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Published: January 25th 2009
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Baby Elephant
Fierce isn't he? There are many things that I have done in my life that I can say I have been thrilled to be a part of, but I can honestly say, that aside from my personal family, marriage and children, the nearly 5 years in total we have spent in Tanzania have been a personal best.
To try to put emotions and words to what I have experienced, and been a part of, would be to slight those incredible souls that have touched me and my family.
This past month has seen several things for us to add to our memories of our life in Africa. Over the years I have kept a journal, and even writing on a regular basis, does not do all we have experienced justice.
This Christmas was our first Christmas without Joshua. Talk about a defining time in our lives!
He has become his own man, and we are very proud to announce, a soon to be husband! He proposed to his future bride Annie Meiners, and they are planning a wedding on August the 8th. Finally another girl in the family! Maybe Annie and I can even the odds a bit!
Without
Elephants on the Horizon
There were mud pits everywhere! Some of them had mud so thick on their heads that thier eyelashes looked like they had put on mascara him with us for the holiday, Anthony and I went to Tarangire National Park. This is the time of the year when the elephants are in such great numbers that after the first few HUNDRED you start seeing them as deer or zebra. Just EVERYWHERE!
The tension you feel when you come upon a massive mother and calf is immense! You aren't sure if she will charge the truck or saunter by quiet as a mouse. Their size is shocking, but you barely hear them as they walk. Actually you don't hardly hear them at all, you hear the grass, or the leaves, or the limbs breaking. The elephants themselves, unless agitated, or trying to get a message to the heard, move in near silence. At times they do emit a near purr as they are keeping in touch with the others.
We also noticed there were lots of babies this time around. Both elephants and zebras. The zebra babies just look like you could grab them and bury your face in their coat. Mom would most certainly object!
The scene where they are running down the side of the hill, was just like watching National Geographic!
Fuzzy!
So cute you just can't help but say ... "AWWWW" My favorite picture of zebras of all time!
Then ... the "piece du la resistance" - (bet you didn't know I knew french!) Was two male giraffe fighting! We came upon them and they completely ignored us and carried on fighting the entire time we watched. At one point we turned off the car and the sound of them hitting each other with their heads and those horns on top of their heads was a dull Thunk ... thunk ... thunk. No doubt their ribs were sore the next day.
I saved you from seeing the tse tse fly bite I got on my forehead - but they were out in numbers as the elephants! I looked like someone had hit me square in the forehead with a baseball!
Then the first weekend of January we had yet another Sew Be It session in Kisongo. All you ladies who were a part of those boxes and boxes of donated goods would be so proud! On this particular day and this particular class I used a box of 3 inch squares that one of you incredible woman spent hours and hours cutting out.
I think there must
Stampede!
This was an amazing thing to see ... they were all running to get to the water below have been nearly 10,000 squares in various colors already cut and ready for us to sew together. One of the ladies is a guard at the school and a couple of days after the class we stopped by the school and she was at her post .... sewing these squares together!! I was just bursting with excitement for what they will be able to do with these finished projects.
They also loved the sample blocks that I gave them, and later the next week I gave out the last of the fabric, notions, and quilt batting to 4 different congregations. They are putting what they have learned into practice, some are even making them to sell, some have made quilts and given to the elders of the community. You all should be commended for seeing the future of what your scraps could do.
We made some wonderful new friends from Northport, Al too!! Ginger and David Key came on vacation to climb Kilimanjaro!! We were able to pick them up and spend some time with them and just fell in love with them and their contagious love for life! They made it to the top by the way
Dueling Necks!
Watching these guys go at it was like watching kids play the game of twister! and told us all about it ... the good parts and the throwing up parts!! 😊 I made it to the top with her in my heart and prayers, and in return she brought me a rock from the tip top of the Mountain!! I was more than thrilled and content that she was the one who did the throwing up on my behalf!
Then, as quickly as we seemed to roll into Arusha in October 2006, we were rolling out.
I can not tell you the emotion those last 3 weeks held for us as we began selling everything we had, save what would fit into the few suitcases we would bring home with us. Near two and one half years gone on this tour, like a plate of brownies at a after church get together!
Folks came all hours of the day, and my phone rang constantly as people were asking what we had, how much, was it sold yet, and when can I come? We have been blessed beyond measure and everything was sold in a matter of only 8 days! And I mean everything! Beds, desks, shelves, appliances, spoons, cups, towels, clothes, and
yes my sewing machine. (Of course all of the donated things, I gave away as I have always intended to do to the ladies of the local congregations.)
Then the time came when we had to tell our Tanzanian friends, some of many years (from when we lived in Chimala) that we were leaving. If I could capture in words the pain in my heart as I watched tears spill down cheeks, and felt my own chest hurt, heart specialist offices would be full from all of you folks who would be having chest pains! I can say there have been just a couple of times in my life when I have experienced such true unbridled love from these who we have known less years than most of us wear a new pair of shoes. But the outpouring was overwhelming.
The emails, the text messages, the words spoken through gasps of breath, will be forever captured in my memory. The pain on their faces is etched in my mind, but as time passes, the smiles, the sharing of Bible classes, teaching sewing, and sharing our lives together will overtake the hurt and I know my life has been
What do your Hands do?
Before we sew, we talk about what the Bible says about using our hands for the poor, our families, and to keep our hands busy. forever enriched because of them.
The other missionaries gave us a going away party, and we bunked at Sean and Anita's, and Danny and Nancy's those last few days once all our furniture was gone. And for the love and support of all we are so grateful.
Our last Sunday was with our home congregation in Monduli, and Grace in her simplicity of words and unwavering emotion, simply said, "I love you too much, I love you too much." What do you say to that? Nothing. I could not speak.
Our flight took us through Nairobi, and once the plane took to the runway, I could not stop the tears from soaking my face as the plane lifted off African soil. I feel as though a part of me remained. At this point we do not know what the Lord has in store for us, where we will be a servant to him - but do know this - that for all that we have put into this work, for all the projects, classes taught, and memories made ...
It is not about what we put into the work, or what we have gained or gotten
Sewing with Smiles
They don't use a thimble! OUCH!! from it ... it is about what we have left behind in the lives of those who must remain.
We could not have been there if not for all of you, our families, the elders at Kensington Woods, and our dear friends. Thank you is simply not enough for the sacrifices many of you have made.
Please say an extra prayer that doors will be opened for us, and that we will have the courage to walk through them in His service.
It is my intention to continue with this blog, and you never know where we will be in even just a month.
If you have to leave .... what do you leave behind?
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just ken
non-member comment
Love you
Glad you are home safe. I miss you and will continue to pray for you. India huh? Wishing you always the best in health, peace,joy and love-you already have my love. God bless. just ken