Late Night

while laying awake at 12.30 with my mind racing, i realized that all this tea that i drink has a poor effect on me. and the tea is made by pooring the grounds into the boiling pot. so the bottom of your cup is filled with grounds - that's the part you are to chew on. who knew? not me, but i'm learning.

today is my first day of class. i'm really excited to get started on the material, and meet more people. the schedule is pretty typical. breakfast with tea, then quiet time, then praise and worship, then tea, then lecture, then lunch with tea, then lecture, then tea, then small group, then dinner with tea, then lecture, then to bed.

well sitting at the breakfast table eating my bread and tea in silence - people weren't very chatty today - i began to think about those verses which speak of bread. the 'our father' says, 'give us our daily bread'. let me tell you something about daily bread - when that's all you get, it's pretty important! but the Jesus goes on to say 'we don't live on bread alone, but on the word of God'. so that is what i'm been thinking about during this quiet time.Today's Challenge: go out of your way to say hello to someone today. let them know that they matter, even if it's someone you'll never meet again. just saying 'hello' can mean the world to someone.

photos

check out my flickr account for photos.

spent the last couple of days hanging out at ywam arusha. had a great time there. the speaker was korean and i had a little trouble understanding his english, but it was good teaching. they have hot showers (we don't at my base!). and they had a normal toilet, not squat pots like us. and they have many international students.

i remember standing in jasper methodist churh last sunday thinking, 'wonder what my next worship service will look like?' now i know. it was more similar than i had thought. just a bit more dancing, that's pretty much the different. song, announcements, preaching, song, more announcements. this is where i was. gotta love that gps! the weather there is very different than the weather at my base. their weather is 10 degrees cooler, and it rained for a few minutes. it's very green there, too. my base is very dry and very little green.

tomorrow i get to learn how to do my own laundry at the outdoor faucet. looking forward to that. (i may not love laundry as much as i do when i return to the States!)

last night was my first good night of sleep, even though i didn't fall asleep until 2.30. i slept until 9 this morning. it felt so good. it feels like i'm finally getting over my jet lag, but the dogs bark all the time during the night. then the birds start their singing around 5.30. most of the time people here on base are in bed around 9 - but they are getting up around 6. saves electricty that way.

class begins tomorrow, so many of the other students will be arriving today. i've met one man from kenya already. he speaks english well. bonus! looking forward to starting class and getting on a more regular schedule. that will take out some of the boredom.

Arusha

i've been to arusha, and stayed overnight at the arusha ywam base. their base is much more advanced than our base, and they have many more international students. it was great fun to get time to hang out with some different people from around the world. met some people from washington, california, australia, etc. i'll try to upload some photo tomorrow. i'm way too tired tonight to attempt that - it's already 12.15 sunday morning.

this language dilemma is more difficult than i had imagined. that's my biggest prayer request right now - that i could begin learning how to speak and understand swahili so that i'll be more effective in communicating with the staff and students. tomorrow the rest of the students will arrive. looking forward to meeting them and starting new with those friendships.

the bus ride has been a highlight. we crammed 45 people onto a 30 passenger bus. very exciting. i had the opportunity to share my seat with a woman and a baby. oh so exciting... and the roads here are quite terrible. the main road to base if good, but any other road is quite bumpy - filled with ruts about 2 feet deep.

first during my trip: had my first tanzanian coke. it tasted the same. ate a cold potato for breakfast. experienced my first african rain.

my digits

3° 21.120 E 37° 07.363

now you know where to find me. if you have google earth, you could zoom in even closer.

Lazy Day

today has been a pretty lazy day so far. class doesn't really start until monday, so the next couple of days are mostly hanging out. I've met so many people already - i can't keep them all straight. already i've gotten 2 girls mixed up - dora and aisha, then there's veronica and mamema and josie. people here keep telling me, 'we are glad you are here with us.' that's a powerful phrase. i've heard it from several people, most of which can barely speak english.

i've forgotten which photos i've uploaded, but i think one is of the lady with the cups on her head. i'll need some serious practice before i can do that! i think the next photo is kilimanjaro- at sunrise this morning. the sunrise was magnificent! oh for the glory of God, right there, buddy, do you see it? i saw and was amazed.

today we are going into town to get some supplies and attend some type of workshop. since i'm here a few days early, i get to go along so i'm not left at camp alone. i really don't have much time to write much more. have a great day! she's a beautiful one, here in boma ngoma, tanzania,

I'm Here!

i don't have much time, but wanted to update everyone that i'm here! everything worked out great on the way over. now i'm sitting under my net, updating this blog. but i better run. it's 11.55 and i should be sleeping. got an early start tomorrow. thanks again for all your prayers.

