BACK TO SCHOOL

BACK TO SCHOOL!

This doesn't look much like a classroom to us, but that is what it is here at the E.L.T.C. Language school in Morogoro, Tanzania. It's really all you need to study since the weather is always warm, and there is often a nice breeze from the nearby Uluguru mountains. We have been here at the school now just over two weeks, and are now in our third week of studying Swahili. We will be here studying for a total of four months, beginning February 5 and ending the first week of June. 

Our Daily Schedule:

6:00am wake up - devotions, get the kids dressed

7:00 am - Breakfast

8:00 am - 12:00pm School

12:00 pm - Lunch Break

2:30 pm - 4:00 pm Afternoon Drills

6:00 pm - Dinner *

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm - The 3 B's 

(Bible Study - Baths - Bed- of course Jenn & I don't get to bed at 8:30pm!)

*After dinner we play outside with our kids & often with local African kids. They love to play basketball & volleyball--and the little ones just like to play in the dirt! 

Each unit has a bedroom, a shower and toilet, a set of bunkbeds, and a small sitting room. Jennifer  and I are in one room with Isaac and Sam, while Ally is in the other room with Elaina and Katie. Below is a picture of our room and where the boys sleep. 

Living here at the E.L.T.C. is a lot like living at camp. Its hot (averaging 90 degrees each day), no AC but the fans are wonderful, there is a schedule to follow, and going into town is a difficult task! We are very thankful for the cooler nights (67-70 degrees) here with the mountain breeze from the mountains, and also for the many students and teachers that speak english. The campus here is neat and well kept, and the staff is very friendly and helpful. Below left is the entrance to the language school living and dining area. Our 2 units are on the right, the dining is straight ahead. Below right is a view from our front door of the preschool Sam and Katie attend. 

 

The food is also very good, and a good mix of Tanzanian and European food served buffet style. We've had chicken, pork, spaghetti, fish, pizza, and many other special dishes. Every meal is served with fruit such as pineapple, mango, watermelon, oranges, or papaya. Every lunch and dinner includes rice and/or potatoes!

We are so thankful for the 3 meals provided for us each day. This, combined with the wonderful help of Ally (who has been such a blessing!) and the preschool (which is within 50 yards of our living area),  enables us to focus on studying Swahili. We are working hard each day, averaging one lesson a day, with review and drills in the afternoons. We have homework each night and a test after every 5 lessons. We are so thankful for this time to focus on learning the language!

 

Above is what they call "The Agreement Chart", and so far we have already learned about 30% of this chart. Jennifer and I have our own teacher, so we can ask questions and interact as each lesson is taught. Occasionally they switch up the teachers, so we have a new teacher this week. Below left has been our classroom for the first two weeks, but now we have moved out to a shelter (below right) as the temps have been a little warmer this week.

  

 There is a church on the grounds which has two separate services on Sunday- 1 in English and 1 in Swahili. They are solid on the Gospel here and love to sing! We often hear the various singing groups and choirs practicing throughout the afternoons and evenings. Below is the chapel building where the services are held. We also listen to the messages that are posted online from our home assembly North Ridge Bible Chapel. We really enjoyed Gasford's message on Love this past Valentine's Day!

 

Below is a short video from our Second Sunday at the English service.

Between class times, meals, and walking back and forth to the classes we get opportunities to talk with the many teachers here.  Most of them are young, in their 20's, and single. I've learned not to assume people are saved and know the Gospel. A few of them have asked me, "Why have you come to Tanzania?" This question has opened up several conversations about how the Lord saved me, and has led our family here to serve Him. It is such a joy to share the Gospel. 

This is why we are here.

My new Gideon Swahili Bible!

I confess, some days the heat gets to you, the power is out, and the meal was not something I cared to try... but Gasford closed his message with the question the Lord asked Peter 3 times, "Do you love Me?". What kind of love am I loving the Lord with? So often I have to confess like Peter that I am just fond of Him (phileo), instead of loving Him sacrificially (agape). I so appreciated and needed the reminder of why we are here. We are here to serve our Great Savior. We are here to learn Swahili so we can preach the Gospel and teach the Word of God to whosoever the Lord leads us to. We are here to be broken and molded into the image of Christ. We are here to glorify Him, and He is so worthy of any sacrifice any of us make for Him. Of course these things we can do ANYWHERE!

But here in Tanzania, I am learning what it means to love the Lord. I stumble and fall short on a daily basis. My joy is often found in things like the power being on, but I am learning... learning to love Him sacrificially, learning to truly find my joy in Him and not in comforts. 

Learning what it means to follow Him. 

So yes, we are BACK TO SCHOOL.

Thanks for holding the rope!