Water, water everywhere...all of it drinkable!

We went to a water park on our way back from Colorado.  Dave caught me staring into space, "watching" the kids on the slides.   

Thanks for ruining it!" he said with a smile when I told him I was thinking about Mama Eunie, our neighbor in Tanzania, carrying every drop of water on her head for her family.  Here we were, gallons and gallons of clean water coursing through plastic tubes all in the name of fun.  And it was fun!And we didn't have to tell the kids to make sure not to get water in their mouths, like we do in the shower 

back in Africa. 

 

And the water just kept coming and coming, a never ending gush of freshness while I pictured the village girls walking on dusty roads, even the little girls trying not to spill a drop. 

 And such is life while we enjoy being back and try not to forget what we  know is how much of the world lives.  
***

Colorado beckoned to us, after several friends mentioned Missionary Training International's Debrief and Renewal program and our church graciously provided for us to go. 

Our fearless facilitators, George and Connie.  What a blessing they were!

 What could have taken several years to process and unwind from (or maybe it never would have happened?) took place in a week.  What a blessing to be poured into by such kind, compassionate people who minister to missionaries year-round.  The children also had special classes that helped them understand transition, change, culture, and relationships.  Incredible!  And when people ask if it gave us new direction, it didn't.  But what it did was help us understand how to proceed in a God-honoring way; not giving constantly from our reserves, but giving from the overflow of time spent with Christ, in quiet, being renewed. Essential encouragement for every Christian!  

learning about a "pair-a-ducks" (paradox) taught the children about appreciating the good and bad in each culture.

It is an exciting process, investigating new opportunities.  In one sense, we are in a similar spot that we were eight years ago, only our passion is a little more realistic :) and we have the added advantage of a little bit of experience on our side.  

Dave's current work: large machinery and beautiful scenery--what more could he ask for!

 We are eager to see what is on the horizon.  And for now, our challenge is just to learn better how to live wisely here: not to be constantly guilty or discontent, but to enjoy this life with gratitude to God.  Enjoying friends, fellowship, worship in our own language and great teaching in church
and on the ever-so-fast internet
is not hard to get used to!

Every time I think about posting these days, I wonder how on earth to put into words what my heart is feeling.  But you faithful pray-ers out there have been a tremendous blessing as we have tried to sort through this season of life!  

Home #2

As our bodies adjust from 

to this

,

our minds and hearts also try to soak in the reality of such a different life.  

What a blessing to come back to such sweet, gracious friends, incredible teaching

 and yes, the comforts of American life.  

Coming from solar power (no heating elements), we found it rather revolutionary to use a dryer

and a toaster

and we could use them 

at

the

same

time.

The kids were really excited yesterday when they saw an incredible machine on the road while we were driving.

It was the street cleaner.

In Mwanza, they wear a blue apron and hard hat and use a real broom.

 I took Katie into Target the other day and she spotted the toy aisle, staring with wonder, 

"Mommy, I love America."

You can have two homes, you don't have to pick.

Those were the wise words a friend said to me before we left.  

So we enjoy the sweetness of this home, even while we miss the familiarity of the other one.

And we may have officially reached the point in our lives

where we cannot be any one place 

without aching for the other...

while learning to be content

"in all things."

For all of you who have asked us what's next, 

let me clear it all up for you:

we have no idea!

We know we have options, we know our heart is to be in Africa,

but we have no clear direction and have come to the conclusion that there are things we need to learn and ways we need to grow before God does make it clear to us.  

So it is a good season of waiting, resting, and finding our confidence in Him.

Isaiah 30:15&18

In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength...

...the Lord longs to be gracious to you; He rises to show you compassion. 

For the LORD is a God of justice.  Blessed are all who wait for Him!

Psalm 138:8

The LORD will fulfill His purpose for me;

Your love, O LORD, endures forever--

do not abandon the works of your hands.

Goodbyes!

Our last several weeks have been full!  

what to do when the furniture is moved out?  Chalk all over the floors! :)

We managed to get all our things sorted and packed/stored/sold, much to our relief!  I suppose you don't know how much you have until you have to make a decision for every item.  We are so thankful for God's strength and wisdom as we finished out at Mavuno.  

Our regular Sunday after-church greetings and singing

Dinner with Musa, Lucy and two others

We had several farewell get-togethers and many, many goodbyes.  Leaving definitely made us realize how precious our friendships were and how thankful we are for the people God has put in our lives.  

Our monthly Bible study ladies--what a blessing they have been in my life!

We headed from the hot, isolated bush....

to London. 

getting a little rest before the Nairobi-London flight

 What a fabulous city, and 20 million people in one location was obviously a big difference for us.  Along with some amazing historical sites (well, most of London is historical by American standards!), we were also able to get together with friends from Africa and even highschool.  What a blessing!  

Hitesh and Lucy Mistry, former Mavuno volunteers and good friends!

Beth Ann--we have been friends since we were tiny!

