Hi again! Kari bu! (welcome!),
Today we went to the Bible Training School...We worshiped with Indian sisters and Tanzanian brothers...What a joyful sound as they sang in Ki Swhaili and English. James and I shared our calling and journey to Africa with them...James also preached a little and asked them " Is there not a Cause in Dar?!) While we were worshiping, I got a sense of being home...a sense of this is where we belong. One of the short term missionaries shared a powerful word about the call to missions and the importance of going even from Africa! The Pastors wife who is the co pastor, also shared from the book of Acts...Jesus gave us power! What are we doing with it!? It was a full morning of teaching. God also released prophetic words.
Afterward we went to one of the Indian sisters home to join in a time of prayer...we stayed in God's presence for more than two hours, praise God for revealing His mysteries and leading us in the way to go. As we sat in the humidity and high temperatures, a strong breeze came from the back door to the front, the wind of His Spirit is blowing, God is opening doors through prayer and He is making crooked places straight through prayer. No one was tired and we really just had to stop. The hunger here is so precious.
Next it was time to eat homemade Indian food! The ladies made butter chicken with cardamon, onion, saffron, peppers, and a delicious sauce to be eaten with a special bread they were making in batches. Afterward we enjoyed a vermicelli noodle pudding, very nice. :)
It was then time to head back to the house after making several stops. We were able to see some of the city and the possibilities of life here. Tomorrow and Thursday we will have the entire morning free to survey the city. Friday we will look into; two schools that offer schooling for missionary kids. JeNi will be happy to hear this! The harvest here is plentiful, we will see what God has in the way of schooling for our children, we may need to make an adjustment. Not my will, by your will be done, oh Lord. I think we are going to be busy!
In the afternoon we will visit the sick in the hospital, and we will have Chinese cell group in the evening! Now you are saying, "I thought you were going to Africa to reach Africans?" We are....God is just extending our tent pegs and bringing in an international harvest right here in TZ! Go God!
I will tell you of our Wednesday adventures tomorrow evening....
Every blessing friends...
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Monday, March 28, 2011
Now that we are here...
Hello friends,
I am sorry I have not made a post in a while...We were super busy prior to leaving for Tanzania on March 26. For those of you who were able to join us on the 19th for our reception, Asanti!(thank you) For those of you who helped to make it a successful event, great gratitude to you! To our venue president, thanks and again thanks to all the artist.
We are now in Dar Es Salaam, TZ...We are a walk away from the Indian ocean and the climate here is much like our beloved Hainan Island, so we are feeling right at home. It has been about 90degrees everyday plus humidity, so yay...just a little warm! In TZ it is required that ladies where a skirt or dress covering our knees, it is actually cooler than wearing jeans or pants. James is sweating all the time, lol, and I am loving the warm breeze and don't mind glistening at all! :)
Our host family have been very gracious, the wife met us at the airport about an hour drive away from their country home. We waited outside the airport looking like we were either tourist or very lost until we connected with her. I actually had to ask to use a computer in the ticket agents office because....we forgot to write down the address, telephone number! Not a good idea... :)
We had a little trouble getting through customs because we had a bag from a friend for their family members here in Dar that had items they considered gifts, so before they could open every bag we had and see all the toys we brought with us, we quickly paid the officials and received a receipt and stamp. :) We have since been told, if they are donated items or second hand you do not need to pay the tax, so....lesson learned.
God gave us favor in the airport in DC, as they were weighing carry ons! Yes, carry ons. Ours was over weight because, we packed all the clothes we brought with us in our carry ons; so we could use our other bags to accomadte the items for the Missionaries and for the children. Praise the Lord for favor! The nice guy at the counter checked our carry on bags for us and did not charge us the 300us dollars he could have asked for, God is good! All the time....God is good!
Well, it is Monday here and it is the Sabbath day for the missionaries and christian workers so, we rested as well. We went to the beach and had a picnic lunch with a MK and a short term missions gal. It was nice to see the deep blue ocean, walk on the sandy beach and observe the people while listening to their beautiful language. I will learn it! God will help me. :)
Tomorrow we are up at the crack of dawn, off to Bible school as they operate a Bible Training Institute.
After wards we will go to ladies prayer with the Indian ladies, we have been told they will cook for us and they make the best food ever, we will let you know!
