Well, we have our things in the courtyard ready to go. It seems so long ago that we departed from Concord and now we are departing from Arusha! The mission portion of this trip has been so enlightening. WE have enjoyed the relationships we made at Haven of Peace church in Dar and with the Delaughters in Arusha. Our third week allowed us the opportunity to be more of tourists. We saw some of the national parks, finally saw my giraffe (hundreds to be exact)and better understand the culture of the tribes which call Tanzania home! Bob and I celebrated our 32nd wedding anniversary by staying at the Arusha hotel. Wow, what a change from the Njiro Resort across the street from Delaughters! As we sat enjoying a delicious breakfast buffet in such a beautiful hotel we observed all the tourists coming and going. We commented that if "this - the Arusha Hotel" is what they see of Africa...they have missed so much of this amazing country. We thanked God for the opportunity to experience it ALL!
Thanks to our families for all the support and encouragement for this trip. We are excited to return and serve more faithfully in His service. We can't wait to see you all and share our 5000+ pictures!!! (ha ha). See you sometime on Sunday.
Connect Christian Church has partnered with ACM International missionaries in Arusha, TZ for the last five years.
Saturday, August 16, 2008
remembrances and goodbyes from Daryl
Wow, three weeks seems like such a long time when coming over, yet it went by so fast. What a trip we have had. We have been able to receive so many blessings from the people and church of Haven of Peace in Dar Es Salaam, we have learned so much from the DeLaughters and what the mission field is like and let's not even talk about that climb up Kilimanjaro. What an experience it has all been. Here we are all packed and ready to go, wrapping up as a team for the last time and back home to our families. Let me say a SPECIAL Thanks to my beautiful wife for allowing me to go and my awesome kids for being big helpers to Mommy while I was away. I love each of you so much (Paula, Nickolas and Miranda) you guys are my world. If anyone out there has never been on any type of mission trip, local or otherwise, I truly encourage you to go as soon as you can, it really helps open your eyes to what God is doing in this world. Thanks so much to Bob and Cheri Wallace for putting this together, it takes large amounts of work and they were dedicated to pull this off. The team did a great job of working together to make it happen. Pray for a safe return and we will see you soon.
On a side note, Byron, Dad wants you to know that after that post you made with the remarks about him, he is writing you out of his will. Neal and I are his favorites now. Just wanted to let you know. Bob Wallace is now working on him to take your place.
On a side note, Byron, Dad wants you to know that after that post you made with the remarks about him, he is writing you out of his will. Neal and I are his favorites now. Just wanted to let you know. Bob Wallace is now working on him to take your place.
Farwell from Affrica
Well it's the last morning and I have to say I ready to leave. I miss my family so much! Please keep us in your prayers as we are going to try and get an earlier flight. Neil is trying to change his flight to TX. I pray that our luggage is not too heavy. I will miss the Delaughters as they have been such gracious hoists. This will be a lifetime trip, both as a change of life for me, and so many wonderful memories. Yesterday was a shopping day, Nickki I have your stuff and you owe me $18.
For all those who wrote on the blog, thank you. It was wonderful to have notes from home. I pray we planted seeds here, so God can grow His kingdom. Bwana Asafiwi (Praise God)
For all those who wrote on the blog, thank you. It was wonderful to have notes from home. I pray we planted seeds here, so God can grow His kingdom. Bwana Asafiwi (Praise God)
Ready for home
With the last minute flurry of packing and weighing spinning around me, I can't help but think of home and the happy faces we will see. The anticipation of seeing my daughter, son-in-law, and three grandkids grows with each passing moment. But there is also a part of me that doesn't want to leave. I have fallen for the Africans here and the need for them to know Jesus. In the last few weeks, I've gotten to be a part of discussions of what it takes to be a church, help baptize 33 Masai villagers, preached, led some seminars on leadership, watched teammates teach practical applications from Scriptures, build lasting friendships, work together to build a water tower, see lots of paint hit the walls of an office (hopefully it hit the wall), take part in the planning of planting a new church in a local community, and have had a small part in mentoring a new pastor and praying for him with friends. What incredibly humbling experiences! To think that this team has had a part in the spreading of the Gospel to people who are so far away. . . amazing. I have loved working with the team God put together for this trip. Everyone worked hard at the projects, but more importantly in building relationships with the African people. They made themselves vulnerable and opened their hearts to make new friends that will last for the rest of their lives. We grew closer together as a team and as brothers and sisters in Christ. I am excited about how we will continue to work together to spread the Gospel at home. I know that our hearts have been changed by God and am thankful that He put this particular team together for this particular time. The team has been a shining reflection of Christ to a people who so desperately need to see Him. There is so much deception and untruth here. False teachings abound. We will continue to pray for Haven of Peace Christian Church, Alphonce and the elders there, Billy and Leah DeLaughter (missionaries in Arusha), Prosper (the new church plant minister) and the new church in Arusha, and the African people. I pray that God will allow us to return and see what he has accomplished through our humble efforts to serve our mighty God and loving Savior Jesus. I will be ever grateful to the team for allowing me to share in their experiences of service.