Packing and Good-byes

it's been a whirlwind today. got up pretty early and knocked out several loads of laundry. visited the health clinic for my last shots. visited the dmv to have my license renewed. had a delightful lunch with 2 good friends. now i'm closing down my computer, packing all my belongings, and clearing out my bedroom.

so tomorrow is the big day. my flight leaves at 5.20 pm. I'll arriving in kilimanjaro around 9 pm (their time)on the 22nd - that's about 1 pm atlanta time. there's so much emotion involved in a this little departure!

tricia is making a farewell dinner for denise and i, then lacey and jolie are coming over for dessert. then tomorrow the reality will kick in and i'll be a mess. a mess on a mission!

Today's Challenge: take a walk and enjoy the brisk day. maybe you can throw in a little prayer of thanks, too. not sure how long it will be until i can update next, so this may be the challenge for weeks. who knows?

until next time....

Transformational Loans

i watch the feed to this blog, Soul Renovatus, which i got from Shottie. from the blog, i linked over to this book. that made me do a search for this and this. and i believe that those two 'this's' can have a global effect. check them out. do something. donate $25 - you'll never miss it. but for the receiver of those donation - it could mean life. guess that's my rant (or rat!) for today!

Contact Info

tanya gartamaker
ywam kilimanjaro
P.O. Box 261
Hai-Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

phone number: 011-255-27-2756947 - if you want to call, buy a phone card because the rate will be much lower. (the phone card should be between 10 and 20 cents a mintute.) once i get settled in tanzania, i can update you on the best time to call.

my african discovery for today: the kilimanjaro airport (2932') is 1397 feet above the elevation of the jasper, ga, airport (1535').

Today's Challenge: send a postcard to a grandparent

Challenges Presented to Me

a few of my friends are hopping on board with these challenges, but they are directing them towards me. so far these are the challenges which i am to accomplish while in tanzania:
climb mt. kilimajaro
adopted a child
ride an elephant while being the light of Christ

any one else have a challenge for me while in tanzania?

Today's Challenge: fast one meal today - focusing on what God may be calling you do.

we are having a little going-away get-together on saturday night beginning at 6. if you are out and about jasper, ga, stop in!

Medicine and Cupid

so i now am equipped with 225 doxycycline, which i get to start taking on Monday. and the direction recommend that i take this medicine the same time everyday, and i should not lay down for an hour after taking it. so now i need to figure out what time to start to take them. our midnight is their 8 am, which is about the time i'll be taking them during my stay in africa. so it could be interesting...

happy v-day.

one week from today i'll be boarding a plane. i'm soooo excited! i really need to sort my things, and box the belonging which are staying here. i need to call about changing my insurance to liability. i should try to update my driver's license. monday or tuesday i need to get my second helping of hep a+b. need to spray all my clothing and bags with bug repellent. need to get some bug spray/sunscreen combo. need to transfer my school fees. i may call kilimanjaro tomorrow morning and ask a few more questions.

Today's Challenge: call a friend on the phone and sing them a song.

Chidren Soldiers

what can we do to stop it? check out this link from cnn.com. it breaks my heart to see the pictures and hear the story. there's a link in about the 4th paragraph down labeled, 'Audio Slide Show'. click it, if you have the stomach for it.

The Mother Land

What a ride! where i do start? well, last friday afternoon shottie asked me if i would be her show-and-tell for a confirmation retreat near covington. it sounded like an adventure, so of course i went! the conversations on the drive over were great. the 'worship service' was pretty entertaining. best prize to be given out during 'worship': silly sting. then comes saturday morning. shottie originally was asked to offer a message about missions/service, and this is where i came into the picture. so shottie gave me opportunity to speak of this beautiful adventure. overall i think it went pretty well. the students were very attentive and seem genuinely interested.

so sunday comes around, back in j-town, eating lunch at a local mexican joint, and shottie's phone rings. it's mike, one of the guys who helped to host the confirmation retreat. he told her that the students and volunteers had taken up an offering and had decided to give the money to me for my beautiful adventure. bring on the flood of tears! it's amazing to me how God fills in the gaps. He prompted shottie to ask me to the retreat. He had opened up my schedule so i would be free. He prepared those students and volunteers to listen and to serve. He guided that decision to give the donations to me. how amazing is that!

