Kongwa

The other day, I realized that it has been nearly 6 months since I slept somewhere other than Dodoma. To my on-the-go husband, who has happily traveled nearly every month since we moved here, staying put in one place for that long is highly undesirable.

So, he suggested that maybe it was time for us to get away as a family (and pull me away from my little cocoon. Yes, I'm a happy homebody.) On Friday, Josiah completed his final term of the school year, so we figured this might be a good time to plan a short getaway.

Some friends of ours told us about a historic guest house nestled in the mountains just outside the town of Kongwa (about an hour away from Dodoma), so we decided to give it a try.

The guest house, Westgate Hostel, sits on the St. Phillips Theological College compound. According to a plaque on the front of the building, it was built in 1914 by a Canadian missionary. Cool! We stayed on the top floor, and had to climb some rickety stairs to get there. The space inside wasn't anything fancy, but it was definitely full of character. (They just don't make windows like that anymore.)
It was also comfortable and clean, and was just the kind of change of pace that I didn't know I needed.

It was quiet. It had a nice view. It had no neighbors. (Don't get me wrong. I LOVE my neighbors, but I guess that sometimes - even for this homebody - it is nice to be off our housing compound.) We were only in Kongwa for one night, but we had a nice, relaxing time.

We ate good food.

The boys did some hiking.
(We tried taking Anna, but it didn't work out so well. "That was a hard trail, Mommy," she told me.)

They saw some great views.

We spent the rest of our time resting, watching a movie or two, and talking. It was nice.

As we headed home, Paul and I commented to each other that we need to make getting away as a family now and then more of a habit, even if it's only for a night. Change of pace is a good thing.

Where Two or Three are Gathered

One of the highlights of my week is attending a ladies Bible study on Wednesday mornings with a few other moms here in Dodoma.

We are a multicultural group. Two of the ladies are from the UK, one is from Switzerland, one is from Sweden, one is from Northern Ireland, another is from Germany, and I am from America. (Unfortunately, two members of our group are missing from the photo.)

Today, we met for our final session before the school's summer holiday (I mean, "winter" holiday - we are officially in our cool season of the year). It was a bittersweet meeting because several of our members are preparing to move away from Dodoma to minister in other places. Someone once told me that the life of the missionary is a transient one. They were right. It always seems like someone is leaving on furlough, moving to a new assignment, or returning to their home country. While I'm sad to see these ladies move on from Dodoma, I know God will use them greatly in their new roles.

Since January, we have worked our way through two study books, Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World by Joanna Weaver and The Friendships of Women by Dee Brestin. I've learned many things during both studies, but the best part of our Wednesday morning meetings was having a chance to gather with other Christian women to learn, share, laugh, and pray.

In Matthew 18:20, the Bible says, "For where two or three gather together because they are mine, I am there among them."

Since moving to Dodoma, the truth of this Scripture always comes alive to me as I'm gathered with this group of ladies. I am so encouraged to be able to share my joys and my struggles with other women who can relate to what I'm going through. I feel the power of the Holy Spirit as we pray for each other and encourage each other.

I can't wait for August when those of us who remain will start the Beth Moore Study my mom sent us. (Thanks, Mom!) Praise the Lord for these dear sisters in Christ!

Good Boy

Josiah came running into the house after school today, simply trembling with excitement.

"Mommy, I want to show you something. Look!" he exclaimed, shoving a paper into my hands. "I got a 'certifi-cat'!" (My dear child attends an international school, so he's copying the Tanzanian, New Zealand, British, etc., accents he hears. It's too cute to correct him.)

A parent often wonders how their child is behaving when they are not around. Is he listening in school? Does he obey his teacher?

Well, apparently Josiah is doing just fine because today his teachers presented him with the "Good Behavior" award, earned by accumulating the most good behavior stickers throughout the term.

Good job, Josiah! Mom and Dad are so proud of you!