We are here at the safari lodge on our last day in Africa. Yesterday we had a wonderful time looking at all of the animals and the beautiful area we are in. We were able to see tons of zebra, elephant, lion, wildebeest, giraffe, and some monkeys, up-close-and-personal during lunch. We are so grateful to have had this opportunity to relax and reflect on all we've seen these past 2 weeks.
Today we will drive back to Arusha and leave early tomorrow morning to begin the long flight back. Please continue to pray for our team as we say our farewells and for safety in the trip home. Thank you so much for your prayers, support, and participation in this ministry.
Tuesday, June 21, 2016
Saturday, June 18, 2016
Sunday, June 19
Happy Fathers Day to all of the dads out there! I'm so sorry we have not been updating more regularly. The wifi has not worked consistently.
Friday morning we went back to the hospital with about 4 of the older kids from the orphanage who were not able to come on Thursday and finished up the check ups. The Doctor sat very patiently with us and went through every single file with us and told us what every child needed. Many of the kids had ringworm, respiratory infections, or other treatable conditions. We were able to buy all of their medicines right there at the hospital pharmacy. One of the babies has a serious umbilical hernia and will need surgery in a few weeks when he's a bit bigger. Another child needs an eye consult. We sadly found out that one of the children named Baracka has Muscular Dystrophy and is expected to worsen. ALL of the kids were HIV negative so that was a huge praise. We were so happy to be able to get all of them in for Doctor checks and medicine. The entire bill for 32 people to have well checks, including blood tests, one X-ray, all the medications, and a sonogram for the grandma that lives with them, was less than what most of us would pay in the states for one sonogram.
Friday afternoon we held our last day of VBS at the church with around 200 in attendance again. The kids loved all of the music and seemed to have a lot of fun playing games. Our team did an amazing job! Brielle has done a great job leading the music. Alexandra did a great job organizing all of the skits, and really should be an actress because she is fabulous. Zach did a great job dressing up and playing the part of Jesus. Steve Wolcott, Ruby, Brielle, Zach, and Callie kept them all entertained with games and activities outside. Alexandria, Morgan, Alexandra, Nicole, and the moms all did crafts inside and kept them from rioting over crayons and glow bracelets. All of the kids were in skits at some point and made it really fun. Our kids are amazing and really made the kids feel special. At one point, I caught Brielle doing a sweet thing. She had noticed a little boy who had obviously wandered in off the street. She picked him up and led him right to the front row and gave him a special seat where he could be a part of everything. All of our TCA kids were so attentive and did things like this throughout the whole trip and we were so encouraged by them. So many small gestures of kindness and I know we only witnessed a few of them ourselves.
Saturday we went back to the orphanage where we presented all of the donations of food, clothing, supplies, the new oven, and the 2 walkers we bought for the boys with cerebral palsy. Pauline Stein had bought them a cake so we were able to have a proper party with them. We also took a photo of every single person and printed them out and put a sticker with Proverbs 3:5 on the back in Swahili. We all wanted to smuggle one of the babies home in our backpacks but we faithfully returned them with lots of hugs and kisses. We had spent the week building a trash incinerator building for them, so we painted a verse from Isaiah about receiving a crown of glory for ashes, and Callie Orten and Alexandra left their handprints for our group.
Last night we said goodbye to our two interpreters, Calvin and Emmanuela and our bus driver, Kona. This morning, three jeeps are coming to get us and we will be leaving for the safari park after our devotions. We hope to be able to communicate from the hotel there later.
Thank you for the continued prayers.
Sincerely,
Jenni
Thursday, June 16, 2016
Thursday, June 16
Well I spent almost 45 minutes last night writing a report of Tuesday and Wednesday, but just before I posted it, there was a power outage so I apologize for the lack of details this trip.
Tuesday we went to the Huruma Orphanage all day and helped them clean out a storeroom, burn old trash, begin building an incinerator building, and my personal favorite job, holding babies. I literally held either baby Joy or baby Johash all day long. Our TCA students are such amazing young people and got in there and worked so hard like they were used to seeing these things everyday. When we began cleaning out the first room, we realized they had stored some corn in there, which the mice got into, so then they had thrown poison on top and just shut the door and left it. So what we learned is that our adult sponsor Cristin Mills can run faster than any of the students when confronted with a fleeing rat. The Orphanage now looks so much better than when we first arrived.
