Watoto, Simba, Masaai. Oh My!

Sorry I have not updated lately. The computer is very very slow, and I get so frustrated, that I don't get on. That and it's so hard to get a chance to use it. Anyway...

Things we've done since my last update:
Masaai village church visit
2 more orphanage visits
LOTS of Swahili class time
Mikumi game park

If you have ever been amazed by a choir sing, think again. African choirs, especially church choirs and school choirs are AMAZING! There are actions, chanting, noise-making and singing (of course). We arrived at the village around 9:30 am, but church did not start until 12ish, since here it is custom to wait for everyone to arrive first, and greet everyone as they arrive. The service itself was about 3 hours, with singing, talking, communion, offering, choir performances, and even a few songs from us Wartburg kids. With all the entertainment, it didn't seem like that long, but there were so many people standing the entire time... Crazy... After church, everyone goes outside and shakes everyone's hand, while forming a giant circle. Then it was time for the auction and taking pictures with all the children, which is what I did instead. This may also be why my camera doesn't work right now...but it happens. We also ended up eating at the village. The meal consisted of goat, rice, tomatoes and.... all of the goat innards cooked. So some unknowing(and some knowing) Wartburgers ended up with intestine, liver and stomach to eat. The liver apparently was decent, but the other stuff was interesting, so they got interesting with the ways they ate it. We also had soda for the first time, which was pretty sweet, not to mention that some of us used the "outhouse," which is an experience all in itself... The toilet is in the floor, so you squat. Enough said.

The orphanage stories are the same pretty much. We run, swing, talk and just carry the kids around for however long we are there. They are so talkative and love to look out the window, even though we are outside anyway. Slowly, we are learning more words to try and use with the kids, but mostly we just listen to them babble. It's cute that way anyway.

Swahili lessons are almost over, but we have learned a ton in the few days we have been learning it. We can form lots of full sentences now with verbs, adjectives and adverbs and we know tons of vocab. Napenda Swahili-I like Swahili. I would say more, but I don't have my notebook, so this is all from memory. =P

Today we got back from an overnight trip to Mikumi game park. It's pretty much a huge animal reserve, and i do mean HUGE! We saw so many twiga (giraffes), simba (lions), tembo (elephants), impala, birds, etc. Our lodging for the night was in little hut/cabin-like things. There was a "honeymoon suite" and another room with three single beds in it, plus a bathroom and shower room. Quite the place! Dinner was amazing too. We all got to choose from a menu and order drinks. I had a beef kabob with peanut sauce and chips(fries). Fanta was also available, so I was very excited about that! This morning we went out on another safari at 6:30am, however, that is when we really found the lions out and even eventually found a hippo in the water. It was definitely worth it! We got omelets for breakfast as well. Talk about luxury! After the excitement of having a male simba(lion) walk toward our bus, however, most people were tired and napped on the way home.

Tomorrow we have a 4-hr drive to another village. Apparently we are going through the rain forest though, so I am very excited! We will have another church service and meal. Who knows what new things we will learn tomorrow!!

Saturday is our last day of Swahili, and we will also head back to the orphanage then as well. I will try to blog again soon when possible!!

Kwa heri na usiku mwema (Goodbye and good night!) Jen