I am finally here, after months and months of planning and waiting, I am sitting in the conference room of the CRWRC Office in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. I have been here for about four days now with a long trip from home in Markham, Ontario. Flying across the world to another continent does present some challenges with an adjustment not only to the total amount of travel time, but also with a change in weather, time zone and culture. All of which I am welcoming in my first few days in Dar. I was greeted by Margaret and a friend at the airport after having to figure out how to buy a Visitor Visa once I landed. With that adventure behind me, we made the car ride to my first “home” – a guesthouse owned by an Italian NGO. Rachel Brink, a CRWRC volunteer from the United States, was waiting for us and enthusiastically made me feel comfortable right away. We spent the next few hours getting used to each other and became friends quickly. My first night in Tanzania was a success.
Wednesday started later, as I was given time to rest and adjust to a seven hour time difference. Margaret, the CRWRC Country Coordinator for Tanzania, and Rachel picked me up at the guesthouse and we went out for lunch. This is when I was first able to experience Tanzania in the day light. Many things to look at as we often do when we go to a new place. New landmarks to take note of and culture to submerse myself in. But the thing that I was struggling to adjust to the most was the heat. Showering just didn’t seem to cut it, as you are sweating and uncomfortable before the shower and not much different afterwards. Something that I will need to continue to submit to the Lord that my body will adjust to new surroundings. Getting shade and air conditioning when possible is a treat and greeted with much thankfulness. My first day ended with a phone call to Nishant and several emails to family and friends. Staying connected with people at home is a huge priority for me and something that I will be challenging myself to do. Please, feel free to send prayer requests or updates as often as possible.
The next few days were filled with a field visit to a community about an hour and a half away from the city. My first experience with development work left me with lots of questions and a yearning to know more about what I could do or how to relate to what I experienced. Asking questions is so important and I am finding that as I ask more questions, I only have more questions to ask! A good place to be in as I begin to learn more and more about the African culture and people. Meals have been good as we are treated with Italian food at the guesthouse, last night being a personal favourite of lasagne! Have spent a lot of time talking with Rachel and enjoyed playing cards with her. A new friend I hope to continue to connect with even when we are in different cities in the months ahead.
Some plans have been made for the weekend, hoping to go to a local market to pick up a few items and enjoy some ethnic food in the area. Sunday we will attend an International church and might go to see the Indian Ocean for some pictures. Tuesday we head to Mwanza where we will be meeting with the partner organization, African Inland Church of Tanzania. Please pray that this meeting will go well and that as I get settled in my next “home” that I will continue to see the Lord working throughout the process. I have been blessed with so much support from back home during the first few days, so thank you for that. It is amazing how the Lord works in precious ways when we are in need of comfort and assurance. I was reading through my devotions and was encouraged by a verse in Lamentations and then when I check my email later on that day my mom had sent me the exact same verse. How the Word of the Lord can connect people! Praise be to the Creator of all things.
“The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is His faithfulness, His mercies begin afresh each morning.” Lamentations 3:22-23
There have been a few times of sadness as I adjust and accept many changes here. I wakeup each day with a new sense of encouragement knowing that it is the Lord who will see me through each and every situation. I am excited about the next few weeks as I get to know the Lord and His will in my life so clearly.
Wednesday started later, as I was given time to rest and adjust to a seven hour time difference. Margaret, the CRWRC Country Coordinator for Tanzania, and Rachel picked me up at the guesthouse and we went out for lunch. This is when I was first able to experience Tanzania in the day light. Many things to look at as we often do when we go to a new place. New landmarks to take note of and culture to submerse myself in. But the thing that I was struggling to adjust to the most was the heat. Showering just didn’t seem to cut it, as you are sweating and uncomfortable before the shower and not much different afterwards. Something that I will need to continue to submit to the Lord that my body will adjust to new surroundings. Getting shade and air conditioning when possible is a treat and greeted with much thankfulness. My first day ended with a phone call to Nishant and several emails to family and friends. Staying connected with people at home is a huge priority for me and something that I will be challenging myself to do. Please, feel free to send prayer requests or updates as often as possible.
The next few days were filled with a field visit to a community about an hour and a half away from the city. My first experience with development work left me with lots of questions and a yearning to know more about what I could do or how to relate to what I experienced. Asking questions is so important and I am finding that as I ask more questions, I only have more questions to ask! A good place to be in as I begin to learn more and more about the African culture and people. Meals have been good as we are treated with Italian food at the guesthouse, last night being a personal favourite of lasagne! Have spent a lot of time talking with Rachel and enjoyed playing cards with her. A new friend I hope to continue to connect with even when we are in different cities in the months ahead.
Some plans have been made for the weekend, hoping to go to a local market to pick up a few items and enjoy some ethnic food in the area. Sunday we will attend an International church and might go to see the Indian Ocean for some pictures. Tuesday we head to Mwanza where we will be meeting with the partner organization, African Inland Church of Tanzania. Please pray that this meeting will go well and that as I get settled in my next “home” that I will continue to see the Lord working throughout the process. I have been blessed with so much support from back home during the first few days, so thank you for that. It is amazing how the Lord works in precious ways when we are in need of comfort and assurance. I was reading through my devotions and was encouraged by a verse in Lamentations and then when I check my email later on that day my mom had sent me the exact same verse. How the Word of the Lord can connect people! Praise be to the Creator of all things.
“The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is His faithfulness, His mercies begin afresh each morning.” Lamentations 3:22-23
There have been a few times of sadness as I adjust and accept many changes here. I wakeup each day with a new sense of encouragement knowing that it is the Lord who will see me through each and every situation. I am excited about the next few weeks as I get to know the Lord and His will in my life so clearly.
Enjoy this picture, my first few out the guesthouse room in Dar es Salaam.
5 comments:
Hi Erin. This is Suzanne, Christian's sister. Glad to hear you arrived safely. I will be praying for God's work through you in Tanz.
Make sure you soak everything in. And if you like writing, record lots in a journal.. you'll appreciate it later :)
erin!!! i'm so excited for you!!! sometimes the adjustment is hard for sure, but remember that God is always with you and that there are tons of people praying for you at home who love you. Keep letting God shine through you :)
love tash (CRWRC training buddy :D)
ERIN!
You are LOVED! So glad things are working out that you have made some good friends already. Praying for you always and can't wait for the next update!
XOXO
Mel
Hey Erin,
It's Shyrel from HNS. We miss you here BIG TIME but I must say, you are definitely where God intended you to be at the present time. I'm happy to see that you chose to follow His lead. Speaking from experience I can safely say that miracles will continue to flow around you. Your cup is overflowing Erin and not only will many be blessed by you but many will be blessings unto you. Congrats on the successes you are currently having and the one's you MUST have in the days, months and years to come. God holds the future and as long as we follow the direction He leads us in we can't go wrong :)
I'm looking forward to continuing this exciting journey with you.
shyrel
Hi Erin,
A friend sent this to me and it reminded me of you and the goodness you are giving to the people of Tanzania. Saint Theresa is known as the Saint of the Little Ways, meaning she believed in doing the little things in life well and with great love. I also see this quality in you. Here is her prayer:
May today there be peace within.
May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.
May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.
May you be confident knowing you are a child of God. Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.
It is there for each and every one of us.
Enjoy and embrace this experience and I agree with Suzanne that a journal will be a lasting momento.
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