I Am Learning

Every night, there is a guy who rides around on his bike selling bread, and usually around 6 o’clock, he rings my doorbell.  Tuesday night was no different, but I didn’t need any bread because I was leaving to go to the mainland for a couple of days.  I went outside and confidently said in Swahili that I didn’t need any bread today because I was going to the mainland tomorrow and asked him to return again on Friday.  He understood, said he would be back on Friday, and rode off.  I was so proud of my skills and was smiling from ear to ear!  Like he understood me! And he seemed happy about what I told him.   I later started to think about what I told him and realized that it probably wasn't the smartest thing for me to tell him!  I basically told this guy that no one would be home for two days, please come steal my things!  Luckily, I returned home a little bit ago, and everything was still here!  Although I’m excited about using the Swahili that I am learning, I guess I need to have some sort of a filter as to the information I give to people!  Oops.  I am learning.

Wednesdays are our field trip day at school (my new favorite day of the week!), but this week I skipped out to go see some friends on the mainland.  There was a group from CFC flying through an airport only 20 minutes away, and I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to see them!  There was only one problem- I didn’t have my passport!  I am in the process of getting my work permit so my passport has been in the immigration office.  I was told a copy of my passport would work to fly, but I had a hard time wrapping my American mind around the idea that a copy works.  I am learning that TIA (This Is Africa), and things are very different. A copy, indeed, is just as good as the original.  

I was encouraged, however, to go ahead and get my drivers license to prove that I live here, just in case.  I have friends who have connections, and the process wasn’t nearly as painful as it would have been if I had gone by myself!  I was VERY nervous that they were going to make me take a driving test. I was literally sweating at the thought.  I haven’t driven here yet (and don’t plan on it because it scares me to death!  I will drive on the smaller Island, where there is one road and very few cars).  The steering wheel is on right side of the car (opposite of US) and you drive on the opposite side of the road.  There are no speed limits or lines, and you pretty much just do what you want and hope other cars stop for you.  I was told that if I had to take a test, I needed to make sure I drove fast and honk my horn a lot in order to pass.  I was also told that no one has ever failed.  While that would have been assuring to some people, it only made me more nervous.  I was going to be the first person here to ever fail the driving test!  How embarrassing!  Thankfully, I didn’t have to take a test! The guy asked me if I could drive a 600cc motorbike and an RV, and after I unconfidently told him yes, he issued me my license. There was one problem with it, but we decided that it wasn’t necessary to fix because I really just needed it for identification.  Can you find the mistake? I’m thinking that maybe it can get me some extra privileges on the Island  :)

I was able to fly with my license as identification with no problems!

Here is a pic on the way over to the mainland- Pilot: Eric, Co-Pilot: Tangawizi

This is a pic of the south point of the island from the airplane.  It is truly so beautiful!  I love that this is my new home!

We had about 3 hours to kill while we were waiting for the CFC team to arrive, so we went to the local mall.  Guess what we found?? A bowling ally and arcade!  For less than $6, I lost terribly at bowling, air hockey, and a motorcycle race.  I'm blaming it on the head covering and long skirt, because I am still learning how to function in them both.  Although I am extremely competitive and hate to lose, it did make the time fly by!  For about two hours, I forgot that I was even in Africa.

It was WONDERFUL to see many friends and get a little taste of home!  They blessed us with a sweet time of fellowship, worship, and prayer!  AND extra granola bars, medicine, chocolate, and all sorts of goodies that they had left over/brought for us!  I didn’t get any pics of the CFC team on my camera, but they are all doing great and have some awesome stories to share about the work God did during their two weeks in this country!  Excited for you all to get to hear from them!

Also, thanks to all who were checking up on me about my health! I have been feeling great this whole week!  THANK YOU so much for the prayers!  School has been awesome still and I am learning so many new words each day.  I have to study A LOT to keep up with the pace of our class, but am truly enjoying it! Continued prayers for language learning and local friends to practice with would be great!