Most evenings around 6pm the other ex-pat ladies and I talk a walk down the airstrip in M@gambua.  This is our time to share the happenings of the day, get some exercise and enjoy a beautiful sunset.

However last week this was not the case at all for Amy and I!  We headed out for our walk after letting the neighbors dogs out to walk with us, thinking they could use some exercise also.  Shortly after arriving on the airstrip we hear a HORRIBLE sound!  The dogs were attacking a goat that had just given birth in the timber.  Amy quickly passed over the thorn bush fence (she had on sensible shoes) and began to yell and hit the ground with a stick to get the dogs to let go.  I was still trying to pass over the thorns…I had on my cheap flip-flops!  She was successful but once they let go they headed straight for the baby that was lying under a tree.  Both of us were yelling and they ran off – WHAT A MESS!

What to do…we had to try and find out whose goat it was because it was never going to make it through the night.  Either it would die of its injuries or from being in the Afric@n bush at night in an unhealthy state.  So we caught the two dogs, took them back to their cage (never to be let out by us again) and headed to the neighbors house.  I was trying to get right to the point because night was coming quickly and we really needed this sorted out.

Not the pastors goat, not Mama A’s goat and not Mama S’s goat however Mama S and Bibi E (who is stinkin old) were wiling to help us get the goat and her baby to safety.  Once to the airstrip we could not find the goat, she had wandered off.  The baby was right where we left it.  So first Mama S carried it, then handed it off to Amy and then me…baby goat under my arm crying like CRAZY and covered in biting ants!  Within just a few seconds all of us were pulling biting ants off – NOT FUN!

Then we were all off to find the mom…which had fallen in a ravine!  As Amy and I stood on the ridge looking at the goat we thought there was no way to get her out until Bibi dove in the ravine feet first with Mama S following close behind!  They hiked the goat up on their shoulders for us to grab the front legs and pull it out…UNBELIEVEALBE!  Defiantly showed me the cultural gap that was present between us, my thought was that there was no way to get the goat out and their thought was that there was no way to not get the goat out!

Pitch dark in the timber and we still had to carry the goat and the baby to safety…with just one head lamp!  Amy and Mama S took the front legs and I took the back with Bibi following close behind.  On the path I had to pull a throne out of my foot (still had on flip flops!) and if it had not been for Amy’s light I would have stepped on a black scorpion!  We carried it like this for over a mile as it screamed its head off…all I could think was only in Afric@!

Once we reached the house we put the goat and her baby inside and gave her some water.  At this point she was still not able to walk and losing blood from her neck so I thought for sure she was not going to make it…Amy and I were prepared to pay for the goat however the drama goes on.

The owners of the goats came and got them the next morning took them back to their home.  Amy and I tried a couple of times to go with our local friends to talk with the owners but they were never home.  Just a few days ago I heard that they butchered the goat and sold the meat for a profit…so I was under the understanding that all was settled but people are still talking!

I am not sure how this situation will all work out but WOW the drama…only in Afric@ could one stinking goat cause so many issues!  Please be praying that this will not cause a rift between our neighbors and us…we tried to do what we thought was right but being ex-pats no matter what we do can be taken wrong.  I will forever laugh about this night remembering how it all played out!

The grass is greener on the other side.

This saying has been running through my mind lately for more then one reason…

The back door of my house is about 150 feet off the main road (locals call it a road, to me it is more of a cow path) of M@gambua.  Every mornings at 8am, I could almost set my clock by it, as I am preparing my things for work at the clinic I hear “ting, dong, ting…” the familiar call of a cow bell.  A heard of cows pass by traveling north on their way to pasture.  Then about 8:15 am I hear, “dong, dong, dong…” another herd passing by traveling south.  Us@ndawe herders passing each other on the road taking their cattle to where they think the pasture is greener (however right now is the dry season and I can not find green anywhere, just dry trees, red dust and thorns!)