Wednesday we went back to the orphanage in the morning and performed the You Are Special skit, sang songs and played with all of the children while half our group continued working on the incinerator and cleaning out the closet. In the afternoon, we had our first day of VBS at the Arusha church that is hosting us and had around 200 kids. Our kids did a great job leading the songs, games, and skits and teaching the Bible stories for the day.
This morning, Brian Millet and Ty Westfall left to go visit our friends back in Kajiado, Kenya to check on our Masaai friends that we originally intended to work with this year before the trip was moved to Tanzania. They have arrived safely and delivered food to a disabled school there and will be seeing Mama Ruth and her tribe tomorrow.
The rest of us got to the orphanage early because today was a special day! The three moms in our group, including Cristin Mills, Pauline Stein, and I got the privilege of taking ALL of the orphans to the clinic for Doctor visits. Those sweet kids sat in the hospital clinic waiting room from 9:30 in the morning until 5 p.m. like perfect angels. They had no phones or iPads to play with, just each other to talk to. They were quiet, polite, they all helped the younger ones have their bottles and diaper changes. They were amazing. We were thrilled to learn that all 6 of the babies and all of the young kids who have received results so far were HIV negative! Many of the kids seemed very relieved since many do not know the story of their parents and wondered whether or not they were born with it. That was an unexpected blessing for them to be able to have that reassurance. By the way, the complete blood panel test cost $5 per child. We were so happy to be able to be able to take them for medical care even though it was very hard to see the babies cry when they were poked. Many of the kids had ringworm and respiratory infections, for which they were given medicines. One baby has a hernia, and will need a surgical consult in a couple of weeks at a different hospital.
There are 2 boys with Cerbral Palsy in the group...one has a broken, handmade wooden walker, one with nothing that has to be carried everywhere. He is probably around 11 or 12. Tomorrow we are going to buy them both proper walkers with wheels. A few of the older kids will be meeting us at the clinic tomorrow, as they were off to the market today and not able to get there with the rest of us.
While we moms were at the hospital, the rest of the group was back at the orphanage cleaning out closets. Steve Wolcott and our niece, Ruby took on the task of clearing out what has been described as a hotel for rats. The closet was full of old, dirty mattresses that were stacked up. Every layer they uncovered displaced a different family of mice. Anyway, they got it cleaned out and it's probably best not to describe it much further.
Social Services came by the orphanage for a visit today, since we had told our hotel owner, who is a church member, of the filthy conditions and she requested an inspection on our behalf. They were happy to see how much progress has been made and will be checking in with them periodically to
make sure they are keeping up the facility properly. The girls taking care of the babies are very young girls who actually grew up there and just work for housing and food. They have been encouraged to properly clean the building regularly and we feel they have seen what a difference it makes.
This afternoon, we had our second day of VBS in the afternoon and then came back to meet the church choir for a dinner here at our hotel. We are exhausted. Please pray for our group as we are all working long days and are a little overwhelmed with what we are seeing. We are happy to have the privilege of being the representatives of TCA to donate supplies and help on behalf of our community that has given so generously. God is doing amazing things here. Thank you for your continued prayers.
Sincerely,
Jenni for the group
Tuesday we went to the Huruma Orphanage all day and helped them clean out a storeroom, burn old trash, begin building an incinerator building, and my personal favorite job, holding babies. I literally held either baby Joy or baby Johash all day long. Our TCA students are such amazing young people and got in there and worked so hard like they were used to seeing these things everyday. When we began cleaning out the first room, we realized they had stored some corn in there, which the mice got into, so then they had thrown poison on top and just shut the door and left it. So what we learned is that our adult sponsor Cristin Mills can run faster than any of the students when confronted with a fleeing rat. The Orphanage now looks so much better than when we first arrived.
Wednesday we went back to the orphanage in the morning and performed the You Are Special skit, sang songs and played with all of the children while half our group continued working on the incinerator and cleaning out the closet. In the afternoon, we had our first day of VBS at the Arusha church that is hosting us and had around 200 kids. Our kids did a great job leading the songs, games, and skits and teaching the Bible stories for the day.
