It was around 8pm and 80 degrees as we stepped off our last plane and onto African land—at last!! Although we were pretty jet lagged, we were super pumped to finally get the trip rolling. We grabbed our luggage and got our passports stamped as we walked through the airport and met the amazing Gotte, who we’ve heard so much about! We piled into all-terrain safari vehicles and drove out to the missionary house that we’re staying at for the night in Arusha. The house is really nice, running water and electricity! After setting our stuff down we had our first dinner of bananas, toast, and coffee! Africa... we’re in Africa!! We have been waiting for this moment so long, it almost seems unreal! Tired but happy we tumbled into bed excited to be able to get out and explore tomorrow!

Everyone got up pretty early because of the time difference, and we were all pumped to get going and start serving! Unfortunately, Roman informed us that we would use this day to rest and allow our bodies to adapt. After an amazing time of worshiping out in the beautiful sun, everyone went off and did their own thing, praying, reading the word, prepping sermons…

Africa is SO beautiful! The land is pretty versatile, mountains in some areas and plains in others. Near the afternoon it began thundering pretty loudly so we began to expect rain, but instead a small tornado appeared up on the hillside. It felt weird but awesome to sit under the hot sun knowing that the rest of our Washingtonians are getting soaked by the rain ;) 

When evening rolled around we had the privilege of meeting Per and his wife, missionaries from Sweden! We all went out to dinner in Arusha at a local hotel, and ended the night with packing back up for the next day.

This morning was a rush of last minute showers, and packing up. We said our goodbyes to the missionary house and spilt up with our group. Half went to the airport to see off Per and his wife, and the other half headed out on a 3 hour drive to the village of Katesh. The roads in Africa shouldn’t even be called roads. Ditches trekked into a trail is more like it! But you get used to it pretty quick, so we sat back and enjoyed the beautiful scenery as we prepared for our first African “bush” experience.

We arrived to loud praise music blaring out of a brick church with a dirt floor and holes as windows and doors. The choir group greeted us with an awesome African-style dance and then Angela took over and shared the story about the creation of the world. The story turned into a skit as we all participated in one way or another, branching off to the death and resurrection of Christ and his love for us. The gospel message is power, and we saw evidence of that as we led the kids into prayer. God is good! Seeing their faces radiate with joy as they were told that they were created by God, for God was priceless.

We took them outside to get to know them a little better handed out candy and a couple soccer balls. They treasure everything so much here! All of the Children are so precious! They smile shyly and shake your hand as if it were such an honor…their eyes are so humble and pure. Its no wonder Christ told us to be like little children. Although they have so little, they rejoice in what they do have, and were blessed just being able to love on them and spend time with them.

We had a blast as we gathered them around and played a crazy game of Simon says. Imagine; 300 kids formed into a huge circle in the middle of a grassy field, and each of us taking turns doing random things trying to get them to copy us. It was Hilarious, we all ended up laughing and having a great time.

Later on the rest of the group drove up and we headed off to a little hut near the church for lunch. Sitting in the dark, musty, dirt-floored hut we prayed “Lord, Kill them all!” and bit into our rocky rice and mystery meat. (which actually wasn’t as bad as it sounds.)

After lunch The adults gathered in the church and Roman shared a message while we got the kids gathered under a tree and sang a couple songs with them. Then Julie pulled out her puppet and, like magic, all eyes were on her. The kids were completely captivated, I don’t think they’ve ever seen a puppet before! After lots of giggling she called me (Nellie) up to read a book about Noah. The book was colorful, so the kids loved it as well. I love the way they don’t need a bunch of fancy supplies or peppy music to grab their attention, they loved the way we told the bible stories through the small, simple things. We finished with another song, hugged everyone goodbye and made our way to the guest house for the night.

Its pitch dark. Early morning. Everyone is tucked cozily into their mosquito nets. And a Muslim is singing at the top of his lungs through what sounds to be a megaphone. After a few minutes of torture, I went back to sleep and awakened a couple hours later to the sound of Rod praying loudly in tongues. (Much more comforting) Good morning!

Another day in sunny Africa! We made our way over to Williams house for breakfast. William is an anointed worship leader as well as Gotte’s right hand man. After breakfast we headed back to the village. Things were beginning to look a little more familiar from yesterday-- But this time the kids and adults were already split up. And the tree the kids were gathered under had a goat hanging on it. Fresh meat. Yum. We casually stepped past the stomach insides and I shared with the kids about the phases our hearts go through; from sinful black to red and covered in the blood, to green and growing in Christ, to white and purified. When I finished Igor took over and laid it down by getting a bunch of the kids involved in a re-creation of the story of Joseph. The kids looked like they were having the time of their lives, and as Igor finished up Olga led them into prayer. The kids were much more comfortable with us today, so their hugs and smiles were a little more bold. Angela pulled out balloons and we immediately had a mob around us. We made crowns with a majority of them, but apparently the kids thought it was more entertaining to pop them against a spiky bush! Lunch time rolled around and we made our way back to the hut to eat the goat mentioned earlier. I wasn’t very hungry, so I didn’t have much, but what I did have tasted like liver, not goat. But anywho, after lunch leaning against the straw hut with kids hugging my side stroking my arms and playing with my hair was just such a precious experience. Even though were thousands of miles from home, Knowing that were exactly where God wants us is the best feeling in the world.

Before leaving Roman, Sophia and Gotte got arrayed in traditional African Clothes and the rest of us got blessed with super long orange bars of soap that smell like carrots. Apparently its laundry soap, and I guess that God was trying to show me some kinda sign or something because I got three of them.

After many goodbyes, we piled back up into the cars and made our way up the road to Dongobesh.