25-February-2008
Karie Wratchford
Are you 45 or older? Live life fully and count your blessings! You have lived longer than the life expectancy of a Tanzanian. Are you raising children? Then you haven’t orphaned them and died of HIV. Enjoy every single glass of spilt milk. Are you an 8-year-old girl like my daughter Mazie? Play and be a kid until you are THIRTY! I could have given Mazie away as a bride yesterday. No, REALLY! Are you a young teenage boy? In Tanzania, teenage boys start working to buy a cow because after 10 years and 16 cows you may be prestigious enough to speak and wealthy enough to take a bride. Aside, my son Dalton might like to know that here in Africa I would be "Mama Dalton."
Family traditions not left behind in the states, we share over dinner where we have seen God today (or previously at our table, what was your favorite part of the day). It goes without saying that the Lord blessed Africa during Creation because the fauna and landscape here… are indescribable. The joy of the Maasae at our visit - that’s God. The conviction of the missionaries and medical staff to serve Tanzania – that’s God. The social priority of family here is God. The spirit of these people in a broken world is God. The sight of our Land Rover is NOT God but a beautiful thing!
And I know what that "thing" is at Bethel that we all love so much. It is here too! So cry your eyes out at Bethel or Tanzania. Fellowship with your brothers and sisters in Christ in Virginia or Africa. Be moved by the Spirit thru Jan’s singing at home or the 4 part vocal acoustics of the Christian Maasae. Just be moved!
I have to put a plug in for the team here with me – Jack, Rhodes, Gary, Rex, Helen, Bruce, Stephanie, and Irene. I am having so much fun here (I’m not supposed to tell you that!) In a way, I’ve been in my own little Africa in Winchester after a very transitional move for me and my children and Bethel has been a beacon. This trip is a celebration for me! Nobody here knows that (American or Maasae), yet they are all at the party!
I joyously share the message with you of "jambo!" from your Maasae family. "Asaunte sauna" (thank you very much) to those of you at Bethel for the opportunity to be here. Now…"run along home and jump into bed. Say your prayers and cover your head. The very same thing I say unto you – you dream of me and I’ll dream of you." –xo, Karie
1 comment:
Karie, I am definitely at the party...why should you missionaries be the only ones having all the fun! God is indeed awesome and he unites us and indeed invites us all to the party and that is really really good news. We need only accept his invitation. He has given us robes of righteousness (party clothes!) through the shed blood of His son Jesus Christ and He is the most awesome host!
I am so glad that you are all well, that you are basking in the beauty of God's creation and that you are bearing fruit just as one who is at the party should!
You are all in my prayers.
Todd
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