A New Set of Wheels and Language School

We are very happy to FINALLY have a vehicle of our own. We've been very thankful to the various missionaries who have allowed us the use of their vehicles, primarily the Gee family, who gave us the use of their van while they were in the States. The Richardsons and the Staffords have also helped us out a number of times in the vehicle department. We are, however, thrilled to be in possession of our own vehicle. We knew that Elly would be returning from Dar es Salaam with our vehicle sometime soon, but we didn't know exactly when. Saturday morning, at 6:00 am, I woke up to the sound of a parking brake, and realized that Elly had just driven in with our vehicle. We are so thankful to each of our supporters, who specifically gave money to help us buy this vehicle. It will be a great asset to our work, and it will take us many places to help the cause of Christ in Tanzania!

Beginning September 10, George, Luke, Lindsey and I began a 3-week Beginner's Course in Swahili. The school campus is about a 50 minute drive. Our days have been something like this: Up at 6, leave at 7, school from 8:30-4:00 pm, home at 5, homework, supper, homework, time for bed. It's been rather exhausting, and we are really looking forward to our last day, this Friday. It has been a wonderful opportunity for us to learn Swahili, and we are becoming more confident in trying to communicate on a very basic level with the locals.

Taking these classes has given us the opportunity to meet many different people, from a variety of places. There are about 20 students taking the beginner's course, and we have been divided into smaller groups of 5 or so. George and I are in the same class, along with 2 doctors, and a man from Denmark. There are also students from Indonesia, Holland, Australia, and others from the U.S. as well.

There is also an intermediate course going on at the same time. I had an opportunity to visit with one of the women who is enrolled in that course, and I was very fascinated with some information she shared. About seven years ago, she was involved in a mission work about 6 hours south of Arusha, in a very remote village. She shared the fact that she had met a man whose parents attempted to sacrifice him when he was a baby, so that they could be freed from their poverty. He lived through the ordeal (I don't know the details of the attempted sacrifice). To this day, his parents blame him for their continued poverty. Yes, there are still tribes who practice human sacrifice, in some of the more remote areas. It's hard to imagine that such still goes on today, and it is a reminder that the gospel is the key to a better life, both here and in eternity, and that is why we are here.

In addition to getting our vehicle, our weekend was busy with cooking, cleaning, and preparing for Sunday. We drove to the market downtown, and the girls and I did some shopping in the open market. I am happy to say that I did the bargaining and transactions in Swahili. We also celebrated George's birthday on Saturday (although his birthday is actually today) with apple pie and home made ice cream.

George preached Sunday morning in Moshi, and afterwards, we came home for a quick bite of lunch, and then loaded up Jacob's stuff and headed to Arusha. We worshipped there Sunday evening, went out for supper with the Gee and Stafford families, and took Jacob out to school. Julia decided to stay home this week, and lend a hand with meals, etc., since we've had such a demanding schedule. She had supper ready for us every evening last week, when we returned home from language school, and has been a huge help to me.

As you can see, we've spent a lot of time on the road the last couple of weeks. Please continue to pray for us, especially as we finish up our language course this week.

In Christian Love,
Joy

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