thank you Thank you for taking us on this journey with you. I know that there were times when it was extremely difficult to get to the internet due to logistical issues, fatigue, whatever. Your efforts are, and have been, truly appreciated! Welcome Home!
Thanks for keeping us updated I've been checking in on your blog periodically and always mean to comment. It's been so interesting to be able to read your entries. Thanks for taking the time to share. Hope to be able to chat with you when you are rested. I'd love to hear more about your journey. Be in touch, Jodi
You are never the same after being to a third world country. Life takes on new meaning and you see how materialistic life in the USA is.
I always have a hard time--I am definately a third culture adult now, American isn't home, Africa isn't home. Must be HEAVEN is my home! I am glad you all came!! Thank you. Davona
Remember it is normal to have challenges reassimilating Do you remember me warning you about the re-entry process Anne? I will be here for your when you return. Call me at 952-944-2091 at home or cell phone 952-261-3771 so I can help. It is challenging to come home however you will find ways to make it meaningful as you journey through the transition. Well done oh good and faithful servants Tom, Anne and Olivia. God bless you.
Elizabeth and family
God Bless You All!!! Have a wonderful time in Europe and have a safe trip home. Be well and take it easy when you get home. Anne, call me when you are ready to bring your family over for dinner! I am finishing up my work at NorthPoint tomorrow or Saturday so send me your home phone when you have time. God be with you all.
Elizabeth
Miss you! Sorry I have not emailed for so long. I never sent a snail mail package either! My excuses are poor so I will beg forgiveness and hope that you will still come over for dinner when you come home! I hope poor Olivia is better by now. We look forward to seeing you all when you come home. Stay safe and God bless you all. Your safari sounded like it was fascinating!!! The world is so big and we are so small. Thank God for the blessings we have. I hope we can be of some help on your re-entry into Minnesota life. Enjoy the last few days in Africa and I hope you will travel as you planned in Amsterdam. Peace of the Lord. You have done well oh good and faithful servants! Love, Elizabeth and family.
Thanksgiving You have made some profound comments on the differences between US and Tanzanian cultures. May you take the best of both worlds with you as you journey forward in life. This Thanksgiving, we will keep you in our thoughts, thankful that you have had the courage to spend this time in Africa and that you have shared it with us through this blog.
Beauty Thank you for the wonderful update and message! Soon it will be Thanksgiving. We in our family are so thankful for you Olivia, Tom and Anne. God be with you and may your last few weeks in Africa be filled with wonder and grace.
I am so excited to see you all upon your return. We would like to have you over for a very special dinner when you are up to it!!!
Stay safe and may God's love be with you every minute!
Peace of the Lord.
The Skinner Family
what an adventure! Hi! I'm just catching up on your adventures. I'm sure I would have absolutely hated that ride to the Serengeti (i.e. motion sickness, etc) but I'm guessing that the arduous trip was worth it . . .
God Bless All Us Muzungus! Never a dull moment with Tom. Anne and Olivia!!! I can just see you wearing the T Shirt, passing out candy and making the nannies laugh! Such wonderful stories you have now for the rest of your lives. Be well and let us know if you are still coming home early. Soon it will be December. How is the weather???
God be with you all.
Love in Christ,
Elizabeth and family
trip Your trip is well deserved, and I hope you enjoyed it. You are all such saints! I keep thinking about David, and wonder how he is doing. You are doing exactly the right thing with him- at his age he needs consistent, regular, one on one human contact. Lack of it is probably at the core of his lack of weight gain. Amazing how the little ones capture our hearts so completely...
Nipa Tano!!! Nipa Tano when you get home!!!! Thanks for the beautiful message. We continue to pray that you touch the lives of those you serve and that you will be safe and well.
I will give Nipa Tano to others this week!!
Peace, Elizabeth
Beautiful Women and Girls Nuala's comments are wonderful. I experienced the same type of wonder in the inner city of San Juan. The poorest women and girls would find ways to show their beauty on Sunday mornings. I learned alot about my femininity from the Puerto Rican women and girls. I learned to show a little flair Anne. Let the women there braid your hair!!! We are daughters of the King after all!!!!
Peace and Joy of the Lord to you all.
