The Key to Progress

"We are the future leaders of Africa"

A book of statistics can reveal interesting things about a country. The infant mortality rate, the gross national income, and the yearly income of an average resident. But usually overlooked is the literacy of the country. A small number that can reveal so much, especially over time.

Education, education, the key to progress.

This percentage can separate the developed world, from the developing world. A little number, so easily overlook, but so important to every country. In the United States, a place where not going to school and gaining that education is punishable by law, it is too easy to forget our luck. Yes, America has poverty, and homelessness, and lots of hunger, but the literacy rate we can boast is outstanding.

As I walk the streets of rural Tanzania, I'm amazed by the energy that exudes from these kids. I've been here four days, giving out toys, learning names and teaching lessons, and they are always eager for more. They don't think about the presents we give them, or the amazing new things we bring to the school. They show up whether we are there or not, and this is simply amazing. To think in a country where a child is lucky to get an education, these children are so eager to get just that.

Education, education, the key to progress.

We listened to them sing us songs today. They had it all figured out. The poems they wanted us to hear, the formations, chanting and beautiful rhythm. I thought is was cool that they could memorize, but i was more astounded by what they were actually saying. "We are the future of Africa!" they screamed. "We love our teachers, we love our school, we love you, our humble guests".

Education, education, the key to progress.

I can't seem to stress what ran through my head at that moment, when through the thick accents I understood what they said. They get it. And their brilliant. One of these kids could lead Tanzania into the light, and into the 'developed' world. I was staring at Tanzania's future. Its only future.

Education, education, the key to progress.

And so, as I continue to walk the dusty streets of Africa, towards a beautiful school, with four children hanging on each finger (you'd be surprised by how literal I'm being), I don't see despair in their faces, but joy at their most proud possession. Their minds. And as I walk from the orphanage every night, I can't shake their smiles from my mind. We walk down these humble paths, smiling, and giggling, as slowly they chant:

"Education, education, the key to progress"

7/31/2009
Jackie Lungmus

Friday 5pm from Bonnie

Hi everybody! Jambo from Moshi. We are all well and completely amazed by this experience. Our hotel is very nice and safe and the food is plentiful and delicious. For those of you who know me personally-the waiter knows to bring me my cokes! It's only the real stuff here, in bottles and it is good.
The children are so beautiful. Quite simply when you look in their eyes you see God. I've learned a lot about the children but more about myself. We go on safari tomorrow and I am so excited but at the same time I don't want to leave the children. The children take your hands and walk with you. They expect nothing but your presence. They look deeply into your eyes. They are always in a group so to give a child a long look, a loving smile, a hand is so important. Every human being just wants to be seen.
I'm getting to sing a lot. The children sing so well. they know quite a few songs. When I teach them a new song bthey listen so intently, by the time we sing it a second time they have in perfectly-inEnglish! They are so eager to learn. they learn so incredibly fast. There math skills are so ahead of ours. When I sing with 130 or more children I just get lost in the moment. It's one of the things I came here to do.
We were surprised by a few things-one game was to keep a balloon inthe air and play with it. Well, these children have nothing so they just held the balloon. But they were happy. We haven't taken the supplies yet but we are doing art projects every day. They made nametags we were going to collect and pass out everyday but that simple piece of paper with twine was too important to give up.
This is life changing. I know people said that before we left but it is. I love it here but it also is challenging.
For you TrinityNusery School families and friends-thank you again for all of your generous donations. Thank you for letting us be your hands that deliver them. the children sang a song today-we have no money, our parents are poor but we say thank you.
To my family and friends I love you and miss you. Every night I look at your pictures and read your notes.
I am so blessed to be part of this team. There are angels here with me. Everyone cares so much for and about each other.
Kwa Heri-goodbye-with love and gratitude, Bonnie

A Day at the market 7/31/09

Yesterday some of us went to the market. The market was incredibly interesting, especially to see the way that people would get their household needs (spices, herbs, grains, etc). There were two groups that went to the market. One group went to the market to purchase oranges for the orphanage and the other group went to purchase plumbing supplies for a work project at the Kilimanjaro English Nursery School. Upon a safe return to the hotel, it was learned that the experience of one group was radically different than the other. The group buying the oranges was immediately "targeted" as tourists and attracted many street vendors and peddlers. The group purchasing the supplies for the work project had an interesting time bargaining the price of the supplies for nearly an hour. Seeing the market was a true eye-opener to just one part of the lives of the citizens of Moshi, TZ.