This morning, Brian Millet and Ty Westfall left to go visit our friends back in Kajiado, Kenya to check on our Masaai friends that we originally intended to work with this year before the trip was moved to Tanzania. They have arrived safely and delivered food to a disabled school there and will be seeing Mama Ruth and her tribe tomorrow.
The rest of us got to the orphanage early because today was a special day! The three moms in our group, including Cristin Mills, Pauline Stein, and I got the privilege of taking ALL of the orphans to the clinic for Doctor visits. Those sweet kids sat in the hospital clinic waiting room from 9:30 in the morning until 5 p.m. like perfect angels. They had no phones or iPads to play with, just each other to talk to. They were quiet, polite, they all helped the younger ones have their bottles and diaper changes. They were amazing. We were thrilled to learn that all 6 of the babies and all of the young kids who have received results so far were HIV negative! Many of the kids seemed very relieved since many do not know the story of their parents and wondered whether or not they were born with it. That was an unexpected blessing for them to be able to have that reassurance. By the way, the complete blood panel test cost $5 per child. We were so happy to be able to be able to take them for medical care even though it was very hard to see the babies cry when they were poked. Many of the kids had ringworm and respiratory infections, for which they were given medicines. One baby has a hernia, and will need a surgical consult in a couple of weeks at a different hospital.
There are 2 boys with Cerbral Palsy in the group...one has a broken, handmade wooden walker, one with nothing that has to be carried everywhere. He is probably around 11 or 12. Tomorrow we are going to buy them both proper walkers with wheels. A few of the older kids will be meeting us at the clinic tomorrow, as they were off to the market today and not able to get there with the rest of us.
While we moms were at the hospital, the rest of the group was back at the orphanage cleaning out closets. Steve Wolcott and our niece, Ruby took on the task of clearing out what has been described as a hotel for rats. The closet was full of old, dirty mattresses that were stacked up. Every layer they uncovered displaced a different family of mice. Anyway, they got it cleaned out and it's probably best not to describe it much further.
Social Services came by the orphanage for a visit today, since we had told our hotel owner, who is a church member, of the filthy conditions and she requested an inspection on our behalf. They were happy to see how much progress has been made and will be checking in with them periodically to
make sure they are keeping up the facility properly. The girls taking care of the babies are very young girls who actually grew up there and just work for housing and food. They have been encouraged to properly clean the building regularly and we feel they have seen what a difference it makes.
This afternoon, we had our second day of VBS in the afternoon and then came back to meet the church choir for a dinner here at our hotel. We are exhausted. Please pray for our group as we are all working long days and are a little overwhelmed with what we are seeing. We are happy to have the privilege of being the representatives of TCA to donate supplies and help on behalf of our community that has given so generously. God is doing amazing things here. Thank you for your continued prayers.
Sincerely,
Jenni for the group
Monday, June 13, 2016
Monday June 13
So last night we were joined by Jons brother Brian who was able to fly in. He got in last night around 2 in the morning, so he and the guys who picked him up at the airport are still pretty tired today.
Today we got to visit the Naurei School for Disabled. This is the same school we went to last year where we painted and installed a wheelchair ramp. The kids were actually off on break but several of the parents brought their kids in to meet us. We had so much fun playing and loving on them. We did the Crippled Lamb puppet show for them and sang and played games. We were able to purchase them railings for the wheelchair ramp, 2 new dining tables, and 8 chairs, 4 of which will have side handles for the kids who have trouble sitting up on their own. We were also able to repair the tables they already had and bring them flour, beans, cooking oil, and other food supplies, as well as clothing and school supplies. Thank you to everyone who donated financially or with items to give away. They were so grateful and send their thanks.
This afternoon, we sent a few of the men over to the Huruma Orpahanage to strategize on how to best help them. They had begun to clean up a bit of the trash after we commented on the conditions Saturday. We will be returning with the group tomorrow to help clean up and hold the babies. We will be purchasing a new stove for them since the one they currently have is filling the house with smoke and fumes, which is probably why so many of them have respiratory issues. Still trying to work out the doctor visits.
This evening after dinner we had our evening devotional and then practiced our VBS songs and skits. Our first day of VBS will be Wednesday afternoon. All are doing well. Please pray for continued health, energy, and discernment, especially at the Huruma Orphanage.
