face. In my most sincere voice I said "Thank you; I've had lots of practice". I love students! He then proceeded to ask me precisely where I lived. Well if were gonna get technical and if I can learn new words like Urakoze (Thank You), Mbabarira (sorry), and Ntakinto, then he is fully qualified to learn Wenatchee. So I put little Wenatchee, Washington on the map for this guy, I made him pronounce it correctly and everything, he passed the test well, and it made me smile to think about my little town so far away.
On my way back to my apartment last night after teaching I ran into some students and during our great conversation I hear behind me, "Hey, What's Up?" I just taught my students that phrase last week and low and behold it was my student greeting me as he walked by. I had a proud mamma moment. Good for him for having the courage to try his new and odd vocabulary J
The New Busy is not the old busy. Search, chat and e-mail from your inbox. Get started.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
You'll need one sheet of paper
My students groan each time they have a test or a quiz or I make them write a little something in class. It's a big 'ohhhh' times 50 people, I laugh each time they moan, did they forget they were in University? They know what's coming now 'cause each time I announce 'You'll need one sheet of paper'. And then the 'ohhhhh' comes. They threatened this week to give me an exam instead. I'm sure that if there not sick of quizzes already they will be by the time they leave my class. I choose to think of it as character building, they would probably call it torture.
This week in class we talked about: The instructions Luke, Paul and Mark have given to the Church and how we are to follow their teachings. We talked about so much, too much, should, must, desert, dessert, synonyms, antonyms, analogies and definitions. We talked about dictations and pronunciation. We discussed how a country recovers from war and the role of a leader within that recovery process. Is the BEST plan to rely on foreign aid? We talked about how a leader must help a nation with hungry people, how to teach others and how to pray for wisdom. We talked about 'What's Up', 'Hanging Out' and being 'Busy as a Bee'. We talked about cheating in University-should it be allowed? We wrote papers on the characteristics of a good leader and practiced pronunciation of our L and R sounds. Do leaders always have honor, does honor follow leadership or does leadership follow honor, what is honor? How do we serve and love and help? Why has God given me a mind and a heart and talents? We talked about their role as University Students with an education and how it makes them a leader in their community whether they like it or not. I'm hoping most of them like it. Whew, I'm tired.
The New Busy is not the too busy. Combine all your e-mail accounts with Hotmail. Get busy.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
The beginning again
We have been many times TO the market. To buy vegetables or transfer buses but never before have we actually been INSIDE. Yesterday we went in. I don't think I have been fearful since I arrived but yesterday there was definitely a little apprehension. We have heard so many negative comments about the market, how crazy it is, how you can't walk anywhere without a crowd of followers or pick pockets around every corner. So you can see why I had a little apprehension. But a very wise woman encouraged us to go. 'Now is the time' she said, 'leave everything at home, take only the money in your pockets and go'. And so we went. I'm not sure if it's a girl thing or just a Stephanie thing but I really enjoy the hunt that comes along with shopping. It probably should have stressed me out and caused me to panic and to be alert but I actually really enjoyed it.
It was like a mega-warehouse full of goods. A hardware section, baby clothes isle, men's clothes, women's clothes, school supplies, groceries, anything and everything was there. We used our broken Kirundi and French to navigate around, weaving in and out of isles on the hunt for a hidden treasure. At last we made it do our destination, women's clothes; it was well worth the effort. There were isles and isles and racks and shelves full of clothing, I even found a dress from Wal-Mart. There were endless possibilities of shoes. I was so impressed and surprised that I had been missing out on this experience, right here in downtown Bujumbura. The best part was I walked away with a super cute black skirt and had only one attempted pick pocket!
You may have heard we recently got unlimited internet at our house. I think we've only mentioned it to maybe 100 people; we're not excited at all. This means that we haven't been to our favorite coffee shop to visit our favorite Baristas. We had a few hours to kill this morning so we went into town, simply to visit with them. It was really special to have them ask after us, 'Are you okay?' 'We haven't seen you for so many days' they asked. Maybe we were going too much? I don't know, but I did miss my barista friends, we have good conversation, they care about us, they are our community. I love that we have been here long enough where our presence is missed. And long enough to make friends in the community. Like a man who sings in the choir at church, we discovered he works downtown as a tailor, by chance we ran into him on 'fabric lane'. We have labeled it this 'cause the whole street is filled with tailors and seamstresses and shops full of fabric. Maybe he will be my tailor now.
It seems like we go through cycles. We learn and discover and meet new places and faces and then settle in, get familiar, create a routine. Then after awhile we are ready to meet, and discover and learn again. So friends, be ready. I think we are on the verge of the 'beginning again'. I'm excited, are you?
The New Busy is not the too busy. Combine all your e-mail accounts with Hotmail. Get busy.
It was like a mega-warehouse full of goods. A hardware section, baby clothes isle, men's clothes, women's clothes, school supplies, groceries, anything and everything was there. We used our broken Kirundi and French to navigate around, weaving in and out of isles on the hunt for a hidden treasure. At last we made it do our destination, women's clothes; it was well worth the effort. There were isles and isles and racks and shelves full of clothing, I even found a dress from Wal-Mart. There were endless possibilities of shoes. I was so impressed and surprised that I had been missing out on this experience, right here in downtown Bujumbura. The best part was I walked away with a super cute black skirt and had only one attempted pick pocket!
You may have heard we recently got unlimited internet at our house. I think we've only mentioned it to maybe 100 people; we're not excited at all. This means that we haven't been to our favorite coffee shop to visit our favorite Baristas. We had a few hours to kill this morning so we went into town, simply to visit with them. It was really special to have them ask after us, 'Are you okay?' 'We haven't seen you for so many days' they asked. Maybe we were going too much? I don't know, but I did miss my barista friends, we have good conversation, they care about us, they are our community. I love that we have been here long enough where our presence is missed. And long enough to make friends in the community. Like a man who sings in the choir at church, we discovered he works downtown as a tailor, by chance we ran into him on 'fabric lane'. We have labeled it this 'cause the whole street is filled with tailors and seamstresses and shops full of fabric. Maybe he will be my tailor now.
It seems like we go through cycles. We learn and discover and meet new places and faces and then settle in, get familiar, create a routine. Then after awhile we are ready to meet, and discover and learn again. So friends, be ready. I think we are on the verge of the 'beginning again'. I'm excited, are you?
The New Busy is not the too busy. Combine all your e-mail accounts with Hotmail. Get busy.
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