Mike and Marie and family, who we know from Africa

The kids were most impressed by the Tower of London, St. Paul's cathedral, the castle we visited, and all the clean, shiny bathrooms everywhere we went.  And hearing, "Wow! this place smells GOOD!" about the bathroom made us realize again how different everything was for them.

Sitting at the boarding gate in London at the moment, I can't help but reflect on how great God has been to us, how He has provided for us every single day and how He continues to bless us.  

We are looking forward to seeing many of you soon!

Mt. Meru, by Hannah

For my 16^th birthday (which was back in September), my parents gave me a trip with dad to Arusha, TZ to climb Mount Meru, the 5^th highest mountain in Africa. The hike began January 28 and we would be on the mountain for three days--two days up and one day down. Meru was once a volcano that erupted with such force it blew one entire side of the mountain away and left a huge crater encircled with a sharp ridge and cliffs. The climb begins on the crater floor and then ascends the outer wall of the ridge.  

            After arranging park and ranger fees at the gate, we began a 6 hour hike of 1000 meters (About 3200 feet) to the first camp, situated at 2,500 meters above sea level. The scenery on the way up was stunning as we passed through dense, lush forest where giraffe, monkeys, and Cape buffalo freely roamed. Tree branches intertwined in a canopy at least 40 feet above us.

 The second day was equally beautiful with very different vegetation thriving in the thick clouds that float around the tree line. Spanish moss hung from the branches like snow and the entire forest was very ancient and untouched. The trail was steeper than the first day, as we were ascending another 1000 meters in only 4 hours. At the halfway point in the trail, it began pouring freezing rain and hail on us. As we had sent our coats and other cold gear on ahead with the porters, we had only thin long-sleeved shirts in our packs, and these were soon drenched.

 There was nothing to do but keep moving in spite of our numb hands and chilled bodies. When we finally reached Saddle hut at 3500 meters, we tried to dry some of our supplies out and warm ourselves up with many cups of chai. That evening after the rain had ceased, we did a short acclimatization hike up ‘Little’ Meru, a smaller peak opposite the summit.

             In order to reach the summit by sunrise, we awoke at midnight to begin climbing the jagged peaks leading to the top. The hike took 5 hours as we ascended yet another thousand meters to the summit. This portion of the climb was very rocky and steep and much of the time we were trudging through thick ash. Nothing grew at all save a few tiny yellow flowers here and there. Thick clouds were buffeting us constantly from one side as we walked an edge with vertical cliffs on one side and a steep ash slope on the other. 

  The mist and darkness made it impossible to see anything beyond several paces forward. The landscape was so desolate that it felt like we were walking on the moon with nothing green or alive in sight. Nearer the summit snow lay 3 inches thick over the trail and the rocks were slick with ice.

            At around 6:00 we reached the summit of Mount Meru. The mist hid everything from view and as it was still dark and freezing cold, we stayed only a few minutes before we began our descent. However, on the way down the mist cleared for about an hour and we had stunning views of the crater, the ash cone, and the valleys surrounding the incredible mountain.

 We got back to Saddle Hut at around 8 and rested briefly. Because we had chosen the three day trip we had to descend the entire way to the gate in one day. Over about 19 kilometers we descended more than 9000 feet on the steep trail. By the time we reached level ground our legs were like gelatin and our feet ached.

 Mount Meru is the most spectacular mountain I have ever seen and I hope to one day climb it again!            

Humbled, again!

This balancing act of living with the poor—it never really goes away.  Fall off one side, and you’re drowning in a sea of guilt.  On the other side, the callousness that comes from being familiar, too familiar, with suffering and need. 

We were sitting in a restaurant in Mwanza, cool breezes coming off the lake, menu in hands waiting to order, when my Lisa got a text on her phone. 

“What should we order? Hmmmm…”

“Oh, this is humbling.  One of the pastors texted to see if we can help him out a little bit just until his harvest comes in.”

Yes, that is humbling.  Staring at the menu deciding, while our brother doesn’t have enough food for his family.

Dave and I had a (truly) spare bag of grain given by the government to every household in this area.  We thought maybe it would help the pastor out and sent it with Bill about a week later.

After church, he told Pastor Petro that he had something for him, opening the back of the car.  He pulled out the maize, Petro truly astonished.

 “When I left this morning to go preach, my wife told me that we had nothing left to eat.  She asked me what we were going to eat for lunch.  I told her that I didn’t know, but God would provide.  Then I went to preach.”

That was even more humbling.  Yes, God did a miracle for this dear pastor with six children, but what humbled me was that He did it with our excess.

Today’s message was about the rich young ruler.  The application was humbling along the same lines once again:  we are all richer than someone, we all have something to share.  This is a message preached to a congregation that really does live on probably a dollar a day.  And me. 

We have so much to share.

Lord, help my heart to be so filled with you that it spills out in all areas—my words, my actions, my generosity...