Around Mwanza

Despite still being sick over the past few months, we've had a lot going on in our lives and with the MKLM Community in Mwanza. In early March the new missioners were back in town because they were on break from language school. Chris is in charge of their orientation, so he spent a lot of time going with them to see potential houses, visiting their future ministry sites, viewing our current ministry sites, etc.

On one particular day I took the folks out to visit Caitlin's school because our court case was coming up that morning and Chris had to be there for it.* It was so fun to hang out for a few hours with 60-ish pre-schoolers. They're the cutest!


Here's one of the classrooms. There are 2 regular education classes and 1 special education class in this private, Catholic school. The school uses the Montessori** method, so the kids take off their shoes and sit on mats on the floor.


The best part is when the kids chant in English with their Tanzanian accents. "I am sitting on my MAT!" Or "Thank you teacher for the PORRIDGE!"


The Special Education classroom was really touching. The TZ education system doesn't make room for people with disabilities, either physical, educational or mental. Therefore, this classroom gives kids an opportunity where they wouldn't otherwise to get an education.

I organized a seminar last Saturday for the women in my church. We had a guest speaker*** come in to teach them exercises similar to tai-chi or yoga, which is good to help women get in touch with their bodies and teaches them to relax and de-stress. Unfortunately, I was sick so I couldn't stay for the event.


At least I was able to see the introduction as they got started and set up their environment.

From what I heard from the ladies, the seminar was a success and they are already asking when they can do another one like it.

To see more pictures from around Mwanza lately, check out my Flickr photostream.

*It was postponed until March 21 because the judge had a baby and is on maternity leave. That date came and went and it was also postponed again because the judge still isn't back.

**Well, it's supposed to be Montessori. That's one of the things that Caitlin's working on with the teachers. They were trained in this teaching method but don't particularly adhere to it.

***The guest speaker was Mrs. Mbgoma, Chris's boss. This is what she does with her .