Thank you!
Jenni
Today we got to visit the Naurei School for Disabled. This is the same school we went to last year where we painted and installed a wheelchair ramp. The kids were actually off on break but several of the parents brought their kids in to meet us. We had so much fun playing and loving on them. We did the Crippled Lamb puppet show for them and sang and played games. We were able to purchase them railings for the wheelchair ramp, 2 new dining tables, and 8 chairs, 4 of which will have side handles for the kids who have trouble sitting up on their own. We were also able to repair the tables they already had and bring them flour, beans, cooking oil, and other food supplies, as well as clothing and school supplies. Thank you to everyone who donated financially or with items to give away. They were so grateful and send their thanks.
This afternoon, we sent a few of the men over to the Huruma Orpahanage to strategize on how to best help them. They had begun to clean up a bit of the trash after we commented on the conditions Saturday. We will be returning with the group tomorrow to help clean up and hold the babies. We will be purchasing a new stove for them since the one they currently have is filling the house with smoke and fumes, which is probably why so many of them have respiratory issues. Still trying to work out the doctor visits.
This evening after dinner we had our evening devotional and then practiced our VBS songs and skits. Our first day of VBS will be Wednesday afternoon. All are doing well. Please pray for continued health, energy, and discernment, especially at the Huruma Orphanage.
Thank you!
Jenni
Sunday, June 12, 2016
Jambo!
Okay, so sorry for the long delay in posting on the blog. We arrived late Wednesday night around 3 in the morning and pretty much immediately fell asleep. Thursday morning we woke up to have breakfast and discovered that the Wifi was broken and waiting on repair so we had no way to contact or update people except through Cristin Mills phone. We spent Thursday getting acclimated and buying project supplies at the store.
Friday morning we visited the USA (oosa) River Disabled school. This school is very well managed and teaches disabled children a trade such as baking, sewing, weaving, shoe making, etc. They have a clinic in the school that treats kids with club foot and makes orthotics for all sorts of different needs. Many of their teachers are former students. We enjoyed spending time meeting the kids and did a puppet show for them (The Crippled Lamb by Max Lucado) and donated 100 kg of black beans, 100 kg of chick peas, 25 kg of wheat flour, 25 kg of white flour, 100 kg of rice, 10 kg of salt, a big drum of cooking oil, and 200 kg of sugar. We also enjoyed buying their baked goods and handmade items to help support their school.
After the USA River School, we visited the Suya Highscool where we went last year. Jon and Zack did the "belt trick" object lesson which teaches them to know Gods word so they can't be tricked into false teachings. Callie and Pauline Stein shared their testimonies and Jon preached on Gods grace and Christ being the only way to heaven.
After that, we visited an orphanage we had never been to before called Huruma Childrens Trust. Please pray for this orphanage! It is not well managed and in very poor condition. They are located directly across from the landfill, where smoke is constantly blowing toward their facility. Many of the children had bronchial conditions that need medical care. The children were dirty and covered with flies and sores. Their building had huge cracks in it and they appeared to be out of diapers. They had wanted us to paint, but after seeing the conditions, We are looking into industrial cleaning and trying to assess the areas of most dire need. We are hoping to get all of the babies into town to be seen by a doctor first. Anyway, it was pretty overwhelming for our students (and adults) to see these kids in such horrible conditions but they all held those babies the entire time they were there and came away resolved to make a difference. We will be going back there on Tuesday and will keep you updated.
Saturday, we visited the Olevolos Orphanage where we went last year. This is the way all orphanages should look! The owner/director Mama Jane is amazing and takes such good care of those kids. She has a large garden where she has taught each child to plant and tend to their own patch of crop. Last year, we donated funds and helped begin to build a chicken coop there. The kids are so happy to have fresh eggs to eat every morning. When Jane was talking to the kids, she reminded them that our group was the one that provided the coop and chickens. When she asked one of the kids " Who should we thank for our eggs that we eat every morning, one of the littler ones said "the chickens!" They are all adorable and obviously love Mama Jane. We were able to donate a large amount of food, sang and performed a skit for them based on the Max Lucado book, "You are Special". It was a stark contrast to the orphanage we saw the day before and we all left feeling encouraged because of how well Mama Jane exemplifies Gods love for them every day. We drove straight from there to the airport to pick up Cousin Steve, who has been a full time missionary in Africa for over 35 years.
