Here We Go!

I've spent the last few days with Isaac getting ready to break ground on the new Hill Crest.  Next week we will put in the gate, and then everything will fall into place from there and I couldn't be more thrilled about the progress we are making for Hill Crest.

The school is still incredible, I miss hearing the screaming kids every day and I wish every volunteer that comes through could still have the experience that I did at first, but I know that this is the absolute best for Hill Crest.  It is about the kids, not the volunteers.

Wednesday afternoon I went to see Johnson, my Johnson, and it was as emotional and wonderful as I predicted.  His face when he saw me, it was like he saw a ghost!  He stepped back and shook his head then dove into me and gave me the biggest hug.  Johnson gives the best hugs. We cried a bit, of course, and then he had to go get ready for his Civics exam.  His forehead was bleeding so I wiped it off, gave him a big kiss on his forehead and sent him on his way.  He looked at me like, "are you kidding...you are so embarrassing" and then I realized that I just pulled that "annoying mom" move and humiliated him in front of all his friends.  I felt bad for a second but then I didn't care anymore.  I just love him.

I spend every day falling more and more in love with this amazing place, the incredible people, and especially my community.  I wish every day that people from home could come live this life for a bit and maybe understand why I'm so consumed by Tanzania.  There is nowhere else I could picture myself right now, and I can't imagine doing anything different.  I'm so happy.  I can't wait to build this school.

I'm back.

And an enormous weight has been lifted off my shoulders.  I can't begin to describe the physical feeling of relief as the plane touched the ground at Kilimanjaro Airport last Thursday.  I haven't been bothered to set up my internet yet which is why it has taken me so long to post, and I'm sorry for that.  This has been a week full of ups and downs, but just being back in Tanzania makes even the 'downs' seem like 'ups'. 

I got in last Thursday afternoon and spent the weekend catching up with friends, going out, and just adjusting back to this life I've grown to love so deeply.  Tuesday morning, I got up early and went to Hill Crest.  Now, what I have failed to mention in detail is that Hill Crest, when I got there, was a freaking crazy house! But at a school with no teachers, what do you expect? So I expected to walk back into the same disorganized, crazy, love filled school I left in November and January.  To my surprise, I didn't hear the kids screaming or laughing or anything.  It was quiet...I walk in (well, actually, escorted to the gate by a Masai woman who LOVES me and was so excited to see me back) and Elizabeth sees me come through the gate.  She drops whatever vegetable she was cutting and runs to me, I've never seen someone move so fast.  I'm so excited to see her, and Isaac follows at a sprint right behind her.  We stand there hugging and laughing for a few minutes before they escort me into school together.  By the way, the weak, thin, frail, unnoticeably pregnant woman Elizabeth was in November is gone.  She has put weight on, looks absolutely incredible, and is visibly healthier.  I'm so happy.  Anyways, back to the school.  No children being heard.  What's going on?  I walk in.  There is a teacher at the board, sentences written in chalk, and the kids are writing them down, practicing their writing.  Quietly.  By themselves.  Writing.  What?  I go into the next classroom...same thing...kids are learning.  Teachers have control of the class, the kids are writing like champs, they are learning the sounds of the vowels.  Hill Crest is a real school, and soon it is going to be an even realer school.  I am so excited for the future of Hill Crest, I see such potential and I am SO happy. 

A friend from last summer is back doing his own projects.  He built a house last time he was here and is going to continue doing so.  He is going to be a big help to me, as he has dealt with all the things I'll have to deal with.  It will be so nice to have him to turn to if I need help, and I love seeing how proud he is of what he has done.  It only makes me more excited to start my project so I can feel that sense of pride when Hill Crest is done.  Also, one of my favorite people I've met in Tanzania is coming back on June 14th.  She's also got big plans to build an orphan home, but I'm more excited about seeing her.  I've got a lot to look forward to and I'm so blessed to be back in this amazing country.  I'll update again soon as things get started.  This is a busy week ahead of me! 

xoxo

Back again I go!

Let's not pretend to be surprised by my announcement of my return to Tanzania on May 15th.  I'm missing my kids, my friends, and my life there and it's time to go back.  So on May 15th at 6:55am, I'll be taking off and spending 23 hours traveling back to Kilimanjaro Airport, then 45 minutes back to Arusha.  Yippee!!  I'm thrilled and can't wait to get back.

We held a great fundraiser last night that went pretty well.  I'm happy with every cent we raise for the kids.  I'll post again when we know exactly how much money was raised, but in the mean time, I'll be seeing doctors, working and packing for Tanzania!!!

9 days!