Finding my passion

There’s something truly awesome about finding your place in the world and the role that truly satisfies, finding your passion… I realise more and more that for me that place is found in teaching. I cannot think of anything I’d rather do than work with kids.

Whether it be working in a preschool in NZ, leading a cabin at Riversdale, children’s camp, or teaching in Africa, I simply love it. We can learn so much from children. They are genuine; what you see is what you get. They love and trust without fear, they don’t hide away what they are feeling and they show affection freely. Whenever I go down to school the children in the class where I spend most of my time come running over to me, to hug me, greet me, hold my hands, carry my bag etc.
 If I’ve been away in Magugu they get so excited to see me as if  iv'e been gone for about a year! The other day a little girl said to me “Teacher Rachel, I love you.”
Imagine if we as adults greeted each other like that when we arrive in an office, at a law firm, in a shop, or at the hospital, it just wouldn’t happen! And to be fair it would be a bit weird if an adult greeted us that way! 

That does not mean that at times children are not frustrating, disobedient or exhausting. But the beauty of children is that even when you growl them or give consequences they still love you and are quick to forgive. It also doesn’t mean that I am not excited for the upcoming holidays.

A few weekends ago we made a trip out to Falco’s Children’s home in Karatu, about two hours away from here! It was honestly one of my favorite weekends to date. Hanging out with the kids, playing volleyball, soccer, playing on their playground, having cuddles with so many gorgeous kiddies, watching their very amusing talent show that they put on. And talking to Tammy and hearing all her amazing stories about how they ended up where they are, doing what they are doing and how God provided and also some of the heart-breaking stories about how some of the kids ended up there including the story of miracle Moses. It’s amazing that Moses survived as he was placed in a plastic bag and buried in a shallow grave as a new born baby, and then was found about 12 hours later by a shepherd who just happened to be walking in the area. Tammy and Her husband then felt to adopt Moses and now he has a hope and a future!

Nothing breaks my heart more than the thought of children without parents, but it warmed my heart to hang out in a place like Falco’s children’s home, where the kids are loved, they are confident and they are happy. The children’s home is down a long dusty track in a village with one of the highest orphan population in Tanzanian which is largely linked to a high rate of prostitution.

A few years ago I read the story “Kisses from Katie” about a young American girl who went to Uganda on a short term trip and then through a series of events and over several years, ended up adopting 14 orphaned girls. She has since started up a ministry that helps feed, and educate thousands of children (Amazimia ministries). This book was very inspiring but it’s easy to think that I could never do anything like that and to put Katie up on a pedestal. But then to go to a place like Falco’s Children’s home and see first-hand the way that Tammy and Jerry have allowed God to use them to bring hope to many children’s lives, and to see the result of their love and commitment and hear the story of how they were literally given 70 acres of land, by the locals! It just makes my own desire and dream to work with and help orphaned children even greater. It makes it seem possible, achievable and real.  We will definitely be visiting their again!

I love that plans change! If I had stuck to my plan I would already be back in NZ recovering from jet lag, but instead I am sitting in my lounge in Tanzania writing this blog about what I love, following an awesome weekend of hanging out with the friends I have made, feeling totally content and grateful to God for this opportunity. It’s now been 3 months since I arrived and I can honestly say It’s the people you meet and the connections you make that make a place truly feel like home.

I am excited for what this year has instore, right now I am mostly working with the children who are struggling with reading, which I am loving :D 

If you want to know more about Falco’s children’s village check out their website: http://www.falcoschildrenvillage.com/