Kama Kawaida

Well, I realize that I haven’t updated my blog in a while and it’s probably because I have no insightful reflections or thought-provoking ideas to throw around these days. Things are “kama kawaida” (as usual/normal) around here. I don’t know if feeling this way is a result of becoming immersed in Tanzanian life or because I have become indifferent to how it is different from my life in America. I’m not sure.

Regardless, I do have a few updates:

First, sadly, it breaks my heart to share that my Pop, my mother’s father, passed away on April 9^th. He was 91 and a half years old and in failing health. It wasn’t totally unexpected but not being there was painful. I want to thank everyone, near and far, who helped support me in these last weeks. I felt every prayer and good vibe. Thank you for holding my up in my moment of weakness. My Pop’s memory will live forever in my heart and I will carry his spirit in everything I am doing here and for the rest of my life. He was an incredible man who has had a significant influence on the person I have become.

Second, our JV community and the community in Dodoma, met this past week in Moshi, near Mt. Kilimanjaro, for our spring retreat. It was a wonderful few days filled with swapping stories of the challenges and joys that come with our experiences here in Tanzania. I am grateful for that time not only to process and grieve my grandfather’s death but recharge and recommit myself to this life and work, as we enter the last weeks of the first term at school.

Lastly, I am very excited to announce that there will officially be a Gonzaga Magazine! (I should have it in my hands on Tuesday, God willing!) Due to a very generous donation, we now have enough funds to print the issue we created for last school year (2013). Our hope is that from the sales of this one, we will generate enough money to fund and print one for this school year (2014). Thank you SO much to our wonderful donors!