Monday, March 23, 2009: We left the school of preaching at 7:30 this morning. Kamarabi was our driver and he drove us to Moshi. That is about 40 miles, maybe, but it took us quite a while to get there. Around Arusha and Maji Ya Chai it's really green and tropical, but just a little ways farther it turns into what you picture Africa as-- desert. We saw a lot of homes that didn't have windows, doors, roofs. The reason is, if you have a lot of money (or any money) you are automatically obligated to give some to your relatives if they ask it of you. So many people start to build a house with their money. Then they run out and can't finish it, but they don't have money left when their family ... read more

Saturday, March 21, 2009: It is hard to believe we have been gone a whole week! The time has absolutely flown by! (I want to get these published, so I'm going to cut my writing a little bit short) We studied with the Muslim lady again this morning, then Paulina, Mom, Lauren and I went to the very edge of Maji Ya Chai and studied with an older lady. She didn't want to get baptized right then, but we were planting the seed! And it makes you feel great! That study lasted for a very long time and by the time we were finished, it was about 1 o'clock in the afternoon. We went back for lunch (I DID eat it today :-P) and the men started their classes and the women started their classes and ... read more

Thursday, March 19, 2009:Thursday, March 19, 2009 Today was an wonderful day! We had another study with the Muslims today and we ask Rod to help us....just in case. So when we went to his house, it was Rod, his translator Emmanuel, Mom and I. The man was really curious about baptism, so Rod explained it to him for about an hour. Rod is really able to make things so clear! The man wanted to know more before he accepted the gospel, so we set up a study for the next day. Then we went back with our regular team. Paulina and Maddie joined us, as well as Abigail Gee. She and her twin sister, Lindsey came to help us today. Their parents, Jimmy and Trina, are missionaries here. I didn't mention the other teams! I'm ... read more

Tuesday, March 17, 2009: Our second day in TZ! I could write a book on it! It started out very much like the first day. We went back to Moniqua's house, and studied again. Then, we ask if she was ready to accept God's word and be baptized. She was! I was so fired up. :-P The Church at Maji Ya Chai doesn't have a baptistry, so Kamarabi drove us to Usa River, about 10 miles away. A lot of local Church members went with us. The well-worn baptistry was outside, and you fill it up with a garden hose. Talk about a long time! The preacher from Usa River baptized Moniqua--such a joyous moment! Well, during this time, Kamarabi had been called back to Maji Ya Chai, because someone was sick there. It turns ... read more

Sunday, March 15, 2009: We lost a few hours somewhere.....:-P We arrived at Amsterdam, Holland (another continent--yea!) about 7:30 and a couple hours later boarded our (last!) flight to TZ. I was lucky enough to get a window seat, and despite the fact that I was 40,000 ft. up in the air, I was able to see some significant landmarks, such as the Alps, the Mediterranean Sea and the Libyan/Sahara Desert. We arrived at Kilimanjaro Airport, Tanzania, AFRICA (!!!!!) about 8 pm. There's a 8 hour time difference between OK and TZ. (So for those of you who live in Central time, we arrived about the time y'all were getting out of Church). It was....HOT! Unfortunately, it was too dark to see anything. We obtained our visas and found all of our luggage (surprisingly it had ... read more