Currently I am in a season of homesickness.  I am missing being with my family and friends very much.  They tell me about what they are doing in the summer months and I do want to be with them to share in the fun!  After being home for that short period, I realized how much I was missing out on in the lives of my family…I think my grass would be greener with them.

However, then G0d reminds me that I am here in Afric@ serving Him.  He asked me to come here and where I am physically is within the plan He has for my life…what could be greener!  Spiritually He is bringing me to a closer relationship with Him through His W0rd and faithfulness which is life changing!  I need to make sure that I am here mentally seeking out every opportunity He brings my way that allows me to give Him the glory!

He is involved in every detail of His children’s life and will bring blessings to us wherever we are but we have to really be there.  We can’t be looking at what we think would be better or easier because the glory we bring G0d when we serve Him with our heart, mind and soul is what life here on earth is really about!

This week at the clinic I have made a new friend. I call her Bibi which means grandmother in Kisw@hili because her mother tongue, Kib@rabaig is unwritten and at this point seems impossible for me to learn. I can understand what her name is when she says it but am unable to write it, so to you it is Bibi! It has been fun for me to get to know here a bit because most older Ub@rabaig people do not know Kisw@hili…so I am unable to communicate with them, I just smile and nod! HA! They live in such remote places, as I say “in the stinkin bush” that only in the last few years has Kisw@hili became part of their language set.

She came to the clinic 6 days ago because she was bitten by a random dog along the path she was walking on and is concerned she might have rabies. Serial rabies shots are given over a span of twelve days so people that live far away will stay at the clinic instead of walking home. Bibi said that it took her three nights to come – which means she walked for four days and slept along the path for three nights…no protection, just out in the Afric@n bush at night…yikes! When she arrived she had nothing but the clothes she was wearing (which were not many, not a priority for women in this particular tribe) and a gourd filled with sour milk – which she has very much enjoyed…just the smell drives me away. She offered to share with me but this is not even an option…not sure if I would live through it! HA!

I have asked Bibi many questions about her cultural. Most women of this tribe wear a variety of bracelets, hard white plastic, soft black plastic, solid brass or beaded, and also neck rings made out of brass wire. I have been curious if there is any meaning behind how many or what kind they are and she said no, they are just to look beautiful. At the right of passage (somewhere between 11-13 years of age) women also receive facial burning with a hot stick in the form or dotted rings around their eyes this is also just to look beautiful and show that you are ready for marriage…it not already. At the time of marriage each women puts on a cow hide dress that is worn beneath the outer layer of clothing and NEVER taken off even for medical examinations. This is sometimes decorated with beads or little pieces of plastic…I wonder the meaning behind this but when I asked Bibi did not respond, just put up both here hands which I took as this is none of my business…so I did not push!

When I asked her if she believe in any god she said no. So I asked her if she knew about or had ever heard about the Bib1e or Je$us Chri$t…no! WOW! I was amazed she had not even heard the name. I went back to my house got my Bib1e and solar machine that has the complete Kisw@hili Bib1e recorded on it and we sat and listen to the first chapters of LUke together. She listened intently however did not say much about it…think it was a little overwhelming for her. I pr@yed for us in my broken Kisw@hili (still nervous about pr@ying but I am working on it!) and that is were we ended our time together.

I do not know if I will ever see this Bibi again…it is not like I could get her telephone number or home address to go visit her, however I know without doubt that the seeds of the G0spel were planted and I trust the H0ly Sp1rit will work in her life to reveal G0d’s Love to her! She did ask me why I came to T@nzania from Americ@ and I responded “To tell you about Je$us Chri$t and the love He has for you”, that was too much…she looked at me gave me a little smile then up and walked away!

Be pr@ying for Bibi and the entire Ub@rabaig people group. They are unreached and desperately need to hear the Word of G0d! Also pr@y that G0d will bring more of them into my life that understand Kisw@hili, I enjoy VERY much being able to show them and tell them about the Love of Chri$t!

