Last night Peggy and I had the opportunity to share at our church, Calvary Christian Fellowship, about our trip to Mwanza.  In preparing to share we were again overwhelmed with thanksgiving to our Lord for the way he used this trip to change our lives.  He has drawn us closer to himself through this experience as we have drawn closer to him.  We refuse to return to our daily lives unchanged.  Our God is great and mighty, He is a refuge and a strength.  He is the God of many nations.  We went to serve and be a blessing and encouragement.  In return we were greatly blessed and encouraged as well! Thank you to everyone who supported this trip financially and thru prayer, may you be blessed!

Back in the States

Well, Peggy and I made it back to the US last night.  We fly out of New York this afternoon and should be back in Colorado tonight.  We were so blessed with great travel this trip.  We've been delayed a few times but it has all worked out beautifully.

The reality that we are back is sinking in rapidly and we are trying to figure out how to best describe our time in Tanzania.  How do you put so much into words? I don't know that we will ever be able to accurately describe what we've seen and been a part of, or begin to explain how we have felt during this trip.  What a blessing it has been to have shared this experience with one another and with you, our blog family.

As difficult as it is to sum up this experience, it is very easy to look back on our time in Tanzania and see God's hand.  His great majesty is declared in the beauty of His creation.  His love and compassion are displayed in His people. His voice is clearly spoken through His word and Spirit.  From sunrise to sunset God met every genuine need, provided protection and went with us.  What an amazing God we are privileged to serve!

Blessings!

Liko Lango Moja Wazi

Today we spent most of the day shoe shopping for the children.  We returned to find everyone busy preparing a gathering for us.  We felt very honored and loved.  It was humbling to hear of the ways the Lord has used us during our time here and we give thanks to God for bringing us here.  There was fellowshipping, singing, delicious food and sweet sentiments shared.  The children also surprised us by singing our favorite Swahili hymn (it's also the only one we know), Liko Lango Moja Wazi.  It is translated "The Gate Ajar For Me".   We were presented with letters from the children, cards from the staff, and dresses handmade by our friend Leah.  We were able to share our appreciation for everyone here and for the work the Lord has done. We were also able to pass out the shoes to the children.  A good time was had by all.  Please join us in prayer for thanksgiving and blessing for the Lord's work here and lift us up in prayer regarding our travels back to Colorado as we begin the journey home tomorrow.

Acts 20:35

Back in Colorado, our church family generously donated funds for our mission trip and Peggy and I have been seeking the Lord's guidance on how we could use these funds to bless the community here.  Well, yesterday Peggy and I went shopping in town for Bibles and towels for the boys and girls that were orphaned or abandoned, who are now part of the Christ's Hope family.  We got to pass out these Bibles and towels yesterday.  Oh it was so sweet to see these children loving cradle God's word!  Each child was so overjoyed and wanted us to send their thanks back to Colorado.



Thank you to all who generously supported this trip.  What a blessing it has been to share God's word with his children!  God bless you!

Tears and Laughter

A few of the boys are now on holiday from school and shared morning devotions with the staff and us today.  It was a time filled with tears and laughter.   The impact the Lord is having on these boys' lives through this ministry is amazing.  Please take a moment to lift up the staff in prayer as they continue to minister to and care for these young men.  May they keep their hearts focused on the Lord and his work here.  May they be protected from the enemy and may he have no footholds here.

Each morning we spend two hours with the little guys playing games and working on academics.  This is a great time for us to let these little ones know they are loved and we look forward to spending time with them each day.  When we first started they were very reserved, now they welcome us with hugs and snuggle close while we are working together.  It is going to be very difficult to leave these little ones.

This afternoon we helped prepare a traditional Tanzania meal for the CarePoints, ugali and small fish.  This one is probably not a recipe we will be sharing at home because the small fish were still looking at us as we ate! All joking aside though, it was a great experience to spend time with our dear friends cooking.

This was our last day at the Mabatini CarePoint Center.  The group of kids there are all between the ages of 11 and 15 and are as goofy as any other group of middle schoolers would be.  They love to joke around and have a good time.   We kept our lesson fun and did an art project today.  All of the kids we have had the chance to work with here in Mwanza have enjoyed making crafts and are very creative!


  

Peggy and her new BFFs

Today started out with a special Saturday morning devotion with the staff and boys.  It was so neat to have everyone all together.   After the devotion the boys gathered under the mango tree to see how many mangos they could knock on each other's heads.  It was very entertaining!

Then we headed to the boys house to make friendship bracelets.  We brought some from our home church that the kids made and the boys from Tanzania made bracelets that we will bring with us back to Colorado.  It was amazing to see the boys spend two full hours laughing, chatting, and braiding!  What special young men they are!  

The boys making bracelets

The rest of the day Peggy and I sorted through donations for the children and community.  We were able to take over clothing and sheets for all the boys and have a quite a few boxes to deliver to  local orphanages this next week.  When we delivered the donations to the big boy's house we were able to join them for nightly devotions.  The boys led worship, a time in the word, and prayer.  Once again we were blown away with spiritual maturity and close fellowship of these young men!

Praise Reports

• The Lord is doing a great work here in Tanzania thru Christ's Hope
• The children here are safe, cared for and loved

Prayer Requests

• We are looking into purchasing shoes, Bibles, socks and towels for the children here.  Please pray that we find favor with a retailer and are wise regarding these purchases.
•  We are beginning to realize that our time here in Mwanza is coming to a close and we want to utilize the time we have left to the utmost.  Please pray that we are hearing and following the Spirit's leading in this area. 

Safari

Tanzania is an amazing country!  Peggy and I had the opportunity to go on a safari in the Serengeti.  Words cannot describe the beauty of God’s creation.  We saw baboons, buffalos, lions, cheetahs, elephants, crocodiles, hippos, gazelles, impalas, giraffes, ostriches, monkeys, wildebeasts, zebras, hyenas, rabbits, and many birds.  We’d love to post a picture to sum up this experience but we have about four hundred pictures to choose from.   Here's a few of our favorites! 

It was a great experience, one we’ll never forget! 

It was very evident that we serve a mighty, ingenious, and intelligent creator!  As wonderful as our safari was it was a long two days away from our new friends here and we were so glad to return.  What a blessing it is to be a part of God’s family here in Tanzania!      

Today Peggy spent the morning with the little children at the boys’ home up the road.  She learned that the children were not familiar with balloons popping.  One little guy was quite traumatized by the experience.  I went to town to figure out some banking issues.  Each time we go to town it is an experience like no other.  Thankfully the issues have been resolved, praise the Lord! This afternoon we went to the CarePoint centers.  We had a wonderful time with the children and learned that using white glue for the first time is very exciting! 

Praise Reports

·    safe travels to and from Serengeti

·    sweet fellowship with our Tanzanian family

Prayer Requests 

·    prayers for the staff and leadership of Christ’s Hope

·    sponsorship for the children