Dears:

It rained heavily last night and that is very good news. The rainey season was scant, so this helps. Each morning Paul the gardner and his wife and three sons begin their duties of watering and cleaning the grounds. Since it rained, there is no watering today, but still they sweep up every leaf that has fallen in the night. When I walk from our dwelling to Lori's house, I walk on dirt that has been swept smooth and clean. At Lori's path I always fine beautiful white and yellow flowers that have fallen and decked her path. A bride walking down an aisle could hardly hope for a more lovely path.

There are so many contrasts in this land. It is a Garden of Eden of birds and flowers - hundreds of varieties of greenery everywhere. Last night we took a taxi to ride around after dark. People were preparing to sleep on the sidewalks(the fortunate ones had sheets of plastic to wrap around them). From what Lori has reported, these folks may be allowed to sleep or they may be beaten by police.

We went to the large market yesterday. In addition to all the fruits and vegtables, grains, minerals etc. the wares were also crammed into tightly packed aisles. Baskets, cooking vessels, tools, clothing and mysterious objects allow one person to barely squeeze through. Lori and I bought fabric for Kangas, the length of fabric women use in so many ways. After we selected the fabric, a man used the biggest pair of scissors I've ever seen to cut it in half. Then a woman using a treadle sewing maching hemmed the raw ends. She expertly turned the raw edge under twice to make a finished edge as she sewed very quickly. So much from measuring, ironing, pinning then sewing!!

Lori gave me a lesson in tying the kanga or mine would surely have fallen off! I know a baby tied to MY back in a second kanga would not survive. Tanzanian women bend, work, carry bundles on their heads AND babies on their backs while the kanga serves as clothing and tools.

Speaking of tools, when we went to the hardware store, Jason bought Lori a saw, a shovel two files and a rasp. These will be used for fixing things at her house. Stores are very small. Usually there is only room for 2 or 3 persons to stand at a counter. Very like the old general store where a clerk finds the items wanted.

One more thing to share: the Tanzanians are very friendly people. One example of this occurred as we walked home from the market. Two women passed us as we walked and one greeted Lori in Sukuma language. Lori only knows a little Sukuma, but she was able to greet the women. They were surprised enough that Lori could understand Sukuma and then realized she knew Swahili as well. That meant there would be a conversation. It kind of went like this:

Ladies: Why do you have all those spoons in your basket?
Lori: I need these spoons to cook
Ladies: You have a rice spoon, ugali spoon and a porridge spoon. How do you know how to use those?
Lori: I know how and I’m taking them to my house to cook.
Ladies: (Doubting) Then let’s go to your house to cook.
Lori: OK
Ladies: We are going to the hospital to cook and we need a spoon.
Lori: Fine, take one.
Ladies: (Couldn’t believe this and laughed while Lori gave them a spoon)

Then the ladies turned to us and greeted us properly as the elderly (I hold your feet old person). Jason and I received the greeting(telling them they could rise) and then returned the respectful greeting to them in return, as they seemed elderly. They laughed and we took their response as a way of joking about who is the oldest here and who deserves the greeting.

We had a wonderful time laughing together and then talking about family relationships. Then we all went on our way, the Ladies thanking Lori again for the spoon.

There are so many fun interactions with strangers. I so with I could speak Swahili!

Thank you for your prayers. You are thought about so often.

Love, Betty