Updated: Saturday: Eastern Team Finishes Up

Today was a busy day in many way for the Eastern Team. The morning began early at 6:45 a.m. with Caleb, Kenny, Derrick, and Floyd finishing the building with just a few sheets of tin. This was quickly followed by finishing the gutters for the classroom building. In the middle of this project was breakfast. Another great breakfast of omelets by Yusta (with tomatoes, onions, peppers, and spices cooked together), homemade yeast roles by Jonas, fresh pineapple juice, and bananas. Bonnie taught the older children (teens) about their bodies, the changes that occur with puberty, and answered their questions. Lynn worked with the younger children and taught them lessons from Noah's Ark. Just after we finished the gutters, the rains came. To our joy, our newly constructed building did not leak, the gutters did not leak and all worked as intended. We did some cleaning up. The rains continued throughout the afternoon. Some areas of Iringa were flooded but, since we are on the side of the mountain, hakuna matata. Neema and some of the Eastern Team distributed clothes and shoes that came from the team members and members of First Baptist Church, Westminister, S.C. Late afternoon, the Rev. Kenny Owen, Caleb's dad, and Pastor of First Baptist Church, Westminister, S.C., baptized six of the DBLCH children who had made professions of faith in Christ. Following the baptism, we all gathered in the main hall for evening worship. There was a lot of singing, Lynn and Kenny performed a puppet show for the children, and Kelly brought the message for the evening. As the Eastern team said good-bye, there were tears, hugs, picture taking, dancing, and many expressions of love.

Please pray for the Eastern Team they leave Iringa at 11:40AM flying to Dar on a small airplane (12 passenger). In Dar Es Salaam, they will have about an hour for shopping, a quick shower, final packing, a snack, and off to the airport for a 10 PM departure. After the pictures posting tomorrow probably no word until Monday morning USA time. Mpeli and Floyd will meet Bernard Kabaru at the airport when the Eastern Team departs. All three will rise early to catch a small plane back to Iringa. Then, a week of teaching conferences will begin (More on that later). For now, please pray for the Eastern team's safe and timely arrival in Dar Es Salaam, as they travel in Dar, and then as they take their flights home.