A trip to town

I wrote this post in December, but apparently I never posted it. So here it is :) 

This past Tuesday, we made the 1.5 hour trip to town (Mwanza) to do some errands. Here are some pictures from the day

taking a motorcycle taxi (piki piki) to the store

Shopping at one of the biggest stores in Mwanza. We get most of our produce from Mavuno Tele (the Mavuno Village's farm or the market. However, some things like couscous and tomato paste are easier to find at this store. 

At the dentist's office. The glue on my permanent retainers got messed up, but these guys got it all fixed up

smiles

My favorite thing at Mavuno are all the smiles. I love watching them spread across their faces, and from one person to another. I love learning what makes them appear. 

they smile... 

on the tire swing

while walking home from school

at a friend's house

while drawing

while playing with ribbons

when they see each other

Sundays

Sundays are my favorite days here, at Mavuno. After breakfast, we walk to church with the people from family house three. It's 30 minutes walk over absolutely stunning terrain. 

Still on Mavuno property

Isn't it gorgeous!

Some of the houses we pass on our way

Church is filled with music and singing and children, and I love it. Bethany translates the sermons for me which I so appreciate! 

After lunch, is Mavuno's chapel, led by the kids. We sing and pray together before one of the older kids shares a message from the Bible. My favorite part is the singing, because I can often join in (especially if I have a Swahili hymnal). 

Then everyone cleans up and the moms talk while the children play. During the week, the kids are usually busy with school or chores, so Sundays are special. Watching them run and play brings me so much joy! 

                                

Sunday Afternoon

Bare feet, sunshine, roller skates

Singing, laughing, playing ball

Dancing, climbing, raw mangoes

Sunset, goodnight, till next time

Tree of Life School

Most of my time here is spent helping at Tree of Life School. It's just a 15 minute walk from my home and I've grown to love all the kids who attend. 

In the mornings, I get to hang out in the Kindergarten, which is the biggest class in the school. I'm learning my Swahili numbers and days of the week right along side the kids ;) 

The Kindergarteners are always full of smiles

The afternoons are filled with different clubs including, Science, Reading, English, Computer, and Art club. So while the Kindergarten naps, I tag along with the other kids and help out wherever I can be used. 

All the grade levels gathered for the closing time

I'm learning so much from all the teachers and students at this school, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to work alongside them. 

Mavuno Intro

Hello! I've been in Tanzania for about a month now, and my time at Mavuno Village has been wonderful!

Mavuno is a children's home based on the family model. There are 5 family homes here and each one has house parents. This couple then takes in kids who need families for different reasons. So, in the end you are left with something less like an orphanage and more like a tight-knit neighborhood bursting with kids. Each one of the families have been so kind and welcoming, and I'm so grateful to for the privilege of getting to know them. 

The families of Mavuno

Last Day Here

It's the day before I'm scheduled to fly out to Tanzania! I can't believe this is really happening, but the ticket is purchased and my bags are packed! I wanted to take some time to connect with you and give you a brief recap of my journey so far.  

My senior year of high school was a whirlwind of trying to figure out God’s plans for my life. I am interested in pursuing a Masters in Biblical Counseling as this would help me work with vulnerable children and show them the love of Jesus. However, after many long conversations, I felt led to first pursue service on the mission field alongside people who would be willing to mentor me as they daily submit to God’s calling.  

At the end of July 2022, I was officially approved to intern with Mavuno VIllage in Tanzania and Serge in Burundi. Then came the race to meet deadlines, submit forms, and jump through all the hoops necessary to serve in Africa. Now, I’m finally packed and ready to go. This process was hard, but I’ve been reminded of the promises and closeness of God.

One of the ways God showed himself to me was through your encouragement. Your prayers are what got me through the anxiety of not being in control. So many people have dropped everything just to go on a walk or pray with me. So many people have given me sweat pants or suitcases or whatever odd thing I needed. So many of you have given me advice when I didn’t know what to do. 

One of my highlights was seeing so many faces at one time during my Graduation/Send Off Open House. It was humbling for me to be loved on and prayed over as I take these steps in faith. I wish I had more time to just sit and chat with each and everyone of you who came.

Overall it’s been a rollercoaster of emotions. There were moments filled with confusion and anxiety, and there were moments filled with peace and excitement. To be honest, this has been hard. It’s hard leaving my family and friends. It's hard knowing I'll have to relearn so many little things like laundry and language. It's hard having to trust God again and know that he'll care for me. 

Even though it’s hard, I’m still going to get on that plane tomorrow, because God is leading me and because you are helping me. Thank you all for praying for me, sacrificing, and encouraging me in my mission and my faith. 

On the fundraising side, I surpassed my initial goal of $2500, which means that Serge will purchase my return flight ticket soon. Unfortunately, I won’t have a return ticket by the time I reach the Tanzanian immigration officers, so would you pray that I do not have any problems. I still need $6,181 to be fully funded, which covers my other travel expenses, fees, and living expenses. If you feel led to give, you may do so through this link.

Also, I know my family and I are going to need a lot of prayer during the next few days of transitions, so if you'd like to commit to praying for me, please do so by clicking this link to let me know. My updated prayer list can be found here.  

Thank you for your grace and for coming alongside me in this crazy adventure!

Love,

Hannah

Open House

This past Saturday, we hosted a Graduation/Send Off Open House. We gave thanks for God's grace in helping me successfully complete high school, and we prayed for his continued grace over my life as I step into internships in Tanzania and Burundi.  

Thanks to everyone for coming out to pray over me and celebrate with me! Thank you also to the countless number of people who invested in me throughout my life.  

Shout out to Eden who drove me all around while we ran errands for the party

Flower shopping was fun! 

One of the finished bouquets 

Access to a pool made this day extra special. Thank you, Gockleys, for opening your home, your hearts, your resources, and your pool.  

My cousins are the cutest and messiest s'more eaters ;)

I love you guys

This was just supposed to be a party, but I also learned that there is a whole community of people who are willing to come and help me out. Getting ready for Africa has been really overwhelming for me. There's so much I don't know and so much I'm not good at. It's really encouraging to know there are so many people who are standing beside me in this journey. 

Every time I need something, I turn around and someone's offering to provide for that need. I wanted sweatpants to pack, and a friend gave me hers. I didn't have a working suitcase, and more than one person offered the ones they had. I needed a place to have this open house, and friends offered their home before I even had a chance to ask. 

I've been reminded what it means to be a part of the church. It means I have support and family and help at every corner.