Good Walks

In Musoma we have many options for a good walk. Need something close by and don't mind a little mud? The rice paddies behind our house are just the ticket (top left). Up for something longer and want a good view of the lake? Matvilla Rock is the walk for you (top right, bottom left). In town for errands and just want a little green? We have a town park (bottom right). I'm thankful that God always gives me places with natural beauty near where I live.

Pray for Paskaria... Part II

Thank you to all who have been praying. It's update time, but not yet the end of the story.

Paskaria and her sister traveled 4 hours from home for the first time in their lives. They went to the hospital and learned about the wonderful world of Mzunguko (The Run Around). You go to one desk to register, another to initiate your payment card, another to put money on the card, another to pay, and another to print your receipt. Then you do it all again if you are really tired out and accidentally leave all your cards and papers in the taxi on the way to the guesthouse (a couple stories, about God's providence, here). Then you wait for the doctor, and wait for the tests, and go back to all the desks a few times in between.

During all this I was trying to help remotely, but they were getting discouraged and I was worried Pascaria would miss out on the care she needed.. So one friend kindly covered my classes and many others prayed as I went to help out.

I was glad I went because, being a little more pushy and task-oriented, I got Paskaria in to see the doctors Wednesday (instead of waiting for Friday). Then we were able to get all the preliminary tests done, so the results will be ready when she returns next Wednesday to finish up the evaluation, and surgery if the doctors decide that's the answer. (I think they are good doctors.) I also got Pascaria connected to Sister Suzana who runs accounting who will help with logistics in the future. Really, I was glad I went because it was so fun to see how the hospital works and to travel with my friend (LOTS of other stories here... but our dinner out photo will have to suffice)!!

And, of course, it was God who provided all these things and enabled me to help, and I think Paskaria knows that. We returned yesterday... And I think the second photos showed how we felt. Do pray for the next visit. This is the verse one friend is praying for Paskaria:

May you be strengthened with all power, 

according to his glorious might, 

for all endurance and patience with joy.

Colossians 1:11

Pray for Paskaria

My friend set out on a journey today. She's had a medical problem for 7 years... and she is going for treatment, hence the smile!

The hospital here is not equipped to help her, so she's traveling 4 hours by bus to Mwanza, south of here. It's taken a lot of God's providence to even get to this point; she needed a letter from a doctor and we needed to figure out all the ins and outs of going to/staying in a new town and paying for services.

But today's the day. She and her sister are on the bus now. (You always need someone with you at a Tanzanian hospital, because the nurses aren't in charge of all the services, like meals. Family is.)

Please pray for Paskaria. Pray she receives what she needs for her healing (most likely an operation), and that she looks to Christ for her confidence. Also pray for her family (6 kids and an elderly mom) while she's away, that they would be safe and also trust in Christ, as they are worried about the prospect of an operation.

Miss Sarah

I always say, "Why write your own blog post when you can use your students' writing instead?" If you've forgotten what I look like, or details about my personality, this should help. I am honored that Michaja chose me for her description of a friend, am blessed by her kindness, and really like my portrait (though she says this is more me as a kid, not my current adult state). Do pay attention to the active verbs... we've worked on avoiding passive verbs lately.

Pascaria Listens

A couple weeks ago my friend Pascaria stopped by. Ronit and I asked her in for tea. Ronit also had a gift for her: a listening device, similar to an mp3 player, that has The New Testament in Swahili and runs on solar power. We showed her how to use it, poured the tea, and put out the bread.

Then Pascaria listened. After awhile she said, "he preaches well." And a little later: "is he an Anglican?" We realized she didn't know that she was hearing Jesus' words; Since she doesn't read, Pascaria's only heard scripture in church, alongside liturgy and sermons, and didn't know the difference. The prayer was the Lord's Prayer, which is used in Anglican churches. We let her know she was listening to the Bible, to God's word, and she listened some more... and listened and listened and listened. She closed her eyes, nodded her head at points, smiled, repeated certain words... And we just watched her listen, for about an hour. The tea and bread went untouched.

It was beautiful to see how the Word entranced and kept Pascaria listening. We don't have her language, Kwaya, recorded yet, but Pascaria will love it when it comes. Her children are actually more fluent in Swahili, so this recording works well, as the whole family is sitting around the player some evenings, listening together.