Back Again

WE'RE BACK...
It was an incredible trip! Thank you for praying for us. We knew you were! We couldn't have done some of the things we did had we not had so many people at home praying.
God is Good!

We'll just give an overview of the trip but it will be missing many pieces and we'll try to keep you posted on the latest updates during the month about the following things:

*Purchased a Chlorine Water system.
*Walked the perimeter of the land in Korogwe to see how it may be used for a future compound.
*Plans for the trip in October.
*500 chickens in the chicken project.
*Car situation. (Greatest need at this time)

As for the overview...

Well, we met some great people being with the Medical Mission group from Iowa on our first leg of the trip. We flew in a small MAF plane to Singida from JRO airport. That's was a great experience. We actually didn't know how great it was until we took the 10 hour bus ride back to Arusha. While we were in Singida we saw the children's feeding center that Outreach International built. This is the center we are considering doing if the plans for the land begin to unflod. We then had quite an experience as literally thousands of locals from the Singida area came to be seen by the American doctors and dentists. What a blessing as a medical person to have the ability and wisdom to help so many no matter where you go. Hats off to the team we were with. As we parted after only a few short days we were off to Arusha and then on to Korogwe and up to The Children's Home. It was good be back at the home and to be able to spend time visiting with the children. Alan and Herbert had a lot of business to take care of and I was just happy to tag along, taking notes and having my camera in tow. We trudged up and down the mountain mostly on foot but that's a good thing, especially the part that Herbert fondly calls the "short cut" as it humbles us to experience how committed Herbert and Emily are to what God has called them to do up on this mountain. (And then on the fleshly side, it shows us how much we need to get into shape if we're going to climb Kili) Each visit to Tanzania opens our eyes to new and even more exciting things. Every trip stirs memories, but it excites the adventurer inside both of us as well. We wonder what God is doing in us especially when it obvious that the only thing we can do is pray. Like when we are standing at a bus stop and we can't help but try to talk to a young man who is obviously possessed as he spews out chantings that the bus we're traveling on, will for whatever reason, not make it to it's destination. My heart aches as God reminds me, he's someones son, so I pray... Feeling helpless causes us to remember in our weakness apart from Him. He is God and there are few times we forget this in Africa. The needed dependence on Him is awesome. I needed to literally draw from His strength several times during this trip, physically as well as emotionally. Juma was one of the reason I needed His grace to be sufficient in my emotional moments. Juma is 6 years old and he has HIV. He's precious and persistent. He left his new home and friends and with his new back pack on his back, that was a big as he was, he hiked down the mountain with us going back to the village where he lived before he had come to the Children's Home. His wounds were now to serious to allow him to be exposed to the other children. We prayed... God heard... We'll expect! Please pray for Juma that he will be healed and return to his home on the mountain. While reading one day I found a specific scripture that became especially personal and applicable to my situation. I've read it many times but never applied it personally. It's Matthew 15:27-28. I'm one of those little puppies eating crumbs from my Masters table and I'm happy (blessed) that He says, "their Masters table". What do you think would be on the Master, of all the Universes, table? I have no problem with this 'analogy' of knowing who He is and who I am in contrast and because of knowing His love for me and Juma and everyone who is His child. He is still the loving, healing Master and I'll wait for His will to be done on Earth and it is in Heaven.

Well, story after story could be told at the return of each trip but we do realize living it and hearing it are very different and we don't know when we cross over to boring, so... It's just that we hope and pray that God might touch at least one heart through what He has allowed us to experience and then share with you. Thank you again for your prayers and support.

God bless you!

In His Love,
Alan and Shannon