            Over the last few months G0d has really made me more aware of the fact that there are MANY children here in Afric@, but no childhood.  As early as the age of four the kids are given work to do such as carry water, sweep the front yard or collect firewood in the evenings.  There is very little time that is allowed for playing or imagination.  There are many stories I could share, but I will only share one…he has impacted my life forever!

            Mediu$i M., better known to me as Joc0bo.  He is 14 years old and currently living on an island of L@ke Victori@.  I was drawn to him because of his big bright smile; he seemed so joyful and loveable.  However once I started asking questions his smile soon turned to a sullen look and his eyes were full of hurt…

            His mom and dad live on the mainland which is 5 hours away from this island.  Eight months ago his father was really drunk and chased him out of his house with a large knife called a panga, telling him he was not welcome home anymore.  So Mediu$i went to his uncle’s house down the street to stay.  He has done this before as a way to seek safety and after a few days would return home and all would be fine, however this time was much different.  This uncle took him from the mainland to this island saying that they were only going to see a friend for one night but that was not far from the truth.  The uncle left him on the island all by himself.

            Mediu$i had no choice; he had to stay with this friend who he barley knew but was his only means of safety.   This person changed his name from Mediu$i to Joc0bo then took him to a local café where he was put to work selling rolls in the local fishing camp from before breakfast until after dinner every day.   Children that do this type of work are seen as the least of the least; no one respects them or gives them the time of day.

            For the last two months he has been given a different job, he is now pumping water at the local well (a step up yet still child labor).  Each bucket cost 100T$H or $0.10.  Mediu$i makes 5000T$H each month which is $3.85 USD all of which is taken by this friend of his uncles, to cover the cost of daily living.  However Mediu$i only sleeps at this house for seven hours every night and takes his meals at the local pastors house (THANK YOU JE$US for providing Mediu$i someone to care for him.)

            Mediu$i really wants to go back home to live with his parents and siblings and go back to school, but right now there is no way for him to do that!  I did try to inquire more while I was staying on this island for a week and provide funds for transportation however I did not get far.  The pastor believes this to be a family matter that has to be handled very carefully.  

            He is a really sweet boy who has become my friend!  We laughed allot together and was able to play soccer with a ball made out of plastic bags and rope (real soccer balls are very expensive and cheaply made).  I expressed the love of Je$us in every way possible thru time spent with him, spoke kind words and gave him a loving touch on the shoulder or a quick hug (which at first he pulled away from…he did not understand a loving touch). 

            So PLEASE be praying that Mediu$i will remain SAFE on the island, that he will come to know that Je$us loves him and that his parents will come to get him soon so he will be able to go back to school!  Pray that all children will have someone come into their lives that will show them true love and respect…two things every human being deserves!

This last week I spent the entire week on 1kuzu Island, one of the larger islands of L@ke Victori@. I had a wonderful time working along side of Ron@ld, a Keny@n nurse, Ester a T@nzanian nurse and Sipriana a young T@nzanian guy that helps in the lab and with cleaning.  The team is small but they are able to make a HUGE impact on the community around them!

Every morning they begin work around 9am (which can mean any time before 10:30am).  Patients wait outside on a wooden bench till it is their turn…I was never sure how they decided who came next in the line up, but it worked. Ron@ld and I sat on one side of the desk and the patient sat on the other while Ron@ld took their history (I was very happy because I understood most of what was said, my Kisw@hili is really improving!).  After getting the complete story he would then start writing, I asked him why he did not write in the process and he said because the story changed with every question asked and until he had a clear picture of what was going on he just waited.  The medical record consisted of ½ of a d@ftari (ruled notebook), that’s it, so refreshing.  Based on the complaints Ron@ld would request lab test of the blood, urine or stool.

