On the road again

Hello! Just wanted everyone to know the TEAM is safe and sound in Arusha. They said goodbye to pastor Joyce Wednesday morning, as well as their favorite driver Kiondo and one of the church elders, Alfred. They referred to Alfred and Stephano, (the evangelist from Irente) as their shepherds. Because they would definitely have been lost and walking aimlessly through Tanzania if not for them.

Today they had a wonderful day on safari and saw so many animals in their natural habitat. It was amazing and left them in awe of the beauty that God created.

Please pray for water here in this area. There is a drought in Tanzania and it is affecting the animals and the tribal people who depend on them for survival.

If you were to look at a map of Tanzania, you will see that our TEAM is now between the city of Arusha and Lake Victoria, towards the Serengeti dessert.

Today they drove through the Plains land and it was beautiful. Tomorrow they are going to the Ngorongoro Crater. (Which is also called the 8th wonder of the world.)


Their new hotel is wonderful. Some of the amenities that they are most excited about:
-wash cloths,
-a bath mat,
-bars of soap.
-2 rolls of toilet paper- this means they no longer need to keep every last paper product that they find to use later,
-hot water for more than 30 seconds-tonight they all took long showers, and not just because they were really dirty but also because it was an option.

They also love having new, clean towels and Lisa said she dried her face on a separate towel because she could. :-) They are happy for an extra blanket for the bed and for hangers. They LOVE the wide mosquito nets that will not entangle them if they get up in the night and forget we are under one.

However, despite the excitement over the little things they all feel a bit guilty with their new accommodations. While in Irente last week, they were welcomed into members’ homes which were smaller than the bathrooms in their present hotel.

They saw and experienced things today that some Africans may never get to experience, even though they live there.

They are aware of the abundance that each of them will be returning to and thank God for opening their eyes and their hearts to how others live and find joy in their lives. After a week of living in such simplicity they struggle to find words to explain the emotions that come with leaving. One thing is for sure, each one of them has left a piece of their hearts there with their new faith filled family in Irente, Tanzania.