Things to Do in Tiepogo

This month I have been thinking a lot about what to share in my blog. A lot of things have happened this month and I think most people wouldn’t want to read that much all at once. But how can I just pick one thing and leave out all the rest? I would be cheating you. I thought about writing 2 blogs, but I haven’t the time. So I will give you the brief and maybe sometime in the future I can expand on them some.

Since my last blog I have been feeling much better. I was put on a, no oil, no acid diet and it has done wonders for me. It looks like I will have to stay on the diet for at least the rest of my time here though. Because I have been feeling so much better, I have spent 25 days in Tiepogovogo this month instead of 13 and a half (January). I thank God for his mercy and guidance through it all.

Since I have been spending so much more time in the village I have stumbled across things to do there. At the beginning, before I came, I said that I was going to live like they live, be apart of their lives and through relationships share the love of Christ. This past month I have seen this start to take shape. Not only have I been helping with more of the daily chores, I have been able to visit more people, and even help some people learn how to read or work on their French. I could probably write a whole blog about just these things, but in short I can now pound little things for sauce like peanuts, squash seeds and vegetables. I have even made my own sauce several times (remember my special diet). I do things like carry my own bucket for bathing, do my laundry, sit with the women and shell peanuts or seeds. As I heal and build more strength I am living more and more like they do, and proving more and more that I view them as equals not as lower than I am (they tend to hold me in too high regard as a white woman). I get so many comments when people talk to me and I respond in Nyarafolo (still only simple things) or they see me doing a village chore for the first time. They say “eh!? You are becoming Nyarafolo!” I love it! I see God working through it and I am so happy to be able to help in daily life too. These things make it fun and oh so worth while!

The last thing I have found to do here is teach in a very small school. My pastor started a school (like an elementary school) in a neighboring village some time ago. It only has three teachers for about 120 students (from all of the villages around it) and 6 classes. Everything is taught in French, which makes it difficult for the students especially because most of them, when they start, don’t know a single word of French. The eldest class, when they graduate, will go on to another school where they will start learning English. My pastor asked me to teach English to these older children so that they will have an easier time when they get to that point. I will admit, I don’t really know what I am doing as far as teaching goes, but even just hearing and seeing English will give them a better shot for success when they actually start English classes. It is also an awesome opportunity to get to know these children better and the three teachers as well. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” comes to mind here. :)

I guess none of these things are jaw dropping amazing, or even all that amazing at all actually, but I am excited because I see my God moving here, in and through me and in and through the Nyarafolo I have had the privilege to get to know. God has a lot to do in this little village and I am overjoyed to be a part of that even if it is in a small way. Oh and I didn’t even get to share about the conference we had in Tiepogovogo! Maybe next time...