-Zack Adams and Sam Belliel

The children are the high point of my trip. I saw in there eyes loss and sorrow, but in that, I also saw hope. Tanzania has some of the nicest people i've ever met. There are no hands reaching out in need to us, only the hands of children wishing to hold ours.

Gary Vernon

first 2 days!

JAMBO!
Our first 2 days on the trip were CRAZY! The first day, we met at the airport and got all 34 bags on the plane. We ate (our last fast food meal) and then went to our gate to take off for Detroit. Our plane ride was short, and i talked with the people around me, (Alex M and I stalked Josh...our plane buddy and his brothers) and then it was on to Amsterdam! We were supposed to sleep on this flight, but the movies distracted us... I watched 4 movies on that flight and didnt sleep at all! (I think PK was the only one...) We had a 3 hours layover, but only had an hour to walk around. There were so many Dutch people, and it was fun to listen to their accents! We got chocolate and tried cheese! BUT THERE WAS NO STARBUCKS! we made do with frozen chocolate coffee. We then boarded our plane to Kilamanjaro Airport, and this flight drove everyone insane... it turned out that it was only an 8 and a half hour flight, but honestly, time has never gone slower. I sat between Bonnie and Deb, and Alex and Alex and Maddie were right next to us. Bonnie and I got to look out the windows at the 2 deserts under us! When we finnally got there, the smell of the country was amazing. It smells kind of like burning hay and peanuts! hahaha but we were all so tired. We then filled out sheets for our visas and got all 34 of our bags! We met Jim and the Springlands hotel staff with a van and we drove an hour in the dark to the hotel. We fell asleep quite fast, but Alex and I were the only ones who seemed to sleep through the night without a problem. We woke up this morning with Alex and Maddie yelling through our open window. We had a meeting after breakfast and then went to the school. We were dropped off in town and walked. It was so amazing, because local children would run up to you, and kiss your hands and guide you across town. When we got to the old school, we met Teacher, and he explained to us about the old school. Then we walked 5 minutes to the new school where we were greated by 170 singing children. We ate, and played games and sang, and the kids are SOOO CUTE! This girl, Masa, was on my lap the entire day, and everyone had fun blowing up balloons. She waved at me the whole time down this dirt road until I couldnt see her anymore. By the end of the day, we were all exhausted but it was time to go back to the hotel and wash up, and then go to the orphanage. We went there and met with the 30+ kids staying there, and we watched them play! Its almost 7 30 and we are about to go eat dinner, and then organize our donations which we will bring to the school. I am missing everyone that I love back home, but im LOVING it here! I dont think ill be coming home...
Kwa Heri,
Audrey

Safe Arrival

I received word via email from Jim Lumberg & Anne Driscoll that the team and all 34 of our bags have arrived safely in Moshi, Tanzania.

The team is on their bus heading for the hotel where they will be greeted with a lite dinner and then off to their rooms for what hopes to be a good night's rest. The team is staying at the Springlands hotel. Here is a link to the hotel's website in case you want to take a look. http://www.springlandshotel.com/

P.S. Moshi is 8 hours ahead of Chicago. I hope that we will begin to read posts from our team members tomorrow morning.

pictures from O'Hare

Departure

We met at O'Hare this morning at 11am. All team members were checked in and ready to go by 11:45am a full 2 hours before our flight! YAY! The first leg of the trip was very short! The team has landed safely in Detroit and is waiting to leave for Amsterdam shortly.

The AWESOME luggage tags were created for all team members by Madeline & Harrison Aybar. Thanks guys!

This was an emotional day for many. The team members seemed eager, excited, and ready to embark on their journey. There were a few tears from the moms and Tammy as we watched all of our green shirts head off through the security gates.

12 hours to departure

We are just about 12 hours away from arriving at O'Hare for our departure.

Please keep us in your prayers as we travel thousands of miles away from home.

W have packed all of our bags brining nearly 1800 pounds of toothpaste, soccer balls, shoes, clothes, school supplies, art projects, and more.

The anticipation grows each moment as we wonder about the people we will meet and the work we will do.

Thanks to all for your support thus far and continued prayers as we work as Christ's hands in the world.