December Update

Word of the day: Wait: v. 1: to delay action until a particular time or until something else happens.  In Swahili ‘kusubiri’ means ‘to wait.’

Two weeks.  Six guesthouses.  One home.  Two buses.  Twenty-four Land Rovers.  Approximately 2014 Christmases.  Zero internet. 

"Welcome back to Africa and stay tuned for more of our adv…”  Hard to keep up with the news when we can’t get online, right?  That’s pretty much exactly what we were thinking!

You wouldn’t believe how two weeks without internet will set your teeth on edge- whew!  Not one of the guesthouses we stayed at made good on the promised online connection.  And the language school we are moving to tomorrow does not have access either.  I’m sure they feel that with 8 hour days, 5 days a week we won’t have a lot of time to get online anyhow.   

However, we did purchase a usb modem that will provide us with some internet access.  In part because we were able to answer a few emails on our phones (thank you for the retired iphones- they have been so helpful!), but not able to do group updates. 

So, no promises for the next four months.  We will try to communicate periodically, but are unsure what that will look like.  Besides, what will we say?  “Jambo!  Poa.  Karibu.  Asante sana.  Pole.  Samahani.  Tafadhali.  Habari!  Mzuri sana.  Kwaheri!” 

Mr. Motorcycle’s trip to Arusha:

Things are going fairly well however very slow.  I am very disappointed with the vehicle hunt.  I went to Arusha because that is where the majority of the 4X4 vehicles are located. I looked at over 20 Land Rovers that could not be made roadworthy without extensive work. On a positive note when Samson (an AIC member based in Dar who is helping us) and I went to get the TIN number, Tax Identification Number, we had to do a double take after we walked out of the office. I was able to get my TIN number in less than 20 minutes - unheard of.  Praise The Lord!  

I was informed that before I can get my drivers license I must have my Residence/work permit finished and in hand.

 I had a number of leads on vehicles here in Dar that I have followed and have come back empty.  I am confident that the Lord has the right one for us at the right time however am struggling with waiting as I see this as a key piece in moving forward here.  Please pray that the Lord will show me His will in this as there seems to be something I am missing.  

We have been blessed to meet many missionaries- including the couple who took Stephanie and B in for the week I was in Arusha so we didn’t have to pay double rent!

By unanimous vote we have decided that B is doing the best of all.

Not only does he not seem to notice the high heat and humidity of Dar es Salaam, but he also does not recognize the language barrier.  In crossing a few continents he has made the leap from babyhood to boyhood and now is extremely interested in “the kids” and wants to participate in whatever they are doing.  Every time we take a walk he asks to stop and see the kids we run into.  B babbles away, almost oblivious that he is not understood.  We came across a group of five kids the other day- from younger than him up to maybe 7 or 8 just sitting on a little stoop.  He asked if he could sit with the kids and, despite his two year state, just sat very still beside them and lamented when I said it was time to move on!  Poor kid.  Soon we will be forced to take random kids home with us!

Bjaje are an Indian import.  They run much like a motorcycle with a lever start, one wheel in the front and two in the back.  You can squish three adults across the seat in the back (or more) under the metal covered bubble.  This is B’s favorite transportation.  We also don’t mind the ‘personal breeze’ your experience versus the shared one on the bus.  Unfortunately a vehicle found mostly in Dar es Salaam and not much elsewhere.  We heard of a single woman missionary who purchased one to get around the city.  Mr. Motorcycle’s new idea barring a Land Rover purchase: Steph and B truck around town in one of these babies!