I will keep your family in my prayers Tom, I am a co-worker of Anne's at NorthPoint. I will keep you and your family in my prayers. My father passed away last year at age 80 from lung cancer. (As everyone asks, no he wasn't a smoker). It is a tough battle, he beat the odds and lived for almost 4 years after the diagnosis.
But when things started to turn sour, it went faster than I anticipated. Several family members were with him at the last. The chaplain came in and read a lesson. We all individually said our good-byes (he had been unresponsive for 12 hours but we said them anyway). The final person was a close friend of ours who finished her good-bye by saying "Just take the hand of Jesus." Amazingly it was at that moment that we noticed he stopped breathing. It was all a very moving experience and touched everyone who was there with a lot of grace. Our hope as Christians is in the Lord and the Lord will sustain us even in our deepest sorrow.
May God grant comfort to you and your family.
Brian J. Bergs
Minneapolis, MN
Kari Thanks for the comment and the kind words about my mum. I haven't been working out...no bike...unsafe roads...I miss it and want to start training in January. I am thinking a half marathon and at least one longer tri and a few others this season. See you at the Y.
Sorry for your loss Hey Tom, sorry for the loss of your mother-so hard when you are away. Life goes on at the Y much like everyday-they have quite an energetic chinese girl filling in for you-total sweetheart. I enjoyed cathing up on your posts-it's been beautiful biking weather-but nothing quite so cool as what you and the family are doing there in Tanzania. All my best, and a prayer for comfort in your loss
kari
Praise God for Life and for the Resurrection What a beautiful story about the service, tea and cakes for your Mother's Tanzanian Memorial Service. The photos are again priceless and I can not wait to hear more about the monkeys!!! You are such a wonderful family! Tell Olivia I will send her a message soon. She is so beautiful!
Elizabeth
Thank you and God bless you Dear Anne and Tom. Thank you for the wonderful updates. Your experiences are so amazing! You are meeting so many people! It is good you are going to some beautiful places and getting plenty of fresh air too!
Again, I am so sorry about your mother Tom. I continue to pray for all of you.
Be well and know that God is with you.
Hugs.
Elizabeth
Thank you all for all the kind words and prayers for our family after my mom died. I can't tell you how hard it was to be so far away. There has been so much comfort to all of us that we've connected to all throught this blog and email. Thanks again.
Pictures Thanks everyone for your comments on the pictures. I will post more but the internet is sooooooooo slow here. I feel like I am back on dial up. I want to post at least one photo of each child here. I really like the one of Simon I posted this morning.
The monkeys sounds lpretty entertaining. The pics of the children are adorable.
I was glad to hear that you had a ceremony for your mother. I'm sure the bishop made you feel more at peace with her death.
Can't wait to hear about more of your adventure !
Take care all three of you!
Jen Mulligan
Prayers and Thoughts Tom, I was sorry to hear about your mom's death. I hope that you find comfort in knowing that so many people here are praying for you and your family as you do such good work there in Africa. I think that your mother would be very proud of you.
Someone brings up your name at least once a week at spinning class. We miss your style and song selections. The woman who is taking your classes is somewhat hard to understand and she plays tecno-workout music with no words. I appreciate her efforts but I hope that you will return when you get back to the states.
Your Mom Tom - I am so sorry to learn about your Mom's death. She was such a vital, energetic woman. (Your blog really has served to bring people together.) I am certain that she was proud of you to take this challenging journey in your life and loved the fact you are sharing your lives to make the lives of others better.
Olivia - I have a sense of how you may be feeling. I was away at college when my grandmother died. She was so strong and so vibrant - and then she was was gone so suddenly. I spent a Christmas with your grandmother and she was so sweet. She was so proud of you - and this is many years ago. your adventure in Tanzania cannot be imagined by those who are not with you.
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you! And I am so proud (and jealous) of you of your African sojourn!
Love, Chip
Condolences Tom: You are in our thoughts and prayers. I know what it's like to lose your Mom. She wanted you to be right where you are, though I know it's difficult. Take care of those kids - they need you!! Deb and Kathleen.
