Finally able to blog!

I've been her 10 days now and am finally finding time and internet to be able to blog! Mom and I have been extremely busy with meetings, travelling, and we're now settled in to a pretty normal schedule at St. Jude.  Over the next 2 days I'll try to update and get up to speed on where we are now in our journey.  I have a lot to cover.  But to start with, know that we made it to Tanzania!

Dar es saalam Airport, after 24+ hours of travel!

After our 13 hours on the plane from DC (I watched about 4 movies and highly recommend Warm Bodies, a fantastic zombie rom-com), we made it to Dubai. Nice airport, complete with a "Winston Smoking Lounge"...can't escape the influence of the Dash anywhere I go!

When we went through the gate to get on our flight to Dar we rode on a bus for a good 20 minutes to get out to our plane.  We were late taking off due to the plane being parked so far from the terminal.  We flew for about 6 more hours on to Dar es saalam, were met at the airport by a driver, William, who then took us on to our friends place.  What a joy it was to stay with someone who knew the city and had great connections with leaders in the city!

More later, Lala Salama (Sweet dreams...it's 11:30pm here)

Katherine

Heading Back!

It's been a long time since I've written an entry, but I'm excited to say I'll be heading back to St. Jude in just 3 days!  I will be at the school for most of June, helping to teach some PE, and also getting to coach 2 different groups after the school day finishes!

The last time I was there was for 3 peaks 3 weeks!

It's been a year and a half since my last trip, and so many great things have happened at the school since I was there last:

• Students have done OUTSTANDING on their national testing!
• My mom has been back 4 times in between...and has done some awesome things laying groundwork for figuring out what the students will do when they graduate.
• The student my brother and I sponsor has started high school, and LOVES his science classes.  He wants to be a doctor, and is well on his way.
• The campuses continue to grow and change.  Kitchens are more energy efficient, there is a new soccer pitch, teachers continue their education to be better, and students have started some gardens on campus!

I fly out of Washington, DC on June 7th, so I'll try to update every day or two while I'm there.  I'll start with about 5 days in Dar es salaam on the coast for meetings, then the rest of the time in Arusha!

Super pumped.

Skarbs/Katherine/Kat

January 2012 visiting Vedasto and his family with Stephanie and Janine.