Adam Willard: Had a great time at the TIMO training here in Tanzania!  Learned quite a bit, good ideas for leadership practices, and most importantly, very encouraged by fellow missionaries as we all work where God's calling us (no matter how far or how hard) to focus on Jesus and to spread his Kingdom!  We're now more excited than ever to get to Nosy Mitsio and get started!

Adam Willard: The Ethiopian airport had the feel of a bazaar, except with plenty of lounge seats for people to sleep on, and also very hot - no climate control at all. There were several of the same half-hearted security checkpoints, so it was annoying, but mostly worthless. The flight was booked for right after midnight. Right around time to start boarding, an airport worker asked the few people at the boarding gate where they were going. Then he told us there were only 7 people booked for a plane that seats 78. Though most transport in Africa is way overcrowded, I'd say this is still very African in its huge disproportionateness of number of people to space available. About 30 minutes later, we all got on a bus to go out to the plane and we sat in the bus while all the plane workers discussed stuff and called people on their phones. They decided the plane had technical trouble and we would have to switch to another one. So we went back to the airport and did the same security again, but most the lights were off and they didn't let us back into the boarding gate area. So I thought they were going to make us wait it out until the morning (without telling us) or until they found a smaller plane. But about an hour later they took us out again to the same sort of prop plane (but a different one) and we were off! When we got to our destination only us and one other guy got off. The remaining few passengers went on to another destination, in an almost entirely empty plane. We finally got in around 5am and got some sleep. As, they say: TIA (This Is Africa)!

Adam Willard: We made it to Tanzania, and it's Matimu's 2nd birthday today! The flight from Ethiopia to Tanzania was probably the most "African" of any flight we've been on so far. But we're here and it's a beautiful area and the weather's great!

Adam Willard: Heading to Tanzania tomorrow (a first for us!) for some more training. Just a few more weeks and we'll finally be back in Madagascar, ready to move out to our little island!

Adam Willard: Our host tonight said she's afraid of eating pork but not afraid of eating mopani worms (dried caterpillars). And no, it's not for religious or health reasons. I still don't understand why/how.

Adam Willard: Had a great time visiting Mahlahluvana School today. It was awesome to see everything going so well, and that the impact we had (together with the PCVs who followed us) is definitely a lasting one! Also, Matimu had a great time joining the kindergarden class this morning. ;-)

Adam Willard: It's been a LONG time since I've bathed in a bucket. All I have to say is that bathing in a river is WAY better! Also, chicken feet for dinner tonight. Something else that's been quite a while.