Fun Sunday

Yesterday we had a really fun Sunday. It began with a nice service at church. George talked about judgement. Specifically, not judging others and remembering that we are accountable for our own actions. He was able to do it in a way that wasn't harsh, but in a way that was encouraging. It challenged us to really think about our actions and how they honor or don't honor the Lord. It was good.

The service also marked a new phase in parenting for us. Teaching Eli to sit in the service. Normally, George hangs out with him during the beginning of the service, during the hour long time of singing. They go in and out depending on Eli's attention span. Then, I take over while George preaches. By then it's Eli's normal nap time so I push him in the stroller until he falls asleep and then I sit outside listening to the teaching, rocking the stroller. Last week, much to my frustration, Eli refused to sleep in the stroller and didn't sleep until we got home at 1:45. I ended up taking him to the pastor's house while we waited for the service to end.

This week, we decided not to fight him on it. If he wasn't going to sleep, then it was time to teach him to sit quietly in church. So once George started teaching, I got out Eli's books, colored pencils and a piece of paper. He did pretty well for his first time. I was impressed. He sat next to me quietly coloring and reading. Once he got a little antsy, we went outside the church and sat on the benches to color more. Then we headed back in the church for a bit more where he entertained himself quietly. And then we ended up outside again until church was over. Little by little, I think he will learn that it's church time and not play time.

After church, Eli took a two and a half hour nap! George and I rested too. Then we got ready for a birthday party. We have befriended a Muslim family who own a little coffee shop near the main grocery store in town. They have a son who just turned three and another son who is around seven months old. We see them often when we go to the store and sometimes stop for a quick drink or snack. Eli and their oldest son like to play together. So, they invited us to his birthday party. I should also mention that they are of Indian descent. Did you know there are a ton of Indians living in East Africa? I don't know how they came to be there, but they make up a big part of the population in Kenya and Tanzania. I have now learned that Indians know how to throw awesome parties. We were honored to be invited.

We arrived 20 minutes late and laughed when we saw the only other person there was the other American that was invited! We should have known everyone else would be on African time. Eventually everyone showed up. They had the party on the roof top deck of an Indian restaurant (Deli Chez for those who have been here!). I would guess about 75 people were there. The food was awesome (yummy lamb meatballs, chicken curry and rice, spring rolls, fries and a chocolate cake.) Many of the women were dressed in beautiful saris and fun Indian music was playing in the background. Guess what the theme of the party was? Spiderman! I guess Spiderman transcends cultures! I don't know where they got the decorations. Perhaps they came in the mail. There were red and blue balloons, party hats and Spiderman masks. Then there was face painting. Eli was so patient while he got a mask painted on. I wish my camera batteries weren't dead! We had a blast. We left at 6:30 to put ELi to bed, but I am sure it went on much later. Birthdays aren't normally celebrated in a big way (often not acknowledged at all) so it was fun to be at a party like that. It's also neat to become more and more a part of the community in Moshi.