Hello from Shinyanga, TZ! My name is Victoria, and I’m currently interning at Shade for eight months. It feels surreal to finally be here afer months of preparing, fundraising, and praying. I’ve only just begun, and there is already so much to share. Something that has become more real to me the past few weeks is the concept of daily bread. I think back to the introduction of manna, when Moses told the Israelites, “Everyone is to gather as much as they need. Take an omer for each person you have in your tent” (Exodus 16:16). No one was exempt from this instruction. Here, in Shinyanga, I am reminded how God clearly defined the limits of each day and the extent of our capabilities to plan ahead. Even the most basic understanding of resting on the Sabbath requires an acknowledgement of God’s provision.
On some of the hotter days here, when I have felt the weight of the day’s ‘troubles,’ I find that it requires a raw sense of reliance on the Lord for enough energy to get through it. One thing that I really admire about Tanzanian culture is their emphasis on living in the present. I love how this is built into the daily routine at Shade – for example, starting with Morning Glory (a time of scripture, prayer, and worship), or pausing to sit down for a tea break. It has been reconfiguring my brain away from worrying about things outside of my control. My new Tanzanian friends have a refreshing view on this, and I am excited to continue learning from them. The idea of being patient and only tackling the items at hand is their ‘normal condition’ as Tanzanian Executive Director John Migila would say.
When things have seemed overwhelming, here are some examples of how I have felt the Lord’s companionship: a gust of wind, a surprise sweet from a staff member, a song I recognized on the radio, a hug from a Shade Baby Class student, and a laugh with a new friend when overcoming the language barrier. Each of these moments reminded me that God cares for His children and knows exactly what we need. I have noticed this as well on visits to vulnerable families in the villages. The ability to perservere in tough times is given to us by God, and it takes on many forms – including eggs, a bicycle, or a vist from a dearly missed family member.
As I learn about Tanzanian culture and am exposed to new ways of life, I am overwhelmed by the beauty of God’s diverse creation. The intimate details that He thoughtfully considered when forming people, land, and even weather. It is a great privilege to experience another culture and be reminded of how big our God is and yet, at the same time, how He never forgets our daily needs.