Much love,
Deanna for us all
I am sorry I have not made a post in a while...We were super busy prior to leaving for Tanzania on March 26. For those of you who were able to join us on the 19th for our reception, Asanti!(thank you) For those of you who helped to make it a successful event, great gratitude to you! To our venue president, thanks and again thanks to all the artist.
We are now in Dar Es Salaam, TZ...We are a walk away from the Indian ocean and the climate here is much like our beloved Hainan Island, so we are feeling right at home. It has been about 90degrees everyday plus humidity, so yay...just a little warm! In TZ it is required that ladies where a skirt or dress covering our knees, it is actually cooler than wearing jeans or pants. James is sweating all the time, lol, and I am loving the warm breeze and don't mind glistening at all! :)
Our host family have been very gracious, the wife met us at the airport about an hour drive away from their country home. We waited outside the airport looking like we were either tourist or very lost until we connected with her. I actually had to ask to use a computer in the ticket agents office because....we forgot to write down the address, telephone number! Not a good idea... :)
We had a little trouble getting through customs because we had a bag from a friend for their family members here in Dar that had items they considered gifts, so before they could open every bag we had and see all the toys we brought with us, we quickly paid the officials and received a receipt and stamp. :) We have since been told, if they are donated items or second hand you do not need to pay the tax, so....lesson learned.
God gave us favor in the airport in DC, as they were weighing carry ons! Yes, carry ons. Ours was over weight because, we packed all the clothes we brought with us in our carry ons; so we could use our other bags to accomadte the items for the Missionaries and for the children. Praise the Lord for favor! The nice guy at the counter checked our carry on bags for us and did not charge us the 300us dollars he could have asked for, God is good! All the time....God is good!
Well, it is Monday here and it is the Sabbath day for the missionaries and christian workers so, we rested as well. We went to the beach and had a picnic lunch with a MK and a short term missions gal. It was nice to see the deep blue ocean, walk on the sandy beach and observe the people while listening to their beautiful language. I will learn it! God will help me. :)
Tomorrow we are up at the crack of dawn, off to Bible school as they operate a Bible Training Institute.
After wards we will go to ladies prayer with the Indian ladies, we have been told they will cook for us and they make the best food ever, we will let you know!
Much love,
Deanna for us all
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Tanzania Vision Presentation
Thanks again for being here today!
We received a peach colored slip in the mail box yesterday...James went to the post office to pick up our returned Visa's from the Embassy! And for the best news yet, our number 2 daughter Elizabeth is flying from CA to NC during her Spring Break to help her brother James Jr with the 3 younger kids! Our good friends from WOLFC have been so kind to offer their homes and services as well during the time we will be out of town. God is so good.
This weekend on Saturday, March 19, 2011 we will host our Vision Tanzania Presentation in Saxapahaw. Come join us as we share our testimony of life in China , and how we are preparing for the new life we will have in Africa.
Your presence is requested, your listening ear and compassionate heart. The refreshments are complimentary and their is no obligation to come, listen, look and fellowship. We welcome you all!
Saxaphaw: Artist Art Gallery from 4pm - 6pm
Presentations are at 4:30 and 5:30
Browse and look at all the beautiful art, and talk with local artist a portion of all sales will be donated toward Vision Tanzania.
See you there!
We received a peach colored slip in the mail box yesterday...James went to the post office to pick up our returned Visa's from the Embassy! And for the best news yet, our number 2 daughter Elizabeth is flying from CA to NC during her Spring Break to help her brother James Jr with the 3 younger kids! Our good friends from WOLFC have been so kind to offer their homes and services as well during the time we will be out of town. God is so good.
This weekend on Saturday, March 19, 2011 we will host our Vision Tanzania Presentation in Saxapahaw. Come join us as we share our testimony of life in China , and how we are preparing for the new life we will have in Africa.
Your presence is requested, your listening ear and compassionate heart. The refreshments are complimentary and their is no obligation to come, listen, look and fellowship. We welcome you all!
Saxaphaw: Artist Art Gallery from 4pm - 6pm
Presentations are at 4:30 and 5:30
Browse and look at all the beautiful art, and talk with local artist a portion of all sales will be donated toward Vision Tanzania.
See you there!
