500 stories.

I've been telling stories on here for awhile, since I first found out I was going to Tchad in 2007. Now here I am back on the African continent writing stories about starting an orphanage. Here's my 500th story.

I walked to visit a friend and took a trail through the village. I went to Arusha town yesterday in a crowded dala dala (bus). I ate ugali with my hands (very similar to Tchadian buile). Today I washed my clothes by hand outside, I drew water from the well and I talked to a neighbor kid in English while he talked to me in Kiswahili.

All these things are special. The funny thing is they make me miss home. You might be thinking my American home with my family and friends that I grew up with, worked with, and went on adventures with. That, however, is not who I was missing the most. I am missing my Tchadian family, mi famil. Because it was those wonderful people who taught me how to be an African, they taught me to draw water from a well, bathe from a bucket, eat with my hands and so many other things that I need to know how to do here. I only wish I was there with them. Then I wouldn't have to learn a new language, adapt to new customs, and I could dance and play with them.

The great part is what they have taught me makes me a better person, a better worker here in Tanzania with starting this orphanage. Since I'm supposed to be making friends with the community knowing how to do things and not being afraid of doing them is a plus. Sure I need to learn Swahili (Tanya, that's the official language here :), and learn to make ugali. But I know how to learn. I know how to learn those things, I've got experience. I enjoyed my family in Tchad and will enjoy my new family here (as soon as the kids come! Until then I have my friend Mary and the neighborhood), I will enjoy struggling to remember words because I can remember what it was like for me the when I was in Tchad and how eventually the struggle goes away and the words flow.

So you see,
God is good.

For three days when Abraham was walking Isaac to the mountain to sacrifice him to God he thought about all that God had done for him in the past, all that God had done for his fore-fathers. How God never abandoned them or asked something of them that they could not do. He remembered God could be trusted to keep His promises. And like him, I too am remembering what God has done for me in the past. There is no need to worry, be afraid or doubt. I'm not, so you don't either.

Comments

Anonymous said…
What an amazing lady you are, Sonya. You really allow God to shine out through you. It's exciting to think what will be happening in these next few months!
Marilee Weis
Anonymous said…
I'm so proud of you Sonya!
SRC said…
We love you and miss you and you will feel at home with your new family so fast. Your famiy of precious children that we will be praying for. You are an awesome "her" :-) Thank you for the sweet card and the pictures! The kids were insanely excited when it came in the mail!
Marta said…
Habari sa asabui, Sonya,
Habari sa kaza?
Habari sa watoto?

Just a little beginner Swahili, which means, Greetings, how are you doing, how is the work, how are the children?
Thanks for your blog - it sure reminds me of my stay in Tanzania, no electricity, showering with a pitcher and washing hair with cold water, brrrr, washing clothes by hand, plus all the good stuff..... The people are special, always kind and friendly...
Praying for you and your work. Hopefully we can visit you some day.....
God bless your work - stay faithful and never give up!
Hugs and warm greetings,
Marta
EMILY STAR said…
This will be a blog I will be following. It must be so weird to be on the continent of Africa, but away from Ama and Mattieu.
Anonymous said…
My dear cousin Sonya,
You are such an inspiration. Yes, soon the language, customs, and things will be flowing out of you in no time. I am so excited to be able to share this journey with you thru your blog. Don't forget I am always here for you.
Much love, Julie
i love the abraham bit...
in my christian ethics class we had a big discussion on that this week...
i found my views to be quite conflicting with the teachers... we talked for awhile after class.
neither one agreed technically...
but we came to understanding by explaining our background stories that we bring to the picture...

good...
i miss you!
alwasy

brooke, christy, sharyn... the have all asked about you and miss you!
Elisabeth said…
Sounds so wonderful...wish i was there with you!
I sent you an email today! Anxious to hear back soon!
Lots of love and prayers,

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