The rest of the story...

The mission trip was packed full of so many miracles! After I had written the initial post and when we were in the "bush" time never presented itself to us again to do more writing.

Our moments with God and how he directed us all of us....Charles, myself, Elicana and Karen, seemed that it was surreal. We knew that "our" goal was to go and live with the Hadzabe to learn more about them, their lives and their daily living conditions...however, God had a much different plan. The man that was suppose to be taking us to live with this community, had a much different goal in his mind. After we talked to him in great detail about our desire to serve this community and asked him to please put aside his desire to make money, he became a bit unnerved with us. We explained that all of us were "volunteering" our hearts and souls to these people. That we dedicated ourselves our time and our possessions to serve. He said he understood but at the 11th hour, he requested that we pay him for his time with us - completely missing the point of serving his fellow brother/Tanzanian. Oh well, a big pole sana. We said we would find the way to learn about these people without him...he wasn't happy as he only wanted to make money! Our goal was to make sure that all the government officials knew who Simple Hope East Africa was! We met with the district medical commissioner, the regional commissioner and several ward officials before we even drove out to get to know one another. This was the "right" way to do our work. We let everyone know who we were, that we weren't there to take anything from the Hadzabe but to hold their hand and help them grow!

Our time was more than blessed by God. He made everything happen for us that we could not have done if we had not done the right way! Our time together with the Hadzabe was deeply meaningful. We cooked our food for them (of which they had never had..) They watched us cook it, then eat it ourselves first. Each of the community members took a bite then smiled then took another bite then smiled and finally asked for more.

We will be building a feeding/foundation center for this community. The government wants everyone of them to be educated! However, throwing them into a school straight from the bush will not prove to be effective. Our feeding center will be the first "foundation" or "platform" for them to begin to acclimate to the world. We need to help them slowly slowly! We don't want to change them or their lives, we want to bring them hope and education at their own pace. They were so thrilled to hear about our help however the elder tribe member came up to me during the meeting and said a few words. After the interpretation, she said, we really and truly appreciate your help...but PLEASE DO NOT leave us! We need you and your help! Tears weld up in my eyes and I completely understood what she was saying! They have no other help or hope!

This is a huge calling for us but we have accepted the call, we will not leave them alone and will give them every opportunity to grow strong!

This group has had very little interaction with others. They are not afraid but they are afraid of the let down and loss of hope! I get this! I have committed myself for the rest of my life to serving this community. I need lots of help!

Will you join me in serving the "least of the least?"

Blessings and peace~