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
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
So glad you are back in your element Katherine. Prayers abound for you and Hillcrest! - Bubba
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