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)

Loading up for a food distribution of Feed My Starving Children food from MN

Today three trucks loaded food in boxes that came in containers from the US from Feed My Starving Children.  This was the second container that was shipped to Dar and the last to arrive about three weeks ago.  The boxes say packed on Dec 12, 2009.  I am told the container arrived in Dar marked food and had to return to the US to be remarked Medical Supplies.  Pole Sana (so sorry).  It is a lesson that it is better to send the money to buy maze here in TZ in the areas that are having good crops then to send a container.  Haiti needs FMSC food!  (soap box sorry)

Tomorrow we leave between 8:30 and 9:00 for Nyanzwa (more than 100 km away) where the food will be distributed.  I will take pictures.  I will drive the BKB car and go with Dennis, Chavalla, Msigwa, Ebenezer, Queen and Greg.  Others will join us but I don't know who yet.

This is Sarah the worker at BKB apt's new daughter, Gladness.  She would not sit with me but we played baby games together and she can say a few words in Swahili and English.  I had a great supper at Sarah's - rice, cabbage, peas and soda - fanta I must be sick (ask the CLC group).

This little boy is Danny.  He lives at Sarah's and this is outside her store at her home.  He is telling me to get in my car because he wants to see a white person get in the car.  He did cry when I was leaving because he wanted me to stay and tickle him.  The simple things here mean so much and make us peculiar. 

The guys shirts arrived from the village

When we were in Lulanzi the last Sunday we were gifted with clothing.  However, we were told the sewing machine was broken and the men's garments were not finished.

Here they are!  They arrived today via the treasure/secretary of the village.  They are wonderful and the guys will enjoy.

Blessings!

Travel

Jenna and Hannah will be home in two hours.  They did a great job of traveling to Dar in difficult conditions, public bus, a drunk man and too much contact.  We ate at slip way and got to the airport in time to have plenty of time to get to the next right place.

A new group arrived from Christus Victor in Apple Valley.  The four will do well here in Iringa.  I miss the CLC group!!!  They were amazing and a blessing.  If I never come back here I am grateful for the CLC group and for the fact that my daughter has traveled to the place of her roots, Africa, two  times.  I love you Jen now get ready for college!  And Nate way to go with the job.

Petro and his family

Petro and his niece, two daughters and wife.  We enjoyed them very much!  Blessed we were.

Ilula

Two service, breakfast and lunch at Ilula today. 

We were at the Evangelist home.  He is from Mlowa and speaks very good English, however we met his wife just before he told us he was single.  As it turns out his last name sounds like single but he is indeed married.

The Lutheran Centre become a recording studio today for the Cathedral Choir.  They were busy making a video this afternoon.

Supper will be served with Petro and his family shortly.  Jenna and Hannah are packed.  All three of us will go to Dar in the morning on a public bus.  Will be another adventure.

Jenna and Hannah leave tomorrow night for Amsterdam and will arrive home on Tuesday.

They have been a blessing to be with this past week cooking, shopping, hosting and caring for others.  Thank you Jenna and Hannah.  MOM