Bob
Bob
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Reflections from Mary Pat
Mary Pat King wrote:
I know it's been several days since my last post. It is amazing how fast time fly's here. I think I need a couple of more months here, ok David? We went on a safari to Arusha National park on Saturday. We went with Billy and Leaha, the missionaries we are staying with. We took a walking tour and got really close to the Buffalo, in fact I know several were thinking, MMMMMMM lunch is severed. Then we walked over to where the giraffe were and boy what beautiful animals they are. There were old ones new ones, pregnant ones. The whole trip was wonderful, beautiful, and amazing! Sunday we had church in Billy's home and Prosper (the new pastor Billy is menteroing) and a lady that will be joining his church. Please pray in that area, because they have a place maybe, to hold services. However the building is empty. This is a brand new church!
Sunday afternoon was a tragic day. We had gone to pic-and-pay to buy some water (we go through a lot of water here and we have to purchase it because the Arusha's water is toxic). As we left, Leigha was involved in a accident. The whole experience was scary! First a CROWD of people surrounded the car, all talking Swahili and the car was full of Mazongu (white people)! Leigha was scared and was talking to Billy, he was still at the house, Bobby and I went back to the pic-and-pay to get the store manager to call the police. Well if I knew then what I know now, that never would have happened. You see if they take you to the police station, there is a chance you will end up spending the night in jail. That was not going to happen. A police man got in the car and Leigha was trying to tell him we had to pick up her husband, and he kept saying no: go to station. I know how these people view the old people so I said: Old man, must go home. I was talking about Daryle Huffmans dad. He owes me one for that. Anyway the police changed his mine and we were able to pick up Billy and drop off Bobby. After all said and done, Billy had to pay the guy $100, even though it was the other guys fault. This is such a corrupt nation! Now Billy has to get his car fixed as power steering fluid is leaking from his car. Please pray for the mechanic to be just and not corrupt.
On Monday Cheri, Bobby, and myself went to Marangu. This is a higher altitude, and we toured the rain forest. We also went to the base camp for one of the trails up to Kilimanjaro. We stayed at a little house converted to rooms to sleep. Now you have to understand and that there is NO heat, a toilet that didn't flush, and I shower there was no way I was using. Hot water was not readily available. You had to wait till the owner turned on the water heater, and then you get warm water, maybe. NO problem though as my standards are so less. The scenery was so worth it. We got to see two beautiful waterfalls. On the smaller one a guy jumped in from a cliff. The bigger one had a statue of "Mother Africa" at the top. At both falls I was in the water, as I am a fish and love water. Adnon our tour guide, does not like it when his clients are in semi-dangerous situations. Any way on the larger fall, I was across the water to the other side, in no time. I laid out on two rocks and fell asleep. David we are so retiring bye a lake! Carson and Casey you would have loved this place, it's better than Gattlingburg. I wanted to build a rock formation like we did there. I miss all of you sooo much. Back to the story, we left there on Tuesday and hung around Marango waiting for Kilimanjaro to get out of the clouds, needless to say we never got to see it. We came back to Billy's to find out wonderful news, Leigha is pregnant! Wednesday we went into town for grocery shopping at Shoperite. (David does Delhaize own this?) We went to a home made chocolate place and I was in heaven. After indulging in some sweets, we left to go back "home" because the climbers were due back. It was great to see them again but boy did they stink. All the boys had scraggy beards and Deanna looked like I've had enough let me die now. After they all cleaned up we went to dinner at Stinkys and got to hear all about their climb. It was so amazing to listen to all the tales. I'm glad I did not go! So today Thursday, we are all getting massage's at $6.00 for one hour. Wow David I could get one a week at that cost. Glenna do you think Theresa will lower her cost?? Today after massages, we are going into town to do some shopping, David don't freak out. I'm looking for Tanzanight! Love to all and please keep us in your prayers. There are two Muslim family's we are trying to minister to, and prayer always helps.
