When was the last time you held a python?

I know that Kelcy has already updated you on our recent activity concerning the museum, but in order for everyone to truly believe it, check out the pictures below.

Kelcy handled herself pretty well, not freaking out.

I could barely touch the thing. Gross. But I did, because I obviously wanted the picture.

Brian and the snake charmer were apparently best friends according to the picture. The dance group behind them just kept on dancing like a snake was no big deal. 

The picture above is Geita Town. We took a tour this morning and had a time of prayer for 5 main things:

1. The Gold mine- The people here in Geita are affected by the mine every day. The financial support it brings to the people here is certainly a good thing, but we learned and will continue to learn about the evil that can be produced through wealth.
2. Prostitution- Because of the gold mine's added wealth to the community, much is spet on on prostitution, drugs, and alcohol.
3. Churches- There are several churches in Geita town, some which are doing good work, other which are exploiting the hope that churches provide to people. 
4. The marginalized- there are many here in Geita, in fact all over the world, that are lost in the mess of everything that is going on. Part of the work our team here in Geita will eventually be to help children who can't be taken care of by their family, and eventually help street kids as well. 
5. Community- Community here is incredibly important to the people of Tanzania. When people leave their village or families to pursue good fortune in the city, that community is broken. Community is vital to Tanzanians, and part of our prayer was that our team would also find community together 

That is all for now. Tomorrow we are headed to the village for church, and every day this week we will be getting a tast for the various ministries that Team Geita is involved in. 

Up Next: Building a Rocket Stove.

Day 2

This is Kelcy reporting for Tanzania interns.
After being up for almost two days, and having less than 6 hours of sleep in the last 48, we finally got to sleep last night. The missionaries made sure to not let us sleep when we arrived until it was a decent sleeping hour. Which was for the purpose of letting us adjust from the jetlag easier. So, when we first met everyone, we were pretty much zombies. So maybe our first impressions were a little off. A good nights rest was very much appreciated, and me and Natalie successfully shared a twin bed. We also got to shower yesterday and after 24 hours of travelling, I have never been so happy to shower in my life!
Today, we went to a museum in a nearby village where we learned about the largest tribe in Tanzania, the Sukuma tribe. It was very interesting and informational about the culture and the way they live. At the end of the tour, some of the people in the village performed traditional dances for us. They played many various drums (with some very awesome, complicated rhythms) and had many different costumes. We all loved it! The dancers were so happy to share their culture with us. As they were dancing, some of the village children were off to the side mimicking everything the dancers did. So we basically got two different shows, because the children were hilarious to watch.
During the performance, a little boy with a limp leg and some kind of handicapped arm came up to me and put his hand on my knee. He kept saying something to me over and over, but of course I couldn't understand him yet because we haven't learned much language at all. So I just held out my hand for him to hold and he stayed for a little while. I even got a smile or two out of him. I can't wait to be able to somewhat communicate, although I'm also nervous about that aspect as well.
At the end of the performance, a man went to a box and pulled out a giant python. No big deal.
He was dancing with it and showing it off then he motioned for me to come over to him. So hesitantly, I went over and held the snake beast. It was terrifying and exciting at the same time. But Natalie, Bryan, and I all held it and we have pictures to prove it that we will upload later.
Tomorrow we leave for Geita (we have been staying in Mwanza to rest up). We are all very eager to get to our destination and see what lies ahead. But nevertheless, we are all loving Tanzania!

we are (finally) here!!

After what feels like forever, we nave reached Tanzania! Carson mcneal and Brett Harrison were at the airport to meet us, and now we are struggling to stay awake till 8 pm so that we can (try) to get our bodies used to the 8 hour time difference. We will be spending two days here in mwanza before we drive up to geita where we will be for the long haul of our internship. We would really appreciate your prayers for rest.in order for us to be prepared for the rest of our trip! Love you all! Natalie (and Bryan and kelcy)

Aaaaand we're off!

We have arrived at the super exciting OKC airport. It was sad leaving our friends and family, but we managed to do so with relatively few tears. We have a long few days ahead of us, but we are excited!

1 week!

The Tanzania Intern team leaves one week from today!
It will take about two days of various airplanes and other shenanigans for us to reach Geita. Please continue praying as we prepare for this incredible adventure!

We are getting closer!

In a little over a week, we will be headed to Tanzania, East Africa.

Africa.

I have been waiting to go to Africa for as long as I can remember, and now it's here. The 7 weeks we are gone will be filled with excitement, hard work, and being the hands and feet of jesus.
Romans 10:15 quotes isaiah and calls our feet beautiful if we're bringing the good news. That is good to hear. Even when I think that there is no way I am ready to go for 7 weeks to a place that I know so little about, to somewhere I can't possibly be prepared enough for, my chaco-clad, awkward looking feet are beautiful, and all because I am following the call of God to Africa.  Pretty awesome, right? That peace is my go-to verse for our internship.


Some of the things my pretty little feet will be doing in the next 2 months:

Going to London! (by way of Dallas and Chicago)- we have a long layover in London, so hopefully we will get to leave the airport, run around, and meet the queen. Dream big.

Getting to Tanzania. Finally. After over 2 days of 5 airplanes and meeting the queen, our internship will finally start. In london we will meet up with Nik and Krista, the other interns. Can't wait to meet them!

Language lessons- Well, I'm learning swahili. We will see how that goes. I barely speak english well.
Living with a missionary family- I feel like there is not much needed here in terms of explanation... I'm sure excited though!

Staying with a native Tanzanian family- I will be staying with a family for a short part of my trip with whom communication will be... (See above: Language lessons). This might actually be the part of the trip I am looking forward to the most.

Missing my family, friends, dogs, and the NBA finals. I can only imagine how tough all of those things will be, but it will all be incredibly worth it.


I think that is all for now, and that is probably all you would read anyways.
Please keep our internship and the people of tanzania in your prayers. Pray for open hearts for everyone involved.
-Natalie

It is coming so soon!