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.