Good Behaviour at Easter

It was the very last minute and we were still undecided as to what we should do over Easter but then we learned that we needed to get a certificate of 'good behaviour' in order to apply for a work permit for Uganda. So, we had our fingerprints taken (even the children's were taken) on the Saturday morning and then we drove down to Dar. We managed to get our buisness done in one afternoon and then were able to use the extra time that we'd thought it would take, having a bit of fun and a rest in Dar.

We had a couple of days at the beach and at a Swiss Guest House, which had a pool.

Sunrise at Lazy Lagoon.

The bandas where we stayed, with Benjamin in the foreground.

Our banda.

The boys on their veranda. They were just upstairs.
They were eaten alive the first night. We hadn't checked the nets for holes (or otherwise) and when I went up to see why Joshua was being sick, I discovered the boys were being fed on by mosquitoes - 25 were counted before we lost count. All was not quite what it had seemed. The next day we were moved into the next door banda, where the net upstairs was much better. However, there were just incredible numbers of mosquitoes. Joshua and Benjamin looked like they had mosquito pox, when we looked at their little bodies over the next few days.





These looked like so much fun. Much easier to manage on the land. We didn't go out on them, even though these 3 would very much liked to have done so.





Fun on the beach.





There was a pool table and the children loved having a go. We tried not to lose any of their balls.


The restaurant, for breakfast, after an early morning swim.

Then off the peninsula, back to the mainland and back to Dar. The heat was more intense, and the wind less too. However, some rain had cooled it down somewhat.

The Swiss B & B had a pool - which was a big part of the appeal for us to try it out.

The children loved the pool, complete with crocodile!





There was much swimming, diving, fishing, fighting with crocodiles (imaginary ones) mixed in with good Swiss breakfasts too. Fun for all.

They are all swimming unaided and have been since before they turned 3 years old. This is mainly because of the small MAF pool that we have on our compound.

Travelling back, we stopped for lunch along the way. Just a few snaps of family lunch time - on the move. Well, we did stop, but without chairs, or a rug, there's nowhere else to sit other than the car! Unless you like "sisimisi kwenye chupi!" (ants in your pants!). And real biting ones too!








Everyone has their own style and likes to sit/stand/eat differently!

Easter at school

The children always have some king of Easter concert at school, and this year was no exception. It is usually one of the most moving parts of Easter for me.

This year the Secondary students did the drama, and did it very well, with a very loud Jesus. He played the role very well, and was much as I would have expected Jesus to be, bar his loud voice, However, the advantage of a loud voice is that it can we well heard around the room!


Jesus breaking bread with the disciples.

Pilate questioning Jesus.

The High Priests

Jesus with Mary and the angel.


The drama presentation was followed by a couple of songs from Nursery and Reception - who sang together.

Visit to Msalato

We went out a few weeks ago to see one of the teacher's who used to teach at CAMS. In fact, this wonderful lady actualyl taught both Cousley boys - what graciousness! She is called Jo Rodgers and is now teaching at Msalato Bible College - where Dad taught about 30 years ago. This Bible College now offers a degree course in English as well as multiple other things. Anyhow, we went out to have pancakes with 'Mrs Rodgers' and to have a look at the Bible College and see how things have changed even during the 6 years that we've been living in Tanzania.


View of the garden where we lived (Mum, Dad, Mark and I) 30 years ago. Much has changed. the 2 big cactus 'trees' have just died and had to be taken out. This makes it feel more roomy. The bird bath is still there and still works! Unbelieveable!


Benjamin and Esther sat on the veranda - a very popular place that we would have sat.
It was great to visit the old house where we lived and there are different people living there now than were in it the last time we visited.

Jo took us for a tour of the compound. Many things have changed over the years.



A large sunflower that Esther liked.

This is the hot water system, where sticks were burned to heat the water for showers and bath.


I had a brief tour of my old bedroom - funny to be back in there.

Worshipping at Ng'on'ghona

In April we went out to visit the church that has been built and the other part that is still being built, at Ng'on'ghona. The building that had previously only had a roof, and some tall sticks to hold it up, now had walls and a cement floor, a small platform (made out of cement) and a little desk at which to stand and speak - a lecturn. The writing on the lecturn says 'Yesu ni Jibu' which means 'Jesus is the answer'.

It was a great morning. (Mchungaji Erasto) Pastor Erasto led the service and did the preaching, though there were others that led the singing and Bible reading and who did the Sunday School preaching - which was going on when we arrived. One seemed to run into the next, and the Sunday school was for adults too. it reminded me of a Bible Study, with teaching, followed by discussion and answers from the floor.

The worship was really good, and even though much was in Ki-swahili we thouroughly enjoyed the praise times. Preaching was translated into English which was understandable - which was great too. During some of the praise they had their offering, during which you were able to walk (or dance) up to the front of the church (whilst praising God) and put your offering into the basket.

A very encouraging thing that Glenn was able to share with the people there that day, was that when we visited with a team from Northern Ireland, about 4 years ago, the church was much smaller, the roof was only about a third or the current size, there were no walls, no floor, and only sticks supporting the roof. However, the most imoprtant difference that he was able to share was that there were no men at that time - it was all women and children - who are important too, but you need men to build a church as well. So for us to return and to see the church packed with men, women and children was very encouraging for us to see. Glenn encouraged the people with this news, that many of them would not have known. Some of the men are from the government university that only opened about 3 years ago. The church has been doing much expanding and building work since then.


This picture was taken from the front of the current church - the one that is competed. It was the one that had previously been a shelter with a few long sticks and a bati roof (tin roof).


I took this picture at the end of the service, after we all left the building. This is the larger church that is being built, and they other will then be used for Sunday School. The vision is big - they plan to pack this big church too!

Home School

Esther has been learning at home, in a more structured way,

and on the whole, mainly with her little friend Gabbriella who is a few months older and also learning at home.
Esther really enjoys this time,
and loves school,

both here at home and over at Gabbies home, where her Mummy has set up a classroom for her brother, who is also learning from home.

John-Luke learning in the home school classroom with his teacher, mum Edith.