Kwaheri Tanzania!

As we finish up everything in Tanzania and get ready for the switch to Kenya, I am especially aware of time here and how time moves. We had umpteen assignments to finish and there are umpteen last things to do before we go. Everything moves so slowly here that you are never rushed, things just happen when they happen. But because things move slowly there is never quite enough time to do all of the things we were trying to do. Its odd how in the end it all works out. I am not quite sure what makes it work out, but so far it has managed to. Perhaps it is the accepting present attitude of the Tanzanians that just makes the whole world flow.
On Saturday we worked at the primary school just down the road to help them build a kitchen. We have just begun to build what will eventually be a closed stove type cooking area, which will use less than half of the firewood than the open fires they have been using to cook. It was exciting and fun to help out and give our service and work with the kids to cement the floors of the new structure. We had a few adventures along the way… we were cementing the second and last room, and we were almost finished so only Aaron and I were in the room smoothing the last of the cement. All of a sudden the children who were leaning in the windows watching started shouting and pointing. Coming out of the newly put down and still soft cement was a medium sized black mamba! It slithered its way right out of the cement only two feet away from Aaron and maybe five feet from me. We all backed quickly out of the room and one of the Tanzanian men came over with a rake and killed it. I was a bit taken aback, as were many of us, and then we started thinking about the reality of a black mamba around children. If one of them were to be bitten out here where there is no immediate medical care available, that child would almost certainly die. After that realization I decided I understood their actions (interesting how this place puts things into perspective).
We worked all day long and at the end of the day we finally dragged our weary selves to camp. As I walked back to camp, I looked out over the mountains and valleys, the trees and fields, the cows and people, and realized that I truly felt like I was walking home. I felt deeply at peace with this place. It is definitely a challenge after finally feeling at home to pick up and transition to Kenya, but it also puts my heart at ease to know how quickly I feel so comfortable here.
I will miss hearing the pigeon peas rattling in their husks as the wind sweeps over the fields. I will miss the sunsets out side our gate and the way the mountains turn a hazy blue. I will miss our walks around this area and greeting everyone we pass. I will miss reading with the children at the primary school and having each one hold my hand and pet my arms and stare up at me with wide eyes. I will miss our incredible staff and the family we have built together. We have started saying goodbyes and after leaving a dear friend tonight I sat down with tears in my eyes and said “I hate this!” a fellow student came to comfort me and replied “I know, but the best part is you love these people more than you will miss them and that’s what matters in the end.” What a piece of wisdom, and what an incredible thing to know in my heart.
With that, I will write next in Kenya!
Much Love, Sara