We failed to have time during our time in Iringa and Lulanzi to post anything on the blog.  Here are a few of the highlights in pictures.    Enjoy - we did!

 The welcome dance begins!

 View of Iringa from Gongalonga Rock.

 New Dispensary at Lulanzi.

 Inside Dispensary.

 Hand dug choo hole -for the bathroom.

Sadrow and his wife enjoy lunch.

Petro cooked, we served the ones who serve us at Lulazni.  Bega Kwa Bega!

 Rare to see - Cheetah!   

 Walk to the water source.

 Singing, praying, sharing before we sleep in Lulanzi.

 Gentle Soul.

 Baskets for all.

 Supper together at the Lutheran Centre.

Bega Kwa Bega at the Lutheran Centre.

Here we go!

Look out Lulanzi we can't wait to get there.

On July 10th a new group leaves for Iringa and Lulanzi Tanzania.  Laurel, Reid, Nora, Joyce, Emily, Deb , Kjerstin and myself.  Our hopes include visiting the near finished or finish of the dispensary.  Follow us as we travel.  Thanks CLC for the blessings you bestow.

In the Sadness there is Joy

Perhaps you have heard that yesterday about 5:00 p.m. we received word that Dr. Rev. Benjamin Ngede died after a trip by plane to Moshi.  Benjamin was taken to the hospital Wednesday evening.  He was not responding.  By Thursday it was decided to take him to Moshi to KCMC.  He arrived at the hospital, but did not survive.  Last night we went to the home of Benjamin and Anna in time to help prepare the home for the mourning.  There are no words!

So I share a few photo's of these past days that remind me that Benjamin loved life, loved God and loved to tell a GREAT story - why?  because......

A bike for Veronica but first Mama C takes it for a short ride.

carrots and potato's from Lulanzi from Sadrow the Secretary Treasure of the Parish Partnership arrive at Huruma Center.

Love comes a tumbling down at Huruma Center!

As Sadrow delivers carrots and potato's I learn that the cook on the left is from Lulanzi too - a Gavilla no less.

Blessings of the Last Two Days

This is Petro the cook at The Lutheran Center's new baby son.  He was born Monday morning at about 4:00 a.m.  and went home about 11:30 a.m. with his mom.  I was allowed to come with and be part of the celebration.  A chicken is part of it as well as Petro playing Christmas music - a child, a boy, is born.  In this photo he is only 6 hours old and already at home.

This is Veronica from the Huruma Orphanage Center.  Her sister is Lia my buddy at Huruma Center.  Veronica is now Form I and not able because of her age to stay at Huruma center much longer.  She has lived there for the last at least 6 years.  Shepherd of the Valley is sponsoring her to Form I school but she is walking 1.5 km, so I figured the least I could do for Lia's sister is purchase a bike.  I will do that tomorrow.  With me at Huruma Center today - Kirsten from Shepherd of the Valley and Sadron Hyamen the Treasure/Secretary of the partnership in Lulanzi our village.  I know he had not been to the orphanage before today and was touched.  At one point he told Mama Chilwa that next week he will bring the children potatoes and carrots from his farm in Lulanzi.  I had all I could do to keep from crying.  Mama Chilwa gave him the documents needed to accept children from Lulanzi who do not have family.  I had never even considered the concept that there are children in Lulanzi without family but Sadron explained there are many. 

My heart and eyes continue to be opened wider and wider in this country of amazing love and relationships. 

Worship today at Cathedral in Iringa town

I preached three times today at Catherdral and Msigwa interpreted.  They were having a youth seminar so the youth were in worship every service. 

This picture is from Nyanzwa yesterday.  It is out the window n the pastor's house.  Ebeneezer took it.

Be blessed.

Food Distributions

This is outside the church following introductions and prayers.  The people were asked if the food was good and one mama said yes especially if you add oil.  Another man said it is so good.  But somehow it is very strange tasting to them and they will not say.

Names were called and a member of the family came forward to pick up their box.  Many put it on their heads and began to walk home.

This shows you just a small introduction to how many came to collect food.  The people of the village were Christian, Muslim, tribal, non believing and all were welcome to receive. 

Mama invited Ebeneezer and myself to take this picture.  She is filled with joy you can tell by her face.  It is not about the food it is about her life.  She is so joy filled.

I had a great day.  I was sad only because we were given two very large meals.  I did not need to eat at all but it is the custom here that guests must be fed.

The highlight of my day was playing for about an hour with while waiting for food

Ebeneezer and Queen Msigwa.

Ebennezer took most of the pictures for me today.  Fish lips by me.

My devotions for today included scripture from Leviticus 19:34

Treat them as you would an Israelite, and love them as you love yourselves.  Remember that you were once foreigners in the land of Egypt.  I am the Lord you God.

The writer writes:  We should not be afraid to let our light shine for fear of how doing so might affect our lives.  Let us have the faith to trust God in all circumstances and the courage to do our part as we become co-workers with God.  (by Elaine Richardson Western Cape, South Africa)