Epic Safari

Hi All,

It is Saturday night here and we have just returned to Arusha from 2 days of Safari in Tanageri National Park. It was incredible! Here is the rundown on the last several days.

We were happy to finish our work in Kondoa. The school there is doing very well, and SBC's work there is really an incredible testament to our mission department and short teams that go there.

In Kondoa God continued to work in our lives, on our relationship with Him, and with each other. This is by far one of the best teams God has put together - we have constantly been bonding, challenging each other and developing incredible friendships. Other than 3 days of rice and beans, Kondoa was an amazing time. Now, the Safari details....

As Safaris go, this one was incredible. The safari lodge was really nice, it had carpets and hot running water! On Friday, we saw a lot of zebras and elephants, as well as 3 lions - which is a rare site. The park and weather were perfect on Friday afternoon, and everyone had so much fun romping around the park in those safari jeeps. Saturday was even better. We saw a pack of lions feasting on a water buffalo (it was awesome), and a cheetah stalk and chase an Impala (african deer). Seeing a cheetah is very rare, seeing one hunt is unheard of! We also saw baboons, more elephants, giraffe and enjoyed a great morning of fun. On our way home from the park, we stopped by the Arusha markets for souveniors, which was quite the experience.

Now, finally we are back in Arusha and preparing to go home. Tomorrow morning we will debrief as a team and prepare for the long journey home. This has been an incredible mission trip and we can't wait to see our families and share what God has done in our lives and the lives of those we served. Please pray for our safety, for our debrief time in the morning, and for the work God will do in us as we reflect on this amazing experience.

We will TRY to post pictures, but the connection here is super slow. I promise there will be thousands of them when we get home.

We Miss You!

Hi From Kondoa

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for your patience with our updates. I am writing from Kondoa, Tanzania at Scottsdale Bible's school plant here called Kondoa Integrity School. I am using at computer from 1994 and a dial up connection, so I hope this works. As per usual, I will be brief, but try to sum up everything.

We arrived here two days ago after a very long and bumpy car ride. I am not going to lie, it was the worst journey any of us have had to endure, but fun in that mission trip sort of way. NEVER complain about the roads or construction in Phoenix, it could be much worse - Africa worse.

God is using Kondoa to stretch our team! When we arrived here, we were able to get all of our team in one hotel - after some negotiating. We are in the city here, which is devastated by poverty. Also, it is a Muslim stronghold in Tanzania - but a very peaceful one. Five times a day, the Islamic prayer is broadcast from a mosque loadspeaker - and it took our team time to get used to that. And, we quickly learned the only restaurant in town serves rice, beans, and tortillas for every meal of the day. The upside - lots of soda in glass bottles!

Despite this new place, our team continues to grow strong and united. The work God has done in our students is incredible. Only in such a broken place can God break His people and build them into better servants! The Christians here are full of joy and are constantly admonishing us and encouraging us with their faith. The school they have here is the bright part of this otherwise sad city.

Today is our last day helping plow a soccer field and working at the school. Tomorrow we leave for the Terengeri safari lodge for a safari on Saturday and then back to Arusha on Sunday for us to debrief and pack to head for home! We are so grateful for your thoughts and prayers. No injuries, illness or bad news to report. We are excited for the last stretch God has for us and can't wait to be home in the USA.

I will try to blog after our Safari if internet is available .

Grace and Peace.

Working hard!

The Traditional Boma and Family

Playing with the school children

Mairowa

Visiting a land so desolate and poor, yet so beautiful and full of people who love Jesus with all their hearts was a life changing experience. The Masai people of Mairowa are currently suffering from a prolonged and harmful drought, and the pain shows on their faces. But beyond the pain was a great joy and love for God and the missionaries He sends from Scottsdale Bible. The last three days were an experience no words can describe, but here are some highlights.

We slept in a "schoolhouse" and "cafeteria", which consisted of sleeping bags thrown onto metal or wood tables to keep them from the dirt floor. There was no electricity or running water where were at. Bathrooms consisted of a hole in the ground, showers were from a hose and their kitchen was a small room with wood-fire ovens heating large bowls of water to make rice and beans.

Our works days we spend cutting down very old but stubborn trees with rudimentary tools such as axes, bush-knives and hoes. It was long, hot work in a dry and desolate land, but incredibly rewarding. We worked along side members of local churches and the Masai tribesmen, who absolutely know how to use a bush knife!

We also spent time with the children on Saturday. It was life changing. Their faces are sweet, happy and kind, and their hearts were full of joy to see us. They clung to us and bonded with us instantly. We taught them Bible lessons, and fed them a much needed meal, which the local Christian school does every week thanks to the help of SBC. Saying goodbye to them was incredibly difficult.

Additionally, we visited the traditional African mud hut, or Boma as they are called. A small dark and smoky "home" shared by many families. Only pictures can do it justice. Needless to say, it gave us all perspective on life in America.

And lastly, we all went to church in Mairowa this morning. Jason and Ben each preached at a church, and we worshipped God with the Masai while someone translated for us. It gave church a whole new meaning. The people with nothing taught those of us with everything how to get more than just a little something when we meet with God in worship and praise. They praise God and study scripture with all their heart. It is something we wish every member of our church could experience.

Today we will take a day of rest, meet some missionaries from Amare Ministries, shop and prepare for a our next journey to Kondoa. We will try to post more pictures, but each one takes about 15 minutes with this slow internet connection. All for now. Pray without ceasing...

Back from Mairowa

Leaving for Mairowa!

Wow, what an amazing experience! Please be patient with us, it will take some time to post pictures and write about our experience. We are exhausted and internet here is sparse. For now, we are safe and happy to be back in a place with running water and electricity!

We made it!!!

We made it!! It is now 9pm here and we have been through one 3 hour flight two 8 1/2 hour flights an four hour lay over and are now waiting for our hour drive to Arusha!! We are so excited and can't even believe we made it!!!!

Off we go!

We made it! Everyone made it the airport on time, all bags under 50lbs and everyone ready for an amazing adventure!! We made it through security with no problems and are now eating breakfast waiting for our plane. Please be praying for our team while we are gone. We love you all!

Hiking and BBQ

BBQ
Hiking