I know it's been several days since my last post. It is amazing how fast time fly's here. I think I need a couple of more months here, ok David? We went on a safari to Arusha National park on Saturday. We went with Billy and Leaha, the missionaries we are staying with. We took a walking tour and got really close to the Buffalo, in fact I know several were thinking, MMMMMMM lunch is severed. Then we walked over to where the giraffe were and boy what beautiful animals they are. There were old ones new ones, pregnant ones. The whole trip was wonderful, beautiful, and amazing! Sunday we had church in Billy's home and Prosper (the new pastor Billy is menteroing) and a lady that will be joining his church. Please pray in that area, because they have a place maybe, to hold services. However the building is empty. This is a brand new church!
Sunday afternoon was a tragic day. We had gone to pic-and-pay to buy some water (we go through a lot of water here and we have to purchase it because the Arusha's water is toxic). As we left, Leigha was involved in a accident. The whole experience was scary! First a CROWD of people surrounded the car, all talking Swahili and the car was full of Mazongu (white people)! Leigha was scared and was talking to Billy, he was still at the house, Bobby and I went back to the pic-and-pay to get the store manager to call the police. Well if I knew then what I know now, that never would have happened. You see if they take you to the police station, there is a chance you will end up spending the night in jail. That was not going to happen. A police man got in the car and Leigha was trying to tell him we had to pick up her husband, and he kept saying no: go to station. I know how these people view the old people so I said: Old man, must go home. I was talking about Daryle Huffmans dad. He owes me one for that. Anyway the police changed his mine and we were able to pick up Billy and drop off Bobby. After all said and done, Billy had to pay the guy $100, even though it was the other guys fault. This is such a corrupt nation! Now Billy has to get his car fixed as power steering fluid is leaking from his car. Please pray for the mechanic to be just and not corrupt.
On Monday Cheri, Bobby, and myself went to Marangu. This is a higher altitude, and we toured the rain forest. We also went to the base camp for one of the trails up to Kilimanjaro. We stayed at a little house converted to rooms to sleep. Now you have to understand and that there is NO heat, a toilet that didn't flush, and I shower there was no way I was using. Hot water was not readily available. You had to wait till the owner turned on the water heater, and then you get warm water, maybe. NO problem though as my standards are so less. The scenery was so worth it. We got to see two beautiful waterfalls. On the smaller one a guy jumped in from a cliff. The bigger one had a statue of "Mother Africa" at the top. At both falls I was in the water, as I am a fish and love water. Adnon our tour guide, does not like it when his clients are in semi-dangerous situations. Any way on the larger fall, I was across the water to the other side, in no time. I laid out on two rocks and fell asleep. David we are so retiring bye a lake! Carson and Casey you would have loved this place, it's better than Gattlingburg. I wanted to build a rock formation like we did there. I miss all of you sooo much. Back to the story, we left there on Tuesday and hung around Marango waiting for Kilimanjaro to get out of the clouds, needless to say we never got to see it. We came back to Billy's to find out wonderful news, Leigha is pregnant! Wednesday we went into town for grocery shopping at Shoperite. (David does Delhaize own this?) We went to a home made chocolate place and I was in heaven. After indulging in some sweets, we left to go back "home" because the climbers were due back. It was great to see them again but boy did they stink. All the boys had scraggy beards and Deanna looked like I've had enough let me die now. After they all cleaned up we went to dinner at Stinkys and got to hear all about their climb. It was so amazing to listen to all the tales. I'm glad I did not go! So today Thursday, we are all getting massage's at $6.00 for one hour. Wow David I could get one a week at that cost. Glenna do you think Theresa will lower her cost?? Today after massages, we are going into town to do some shopping, David don't freak out. I'm looking for Tanzanight! Love to all and please keep us in your prayers. There are two Muslim family's we are trying to minister to, and prayer always helps.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Monday morning in Arusha
