Imagine that?

Talking with my good friend today who is now living in Tanzania Africa, was wonderful. To hear his energy brought excitement to me and yet their was a tone of despair. My friend is a man who traveled with us last spring when we were both part of a medical mission team. He was helping with clean water projects and I was helping with the eye care clinic. We would meet up at the end of the day, share the daily stories about what he did, who he met...and of course I would talk about all the patients that came to find a way to see a bit more clear.

After we both arrived home, he called me and said: "I miss Tanzania, the people, their generosity, their hope and most of all the love" I had to agree because this is the same feeling that has led me to doing this work. There was a tone in his voice that was different. I knew that he was being "called" to go back and sure enough two months ago, he announced that he quit his job, sold all of his belongings and was heading back. What is so great about this story is that he and I are able to talk via skype everyday. He is able to share with me what he is experiencing! He is my/our eyes and ears on the ground.

Just today, he shared with me that yesterday was NOT a happy day. I asked him why? He responded: "The children I met at a local feeding center came to receive their meal, but I noticed that this whole group of children were very busy with a toy" he was observing and wondering what was SO great about this "ball" so he went over and picked it up...it was a ball made out of rubber gloves that the children explained they found in the garbage next to a local hospital. He unraveled this ball and saw that these gloves were used by doctors/surgeons. That the gloves were NOT clean but covered with things that these children should not be playing with and yet, they had no idea...and were sad when he took their "toy" apart. Imagine that?

Next, he went into the feeding center where he observed yet another group of kids playing with what looked like a sling shot. They were tossing things back and forth. He went with a National who was accompanying him. They asked the kids to let them see what they were playing with...the kids turned over their sling shots only to find out they were used condoms. These children found them laying on the street where nearby prostitution takes place...imagine that?

He broke down on our phone call today. I understood his pain, his disbelief of what really goes on beyond our safe "American walls" His eyes are now wide open! I have to say, I know that feeling, I have been there, I have seen this but now to hear the stories again reminds me that the little bit we do to bring hope to these children and adults...may save their lives in one way or another.

Hug your children today for they are safe and loved...and pray for those in Tanzania that wish they had just a single ball or toy that is safe.

Blessings and peace~

Updates!

Simple Hope has been busy. Here are some simple updates!
1.) We have successfully shipped our Menomonee Falls High School "Packathon" food. We have abilities now to do our own shipping and we can offer this service to anyone needing to share "container" space with us! All it takes is a phone call or email to let us know!
2.) We are preparing for the "UPCOMING PACKATHON" at Brookfield Central High School on February 12, 2011! The hours will be from 9:00a.m. until 1:00p.m. If you and your friends/family want to come out and help us pack fortified rice meals, send us an email! WE would LOVE to have you be a part of this exciting day!! Special recognition goes out to the Key Club and their partnership with us!!
3.) We are equally as excited to prepare for our "Crosspoint church" Packathon on March 19th, 2011. Crosspoint will host the event and ALL our welcome to join us on this day!! The packing hours will begin at 8:00a.m. and the last shift will end at 1:00p.m. Please send us an email if you would like to help us pack food.
4.) We are looking for prayer partners to join us on a daily/weekly/monthly basis. If you, your church or organization would like to prayer for us to further our work here and in Tanzania we would be humbled and grateful.

Our email for sign ups is: simplehope3@gmail.com. You can also visit our website at: www.simple-hope.org.

We appreciate each and everyone of you. We are humbled by your graciousness everyday.

Until next time~

Cheers!

Upcoming Mission Help!

Our next trip to Tanzania will be coming soon!!! We have two very special projects that we would like to accomplish before we leave for Tanzania.

Project #1 ~ We would like to take up a collection of chewable vitamins (not gummy) for our leper and Hadzabe Communities. The children and adults lack nutrition/food on a daily basis and if we can give them a little bit of help with these vitamins, they will be physically and mentally stronger and this burden will be lifted from their lives. We ask that you send your donations to us: Simple Hope PO Box 4 Menomonee Falls, WI 53052

Project #2 ~ Shoes... can you imagine not having transportation? Can you imagine using your own two feet to take you everywhere you go? What would you do if you had no shoes for your feet? This is what our villages face on a daily basis! Mama's carrying their babies walking with firewood on their head in bare feet. We can stimulate Tanzania's economy and purchase basic shoes with your donation of $5.00. Would you help their soles/souls? We will take all money that is donated and purchase as many pair of shoes as we can upon our arrival in Tanzania. You can mail a tax deductible donation to us at: PO Box 4 Menomonee Falls, WI 53052 OR visit our website and donate online at www.simple-hope.org.

You are helping us to "build a bridge of love between our worlds" and we are humbled by your generosity.

Until next time~

Cheers!

I Can Only Imagine (with lyrics) - MercyMe