Once 4-5 patients were cued up in the lab we would go in and look at the specimens under the microscope…not pretty!  However I was able to learn ALLOT about identifying tropical illnesses.  After identifying the problem it was back to the desk calling the patients in one by one…or sometimes they would come as a group, not sure why, maybe for support. Diagnoses and education about transmission was given; then medications were prescribed.  They were given their d@ftari and sent to the pharmacy where Ester would fill their prescriptions from a cabinet filled with 20 different types of medications…not many but they do the job!

Total cost for doctor visit and medications: 5000tsh (T@nzanian shillings) or $3.48 USD

Lab test: 500tsh each or $0.38

From the money that is collected this clinic is self sustainable!  AMAZING!

Just for fun a few other charges:  Labor a delivery of a child: 5000tsh or $3.48 USD however if it

is at night and the generator has to be used an additional 5000tsh must be

charges to cover cost of petrol.  If they are able, they will use kerosene

lanterns!

Three day admission: Kids 10,000tsh or $7.69 USD

Adult 20,000tsh or $15.38 USD

Only thing not included is IV Fluids which is 5000tsh per bottle

Just a little bit cheaper then Americ@n healthcare you think?

We saw many patients throughout the week but there is one that I will never forget.  A 20 year old mother brought her 3 month old daughter in due to difficulties breathing.  I could hardly believe the sound that she was making with each breath…a harsh grunting like a rubber band was abound her throat.  Ronald and I examined her and could find nothing that really stood out except for the sound of her breathing however we knew she was not well.  The decision was made to start her on antibiotics for pneumonia and the mother was to bring her back in 6 hours for re-evaluation.  However this mother had no money (which is standard practice on the islands, the husband carries all the money.) Due to known history of this family not paying for treatment the mother was sent to find the husband…their house was very close so we knew if she did not return within the hour we could go find her and start treatment. To my great relief, after a few short moments later the husband did come to pay for treatment.  We were both anxious about the child leaving the clinic, however she did.

Six hours later the mother did come back and the child had no signs of improvement at all!  Once again the husband was called to come to the clinic.  They were given back the money paid for treatment and told the next morning they needed to get on the early ferry to go to the mainland for further evaluation.  Ron@ld was very firm with them explaining that if they did not go this child would most likely die.

The next morning I awoke with this little baby on my mind…it was all I could think about, did they go or did they not go…what was going on?  I was told I could not go and check due to drawing attention to the situation, so it was just a sit and wait situation.  Still at 9pm that evening we had not received word, I was so preoccupied with the thought of this baby!  However shortly affter eating dinner and discussing the days activities I heard a lady wailing and screaming…it was this mother, her baby had died…they did not go.

Over the course of the day they had tried local remedies and consulted local healers without results.One first evaluation of the child I noticed she has on three very distinct charm necklaces all for the sack of providing protection from evil. The family believes that this death was caused from the baby’s spirit being taken.  So no matter what they would have done the end result would have been death because black magic had taken her spirit causing her to be empty inside.

I have such mixed emotions about this situation!!  Why did they not go…they had the money…they had the time…they had transportation…it was all provided.  However their traditional beliefs have such a stronghold on them…Satan has blinded them to the truth!

The g0d of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the g0spel of the glory of Chri$t, who is the image of G0d. 2 Corinthi@ns 4:4

PLEASE be praying that the stronghold Satan has on this island will be broken and the eyes of the community will be open to the saving gr@ce of Je$us Chri$t!!  That they may realize He is the source of complete healing and provider of eternal life! Also, pray that this mother will find comfort…the loss of her first child will be felt forever!

WOW, it has been ENTIRLY too LONG since I have posted a new blog…SORRY!  However this time I have a good excuse, my parents were here!  Yes, my mom and dad made the long journey from I0wa to T@nzania just to see what I am up to.  WHAT A BLE$SING to see part of my family (so wish that my brother and his family would have been able to come also, but that many J0hnson’s in Afric@…not sure if this continent is up to that yet!) HA!

