Tuesday, February 26, 2008
27-Feb-2008
Jambo (Hello).
Just a quick update this morning:
Yesterday the teams split. The hospital team viewed rehab facilities in the Arusha area, and met a lot of people doing great work. Stephanie is gaining a firm grip on the Tanzanian approach, which focuses on local people doing things for themselves as much as possible. She was particularly impressed with with a shop that builds wheel chairs. We also visited the site of the new hospital. It will be very modern.
The school team spent their first day with the girls, and had some great experiences. Hopefully I can convince someone to write more about that tonight.
We had dinner with Dr. Mark Jacoboson, director of Selian Hospital last night, and had some great coversation about how we might advance the relationship between Bethel and Selian.
Hopefully more details on all this. We are off to Hospice soon today, so I must go.
Peace to you all.
-Bruce
Jambo (Hello).
Just a quick update this morning:
Yesterday the teams split. The hospital team viewed rehab facilities in the Arusha area, and met a lot of people doing great work. Stephanie is gaining a firm grip on the Tanzanian approach, which focuses on local people doing things for themselves as much as possible. She was particularly impressed with with a shop that builds wheel chairs. We also visited the site of the new hospital. It will be very modern.
The school team spent their first day with the girls, and had some great experiences. Hopefully I can convince someone to write more about that tonight.
We had dinner with Dr. Mark Jacoboson, director of Selian Hospital last night, and had some great coversation about how we might advance the relationship between Bethel and Selian.
Hopefully more details on all this. We are off to Hospice soon today, so I must go.
Peace to you all.
-Bruce
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
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
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