DO RE MI FA SO LA SI DO

DO RE MI FA SO LA SI DO!
I am sure we are all familiar with that phrase, or musical iconic phrase.
Today at the orphanage, we delivered the toys we had brought.
Along with that came a piano!
It was portable of course.
Since I play, I decided to show off my skills.
So, I played jingle bells.
One of the kids at the orphanage was amazed and asked me to show him how to play it!
He spoke mostly swahili and I didn't know how to explain it to him.
Jovini suggested we use the "do re mi fa so la si do" technique and so we did
I was really happy because i wear a blessing ring around my neck that says music and in the back it says, "universal language"
I just wnted to share how cool it is to experience the truth written in the ring.
Even though we dont speak the same language, we can communicate!
Love

LINDA HERRERA

Church Sunday

None of the clothes I wore today were clean, but hey--That's Africa Baby! (The hotel we're staying at does have a good laundry service though, I just have not used it.) We woke up this morning back at our humble abode Uhuru, ate breakfast, and then circled up on a grassy knoll in the front of the hotel as we do everyday. During our centering we discussed the respect we would pay to faiths other than our own while attending church. Ben lead the centering and captured the sentiment.

The vans came and we drove to Matumaini. There we were reunited with the children after our weekend safari excursion. From the orphanage we walked with the children through cornfields to the neighborhood church. Their church is a beautiful building with stained glass windows, a floor, and new pews. However, according to Barry, just two years ago only the cement structure was there, and the community has since turned their church into one of the nicest buildings in that part of Moshi. One that does justice to the spirited service that we experienced.

The adults go to an earlier service, and there is a separate service just for children. The whole neighborhood was there! We saw all of the children from school, and I was delighted when I saw Zanans sitting right in front of me. The service began when a drum starting beating, and soon all the watoto (children) were singing in a beautiful harmony. There voices were angelic.

I cannot speak for everyone but my experience in the church was very interesting. I have never attended a Catholic service before and what was present for me was a mixture of the presence of a powerful faith that sustains the people of Moshi and a history lesson with a much darker feeling. The colonization and Christrianization of Africa was a dark time in history and that was going through my mind during the service. What was also present for me was love and light and the laughter of the children who clearly enjoyed the service. So it was this contrasting feeling that was present for me during church today. What an amazing experience to attend a church in a foreign country!

From church we walked back to Matumaini (like three minutes away) and hung out with the children during the time there was a meeting between Insight Leadership and Knock about the future of our relationship (which went great). Later we walked to school and picked up with our service project.

The school is really looking great! The classroom is almost finished, we just need to clean the floors really. We order 21 desks today and they are going to be built creating a most functional, very beautiful classroom in the school! The mural is taking shape and is almost finished, it looks really great. Lisi painted the spiral sun today. We are just choosing some quotes about dreams that we want to paint on the mural in English and Swahili, and we are going to finish it tomorrow. We have painted the entire school with new coats of paint and it has done wonders to brighten up the school.

Then we came back to Uruhu and washed up for dinner which was at the IndoItaliano restaurant again. Like last time our food did not come quickly (it took two hours) but we amused ourselves with games and riddles and talk about our experiences on safari. (Safari powerfully affected me.)

Tomorrow we're finishing up our projects at school and then will be having our departing feast with the whole school community! I'm really stoked!

Well that's all for tonight folks.

Amani na upendo! (Peace and love)

-Lio (Elliot)

the MOMENT!

