Progress Report...and Garage Sale!

So now just 7 weeks until D-day. These itchy feet are really getting itchy- especially as cold wet Auckland winter rolls in. A few great God things that are working their way out: My visa documents all made it safe and sound to Tanzania and apparently should be nice and easy to process. The actual application won't happen until closer to when I leave, because I am applying for a 1-year volunteer's visa, and I don't want the year to run out before my year over there is up.

I've also had a few 'random' encounters lately with people with various links to Tanzania and the Joshua Foundation, and that's been really encouraging- and helpful! I bumped into one girl on the side of a rugby game who I hadn't seen her since teacher's college 7 years ago. Her and her husband had just been discussing Tanzania and mission work that morning. It was awesome to be able to share a little bit of what I felt God had been saying to me and how he'd provided for me with this trip.

My flatmate and I move out of our flat on June 19th so we've decided to have a bit of a garage sale, partly so I don't overcrowd my Grandparent's garage for the year with too much stuff, and also as a fundraiser. So if you happen to be in the Te Atatu Peninsula area on Sat June 12th- come check it out and buy my 'treasures'! On the same note, if anyone in Auckland has any goods they've been meaning to clean out and want to donate to the Garage Sale, I'd be most appreciative and it will really help in the fundraising side of things.

The countdown begins...to my 12 month summer!

If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the utmost parts of the sea, even there your hand will lead me and your right hand shall hold me. Psalm 139 v 9-10

11 weeks until I leave Auckland and head for warmer lands. The thought is both exciting, and a bit daunting, especially as I look at my ever-growing piles of 'stuff' that needs sorting. There's piles for packing, piles to take with me, piles to chuck, piles to give away, and piles to sell...these are the times I wish I was a naturally organised person! But...regardless, it will get sorted, and 11 weeks from now I'll be on a plane heading first to the States, then on to Tanzania 2 1/2 weeks later. I can't wait to see Mike, Fee, Nat and Luka...and of course to meet bubs who should arrive when I'm there- all going well of course!

So...what's the plan for Tanzania? And why there? Well to start with the why- I was doing a bit of soul searching and praying about where to next, so I got in touch with Lynda Stephenson from the Joshua Foundation in September last year. The Joshua Foundation is a Christian mission organisation based in Arusha, Tanzania. She told me about a new role that is opening up in their teacher's college, mentoring trainee teachers. This was exactly the kind of opportunity I'd been looking for- and to be honest, it couldn't have fallen into place much better. Timing was perfect and the job was perfect. I'd be stupid to pass up the chance to go!

And the plan while I'm there? Well myself and about 5 or 6 other mentors (who I don't know yet...but I'm sure I'll know very well by the time I leave) will be based at Joshua Teacher Training College where we'll support students with course work, develop curriculums and mark assignments among other things. Then approximately 2 weeks out of 4, we'll be based in villages, where the trainee teachers are on practicum at schools. There, I get to do all the things I love (as a true teacher geek)...observing, modelling, resourcing etc. It truely is an invaluable opportunity for me as a teacher and an amazing chance to really immerse myself in another part of the world.

The next 2 months is prep time- and I'd love prayers for the small details that still need to be sorted, especially my visa, fundraising, and getting moved out and packed up.

So...my aim is to update on this site- but I'd love to have email addresses for those who want to support me in prayer while I'm in Tanzania. Drop me an email at joellecbrown@gmail.com

Watch this space...