ngirilover: Back in Moshi 2014--So happy!!!

We have early rain...everything is beautiful & green

We arrived in Moshi last Sunday night, grateful that all flights were on schedule. Sadly, our scheduled arrival coincided with John’s big meetings, and we had to give up the opportunities to travel business on a variety of airlines in order to get the stranded travelers out. Sighing over the “we cannot do it, but wouldn’t business class be just wonderful”, we did not heed the call. And at the end of the day, all our bags arrived, but not my ipad. I’m so sad. I was just told that I can e-mail Apple and they may at least be able to tell me where it is. I have done all the other things—airlines, airports etc. Anyway, sad. But no time to grieve, as immediately John jumped into work. He had a huge meeting to attend and help with and with that also arranging a dinner with the director of the Fogerty Center International and all our students who had benefited from Fogerty support.

Unpacking, organizing, buying food and beverages would have been much easier but for the 13 baby rats and their “mommy and daddy” living in our old Rav4. They had munched on essential wires and the car had a certain odor of pee. So, Monday was spent taking these above mentioned rats to the “farm”, and airing out the car, calling our car fundi who loyally came over and pieced the car together once more. Kindly I am not including the picture of the nest!

I did have the opportunity to wake up and see our newest baby –Lucy’s little Jonathan. He is loving sleeping during the day and screaming during the night. As the week went on and Pauli unpacked the little swing, bouncy chair combination, things have improved, and Lucy has determined that pacifiers are not a bad thing at all.

20 minutes after I woke up...no face wash, hair or teeth..but happy

Rose and I worked all day to make the dinner happen, and though we do not have 22 chairs, and I could not figure out how we could make it work, it did. In fact, it was fabulous, thank you Rose and "El Rancho" one of our local Indian Restaurants. The dinner was a great success. We were all stuffed, and I was amazed that the Fogerty director worked his way around 19 people, hearing their stories and writing notes. No wonder he has earned this high position.

Jonathon & Bernard

Dorothy, Francis, Dr. John

Esther & Daudi

wow the gang's all here

There was a captive audience!

Ahazi & Paschales

Peyton & Katie

Listening closely!!!

Conversations about the night

Dr. John is not telling about his terrible day

Jan holding court!

We moved on to a great clinical conference given by Catherine and her group. Their practice clearly showed. Best thing that we can do…give our partners an opportunity to show their own work, and have them practice ahead of time. It was great.

Catherine's presentation

These great team members!

Awesome team!

The Community advisory board met in the afternoon, and it was as usual an interesting meeting. The Youth CAB presented their meetings and some of the things that had happened as a result. I was so proud of those that spoke up. They were very brave and put forth extremely good questions. The older members were pretty surprised and tried to give responses. We are so excited about the marathon. The Moshi CAB will have 31 5K runners this year. Thanks to GLOBAL CONNECTIONS FOR CHANGE for sponsoring this group for the race and for the Youth CAB meetings.

Youth CAB presenting

Stella--never afraid to talk and such a good mentor for others

The week continued with meetings and discussions and lots of practice for the marathon. I have spent time holding little Jonathan and talking about all the newborn things. So much fun. Running up the road and seeing all the people who go “oh mama where have you been”. And then finally today returning to St. Margaret’s Anglican and seeing all our old friends, and relishing the new pastor who is a thoughtful and lovely man—along with his wonderful family.