We arrived a few hours ago from our 2 day 1 night safari!
I thought it was a real treat to make up for the hard working days we painted and facilitated at the school!
I was looking forward to see a male LION but all I saw was a LIONESSE!
Which is still really awesome!
I had an interesting experience as we drove to the safari park.
I was looking out the window, waving and smiling at every passerby.
All of a sudden, I felt a tsunami of emotion and tears roll down my cheeks.
I thought to myself.
I'm not sad. There is nothing wrong!
Nothing was wrong.
I just felt the love and light surround my body.
When I experienced that connection, I felt that nothing could harm me.
I felt secure and protected.
I was in the unknown but the unknown felt safe and sweet!
So, I cried and thanked God that I became one with "THE MOMENT".
The second day of the safari, the whole group had a meeting and we experienced a moment of silent peace!
We heard the birds, the wind, and our breathing!
That was a true moment of peace!
For me at least!
I cannot believe we have 3 more days here.
Time has flew but I feel it has been amazing.
I am at true peace.
So happy to share this loving light with the people I love!
Thank you all!
We all love u and I love you too!
This is it for now!

LOVE
LINDA HERRERA

Zenans

There is a boy at Shule ya Msingi Mahrupanga (the school we’re working in) whose favorite animal is tembo (elephant). This boy’s name is Zenans, and he is 10 years old. Zenans has had a much more difficult life than his peers in Tanzania, for his little body is twisted up like a pretzel. His legs are contorted, and his right knee is almost at a 90 degree angle; and when I hug him, I can feel his spine’s S-shaped curvature. However, when I look at Zenans I do not feel pity, because he does not ask for it. He uses two small sticks as crutches and it is truly incredible how quickly and easily he gets around! The whole group had noticed him at school.

Yesterday was our second workshop with the middle age group, and it was a beautiful, smooth, fun, and light-filled day! What made the day so special to me was that Zenans was in my resource group. He fully participated in every activity we had planned for the day, and he did so with grace.

Part of the workshop is to do heart sharing about our dreams and aspirations for our selves and the world. When it was Zenans’s turn he held the moyo (heart) in his hands and for a moment there was a profound peace that settled over my group.
I could see the Light in his eyes as he thought carefully about the wish he had for himself; he said that he wished he would go to secondary school, and that there would be peace in the world.

Looking into Zanans’s eyes is something I will never forget. Two days ago I bought a necklace in town with an elephant pendent on it. I was going to keep it for myself, but I knew that Zenans would love it more, and I would love giving it to him more than wearing it. I brought the necklace to school, and during break from the older children’s workshop I gave it to Zenans. Again, I saw his eyes light up as he smiled.

John Morton says that he is friends with a doctor who does surgeries on crippled children around the world. We took pictures of Zenans and I am holding the Light for him to receive the surgery that could change his life forever!

-Lio (Elliot)

many thoughts

The moment we thought of coming to Tanzania, we began to perform the work of the heart.
But today, we came to a completion with giving our seminars!
I am so thrilled!
The kids are amazingly loving.
They wrote me letters, notes, told me they loved me and all that!
I love them with my eyes!
I am having the time of my life here in Tanzania!
Everyone is loving us here.
They call us MZUNGUS (FOREIGNERS)!
HA!
Being here with the people I love, is just amazing.
There are no words to describe how I feel.
I dont use many words, since Africa is a whole diff. language.
My heart is open and expanding.
I never thought love would develep this fast. but each moment, love is occuring.
There are not as much American accomodations here but we love it all.
WE ride buses filled with 20 people, we have dirt on our feet, we are living african style.
It is kicking ass!
Tomorrow, we are off to our 2 day safari and I cannot wait.
I look forward to connecting with nature and animals.
I am also allowing antything to unfold and everything that I find uplifting, i will def. take to the U.S!
I LOVE U ALL!

LINDA HERRERA

My Heart in Africa

Every second my heart skips a beat knowing that I am in wonderful Tanzania, Africa, sharing the best of myself. Being in a totally different culture and experiencing peace and love as I wave to a stranger; I become aware that love is happening every second.

I experience deep joy as I saunter right next to a complete stranger; stare into there eyes, speak a foreign word and watch as instant chemistry is created. Everyone here in Tanzania is thrilled about everything they do. They do such organic and natural tasks that I can allow myself to relax and enjoy the moment.

I have learned in just 4 days to lovingly accommodate the rhythm of their lives. The devotion to breathing, laughing, working and playing is contagious and I want to keep Africa's contagious symptoms as long as my heart beats; and beyond.

