I experienced all of my new places and duties last week and embarked on new journies along the way!
One of my new places is called Artisanat et Development. It is a program that MCC helped foster that allows artisans in Congo to produce pieces that are then shipped and sold at Ten Thousand Village stores all across the U.S. That's right...the things you see in the TTV near you - I am in their workshops here! It's just been a fantastic experience to meet some of the artisans and see the workshops and the store here. I feel like I'm in a dream really! I have many photos and video from the two wood working shops I went to last week and hope to have more experiences this week. I would love to be able to visit every workshop in Congo (they are all located in Kinshasa)! What a surreal experience for me really!
Another great endeavor I embarked upon is taking Lingala lessons! Ya for language learning! I do find that it's quite a challenge for me because the class is instructed in French and my brain has to be thinking in three languages really - Lingala into French into English! Luckily the teacher is also fluent in English and at least 3 out of the other 4 in the class speak English so when I get that confused look on my face...they translate in English! I am thankful that they are all kind, understanding people!
My next step is to be bold and speak Lingala with some of the artisans I go visit...eek not there yet even though I know the whole introductory coversation (hi, how are you? I'm fine...yada yada). Not sure how long it will take me but I think I'll try it out on some other people first...
I hope you all have had a great first have of September (seriously yes, the month is half over!!!)!
Love the ones your with (but I love all of you too:-))!
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2 comments:
That is cool. Now I have another reason to go to the store here in Reedley. I have only seen the store when the bring it to us (the MCC sale on the FPU campus).
Ten Thousand Villages! I have a TTV purse that was made in Bangladesh. It's my favorite. That all sounds so exciting!
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