Anyways, our time together was an adventure we will not soon forget!  We stared off in Z@nzibar; I thought this would be a time of relaxation for them before coming to the village…however not so much.  The ferry ride to Z@nzibar from D@r es Salaam was really rough. My dad was motion sick the entire time and my mom was so tired from the time change she slept like a rock!  Once we arrived and found our hotel room we realized it was HOT!  They came from I0wa winter and I threw them into extreme heat without air conditioning.  The island had no electricity the entire time we were there and the generators only ran a few hours everyday.  So at night what little air movement there was was completely blocked by the mosquito net, it was HOT and STICKY…not so restful!  During the mornings we had a good time exploring Stone Town (base camp for early explores wanting to venture into Afric@) but in the afternoons it was nap time, stinkin jet lag! The final day on the island we went up to the northern point and were blessed by an unbelievable beach.  The water was crystal clear and the sand completely white!  Dad and I went snorkeling and were able to see 35 feet down; the coral and fish were amazing!  G0d did awe us with His creation!

Then we took the same ferry back to the mainland, thankfully it was smoother the second time around and was air conditioned…actually it was so cold I had to put a coat on.  My mom just laughed at me, it was the first time she had been cool in days! HA!  Our flight from D@r es Salaam to Mw@nza went okay, two of us enjoyed it more then the other (without naming names). Once in Mw@nza I thought finally the traveling drama would be over because I would be driving my truck, however I was wrong!  My parents were a nervous wreck!  In T@nzania there are not many rules or regulations when it comes to driving except every man for himself.  I have gotten use to this and can drive both aggressive and defensive depending on what the moment calls for…think it was a good time of prayer for my mom!  In Mw@nza we had to do errands to get supplies for the time they would be at my house.  It was fun to take them to the small grocery store I shop at, the egg lady, the fruit and vegetable market…no one stop shopping here!

They were glad when we pulled up to the entrance of the car ferry (45 minute ride across the canal) because they thought the crazy driving would be over, I let them believe what they wanted…I was not going to burst their bubble!  Getting on the car ferry is a push shove kind of procedure one where I am defiantly in both aggressive and defensive driving mode, because if not you get left behind to wait for the next one.  Buses, loreys (big trucks), cars, trucks, pedestrians, motorcycles, bicycles all want to get on at the same time which is problematic…did I mention it is backing on!  My dad being a trucker tried to help but I think was a little overwhelmed by the chaos and mom, still praying!

Once on the other side of the canal of water it is again every man for himself.  Everyone wants to be in front of the traffic line because the road is dirt which means it is either really dusty it there have been no rain or really muddy with the rains.  I do my best to hold my own with the other cars, but the buses and big trucks I let by because most of them have no brakes so I don’t want them tailgating me. Over the 2 ½ hour drive to K@hunda the road passes through many little villages, which means people.  The roads are always busy with people walking, riding their bicycles, motorcycles, goats, chickens, cows, potholes…and speed bumps one of which I did not see! Sorry Mom!  By the time we reached K@hunda my parents were ready to be out of the truck, they had had enough!  Me,  I still think the road is in good condition for all the rain we have had.

This by far was my favorite time of the entire trip…being able to show them the work G0d has prepared for me to do here in K@hunda. The weather was warm, we had to walk everywhere, the market was crowded and every last person stared at us, but that is my life here. My mom and I were able to work in the clinic together doing lab work, seeing sick children and giving immunizations.  Our days were rather calm compared to what the can be, but I was glad. It gave us more time to talk about things.  She was amazed at what little charting there is (only one piece of notebook paper with your name, age, name of your village and what your complaint is) and that I was able to accomplish so much with so little.  Many times she said “If you only had…” all I could do was smile and think of the many times I have said or thought the same thing!

My dad kept himself busy doing projects around my house and Mama Happy’s (my good friend and house helper).  He was kind of at a loss on how to complete his projects with only a hand saw, cordless drill, a set of pliers and wet crooked 2×4’s, however he did a good job. Mama Happy was very thankful for his handy work!

