May 6, 2026 - Corn, rain and touching moments 🌽💛

This year we planted corn for the first time. Now we're eagerly awaiting the harvest in June or July. It's important to sow it well before the rainy season so that everything can grow properly.

As is so often the case, the challenge lies in finding the right balance: if it rains too much, the soil can no longer absorb the water and the corn will be waterlogged. We therefore expect that we – like many others – could lose about half of the harvest.

Working together

The children diligently helped with weeding during the holidays and on Saturdays, because unfortunately, the weeds grow just as fast as the corn. In some places, however, the ground was so wet that the children practically sank in – we had to stop working there for the time being. It's wonderful to see how naturally the children help out and take on responsibility.

Family means more than origin

In Tanzania – as in many other African countries – people take their father's name as their surname.

When we were at the hospital with one of our children and the doctor asked his name, he proudly answered with his full name – followed by the name of his "father" here at home. This addition roughly translates to "big dad," which is what the children call Moody 🥰 The next day, his twin sister also quite naturally declared that she belonged too – adding my name as "mother."

Words that go straight to the heart

In the evenings, we often have a shared activity. One evening, we focused on English. The older children would talk about their day or introduce themselves. One boy started by telling us his brother's name and then, quite naturally, said in English: "My father's name is Moody and my mother's name is Nicole." Such statements deeply touch us. They show that family isn't just about blood, but primarily about love, care, and daily closeness.