Sunday, October 2, 2011
A major taDA that I figured out how to do write on Tess' blog, after losing the directions Tess spelled out to me a mere 4 hours ago. I was dropping stuff off at Goodwill while asking for a donation slip while talking with Tess while looking for something to write with.....you get the picture. Tess has been out of internet service and asked if I would write on her behalf. And, to be funny.
Hate that part of the request.
Russ, Elizabeth, Luke, Sarah and I each had the pleasure of talking with Tess after church this morning. She'd planned it that way.
Tess had white water rafted the Nile this past Saturday and was still on a high. The rapids were also apparently high and " far more scary than the class 5's in Colorado, Mom. You gotta try it when you and Dad come here." I hate being discovered yet again that I am a wuss. Tess mentioned 'only capsizing 3 times'. If anyone reading this blog thinks I'm going rafting in the Nile they're nuts. Maybe Russ...though I'd hate to be a widow at my young age.
Tess also had a holy roller type experience with her group that sent her to bed to recuperate one afternoon. I can't blame her and remember well feeling the same when people were speaking in tongues, discovering demons, doing crazy appearing stuff. Impressive to hear Tess went to her leader and talked it thru, with her leader emphasizing it is okay not to believe the same things while still believing in the same God. Cool distinction to make as an 18 (almost 19...Oct 12th) young woman in Africa.
Tess and her group will hear tomorrow where they will go for their 2 month outreach program. The choice is made for them, and possibilities are Rwanda, Kenya, a country starting with an M, and one other. Gotta get caught up on my African geography. Tess has Rwanda on her radar due to having watched the movie, Hotel Rwanda. Sarah thinks that will put their dad into cardiac arrest.
.
Tess was also excited today about her decision as to what she would like to do for the 6 months when she returns to Uganda in February, 2012. She's been thinking all along that teaching preschoolers is where she will be. "Mom, there is no such thing as an ugly African. They are all beautiful, and I love being with the kids."
Well, Tess told us today she wants to help create an abstinence program in the various schools with Africans ages 14-23. Quite different from what Tess had originally planned.
I waited to hear exactly focus of abstinence. Sure enough, Tess wants to speak on staying sexually pure for marriage. Unbelievable. Tess approached her leader, who was all excited at Tess stepping out and not waiting to see what others are doing.
Tess is eating more new foods than she ever thought possible, she sleeps in a room with 14 other girls on a top bunk under a mosquito net, and she loves playing soccer with the Africans and thinks they came out of the womb playing the sport.
So much for being funny. Our admiration for our daughter far surpasses funny, and it stays huge in our family as to what Tess is doing. Tess was pretty pleased that she's actually been gone 2 months. She is plowing thru missing home and feeling 'wayyyyy out of her comfort zone. On a daily basis.
Thanks for following along and woohooing Tess as she discovers God had mighty plans in mind when Tess murmured, " I think I want to go to Uganda" at the foot of our bed one night last May, 2011.
Love,
Tess' Mom
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