Daily Challenge: when you see a little child today, smile at him/her, and see if he/she smiles back. then pray for that little kid.

one of the techs came into my office earlier today. he's of african american descent. he said, 'so i hear you're traveling to the mother land.' i smiled and said, 'yes, yes i am going to the mother land.'

I Got It

i got my passport with my visa sticker in it today. how very exciting. the people at work nearly didn't return it to me, but i finagled it from them.

some people have noticed that the counter has left the sidebar. well, that's because I have enough funding for this 6 month, beautiful adventure. if you feel so inclined, any extra money donated will be used to further ministry in tanzania.

Habari Njema Kwa Watu Wote (Good News For All People)

baba yetu uliye mbinguni
jina lako litukuzwe.
Ufalme wako ufike,
Utakalo lifankyike
duniani kama mbinguni
Utepe leo chakula chetu tunachohitaji.
utusamehe makosa yetu
kama nasi tunavyowasamehe waliotukosea
usitutie katika majaribuni,
lakini utuokoe na yule mwovu.

our father in heaven,
your name - may it be exalted.
your kingdom come
your work be done
on the earth, like in heaven.
give us today our food that we need.
and forgive us our mistakes
in the same way we forgive those who wrong us.
and do not carry us into trials,
but deliver us from the evil one.

my personal challenge: in 3 months to be able to say this prayer for memory. today's challenge: find 3 items which you are willing to give away, and drop them off at a local charity.

i found this link of the Lord's Prayer in swahili. it's a great mix. guess it's on some video game called 'civilization 4'.

Challenged Versus Lazy

'If a man is lazy, the rafters sag; if his hands are idle, the house leaks.' Ecc. 10.18

well, my rafters may not be sagging, but my car sure was atrocious. and my room was pretty pathetic too. and the stack of laundry kept growing. and some of my work habits have been slack lately too. but since this challenge conversation started, i've not had time to be lazy or idle. it's helped me to be proactive... a quadrant II type of person, instead of waiting for the problems to arise and then have to immediately deal with them. (that comes from 'the 7 habits of highly effective people' by stephen r. covey.)

i've had some interesting conversations lately with people regarding my trip. it feels like i'm more relaxed about this beautiful adventure than others. the people at work have momentary lapses and begin to freak out. i've been the one to chill people out. it's those prayers, i tell you! it's going to be hard to say good-bye to friends, but i'll only be a phone call away. i'll still be the same tanya, the same goofy person who has competely random thoughts and sticks her foot in her mouth several times a day. the same person who wants to go camping in January, enjoys meeting strangers and seeks Jesus for answers to life's questions. i'll just be a little further away, that's all. i'll still look forward to those random postcards from your adventure, and for the cd mixes with the newest/coolest songs. and we can still share wild and crazy stories.

as i'm writing these thoughts, i can't help but think of some of the crazy times i've lived. oh the adventures! my life has been one wild ride - from being raised in podunk south dakota, to college in nebraska, to working for skywest in california, to dj-ing in brookings, SD, to my quarter-life crisis move to georgia, and now another move to tanzania. i thank God for the good life He's given me. it's not all been a bowl of cherries, but it's been a good ride! it's the whole picture that brings joy!

Friends

had a great night with a friend of mine who introduced me to geocaching. she's one of those people who is just 'like-able'. she's easy to talk with, lives simply, makes herself available, etc. she doesn't try to be someone who she isn't. and her husband is so cool, too. somehow i've managed to meet many of their friends, even tho i've only been around them about 4 times. as a couple they seem to attract people. from the minute i spoke with these people, they invited me into their lives with reckless abandon. they didn't know me, and i didn't know them, but they invited me to a cook-out. i went, and it's all down hill from there. they've been a great example for me, and i'm grateful for our friendship.

so i have friends calling me in the middle of night, checking up to see if i've accomplished my daily 'challenge'. it's getting a bit out of hand, don't you think, kimberly? oh well, i love it that people are getting on board. and yes, i did clean out the inside of my car last night. :)

today's challenge: send out a mass email, letting people know what's been going on in your world, and something you are thankful for. (i'm looking forward to getting some emails!)

