Musings continue...

"Post Volcano" will be the term I use alot in the next weeks of talking about my mission in Tanzania. If it hadn't been for this volcano, I never would have gotten the opportunity to do all the great things I did. Thank God for my friend Mike!! He was available to Karen and I for all we wanted to do, our late night requests, our laughing on how seeds were being planted and growing during this time of uncertainty...and even though he had a full schedule himself, he journeyed with us and helped connect us to the people that we needed to meet. Asante Sana Mike...You were such a blessing to us and our work!!

We met a wonderful Pastor at a Lutheran Church we were visiting one Sunday. She was the "visiting" Pastor that day and new that we were "guests" as we were the only white people in church that Sunday. She quickly greeted us after service and invited us to her office. We talked about why we were in TZ...what we had already accomplished and what our goals were for Simplehope. She invited us to a school that she was connected too near Moshi/Kilimanjaro. This school was a school built solely for children with physical handicaps. As my passion to help the "least of the least" this seemed to be a great connection for me.

Mike so graciously drove us to visit this school. We arrived with the coordination of Pastor Anna and were greeted by the Head Teacher. It was a National Holiday the day we were visiting but it was ok...he wanted to show his school to us. There are 85 children that live there as it is a boarding school. These children are all in wheelchairs, walkers and or crutches. There are many afflicted with MS and other crippling diseases. The head teacher explained that the rely on support from donors and a little comes from the diocese of Moshi. The school was well thought out, it takes the needs of these 85 children into account with handicap bathroom access, beds that can accommodate wheelchairs and the pathways between buildings are all flat and smooth so these children are safe. This school teaches the children how to gain independence within themselves and to instill pride into their everyday life. They are taught how to do their own laundry, to clean and cook and all the children take extreme pride in learning and executing what they learned.

This school is powered by solar energy!! They have some crops growing to support their everyday food intake, they also have some farm animals to use for milk and egg production. They not only take them to fish but teach them to fish!!

As we were ending our tour of this school, all the children came together to sing Mike, myself and Karen a song. They began by singing which led into clapping then they were moving back and forth as if they were dancing. Tears were welling up in my eyes as they were so proud of themselves. Their voices were like angels!! We had the opportunity to share a few words with them and I encouraged them to keep learning and never give up!! I told them that I would share their story on my blog and that many would pray for them. They all clapped and understood the power of prayer!!

We shared tea with the Head teacher and talked about his accomplishments in this school. Of course I hope there is a way I can find people here to connect to the children there. They need encouragement and love and I would love to connect children and adults to these wonderful children.

Our day ended with another song from the children and a kind farewell. They saw our faces, they know that there are people that care about them. Perhaps I could connect some prayer shawls to them..anyone interested??

I will post the second part of this day tomorrow...more miracles happened to us this day!! This was only the beginning of a very wonderful day!!

Until next time~

Cheers!