We all went over to Mama Happy’s house for what I thought would be just tea however I was mistaken.  In most Afric@n cultures a true sign of friendship is sharing a meal together in your house and that is what we did…kind of.  She had cooked rice (which is a big treat), beans, matoke (bananas, onions and tomatoes cooked together…sounds questionable but is very good) and sweet potatoes, a meal prepared for special quests! My mom was brave and tried a little bit of everything; dad, he held tight to his Coke…no sense of adventure.

All too soon were we off and running again, making our way to the SerengetI for my mom’s first game drive.  Inside the gate my dad took over driving which was a nice break for me and I think kind of fun for him. We saw many animals: zebra, giraffe, elephants, gazelle, warthogs, lions…the list could go on but you get the point. G0d’s creation is AWESOME! Unfortunately the big herds were not around, but we saw a little bit of everything.  Leaving the SerengetI was interesting, we decided to take a “short cut”…I had a feeling this was a bad idea however we did it anyways.  We drove and drove and drove on a very bumpy road without seeing one other person! When we did finally see a person we tried to ask for directions…not such a help! Afric@ns will ALWAYS say what they think you want to hear no matter if it is the truth or not so we got a lot of “yes” when we should have gotten “no”…kind of a stressful time!  When I saw the big tarmac road I gave Je$us ALL the praise!

From here it was across the border (which went rather smoothly) to N@irobi Keny@.  A LONG day of travel but seeing the country side was BEAUTIFUL!  My mom enjoyed seeing all the commotion of the small towns we went through and used her time trying to get pictures of all the oncoming traffic…aka donkeys/herds of cows!

One night in Nairobi, then they flew out the next evening!  It was HARD to say “see ya later” again, but WOW did I have a wonderful time with them. THANK YOU ALL for PR@YING!  G0d heard your request and was f@ithful to provide for ALL our needs!  I thank G0d for allowing them to come for a short visit, their love and support was a HUGE encouragement to me…this is a time shared with them that I will NEVER forget!

I was HOT and SWEATY!  Being from Iow@ and living in Minnes0ta for a few years these are two words that I never thought I would use to describe Christmas however this year it was just that.  Upon waking at 6am the temp was 86 degrees and at 4pm the temperature gauge registered 97 degrees with 97% humidity…CRAZY!  I have always looked forward to a white Christmas, needless to say that didn’t happen, which caused me to miss the snow for a brief fleeting moment.  I am kind of getting use to being able to wear flip flops all year round!

For the holiday I was in a small village located along the coast of the Indi@n Ocean (I have now seen it many times and have yet to get me feet wet!).  The team of A1M missi0naries located there is made up of two couples and three single ladies.  Two of these single ladies were in my same situation – first Christmas away from family, so we knew exactly how each other was feeling.  I was sad to be away from my family however G0d provided wonderful people – both w@zungus (westerners) and nationals who made this Christmas truly unique and filled with laughter.

The festivities began on the 24^th.  At around 12 noon (which in Africa time is really anytime after 2pm) all the women were to gather at the church to start preparing the community lunch meal.  This is a very important event because technically if the wife dose not come and help prepare the meal her family is unable to partake.  Our meeting place was under the big mango tree by the church.  We sat outside on large hand woven grass mats and got right to work cleaning 80kgs rice (removing rocks and left over hulls), peeling garlic and onions, cutting up the beef that was purchased (which in the end looked to me to be mostly bone!  Iowa corn feed means nothing here), and making dough for mendazies (a small donut like bun that is eaten with tea).  The national ladies were very eager to teach us all their ways of cooking and preparation.  We shared MANY good laughs together!  The whole preparation took about 4 hours, but to me it seemed but a few minutes!  I enjoyed this time of fellowship very much!  Being able to sit with the national ladies, listen to them girl talk and learn their customs was such a blessing.