Friday, March 11, 2011
Thirteen Days and Counting! Let's talk about the need for clean water in TZ
Thank you so much for taking the time to read our blog. I have not made many updates lately....a bit busy but, also adjusting to having a public journal! We hope many of you will check back frequently for updates and soon lots of pictures.
We have received our Yellow Fever Shots(check.), sent off for our travel visas(check),of course we have the tickets(check)... We have been told it is better to get visas from this side, and avoid the lines and any potential challenges at the airport in Dar Es Salaam. Next we need to order Malaria pills. We have the prescription but need to call around to see which pharmacy has the better price.
The City of Dar Es Salaam is the Capitol city of Tanzania and is on the Indian Ocean, between Kenya and Mozambique. Which means it is in the south... and that means it will be hot and humid! I guess living on a tropical Island in China for 5 years and middle China for 1 year has somewhat prepared us for these conditions. :) We have read and have been told, the temperatures in the evening are considerably cooler, however still somewhat warm.While I, Deanna enjoy warm weather, James is more partial to cool climates, so for him it truly is an act of love and obedience living in China and now moving to Africa. :)
Map:
Facts you may or may not know about Tanzania:
I will post more later time to get out the door!
These facts and links are taken from the CIA World Fact Book, you can follow the links and learn more!
Tanzania faces a great need for clean water to drink and for personal hygiene. There are many other needs to be addressed as well. We will talk about them one by one. Today it's water!
The website below has very good basic information, about the increasing need of clean water in TZ.
http://www.wateraid.org/documents/tanzaniagw.pdf
We will talk more next time, so glad to have an updated blog, and thankful you have all continued to fellowship with us!
We have received our Yellow Fever Shots(check.), sent off for our travel visas(check),of course we have the tickets(check)... We have been told it is better to get visas from this side, and avoid the lines and any potential challenges at the airport in Dar Es Salaam. Next we need to order Malaria pills. We have the prescription but need to call around to see which pharmacy has the better price.
The City of Dar Es Salaam is the Capitol city of Tanzania and is on the Indian Ocean, between Kenya and Mozambique. Which means it is in the south... and that means it will be hot and humid! I guess living on a tropical Island in China for 5 years and middle China for 1 year has somewhat prepared us for these conditions. :) We have read and have been told, the temperatures in the evening are considerably cooler, however still somewhat warm.While I, Deanna enjoy warm weather, James is more partial to cool climates, so for him it truly is an act of love and obedience living in China and now moving to Africa. :)
Map:
Facts you may or may not know about Tanzania:
 | |
5.6% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 12 | |
| | |
1.4 million (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 7 | |
| | |
86,000 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 4 | |
| | |
degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria and plague water contact disease: schistosomiasis animal contact disease: rabies (2009) | |
| | |
noun: Tanzanian(s) adjective: Tanzanian | |
| | |
mainland - African 99% (of which 95% are Bantu consisting of more than 130 tribes), other 1% (consisting of Asian, European, and Arab); Zanzibar - Arab, African, mixed Arab and African | |
| | |
mainland - Christian 30%, Muslim 35%, indigenous beliefs 35%; Zanzibar - more than 99% Muslim | |
| | |
Kiswahili or Swahili (official), Kiunguja (name for Swahili in Zanzibar), English (official, primary language of commerce, administration, and higher education), Arabic (widely spoken in Zanzibar), many local languages note: Kiswahili (Swahili) is the mother tongue of the Bantu people living in Zanzibar and nearby coastal Tanzania; although Kiswahili is Bantu in structure and origin, its vocabulary draws on a variety of sources including Arabic and English; it has become the lingua franca of central and eastern Africa; the first language of most people is one of the local languages | |
| | |
definition: age 15 and over can read and write Kiswahili (Swahili), English, or Arabic total population: 69.4% male: 77.5% female: 62.2% (2002 census) | |
| | |
total: 9 years male: 9 years female: 9 years (2007) | |
I will post more later time to get out the door!
These facts and links are taken from the CIA World Fact Book, you can follow the links and learn more!
Tanzania faces a great need for clean water to drink and for personal hygiene. There are many other needs to be addressed as well. We will talk about them one by one. Today it's water!
The website below has very good basic information, about the increasing need of clean water in TZ.
http://www.wateraid.org/documents/tanzaniagw.pdf
We will talk more next time, so glad to have an updated blog, and thankful you have all continued to fellowship with us!
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