'i'm ready to go.' --that seems to be my recurring thought lately. i'm ready. 2 weeks from today. ready for the warm weather - ready for the change in culture - ready to get on african soil - ready to pursue a different life. bring it on. 'until you find something worth dying for, you aren't really living.' ...this is what i've found worth dying for.

Gmail, Challenges, and Skype

so lately i've been having some of the most in depth conversations over gmail. it amazes me. another friend said that she's been having the same experience. what's up with this? an example: today i was chatting with a friend of mine from las vegas. she was telling me about an aunt of mine who had a life-changing experience last weekend while attending a retreat in chamberlain, sd. (did you catch that: i live in GA and my friend from NV was telling me about my aunt who lives in SD.) it's a small world after all!

wouldn't it be incredible if you could be proposed with a challenge each day? not your normal, everyday challenge, but what if someone were to propose a challenge for you to accomplish every day? for instance: what if i were to challenge you to contact (via email/phone/snail mail/etc.) someone whom you've not connected with recently. and that's your challenge for today. and maybe tomorrow's challenge could be to find 3 clothing items you are willing to part with. and maybe the next day's challenge could be to meet someone from a store or restaraunt and learn 3 different things about them. and what if the next day's challenge was to find out who the pastor of a local worship center/synagogue in your community is, (someone other than your pastor) and pray for him/her. do you think you'd be up for the daily challenge? i think that would be revolutionary for people. so i'm trying to find some friend who will do it. i'm gonna try to propose a challenge for different people, whom i expect will accomplish the task.

today's challenge: contact (via email/phone/snail mail/etc.) someone whom you've not connected with recently. and let me know how it goes. i'd love to hear back about this. and i'll let you know that i've been challenged to contact 4 people, instead of just one. so far i've knock out 2, and have 2 more to go. i chose the phone method, and the next one will be the phone method as well.

which leads me to my next topic. i've signed up with Skype. i'm not sure it's going to work in tanzania, but i can tell you that it works marvelous here in the States. i've made several calls, and so far they've all worked perfectly - no cut-offs or interference. so if you have skype, let me know and i'll add you to my contact list.

Cleaning/Purging/Organizing/Packing

so goes the process of moving... amazing how much junk one can acquire during their american life. throughout my adult life, i've moved about every 4 years, sometimes sooner. and i've tried to be pro-active in keeping my personal belongings to a minimum because i've always known that i would be moving to africa. everything i own fits into my bedroom, and it's not cram full of useless junk. with that being said, i still have a ton of junk! most of you know that i'm reader - if i'm sitting down, i probably have a book in my hand. so books make up a big part of what i've been purging/sorting. earlier today i called kimberly and asked her, 'what does one do with 9 Bibles?' (NIV Student Bible, NIV Study Bible, The Spiritual Formation Bible, NT Message, OT + NT Message, NIV Holy Bible, Thompson Chain Reference Bible, The Renovare Spiritual Formation Bible, and the One Year Bible.) the NIV Student Bible is the one i had when i was in middle and part of high school. it has marks and tears and water stains (from being drenched during a flood at Sonshine Music Festival!) The Holy Bible was a gift from my parents when i was in high school - the table of contents has been ripped out of it.) this is the most plain and simplest Bible i have, but i love it. The NT Message Bible was a gift from Denise, just a few weeks before i moved to Georgia. The NIV Study Bible is a compact Bible with a leather cover. I've used this Bible the least out of all of the ones i own. i've had the One Year Bible for a long time, but haven't ever used it throughout an entire year. The OT + NT Message Bible is a great resource, and i use it periodically when i'm in need of another translation. My Thompson Chain Reference was a gift from Denise and is the one i'm currently using the most. and the two spiritual formation Bibles are used through different times. so i'm about to get rid of several of them and these are the ones that have gotten the boot: The Renovare Formation Bible, the Student Bible (i might chuck it in the trash!), the One Year Bible, and NIV Study Bible. i can't imagine the maasai will be too upset w/ me tossing these Bible, since they don't even have one translated into their own language.