Love, Elizabeth
Haircuts around the world Oh you guys are so wonderful Anne and Tom and Olivia!!! I used to chase Erik around the yard with a scissors in Puerto Rico to cut his hair. He was two years old. Did I already tell you that? Anyway, I know our neighbors thought I was loco( Spanish for crazy)!!! Erik's hair was not so great that year! Love those children and the monkeys! I miss you Anne. You will be coming home in about 10 weeks. Can you believe it?
memories Anne, your latest blog reminds me of my time in Liberia so many years go when I used to be fascinated with how gorgeous the women (and their children) looked in their native dress and complicated hair do's on Sunday morning as they walked to church, sometimes miles out of the bush into the town. It was also such a treat to watch them braid each other's hair, 3 or 4 sitting on the stairs, with the top woman braiding the woman sitting below her, and so on to the last woman. It would take hours sometimes, and such bonding and chatter and togetherness was all part of the ritual. It also used to amaze me how beautiful the women looked when you saw their homes and the poverty in which they lived, yet wrap a turban or 'lappa' (the long cloth they use as a dress or wrap-around) with some flair and they were stunning. They had such regal poise as well (probably from carrying heavy loads on their heads to the market in town). Dressing up for church was the done thing and almost obligatory, I think it was their way of showing respect for each other (maybe a little competition too!) as well as respect for the church. And could they sing!! Harmony seemed to be in their blood. Again, the pictures you are posting are delightful, the children are so beautiful and this experience will stay with you a long time. Take care and best to all of you.
Friendly Monkeys The monkey's are about as friendly as a minnesota squirel. You can throw them an apple but I wouldn't put it in their mouth. I did try to give one a cookie...it wouldn't take it from my hand but slapped it out of my hand and grabbed it off the ground.
Hi all,
Just wanted you to know that every few days Margaret and I are following along on your adventures. Hope David will start putting on some weight soon and that Lillian will also thrive. I'm sure when it comes time for you to go, it will be very hard to leave all these little ones behind. We keep you and your work in our prayers.
Love, Ginny
Hello! Crying and upset,I completley understand. I do the same ting everytime I get a bad hair cut.
I have too say even with bad haircuts the kids are so darn cute. It must be so fun too be in thier daily lives and too help them with the little things.
Question: ARe the monkeys in the village friendly ? Can you feed them ?
I would love too be able to go outside and see these guys every day.
Jen Mulligan
Your son's TZ travels Brian, We will be leaving here shortly before Christmas so will not be here in January when your son arrives. If I were to recommend three things that he do, it would be the ones he has planned. I'm sure he'll have a very good time. And of course people are always welcome to visit the baby home. If he wants to do this let us know and we can provide the contact information. Anne
Thank You Elizabeth, Thank you for your all of your comments to our website. I always enjoy reading what you write. I hope you find for yourselves an opportunity to serve again. I can hear that restless stirring which precedes it for those of us who listen. The video Tom did of the children singing to Alex was as much a gift for me as it was for Alex. Tom is so creative and thoughtful. We got a 4 week old baby named Laurence yesterday. He is a beautiful and healthy baby. Mom is HIV + and is not to breast feed, and of course she cannot afford formula. It was so sad for me to see her come in and hand over her baby. How does one cope with that, her name is Lillian. Breaks your heart. Anne
Unbelievable Ministry, Unbelievable Faith We believers are still often in awe of the faith and ministry of others. I will pray for David. Thank you Tom, Anne and Olivia. You are doing all that God has called you to do and more. I hope to follow in your footsteps one day. Your work is so different than the work we did in Puerto Rico and it was so long ago. I feel the urge to stop the maddness here and join you however I must wait until I figure things out. I can not wait to see you all once you are back home. God speed.
Thank you and God Be With You All!!!! What beautful music to hear from so far away!!! The voices of the children made my heart sing!!!! Thank you so much! What wonderful ideas you have! Bless you and the beautiful children!!!
How long are you folks there? Anne, I am interested in how long you are going to be there. My son, a Junior at Pacific Lutheran University, will be spending his January term with a group from his university in Tanzania. I know they are traveling through the countryside and will be climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro, safari into the Ngorongoro Crater and spend some time in Zanzibar.
Any travel suggestions for him?
Brian J. Bergs
NorthPoint
Minneapolis, MN
The following journal and photos are an account of the Keller Wolf journey and mission to The Cradle of Love Baby Home in Usa River, Tanzania.... full info
Deb
non-member comment
thank you
Thank you for taking us on this journey with you. I know that there were times when it was extremely difficult to get to the internet due to logistical issues, fatigue, whatever. Your efforts are, and have been, truly appreciated! Welcome Home!