Day 16

7/5:

It is my last full day here and it is pretty overcast. Some how I have managed to keep my emotions together and have kept myself from crying too bad for the kids here. I walked down to town in the morning for the internet but of course it was closed. I went next door and got something to drink and sat down at a table outside. I watched as buses and taxis rolled in and witnessed all of the local sellers storming up to the windows trying to make a sale. I really do not know how to tell you the things that they sell since it is the most random junk that you can imagine. From camping flash lights to cheap knives (kee-so) to leather phone cases to nail polish to dolce and gabbana hats.
-Chip

Day 15

7/4:

I took the hour walk down into town today and picked up a few supplies for the kids and some for the girls. Then once I got back I helped with some laundry over at the big room where they have a few big sinks and a bunch of drying lines set up outside. Later on I ended up just running random errands around the place like fetching hot water, carrying bags, and helping find the two older boys.
-Chip

Day 14

7/3:

This morning I woke up and ended up helping cook over in the kitchen in the back! It was fun helping the girls out back there cause they just cook and mess around all day. I helped move the kids from the room where they sleep to their play room after we fed them. I stayed for a little while playing with them and chasing them around until I walked back to the room in the rain, it was raining for the better part of the day.
-Chip

Day 13

7/2:

So today I walked over and helped with washing and hanging the kids dirty clothes. Then later I helped and did some dishes in the house I am staying in. Later that evening after walking into town, I sorted through the gifts people have donated which consist of tooth brushes & toothpaste, pencils, baseball caps, knitted hats and a soccer ball and gave them to the Ma-ma there. When I sat down to eat dinner they had wrote me a really nice thank you note and left it on my plate for me to read.
-Chip

Day 12

7/1:

It is a simple life here. I woke up and made some coffee and ate a little mini breakfast they gave me. I went outside and was greeted with smiles from everyone outside. I walked to where the older kids are (~9 to 12 months) and sat with them and fed them. Once the girls who work there and I finished, I went back to my house and did my laundry overlooking a beautiful little valley. Then I went back out and found the two older twin boys, one of which St. Matthews is now sponsoring to go to school, and played soccer with the ball I just gave them. Later on I ahd an opportunity to sit outside with all of the kids and I took pictures and played with them.
-Chip

Day 12- Goodbye group and hello new beginning.

6/30:

So today is the day I start what I am here to do. We came this morning and got the overview of how the place works then the group said their goodbyes and left for Moshi to catch their plane tomorrow.

I have been here for about half the day now and the guest house is right next to the orphange and I am becoming more comfortable. They don't have anything planned for me to do today so I have just walked around and played with a few of the older kids outside.
-Chip

Day 11- Lushoto

6/29:

We drove 4 hours and finally arrived in Lushoto and ate lunch with Annett and her husband, the bishop of the North Eastern Diocese. Then we went on to see where I will be staying and my nerves killed off a little bit. Tonight I will be spending my last night with the group at a lodge up at the top of the mountain. I am then staying in the guest house at the orphanage for the remainder of my trip.
-Chip

Day 10- One more day

Finally I got some internet! I wrote blogs in a note book each day so I will just date them and type them out.

6/28:

Today was a pretty laid back day in preperation for going to Lushoto where I will be staying. I am trying not to be so nervous and it is kind of working but we'll see. Thanks to everyone who made this trip possible! It means so much to me and the people that I am here to help.
-Chip