Just a quick note to fill you in on our happenings. As most know, half our team left on Thursday afternoon. They arrived home safely. I'm sure some of them might fill in this blog to give you some of their experiences. On Friday morning, Bob, Daryl, Neal and Deanna started their climb up Kilimanjaro. We heard from them on Friday night with a text message that all was well and that it was "incredible". That is the last communication we have had from them. Last evening (Sunday), our tour planner, Adnaan called me. He began his discussion with "Bob has had a bit of a problem with his ?????????" My heart sank, I told him I couldn't hear what he said. He repeated, "Bob has had a bit of a problem with his PHONE". You can imagine my relief! He said all were doing well. They had arrived at the climatization camp. They will spend quite a few hours "resting" and adjusting to the altitude. This is an important stop to ensure summit. They will leave at midnight tonight (5pm Eastern time), traveling rather quickly so as to summit at dawn. Then they will stay only a few minutes and begin their descent. They will not stop hiking till dinner, Tuesday, arriving at a safe altitude for rest. This will be their killer day - so keep them in your prayers.
The rest of of have a much easier time of it! On Saturday we traveled with the Delaughters (missionaries here in Arusha) to the Arusha game park. It is very different than Ngorongoro crater. This new park was in the rain forest and is very green and lush. The beauty of this park is that it has GIRAFFES! That was my goal for this trip and it was so amazing to see them. I have MANY pictures to share with you!!! Sunday was church with Prosper and his new church. It was great. Alphonce, pastor with Haven of Peace Christian Church in Dar is arriving today to help Prosper with his church plant. I'm sure Alphonce will be a wonderful support to Prosper and will be able to describe the "church" from the native perspective. We are excited to see what God has planned for them.
After church we went to do a little shopping and had quite the experience. Leah was driving with just us and we had a little fender bender coming out of "pick and pay". Suddenly, there was quite a crowd that appeared around the "mzungu" (white people) car. That naturally means....money! They tried to help, all with a hand out! We couldn't get Billy, Nafisa or Juzer to answer the phone. We ran back into the "pick and pay" and asked the muslim owner to come (they have become friends with the Delaughters). He did so with no hesitation and helped to argue our battle. The police came and one of them was going to ride with us to the police station. We requested that we needed to return to the house to get Billy, but he refused. Finally, Mary Pat insisted that Bob Huffman (Daryl's dad) needed to return to the house! They have an enormous amount of respect for their elders and we are learning to use that...obviously to our advantage. Once we returned, Mary Pat and Bob went in to stay with the children. I went with Billy, Leah and police to the station. While traveling, Leah texted EVERYONE she knew for prayers. Once we arrived, they talked about impounding the car until it could be "inspected", which could take several days. Billy said he wasn't comfortable leaving his car - those there looked like they truly been "inspected" - stripped! The police officer said to walk with him and look at the damage to the other car, that was a sign that we might be able to negotiate! Billy asked what he could do to avoid leaving his vehicle and they agreed that if he paid the other party $100, it could all be avoided. So it was! Trust me that the other party had much more than $100 damage to his vehicle, but it still was driveable so he would surely pocket the $100 (less what he paid to the police officer)! All was quite an experience...one that we will not soon forget. We returned to the house a little shaken but relieved to have our car! Mary Pat was busy making brownies to drown our woes in chocolate. Nafisa arrived quickly - sorry that she had missed all our calls of panic. She painted our hands with henna, enjoyed brownies and ice cream and popcorn. Not a very healthy dinner but quite comforting!!! Then we played PIT!
