Jambo from Tanzania! I apologize for how long it has been
since I last posted. The internet in Burundi and Kenya was generally not the
most reliable. Fortunately, it is typically accessible here, so you will be
hearing from me more often.
He’s a quick
update on what we have been doing: In Bujumbura, Burundi, I spent two weeks substitute
teaching at the Ephatha School for the Deaf. Ben helped me and spent some time
observing at the eye clinic, which was on the same compound. He also went with his brother Danny on a ministry trip, which he will post about later. In addition, we helped at
Discovery School Burundi in various ways. After this, we traveled to Kenya for
Ben’s brother Steven’s graduation from Rift Valley Academy and then to Kigoma,
Tanzania, where we are now. Here, we have been helping his parents with their
ministry work. I taught at the Good News Girls’ Club last week and will be
speaking at the ladies’ meeting this week. Today, I will be spending the day
with Ben’s mom, Ruth, helping her with various things and visiting some of the
ladies from the church with her. Ben is shadowing Dr. Pepper at Kigoma Baptist
Hospital for the day.
Praising God for
what He is doing here! Both his creation and His work in Kigoma shows his power
and might. It was not so very long ago that Dr. David Livingstone penetrated
this area of the world to the risk of his life from disease or the people.
Ujiji, the place where Henry Morton Stanley found him after most of the world
thought he was dead, is a short drive from where I sit in Kigoma town. What
change this place has seen! Animism still exists, but Christianity is a bright
light overtaking the darkness (even the commercial buildings bear names such as
“Grory to God Hotel”). Parasites are no fun (trust me—amoebic dysentery is not
pleasant at all), but modern medicine can often cure such things quickly and
cheaply. There is so, so much need, but God’s hand is at work and I marvel at
what He is doing.