throughout the purge i ran across one of my old year books. it's from 1994, the year before i graduated high school. these are a couple of the quotes written by friends, "Good luck in all you do - I hope you don't get too hot in Africa!' and 'I'll never forget you, and please remember I'm here for you even when you're in Zimbabwe!' i can't help but smile when i look back and see how far God has matured me since those days.

then i came across this prayer from january, 7, 2006 from my prayer journal - a little over a year ago. 'God, i want to intercede for my missionary friends working at YWAM - Kilimanjaro. You know their greatest need. Father, i pray over the spiritual bondange of the natives who have never heard Your message. by Your grace, i pray for those chains to be broken. Send Your warrior angels to lay seige on the demons attempting to keep those people in darkness. You are so worthy to receive their praise. Let them sing joyous songs of wonder to Your glorious name. Let them break out in dance for the salvation which has come upon them. Place Your new song in their hearts. i give You the praise and thanks right now for opening this village to see You clearly. This is the time of Jubilee; this is the time to fall into Your grace.'

again i say 'Amina'

18 Days

holy cow! i'm stinkin' leaving the 'states in 18 days. that's so amazing, but it's not much time either. things i need to do: call health department about cholera and malaria medicine. double check that i have all the info required to get a visa. on the 20th, i should try to get my second helping of hep a + b.

the 20th is my last day of work. my boss and supervisor are going to attempt to keep the position open for me for 6 months, which is wonderful news for me. they said, 'it's like an extended vacation.' i am going to miss my co-workers. they've become my extended familly.

been surfing the 'net looking for more info about what i'll be doing while in tanzania. found this article. here's a brief except:

The DTS/CDTS is to contain a minimum of 8 Field Assignment/Outreach weeks throughout the total course and is to be carried forth in accordance with the guidelines defined in the U of N Reference Guide document entitled “YWAM/U of N Field Assignment-Outreach Policy and Procedure”. The primary emphasis of the DT/CDTSS outreach is to be evangelism, not only intercession or physical work and is to include a minimum of 30 hours per week of ministry activity serving people outside of the team. Ministry strategies are to come out of prayer. The majority of ministry activity is to involve connecting with people with the aim of facilitating them becoming followers of Jesus. (evangelism) The outreach is to include a minimum of 15 hours per week of other structured learning activities such as communication, team building, ministry debriefing, feedback, sharing of needs, prayer for individuals, ministry prep including at least 3 hours of intercession, and 3 times of worship as a team (God focused time) that is spread throughout each week of the outreach. We should endeavor also to expose our students to the three aspects of the ministry calling of YWAM which includes Mercy Ministries. There should be a positive, cross-cultural evangelistic experience, so that each one sees fruit. We want the students to see missions in action, and to like missions. As well, the outreach weeks should be a conscious “putting into practice” of the teaching content throughout the DTS/CDTS. Outreach leaders should be constantly helping the students see how to apply the teaching to their lives and ministry. (i.e. How does the Father Heart of God apply in this outreach situation? What about the application of spiritual warfare, giving up rights, relationships, the Word etc.)

today is saturday. i have most of the day off, so my task today is to clean out my room. perhaps i could attempt to list some of my books on ebay, sort and organize my heaps of clothes, and donate some to the local thrift store. by the end of this day, i pray that i will be un-burdened from much of my worldly wealth. :) [that was my 'Christian pscho babble for today!]

mass mailings and work

so i read thru the book of Joel last night. it was good for me. lately during my Bible reading, the verses that seem to jump out at me are verse about the Lord's army and spiritual battles. so these are a few of the verses from last night's reading: The Lord thunders at the head of his army; his forces are beyond number, and mighty are those who obey his command. The day of the Lord is great; it is dreadful. Who can endure it? "Even now," declares the Lord, "return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning." (joel 2.11-12) lately my life has been so calm, but i can feel to tension starting to form. and as of right now, i'm looking forward to the change...

it hit me that i'm leaving this month - in 20 days actually. that's amazing to me!

my boss and co-workers are all very supportive. tho it was difficult to tell them i was leaving, i'm relieve to not have to keep it a secret any longer.