Today we are leaving for an overnight trip to the Marangu base camp (Kilimanjaro) to experience a little of the mountain and its people. We will be staying in a hotel unlike the hikers in their tents!! But, we will hike to the waterfalls and caves. I'm sure the Delaughters will be glad for a little down-time with us gone for one night. They have been so welcoming to us!
We will post when we return. Love you all.
Cheri
The rest of of have a much easier time of it! On Saturday we traveled with the Delaughters (missionaries here in Arusha) to the Arusha game park. It is very different than Ngorongoro crater. This new park was in the rain forest and is very green and lush. The beauty of this park is that it has GIRAFFES! That was my goal for this trip and it was so amazing to see them. I have MANY pictures to share with you!!! Sunday was church with Prosper and his new church. It was great. Alphonce, pastor with Haven of Peace Christian Church in Dar is arriving today to help Prosper with his church plant. I'm sure Alphonce will be a wonderful support to Prosper and will be able to describe the "church" from the native perspective. We are excited to see what God has planned for them.
After church we went to do a little shopping and had quite the experience. Leah was driving with just us and we had a little fender bender coming out of "pick and pay". Suddenly, there was quite a crowd that appeared around the "mzungu" (white people) car. That naturally means....money! They tried to help, all with a hand out! We couldn't get Billy, Nafisa or Juzer to answer the phone. We ran back into the "pick and pay" and asked the muslim owner to come (they have become friends with the Delaughters). He did so with no hesitation and helped to argue our battle. The police came and one of them was going to ride with us to the police station. We requested that we needed to return to the house to get Billy, but he refused. Finally, Mary Pat insisted that Bob Huffman (Daryl's dad) needed to return to the house! They have an enormous amount of respect for their elders and we are learning to use that...obviously to our advantage. Once we returned, Mary Pat and Bob went in to stay with the children. I went with Billy, Leah and police to the station. While traveling, Leah texted EVERYONE she knew for prayers. Once we arrived, they talked about impounding the car until it could be "inspected", which could take several days. Billy said he wasn't comfortable leaving his car - those there looked like they truly been "inspected" - stripped! The police officer said to walk with him and look at the damage to the other car, that was a sign that we might be able to negotiate! Billy asked what he could do to avoid leaving his vehicle and they agreed that if he paid the other party $100, it could all be avoided. So it was! Trust me that the other party had much more than $100 damage to his vehicle, but it still was driveable so he would surely pocket the $100 (less what he paid to the police officer)! All was quite an experience...one that we will not soon forget. We returned to the house a little shaken but relieved to have our car! Mary Pat was busy making brownies to drown our woes in chocolate. Nafisa arrived quickly - sorry that she had missed all our calls of panic. She painted our hands with henna, enjoyed brownies and ice cream and popcorn. Not a very healthy dinner but quite comforting!!! Then we played PIT!
Today we are leaving for an overnight trip to the Marangu base camp (Kilimanjaro) to experience a little of the mountain and its people. We will be staying in a hotel unlike the hikers in their tents!! But, we will hike to the waterfalls and caves. I'm sure the Delaughters will be glad for a little down-time with us gone for one night. They have been so welcoming to us!
We will post when we return. Love you all.
Cheri
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Pictures!!!
Nikki Rainey Wrote:- It is soo bitter sweet being home. I loved being able to take a 20 min hot shower, sleeping in my own bed, eatting greasy food, and watching the Olympics. But I miss Africa. It will take a while to to get back into the swing of things, I pray that it takes a long time- as to not forget.
A few of us will post our 'closing thoughts' once we get setteled in, but by popular demand, I am posting a few pictures I have.:) If you want more, e-mail me (thewedplanner@hotmail.com)
And sorry Bob- but I thought everyone should share in the laughter :)
A few of us will post our 'closing thoughts' once we get setteled in, but by popular demand, I am posting a few pictures I have.:) If you want more, e-mail me (thewedplanner@hotmail.com)
And sorry Bob- but I thought everyone should share in the laughter :)
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