My Journey

On both Thursday and Friday mornings, I attended morning devo at CBI (Chimala Bible Institute), aka the "preachers' training school".  On Thursday, we had a great lesson over Matt. 21-24.  This was Part 1 of a 3 part lesson.  I sure hope I am able to attend the next two lessons. On Friday, CBI has a praise devo where they sing songs of praise in both English and Swahili.  The majority of those present are men and I am telling you what....the singing is something wonderful to hear, esp. when they are singing in Swahili.  I could listen all day  .It really lifts you up and starts your day off right. This is one of the largest classes of students at CBI for many years with 30 students, I believe.   This morning, all of the missionaries here at Chimala got together for a day of relaxation.  We took a trip to a Coffee Plantation and Lodge about 90 minutes from Chimala.  I had planned to take pictures of the entire team to introduce to ...

It seems like I have been here much longer than 4 days.  My days have been filled with getting the house I will be living in in living conditions.  I do have help with the yard and house.  I showed you pictures of the outside of the house on my last post, but I did not introduce you to the man who keeps it looking nice.  This is Hamisi (pronouced Ha-me'-see).  The mission provides security for the mission during the evening, nights and weekends.  Hamisi will be my security/yard man during the day Monday thru Friday.  I have been told he is the best yard man.  So far, I have found him to be very helpful and willing to do anything I need.  His English is pretty good, so he helps me communicate to others at times.  And he runs errands for me when needed.  When I begin going to the hospital or out to villages, it will be very comforting to know he is watching my house. I also have help with my house work and cooking.  ...

I am here!  It has been a long wait to get here.  Wow!  I thought it would only take about 10-12 weeks to get my residency for Tanzania and I would be back here in no time.  Well, as many of you know, that "no time" turned into almost 7 months!  Boy is it good to be back in Africa! The trip from OKC to Chimala Mission is no quick trip.  I left OKC around noon on Thursday and arrived at the Mission on Saturday evening at 5pm (which is 8am OKC time).  Long trip, but so worth it.  It is the rainy season here and so everything is really green and beautiful.  Of course, I think it is beautiful even during the dry season when things were brown.  I have a small house, 2br and 2 bath.  It is going to be awesome!  I will post pics of the outside, but give me a little more time to get settled before I post pics of the inside. This is the front of my house      And this is the back !   This ...

Well, it looks like I am finally on my way!  I am all set to leave for Chimala, Tanzania, East Africa TOMORROW MORNING!  I am so excited to be going back.  I am afraid living back in the USA for almost 8 months has made me spoiled again.  We really are fortunate to live in America, so thank God every day for being blessed to live in this country. Anyway, I leave in the morning from OKC to Dulles, to Zurich, Switzerland to Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania.  This will take two days traveling.  I will leave at 11:45am on Jan. 17 and arrive in Tanzania at 9pm on Jan. 19.  I do not particularly like being on cramped planes for that long or for sitting that long, but it must be done.  I will travel from here to Dulles by myself, but will be joined there by 3 others who will travel the rest of the way with me.  I am so glad to have travel companions because you know......misery loves company....and company to visit with and share with often makes...

Well as most of you know, I have been busy over the past two weeks preparing to leave for Tanzania today.  I found a wonderful home for Mocha.  He is with a family who have two children and they are spoiling him even more than I had.  I do miss him, but am so happy to have found a good home for him.  I have packed, unpacked, and repacked trying to get down from 4 suitcases to 3.  I have to pay $200 for suitcases over 2.  Bob, who I was traveling with, was going to take one of mine and I wanted to only have 2 more for me to take....but it didn't matter what I took out or how I rearranged, I still have 4 - 50 pound bags.  I have sold my little car I purchased for a small fee and cleaned up the spare bedroom where I have been living for the past 6 months.  And, lo and behold, I received a phone call on Thursday morning informing me that once again I had to delay my plans.  The Tanzanian Immigration office still does not have my residency permi...