Christmas morning we were up and ready to go to the church by 6:30am!  Yes, this was early but around the time I had been waking up every morning due to the heat.  Once at the church there was still work to be done, peeling tomatoes and carrots, chopping cabbage to make cole slaw, boiling the tea, cooking all the rice and mixing in the spices to make pilau, reheating the beef and collecting the plates and trays that all the ladies were bringing in for the meal.  At first I was wondering, how was this ever going to get organized, however within about 30 minutes each women had a task to complete.  My task was to clean a little more rice and then help cook…which really means to just sit and talk with the nationals as they cook!!  One thing I noticed that kind of made me laugh is when the women were cooking the rice they would throw in a bit of salt here and there.  Every time they added it to the rice, they threw a little in the fire, “to help it cooked sweeter”.  I guess every cook has her thing!

The rice was cooked in HUGE metal pots called sufuri@s over open fires in the backyard of the church.  I think all total there were 8 sufuri@s filled with pilau and one with the beef…an impressive operation to watch!  The women know just how strong the fires have to be at different points in the cooking process to make the perfect rice.  Heck, I can barely cook a good pot of rice on my gas stove, if I had to use a fire I would be in trouble or I would eat burnt rice! HA!

About 10:30am it was time to get cleaned up and go to church.  The Christi@n ladies from the church all had dresses made out of the same material, this is tradition for any type of big event.  When I was in K@hunda I had a” skirti” and “blousie” made (for a grand total of $11 USD) from local fabric so that is what I wore and how the ladies loved it!  They appreciated so much that I was wearing a T@nzania outfit; the smiles it evoked were priceless!  Also jewelry, make-up and pretty shoes were required.  The women really did go all out and the men, just regular clothing for them.

Church only lasted for 2 hours which SURPRISED me!  I was at least expecting four hours at the minimum…the pastor must have known he would have been in trouble from the women if he went to long! HA!  They sang, danced and played the drum for a good while, nothing fancy but very beautiful!  Unfortunately the service was given in the local tribal tongue so I was not able to understand it at all…but I am sure it was good!  On a regular Sund@y the average attendance of this church is 30 people, this service 100 people came, some of who were MuSlims!  G0D IS AWESOME!!  I spent my time trying to interrupt L*ke chapter two from Sw@hili to English, what a wonderful story.  My Savi0r came to earth that very night to die so that I can live forever…WOW!

When the pastor finally said we were dismissed the church cleared out SO FAST!  People were ready to eat.  The older men all sat in the big room on woven grass mats and were served first on individual plates.  The women and children sat in another room some on grass mats some on the floor and were served second on platters (4-5 people sharing) and the teenage boys sat together in the last room on the floor and were served last.  There was a definite process that was followed and everyone understood it!  To get everyone fed including the “kitchen staff” took over an hour.  One person estimated that around 250 people came to partake in the meal.  What a witness for Je$us!

I enjoyed very much being part of the village church Christmas.  I like how they focused on serving together as a family in Chri$t to reach out to their community.  It was not so much about “stuff” which was nice. I have not missed the craziness of Christmas shopping.  I do love giving gifts to people in my life, but December in the States NO FUN!  This village church gave the Good New to MANY in their community who needed to hear it…the harvest might be a long time coming, but seeds were planted and I was honored to be a part of it!

The weekend following Christmas we W@zungus (westerners) went to town to celebrate.  We had a Christmas branch (just on branch not a complete tree) decorated, white elephant gift exchange (I was the only one who bought a gag gift…however in the end was the gift everyone wanted!) and did a stocking exchange, so nothing big but very nice.  Also we ATE!  We had all kinds of Americ@n/Can@dian food.  I actually had the “I’m so full I can barely move feeling” and it has been a long time since I can say I experienced that!

Overall, I would describe my first Christmas in Afric@ as BLESSED!  I was with people that I had only met briefly at conference in October and in a village I had never visited, however we all have one common goal: To share the $AVING GR@CE of JE$US with the people of Tanzania and that bond makes us brothers and sisters in Christ.  THANK YOU JE$US for Your strength and provision!!

