God is Coming!

The other day I was out interviewing children for the orphan sponsorship program. I was writing down information for their bios as Sarah, a CMF apprentice, took their photos. We were sitting on some large stones on the project land when it began to rain. The way Sarah and I responded was so typical of a Westerner. We scrambled to gather our things and get into the LandCruiser. We ran with our heads down, trying to stay dry. My papers were getting wet and Sarah was concerned for her camera. We were so American, so worried about our stuff. They did not worry about their stuff. They have no stuff. How did these sweet Maasai children respond to the sudden downpour? With delight! They lifted their faces toward the sky, letting the fat raindrops hit their heads. They did end up gathering under a tree, but did so with smiles, happy for the much needed rain that would bring water to them and their animals. What I viewed as an inconvenience, they viewed as a blessing. As they gathered under the tree, I heard them shouting a phrase. My understanding of the Maa language is limited, so I could only make out the word for God. I asked my friend Joseph what they were saying. With a huge smile on his face he said, "God is Coming!"

Another Flat Tire

On the way to the bush a few weeks ago, we had another flat tire. Tanzania roads and tires don't get along. The funny thing this time was that the flat tire happened when we were on the 'good' tarmac road. As Bill got out and started to change the tire, he discovered that our jack was not working properly. Well only a few moments went by and two lorries (what we call big trucks here) stopped. They had a high-lift jack and Bill basically just had to watch while these six African good samaritans changed the tire. We were able to be on our way and were only thirty minutes late arriving in the village....and in Africa, that is still considered on time!

A Day in the Bush

Many people have asked what it means when we say we went to the bush. Yesterday, I went 'to the bush' so I will attempt to share with you what that means.

First of all, to get to even the nearest village where we work, Mairowa, you must leave at sunrise. We don't travel in the dark here as the roads are terrible, too many animals, no streetlights, and other interesting hazards. So off you go, bouncing down the road in the LandCruiser. The road is so bumpy and full of holes big enough to swallow small cars, that the driver has to keep both hands on the wheel and passengers have to hold on to something to not go flying across the seat! We joke that we like to travel with the vehicle full so we don't fly around very much.

Usually our first stop is at Joseph's house. He is a Maasai man with an incredible heart for people. He works for our CMF team as the CHE project leader/church planter support in the region known as Engarenaibor. When we arrive, his wife is ready to serve you a steaming hot cup of chai. The tin cup is so hot to hold, but you must down the drink as to not offend their hospitality. That is so important in their culture. The tea is very light as it is mixed with goat's milk. As I don't love the stuff, I politely drink about half the cup, then quietly hand it off to Joseph's 5 year old daughter, Nempris, who loves chai!

After chai and enough 'greetings' (another must in the culture) you can go off to begin your tasks of the day. Everytime is different, sometimes continuing on another hour or two to another village or staying in the area. Yesterday, all of our work was within 8 kilometers of Joseph's house. While many times I travel to the bush alone, this time our team consisted of myself, Ron and Wendy (CMF missionaries) and Amy and Sarah (CMF interns). We proceeded to the Oliserian church to drop off Wendy and Amy. This church has a preschool that meets daily and Wendy had research to do as she is attempting to train teachers in the area. We got out for a bit to see their new cookhouse, which is basically sticks tied together. The cookhouse provides a place for a daily meal to be cooked for the children, thanks to IDES. We say our goodbyes to Wendy and Amy and are off to our next stop...

The CHE Project Land is where the new Widow & Orphan Project is centered. Ron needed to check on the progress of the construction and also deliver and set up the new water tank! It is wonderful to now have water on site, thanks to a donor Wendy secured while in the States.

While Ron was busy setting brick, etc. (with the ever present Maasai audience) Sarah and I found a spot to interview more children for the Orphan Sponosorship Program. We found a pile of stones to sit on, checking for snakes first. The minister of the Ngoswak church and two village elders sat with me as I spoke with the children, through Joseph's translation. At this point, as our formal language learning has been Swahili, I only know common greetings and phrases in the Maa language. *I'll have a separate post describing the orphan interviews.

As it was almost two in the afternoon, we remembered that we were supposed to go back and get Wendy and Amy! But, of course, before we could leave, another cup of chai. As we headed back up to Oliserian, we saw Wendy and Amy walking down the dirt road toward us in the much needed rain!

Back at Joseph's house, we were served lunch before starting our journey back to Arusha. As always, you start the trip no later than 4:00 to get back before nightfall. Our lunch consisted of a plate of steaming hot rice and mystery meat. As always, you dig in with your fingers!

After saying goodbyes, the long ride home begins. Other than calling out animal sightings, everyone is always pretty quiet on the way home as we are so tired, dirty and sunburnt. Also, because you have a lot to process, news of a child's death from measles, seeing many needs, but most of all, seeing all the ways that God is at work.

Thanks for joining me for a day in the bush!

Indy to Arusha

So we left the PCC mission house at 8:00 am January 22nd and arrived the next day, Sunday, January 23rd, in Arusha, Tanzania. By the time we made it with our team to the training center, we had been traveling over 32 hours, including layovers. That's with 4 kids, 12 checked bags and 12 carry-ons, 3 flights and 2 layovers. We were exhausted, hungry, and wanting showers, but we were filled with excitement as we walked down the stairs of the plane and into the steamy African night air. Our team met us after we cleared customs. It was great seeing them all again.

The kids did great on the trip...Oleg watched movies on every flight...Wyatt slept...Heidi was good :)...and Morgan didn't even complain about the plane food!

Our Final Week....

So we now begin our final week prior to departing for Africa. Our plane leaves at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, January 22nd from Indianapolis. We will connect in New York (JFK) to our flight to Amsterdam (with a 5 1/2 hour layover...ugh), then on to Kilimanjaro International Airport in Tanzania.

So what will we be doing during this last week? Saying goodbyes, eating lots of our favorite foods, shipping our luggage off to Tanzania and spending lots of time with family and friends.

UPDATE ON THE VISA: The visas are approved! Praise God!! We are now just waiting on getting a copy of the visa/residency permit to have with us as we travel.

UPDATE ON SUPPORT: We have almost all of the one-time funds that are needed for our move into Tanzania. We were blessed by a huge response to our need for a bush vehicle and that is now nearly taken care of. Additional gifts will go toward our shipping costs to get our personal items over and monies necessary to have beds made for our new home and purchasing other items necessary for running a home in Africa...like a generator.

Our sustaining monthly support goals have nearly been met as well. We would really like to get on the plane fully funded, so we are making one last push for anyone who has thought about supporting our mission work...now is the time! We need just a few more faithful monthly supporters. Contact us if you have questions regarding how to support us.

We are so excited! Everything we have worked, trained and prepared for this past year and a half is now beginning! What an exciting journey of following God with our children and our supporters...we're in this journey together!

PRAYER REQUESTS:

* that we remain healthy, physically prepared for the long flights
* that we tolerate the malaria medication
* that the Holy Spirit grant our parents an abundance of peace and comfort

Thank you!