- Linda Herrera

paint paint paint

Hey guys!!
It's Lisi. I've been having a blast these past few days with my insight "family" as I've had the opportunity to meet and connect with TONS of bright, loving, sweet kids over here. I know that I don't speak for myself when I say that we have been incredibly busy since our arrival last Thursday.
I was rather calm last thursday for having arrived to a foreign country to meet hundreds of people, and I didn't know what to expect at my first visit to the school. From the very first time that I stepped off of the bus Friday morning I have felt very welcomed and emersed in so much love from everyone. It was truly an amazing feeling.
Yesterday, we had the childrens seminar (I was one of the facillitators) and today was the middle school childrens seminar. I have been very excited about the mural that we've been working on. There is a tree that we are having all of the children put their handprints on as the leaves. It's looking great so far :) Everything seems to just be falling together with such grace and ease that it amazes me. I can't believe that we have created this!! All of this was our dream, and day by day we make more of it come true. This is by far the most accomplishing feeling I have ever had. I'm proud of myself, and my friends for the amazing work that we've been able to create.
I love my life. :)
I'll post something more in depth later
- Lisi

Conversation with a Teacher

The teacher asked us first to extend the days we are here in Tanzania. 

She said "The school is beautiful now." 

But she needed us to stay later because it was not enough. We looked at her nonplused. I didn't know what to say. After a moment I stuttered out that we may be able to come back after returning to America. 

She asked directly, "When? One Year? Two Years? We need more." 

She thanked us profusely, we thanked her. "Asante! Asante!"

It sounded through the school's single open hallway. And, with as much certainty as we could muster, we spoke of returning. 

"Good," she said, "the love is on its way."

- Kai Earthsong

Letter from Kim Krowne

I thought I would weigh in on this conversation.  I'm just getting my

first break from the group to even be checking email, which is a sign

they are keeping extremely busy!  So much has been accomplished

already.  The workshop on Saturday with the teachers was remarkable.

The information was well-received and the teachers' enthusiasm was

palpable.  The teens have been working endlessly on painting,

plastering, scrubbing walls, picking up trash, and of course, playing.

 The head teacher looked at me yesterday with a big smile and said

"The entire school looks completely different after just a few hours!"

 A few of the teens have already shared that this has been a life

changing experience.  They recognize the happiness and joy in the

people here who have so much less than they do.  They have told me how

much more grateful they think they need to be in their own lives.

It's been a wonderful experience thus far for everyone involved.  As I

write this, the group is at the school conducting their first child

workshop with the youngest kids.  I am sure they will update you on

that when they get a chance.  Thank you all again, parents, for giving

your children this opportunity.  

Many blessings from Tanzania,

Kim

First Photos from the Trip

Beautification in Tanzania

We are on the climb of getting to the pretty part of beautification. The cement walls are beginning to gain color and life. It's almost like a skeleton growing skin. Our mural is also beginning to flourish! The first two days we were very dirty because we had to sand the walls, paint the ceiling, and put another coat of cement on the mural wall. Now we are adding the colors! It looks great. It is hard work, but together we're making it happen.

- Linda Herrera

Day One in Tanzania

It is such grace to love someone in such a short instant. Today was the first day, we had the honor to meet the children in the orphanage and some from the school. Their joy jumped out of their faces when they saw us wave hello, or in their language, "hujambo". I don't want to say we brought them happiness because their cups of joy were overflowing, we just added our drops of love to it.

Loving the kids is very easy! I personally admired the leniency of the kids... they play with anything that they find amusing. Walking into those dusty roads and lower class neighborhoods was a whole new experience. Everyone in the neighborhood greeted us with a vital hello, a kiss on the right and left cheeks, and a mini introduction of who they were. These people are lovingly open and even though our Swahili is rough we understood each other and shared the same loving. Loving needs no language, no label, no explanation, love just is...

I am committed to putting my soul and heart into the work we will do with the kids. I know my experience will be unforgettable.

- Linda Herrera