It has been WAY TO LONG since I have posted a new entry…SORRY!  My excuse, life in Afric* is just a little bit slower then life in the $tates, just trying to fit in…cultural adjustment, HA!

Just this week I arrived in a different village here in T*nzania and plan to stay here for the next two weeks to celebrate the holidays and study language.  During conference I met three other single girls that live in this village and they welcomed me to come celebrate Chri$tmas and New Years with them.  I am having a WONDERFUL time here with them but it is HOT! Everyday the temperature rises to at least 93 degrees with a humidity level of 90%!  I am hot and sticky all the time…so much different then what Christmas usually feels like in MN/IA.  I have always wished for a white Christmas and this year I am just wishing for a cool drink at some point during the day!

I am amazed at how different our mini$tries look.  On the Lake we are more healthcare focused and here their focus is church planting.   Yet we have the same goal…to share the $AVING knowledge of Je$us with ALL who will listen! With Chri$tmas approaching in just a few days make sure to take time to share the REAL reason for this celebration, the BIRTH of our $AVIOR and REDEMMER Je$us Christ…His LOVE is the FREE GIFT that keeps giving for ETERNITY!

HAVE A BLESSED CHRI$TMAS

AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

I will write again shortly after the new year roles in…can hardly believe that 2009 is almost over!!

Bring the best of the first fruits of your soil to the house of the LORD your God.

Exodus 23:19

This is one of the S*bbath Laws stated in the Old Test*ment and here in Afric* is a law that is still practiced.  The first Sunday of every month a special offering is taken for the pastor.  This is an opportunity for church members to give to him and his family directly as a way of saying thank you for his service.  This was taken after the general church offering and a special offering for the choir…so I was thinking that it would be small, however I was mistaken.

The normal routine for the offering collection is that starting from the back of the church on the men’s side (men and women do not sit together) each person that wants to give gets up and files along the outside wall waiting their turn to place their offering in the basket on the head table.  The women follow in the same manner but when they place their offering in the basket each one curtsey as a sign of respect to G0d.  The same curtsey is done when greeting an mzee (older person of the community) as a sign of respect.  The verbal greeting from the younger person is “Shikamoo” (I am holding you feet…) and the mzee replies “Marahaba” (Good).  Kids are taught from a very young age here to salamia (greet) older people in a respectful manner.  Now I have adopted this practice.  Every time I give my offering or greet an older person I curtsey and say Shikamoo as my sign of respect for them.  Just last week I did this to an Americ*n that was here visiting…guess it is becoming my new norm!  It has made me also think about how I greet J*sus everyday…what do I do to show Him the respect He deserves?

The men went first giving only in monetary form (because they are the ones that care for the money) but then it was the akina mamas (group of women) turn to give and they brought their first fruits from their shambas (farms, which the women plant and work).  Corn, beans, mihogo (used to make flour); rice, sugar cane and even LIVE chickens were given!  The chicken was placed on the table right in front of my co-worker Mary and she did not know what to do!  It was flapping its wing and making a real ruckus!

This might seem kind of strange to you, to bring these kinds of things to the offering table in church, however giving these items here in Afric* is almost more sacrificial then giving money.  Money comes and goes but chickens are a source of eggs year around and when killed to eat is a great honor and usually only done when guests are coming.  Corn, beans, mihogo and rice are staple food items that take time to grow and the main source of nutrition.  Yes, they can get more but only if the rains come.  They gave from their family’s security.

It was a humbling experience…even those that have hardly any earthy processions did not want to miss the opportunity to give back to G0d from what He had given them.  They do believe that whatever they do have comes directly from Him watering their fields causing the crops to grow.  What am I giving to G0d?  What sacrifices am I making to show Him the respect He deserves?  What are my first fruits that He is asking me to bring to the house of the LORD?  I have much to pray over…