Day One In Tanzania

After being awake for thirty-three hours and traveling for 26 hours, I arrived in Arusha, Tanzania last night! I am so thankful for God being with me for my first time traveling so far alone. I flew from Minneapolis to Amsterdam and met a man from Kenya who talked with me about the culture in Kenya and Tanzania. Then on the flight from Amsterdam to Kilimanjaro, God sat me next to a woman and her mom from Minneapolis but originally from Tanzania. It was easy to connect with them, and they shared a lot about Tanzania.

After waiting through many different lines at the airport in Tanzania to get my visa, I was admitted into the country! I was greeted by the missionary, Scott, the Swahili teacher, Emmanuel, and the taxi driver, John. Scott was staying to teach a class the next day, so I rode with John and Emmanuel for the last hour and a half of travel to the missionaries’ home. It was dark, so I couldn’t see much, but I peppered Emmanuel with all the questions about what I could see. At the house, I met Scott’s wife, Cassie. Then I was finally able to sleep, praise God! The nice thing about being awake for thirty-three hours was I adjusted to the 8-hour time difference easily.

Today I have been getting to know the missionary family. Cassie has been ever so kind, and her two boys are very welcoming. We went to her older son’s dirt bike race today, and I got to see some of the country and people in the light! I met some other American missionaries and people from India and Europe. The missionaries currently have their boys in an international school, so they have friends from Tanzania and all over the world!

I look forward to seeing the villages, meeting local people, and learning some Swahili this week. Praise the Lord with me for safe travel. I also thank him for being able to spend today connecting with this missionary family. Please pray that I get over this sore throat quickly that I picked up from the dry, recycled air on the long flights. Thank you!