Africa Gift Shop

In an effort to raise more money for the children of Takes A Whole Village and the ministry costs I am now selling hand made African products! I'm really excited about this new project and hope you will find something you like! If you are on FACEBOOK, I have a page set up called: African Gift Shop! It has more pictures and more information. If you do not have facebook but want more details, please email me at takesawholevillage@gmail.com Please go check it out become a FAN and tell all your friends! See below for a couple of pictures of what is currently available. Please take into consideration, if you order within the month of February it can be shipped back with one of my family members who are coming to visit me in March! Thanks for making a difference in the lives of children in Tanzania!!!

my girls

In kiswahili there is a word that I love: Shikamoo. It is said to anyone older or in a position of respect. It is the first thing you must say when greeting someone. The response is Marahaba, which means roughly I accept your acknowledgment. Mostly you say this to mothers, fathers, grandparents, police, etc. The other day we arrived at the house and got out of the car and were walking along and Miriam calls Neema over to her. She picks her up (somehow) and says why didn't you greet me? In which of course Neema says Shikamoo Miriam. This was so funny to me to watch the three year old greet the five year old. They make me laugh!!!!

Hope Nursery and Primary

Well the babies started school! I am so excited for them. I was totally an obnoxious 'parent' and interrupted class on Monday morning just to get a few pictures. Lucky for me the teachers appeased me and let me get a couple of snapshots for all of their fans. :) Their uniforms must be sized and so we are expecting them in the next week or so...stay tuned for those photos.

Their applications filled and ready...

Jumanne's Class 3 (far right green sweater)

Fabien and Miriam

Fabien washing his hands before lunch...

Ugali (sticky porridge staple - not my fav...but the kids love it!) Lunchtime!!!

Ring it IN!!!

For New Years Eve this year I had all the TAWV kids over for a slumber party. I made lasagne for only the second time in my life, treated the babies to Fanta (their favorite) and then introduced them to Rice Krispy Treats!! Hahaha they were not sure, but once they tasted...it was love at first bite. :) We watched Lion King until Mid-night at which point we obviously had a dance party! :) The more I am around these children the more I realize why I am here. I can become frustrated with court stuff with Neema, but maybe just maybe my prolongments are not about me at all. Take a look at the best start ever to 2010.....

so much fun with Neema and Pray's toys!

straight up preciousness!

Miriam and Fabien waiting for chakula (food)

Counting Down the minutes already....

Fabien...always makes me laugh!

Rice Krispy Treats!! They didn't even know if it was food!

But soon realized they LOVED it!

Sweet Sisters...

Just a little LION KING...

Proud Mama! :)

HAPPY 2010!!!!!!!!

Merry Christmas from TAWV!!!

Christmas Presents!!

There were many out takes like these trying to get a good picture...but I thought this one was just funny! The boys did not want to cooperate bc they were so excited about their books! Miriam my little theatric was like "C'mon!!!!"

Neema is impossible in group photos...

Confirmation

We have become really close to our house girl. She not only cleans our house but also watches Neema three days a week...we love her! This Sunday her son was confirmed in their church and she graciously invited us to come. It was all in kiswahili so much of it had to be translated for me but at one point, 4 or 5 people started going up on stage. I asked her daughter Esther if they were being honored for something. Well, it turns out they had for whatever reason been "kicked out" out of church for the last two weeks and this week the church was welcoming them back. I don't know why they had been asked to 'take a break' but it seemed the church all knew. I was thinking to myself...wow that is pretty intense. In my head, I was thinking I probably would never come back to a church if I got kicked out and the whole congregation knew why...But then the coolest thing happened...some of the church elders surrounded the people and the pastor asked the whole church to pray for them. And for about 5 minutes I looked around and watched in awe as the entire church audibly lifted their voices to God on behalf of these people. To see the grace and love on their faces as they prayed and their hands lifted in reverence to a holy and merciful king it was actually really amazing. By the end of it, I wanted to go to the front of the stage and have them all praying for me! Even though I couldnt understand everything, I love African church! The singing, the dancing, the pure worship.....Afterward, we went back to Jemima's house to celebrate Benjamin's big day. She made traditional celebration dish of pilau and veggies...with soda!!! It was a lovely day and I love taking part in the African culture. Congratulations to you Benjamin! :)

just a little Christmas treat

My babies are all talented dancers....

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