Today, Sunday, we split into three groups and went to three different churches. Did we mention that church services here start at 6:30 a.m. That is early! After church, We had a little time to rest this afternoon, except for Jon and I who spoke to a small group about our testimony of our experiences with our own children's disability. We had dinner and spent most of the evening practicing for VBS which we are hosting Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday this week. Please pray that kids will come and that it will be a good ministry to this community. A few went to the airport to pick up Brian Millet, who will be coming in around midnight tonight.
So hopefully the Wifi will continue to work and I will try to update the blog each day. Thanks for your prayers!
Friday morning we visited the USA (oosa) River Disabled school. This school is very well managed and teaches disabled children a trade such as baking, sewing, weaving, shoe making, etc. They have a clinic in the school that treats kids with club foot and makes orthotics for all sorts of different needs. Many of their teachers are former students. We enjoyed spending time meeting the kids and did a puppet show for them (The Crippled Lamb by Max Lucado) and donated 100 kg of black beans, 100 kg of chick peas, 25 kg of wheat flour, 25 kg of white flour, 100 kg of rice, 10 kg of salt, a big drum of cooking oil, and 200 kg of sugar. We also enjoyed buying their baked goods and handmade items to help support their school.
After the USA River School, we visited the Suya Highscool where we went last year. Jon and Zack did the "belt trick" object lesson which teaches them to know Gods word so they can't be tricked into false teachings. Callie and Pauline Stein shared their testimonies and Jon preached on Gods grace and Christ being the only way to heaven.
After that, we visited an orphanage we had never been to before called Huruma Childrens Trust. Please pray for this orphanage! It is not well managed and in very poor condition. They are located directly across from the landfill, where smoke is constantly blowing toward their facility. Many of the children had bronchial conditions that need medical care. The children were dirty and covered with flies and sores. Their building had huge cracks in it and they appeared to be out of diapers. They had wanted us to paint, but after seeing the conditions, We are looking into industrial cleaning and trying to assess the areas of most dire need. We are hoping to get all of the babies into town to be seen by a doctor first. Anyway, it was pretty overwhelming for our students (and adults) to see these kids in such horrible conditions but they all held those babies the entire time they were there and came away resolved to make a difference. We will be going back there on Tuesday and will keep you updated.
Saturday, we visited the Olevolos Orphanage where we went last year. This is the way all orphanages should look! The owner/director Mama Jane is amazing and takes such good care of those kids. She has a large garden where she has taught each child to plant and tend to their own patch of crop. Last year, we donated funds and helped begin to build a chicken coop there. The kids are so happy to have fresh eggs to eat every morning. When Jane was talking to the kids, she reminded them that our group was the one that provided the coop and chickens. When she asked one of the kids " Who should we thank for our eggs that we eat every morning, one of the littler ones said "the chickens!" They are all adorable and obviously love Mama Jane. We were able to donate a large amount of food, sang and performed a skit for them based on the Max Lucado book, "You are Special". It was a stark contrast to the orphanage we saw the day before and we all left feeling encouraged because of how well Mama Jane exemplifies Gods love for them every day. We drove straight from there to the airport to pick up Cousin Steve, who has been a full time missionary in Africa for over 35 years.
Today, Sunday, we split into three groups and went to three different churches. Did we mention that church services here start at 6:30 a.m. That is early! After church, We had a little time to rest this afternoon, except for Jon and I who spoke to a small group about our testimony of our experiences with our own children's disability. We had dinner and spent most of the evening practicing for VBS which we are hosting Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday this week. Please pray that kids will come and that it will be a good ministry to this community. A few went to the airport to pick up Brian Millet, who will be coming in around midnight tonight.
So hopefully the Wifi will continue to work and I will try to update the blog each day. Thanks for your prayers!
Monday, May 23, 2016
Welcome to our Blogsite
Welcome to this year's TCA Mission Africa Blogspot! We hope you will follow along with our group as we minister to the people of Tanzania. Please keep our group in your prayers as we prepare to leave June 7, 2016.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)