Reaching Out To Tanzania

We have been in the states now for close to 10 months.  There have been slows days, fast weekends, long trips and quick meetings.  The whole process has been a great experience.  We are privileged to have an opportunity to share our hearts for Tanzania with the churches here in the states.  It truly has been a wonder to witness the way that Lexxi and Ethan have been able to adjust to our changing life style.  They both are in school programs now are are learning new things every day.  Each week they get the opportunity to meet new friends and catch up with olds ones.  I sometimes wonder what they really think about how much time their daddy spends on the phone and computer.  Well today, Ethan gave me a little clue:

He decided to schedule himself in.

"Just checking in too see if our meeting scheduled for Thursday April 17 was still on....it is?  Good!  See you at Ci Ci's Pizza!" 

Itineration has provided us with many different and exciting stories to blog. In fact, there have been so many, that we haven’t had time to blog! After several comments, and a few chastising remarks, I have decided to get this show on the road.

Month after long hot month during the Texas fall was beginning to get Lexxi down. Knowing that we were going to Iowa for Christmas, and hearing all of my stories about snow, Lexxi to started praying for that fluffy white stuff. Her prayers were answered on multiple days, as the Midwest was hit by several storms during the holidays. Now we can safely say that snowballs, sledding and snow forts are a part of Lexxi and Ethan’s Christmas memories.

Our time in the states has been very good. God has proven himself over and over and we are trusting that our funds will quickly come in. It has been our joy to travel the country, share our hearts for transforming lives and to invite individuals and congregations to join us in life changing ministry.

Being a missionary on itineration means that you get do to strange things...very strange things.  Now, most people would think that living in Africa and sleeping in tents with lions around would be strange. That pretty much comes with the job when you sign on the dotted line.  However, spending a week in Mississippi with teenagers, playing in mud, throwing water balloons and participating in all around tom foolery is not what I had in mind when when I signed up for missions.  God does work in strange ways, even in the back country of Mississippi.  It turned out to be an awesome and powerful experience and I thank God for the opportunity to share the word, worship and praise with the youth of  the Magnolia State.  If ever you get invited to Indian Hills Youth Camp...take the chance.  It beats lions in your tent any day.

After two 10 hr plane rides, three buses two Starbucks and a hotel room, we are finally home safe and sound.   Looking back at our last two years, it is hard to believe that we have even left the states.  Then again, we take a closer look and realize that many things have changed.  We had a great trip, kids eyes opened wide and glassy.  In London we had a chance to meet up with our good friends Hassnian, Benazir and Hanan.  Please agree with us in prayer as we start our itineration, look for a car and generally adjust to this place we call the states.

Standing in the middle of Pastor Mkuyu's gardens, one can hardly believe that one is in Dodoma.  The city is located on the semi-arid plateau that runs the length of Tanzania.  Even in the rainy season, it is hard to believe that anything can grow there.  The hills are brown and the air is thick with dust.  Yet in the desert  of Dodoma, I saw the blessings of God first hand as Pastor Mkuyu led me through gardens of cabbages and past papaya trees loaded with fruit.

 
Pastor Mkuyu had literally taken back the land, but the success of his gardens was small in comparison to  the  other projects that he had going on.  On a Tuesday afternoon we peeked  in the back door of His church.  It was full of men, women, Muslims and Christians a like.   He was holding a parenting seminar, teaching mothers and fathers about proper nutrition, malaria and  AIDS.  His church was full of life.  In every direction you looked you could see Jesus living and breathing his life into the desert of Dodoma, touching and giving people life in abundance.  Our prayer to see churches like Pastor Mkuyu's all over Tanzania.  We long to take the example that God has given us through Pastor Mkuyu and multiply it as many times as possible.