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Published: April 29th 2007
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Our House
Front porch... Dear faithful supporters,
We are so thankful for your prayers and financial support which sustain us as we work here in Tanzania. God continues to bless our family with health and amazing blessings unfolding in a fashion which seen to cry out for His providence.
After being in the country for merely a week, we secured a house to rent at a very good price. Brent and Julie had done so much house hunting for themselves, that they were able to immediately point us to some choices. They have so graciously allowed six Jensens to live with them during our beginning days in this beautiful country.
The title which appears above is dramatically etched in our minds as we reflect upon some events of the past few days. Our first Sunday at the Kilimanjaro church of Christ was a wonderful experience. We were warmly greeted by the brothers and sisters and we all rejoiced together as two precious souls were baptized into Christ after morning services. Life on the mission field is a matter of life - newness of life! And how wonderful to witness the beginning of new life in Christ.
When we awoke
Our House
Back of the house Friday morning with thoughts of our trip to Arusha, no one imagined our day would end as it did. The two entire Richardson and Jensen families piled into one Land Cruiser and headed for Arusha - a drive of just over one hour. The first order of business was to attempt getting our passports stamped. With our residence permit in hand we searched and found the appropriate office. After waiting some time we had them stamped. We did not have a copy of the permit to leave with them, so we drove and found a small shop which had a copy machine, then returned later to drop the copy off. We also had hopes of getting our TZ drivers licenses. However, after standing in line for quite a while, without any apparent reason, the official behind the desk locked a file cabinet and left. I was able to ask him a quick question as he walked away to find out what paperwork we would need, so all was not in vain.
Some restaurants do not open until noon, so we fit in some shopping. Joy was able to purchase some minimal kitchen items to use while we wait for
Our House
Front of the house our container to arrive. We enjoyed a wonderful light sandwich lunch at a cafe which the Richardson’s recommended. To my delight, nearby was an ice cream shop. I was more than happy to “splurge” and treat everyone to an ice cream. Loved ones - I will be fine in Africa : )
The Andrew Connally School of Preaching in located on the outskirts of Arusha, while the Kilimanjaro church is in Moshi. There exists a friendly rivalry between the two locations in the sport of soccer. Following our lunch we rendezvoused with the other team members at a high school. The soccer match was fun to watch. Jacob did real well for his first time. Arusha came out on top 5 to 2.
After the game, we were following John Hall’s vehicle back to ACSOP. Not far from the school we came upon his vehicle, and saw a group of students all huddled around a man upon the ground. It was one of the first year students, Moses, who had passed out. Many were calling out his name - “Moses, Moses” - to no avail. When I arrived I could see his eyes rolled back and half open.
Our House
Guest house He was laid back into the vehicle and rushed to a nearby “clinic” which was nothing more than a building with a bed, and a lady with a stethoscope. We were in Brent’s vehicle when we received a cell call indicating Moses was not breathing. The shock and sadness of his death I cannot adequately convey in words. The rest of the late afternoon and evening was spent in trying to file a police report. Anthony took most of our group back to John Baker’s home, while Brent, John Hall, Jacob, Kelly, and I worked between the police station and the hospital where the body was taken. Eventually we all were together at the Baker’s home and then left for home. On this return, we had two additional passengers - Kelly, who during the week is at ACSOP, and John Hall, whose vehicle was taken back to Moshi earlier in the evening. Thirteen people in one Land Cruiser (not a troop carrier style) for one hour makes for “cozy” conditions.
As should be apparent, most of this account covers one day in the life of missionaries. Truly, life on the mission field is a matter of life and death.
Our House
Another view of the back of the house The events of the past week cause us to have an increased awareness of the need to evangelize before more souls slip into eternity. Thankfully, our brother Moses was a faithful brother in Christ. May each of us so live, as to be found faithful in the service of our Master.
In Christ’s service,
George
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Elena_Alexia
Elena
7th Heaven of our days...
Hi members of the Jensen family, just wanna wish u good luck in ur mission and all the best from Bucharest, Romania... I was browsing through here and I noticed ur blog.. u are a lovely family.. actually u remind me of that family in TV series "7th Heaven" that I used to watch when I was a kid...take care!