Eyelashes Of An Elephant...
Bonnie teaches students at the Spring Valley School how to use their
new microscope.
Anne has discovered quite a few budding artistsamong students at the Spring Valley School.
Monday: 5:00 a.m. - Leave the guest house in Nairobi for the airport. Floyd was convincing in persuading the Kenya Airways supervisor not to charge for extra baggage. The trip to Tanzania was highlighted by a beautiful snow-covered top to tropical bottom view of Mt. Kilimanjaro. We arrived in Tanzania greeted by the laughing faces and warm hugs of Mpeli and Frank Mwaisumbe. Everything went smoothly. Thank all of you for your prayers. We had so much to bring that two vehicles were needed to carry the nine suitcases, two containers, four backpacks, two briefcases, and one large tote.
We had a great but long eight-hour trip from Dar Es Salaam to Iringa, complete with sightings of elephants, zebra, gazelles, baboons, giraffes, and monkeys. One elephant was eating right on the side of the road—only 20 feet away. The drivers behind us kept dodging the banana peels and tangerine peels flying out the windows. The baboons loved us. For supper, Bill discovered Chili Sauce is really hot.
Tuesday morning: New discovery – no electricity. Second discovery – Stoney sodas which are a really strong ginger ale—Blenhiem Ginger Ale in East Africa. Due to the lack of rain—drought—the government has mandated alternating days of electricity. (Supposedly, that is the reason for the weird hair in the pictures). The team traveled to Kideti where Anne and Bonnie worked with the Nursery School teachers and children. Zech experienced the soccer skills of the boys. Floyd, Bill, and Zech went witnessing and visiting in the community with Thaddeus and Neema. First stop, local pub and “moonshine” merchant for spirited dialogue—God was at work as we were able to get serious with some of the men about Jesus.
The afternoon was filled with work at the orphanage for Bill, Zech, and Floyd and the Spring Valley School for Bonnie and Anne. The teachers and students were so excited to receive the science equipment and the art supplies. Anne discovered some real artists. Bonnie began her biology lessons, which meant supper was filled with “gross” biology discussions of dissections, diseases, and monkey brains—yes, monkey brains. Was it mentioned that Bill does not have the stomach for such interesting table discussions. Frank and Anne Mwaisumbe prepared a delicious meal for us of pork ribs, sausage gravy and rice, eggplant and okra (fried), rice, potatoes, fried onions, salad, and avocado. Dessert was the best vanilla ice cream. Also, we had coffee that the Mwaisumbes picked, processed, roasted, and ground themselves—who needs Juan Valdez. Can you say stuffed?!
Words cannot express the joy in the faces of the children at the Daily Bread Life Children’s Home and Day Care Center. Mpeli told us that this is not an institution. This is these children’s home. They changed the name to reflect that the children now have a home. The children greeted us with a glorious English song, “We Welcome You” followed by the Spiritual, “We Are Walking.” They introduced themselves in English. The real joy on their faces was unbelievable. Then, several of the children shared their story with us. The facilities are almost complete. The government has embraced the children’s home, and a great partnership has developed.
We had a great but long eight-hour trip from Dar Es Salaam to Iringa, complete with sightings of elephants, zebra, gazelles, baboons, giraffes, and monkeys. One elephant was eating right on the side of the road—only 20 feet away. The drivers behind us kept dodging the banana peels and tangerine peels flying out the windows. The baboons loved us. For supper, Bill discovered Chili Sauce is really hot.
Tuesday morning: New discovery – no electricity. Second discovery – Stoney sodas which are a really strong ginger ale—Blenhiem Ginger Ale in East Africa. Due to the lack of rain—drought—the government has mandated alternating days of electricity. (Supposedly, that is the reason for the weird hair in the pictures). The team traveled to Kideti where Anne and Bonnie worked with the Nursery School teachers and children. Zech experienced the soccer skills of the boys. Floyd, Bill, and Zech went witnessing and visiting in the community with Thaddeus and Neema. First stop, local pub and “moonshine” merchant for spirited dialogue—God was at work as we were able to get serious with some of the men about Jesus.
The afternoon was filled with work at the orphanage for Bill, Zech, and Floyd and the Spring Valley School for Bonnie and Anne. The teachers and students were so excited to receive the science equipment and the art supplies. Anne discovered some real artists. Bonnie began her biology lessons, which meant supper was filled with “gross” biology discussions of dissections, diseases, and monkey brains—yes, monkey brains. Was it mentioned that Bill does not have the stomach for such interesting table discussions. Frank and Anne Mwaisumbe prepared a delicious meal for us of pork ribs, sausage gravy and rice, eggplant and okra (fried), rice, potatoes, fried onions, salad, and avocado. Dessert was the best vanilla ice cream. Also, we had coffee that the Mwaisumbes picked, processed, roasted, and ground themselves—who needs Juan Valdez. Can you say stuffed?!
Words cannot express the joy in the faces of the children at the Daily Bread Life Children’s Home and Day Care Center. Mpeli told us that this is not an institution. This is these children’s home. They changed the name to reflect that the children now have a home. The children greeted us with a glorious English song, “We Welcome You” followed by the Spiritual, “We Are Walking.” They introduced themselves in English. The real joy on their faces was unbelievable. Then, several of the children shared their story with us. The facilities are almost complete. The government has embraced the children’s home, and a great partnership has developed.
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