Always here for you Enjoyed reading your blogs. Always interesting to see things through others eyes and feelings. Be assured that we are here for you. If you are feeling overwhelmed, sad, homesick--come and have a chat. It took me YEARS to get used to living overseas. Sometimes I still get fed up with it all and feel far away from where I grew up.
Davona
Your Mom Tom, Anne and Olivia: Wow, what a lot of bad news! I know it is hard to stay there when your Mom is sick, but there's never a good time to go, quite frankly. You've done so much good already. Keep up the good work, and know that you all are in our thoughts and prayers. Deb and Kathleen.
Just wanted to say Hi ! Tom and family,
I am so sorry to hear about your mother. I also believe that she knows in her heart that you and your family said your good byes and although you are not there too hear the words I am sure your heart is telling you how much she loves all of you and has found peace with her last days.
I hope your travels are going well and that this your trip has lead you too many friendly faces. Thank you for sharing your experiences with me, It sounds amazing.
Take care !
Jen Mulligan
Tom's mother Helen Dear Tom, I have not met you. I met Anne at the clinic in June. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time. I will pray that you are comforted and that your mother will go to heaven peacefully. Thank God for the resurrection even in your grief. The Lord is with you. Go in peace.
Elizabeth Skinner
Annie !!!! how wonderful, the babies are beautiful!!! The whole experience must be mind blowing!! Of all the people I know, you would be the one to believe in this and follow through...Please stay safe, and share the love, its so easy isn't it !!! love and hugs judy
Jevne1578@gmail.com OLIVIA ! i miss you soo much! i hope your having fun in africa and i hope you come back soon! english hb and french are sooo boring without you!!!! e-mail me if you can sometime. if you don't have my e-mail thats totally o.k. <3 you!!!
~Jevne~
Feeding Babies Breathtaking words that bring the images to one's mind and precious unspeakably beautiful photos that stir one's heart. I am so blessed and privileged to know you Anne. Thank you for the words and photos Tom. I am so moved that you are feeding and gazing upon the faces of these tiny little ones. The photo of Anne with Cory is priceless. God bless you all. I hope Olivia is doing well. I sent an email to you today Anne.
Love and hugs. Elizabeth
Prayers for All of You! I just read your beautiful message from 9/23 Anne! I also just sent you an email. You are wonderful writer! Do take it easy and let God wrap you in the loving arms of our Saviour. Your heart is so beautiful. Pray for strength and peace to do all that God is planning to do through you. I am so proud of Olivia!!! violet is blessed to know Olivia!! You have made a difference of cosmic proportions in your short time at the home already. This I am certain of. God speed.
Elizabeth
Hello Anne, it was so good to hear your comments. We are relieved that you arrived safely and are only tired. I remember once in Japan waking up after sleeping presumably all night and finding that it was only 11:30 PM.
I need to tell our neighbor about your work. She has coordinated a number of St. Paul Lutheran groups that go through Arusha to Iringa. She spents several months in Tanzania every year. She brings back wonderful cloth and finely woven baskets without handles. Have you seen them? If you see things that the bookstore should/could sell. Let me know.
Take care and love,
Susan and Gordon
Culture Shock Anne, Tom and Olivia:
You certainly are feeling the effects of culture shock, especially with the traffic! And it is so sad to see babies dying. I hope you are able to take at least a little time each day to try to re-center yourselves as it will be necessary for the long haul of the next several months. Good luck and keep us posted!
Deb
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
Brian Bergs
non-member comment
I will keep your family in my prayers
Tom, I am a co-worker of Anne's at NorthPoint. I will keep you and your family in my prayers. My father passed away last year at age 80 from lung cancer. (As everyone asks, no he wasn't a smoker). It is a tough battle, he beat the odds and lived for almost 4 years after the diagnosis. But when things started to turn sour, it went faster than I anticipated. Several family members were with him at the last. The chaplain came in and read a lesson. We all individually said our good-byes (he had been unresponsive for 12 hours but we said them anyway). The final person was a close friend of ours who finished her good-bye by saying "Just take the hand of Jesus." Amazingly it was at that moment that we noticed he stopped breathing. It was all a very moving experience and touched everyone who was there with a lot of grace. Our hope as Christians is in the Lord and the Lord will sustain us even in our deepest sorrow. May God grant comfort to you and your family. Brian J. Bergs Minneapolis, MN