On Wednesday Kendra and I returned to Unga to prayer walk and talk to some of those who attended the TOT last week.
We arrived at the church and there was a different seminar taking place, so we parked and talked to the pastor a bit. He raved and raved and shared that he had only heard good things about the TOT. That made me excited, to hear that people are sharing stories about what they have learned!
We then went and talked to Mama Diwani and she told us that they had selected a committee! This is the first step for them starting their own CHE program! It was exciting. She also mentioned they were gonna meet this coming monday to talk strategy and let us know what they want to do! You know what this means folks? It means that they get it. It means they realize this is theirs and that we are tools. This is totally cool.
On Thursday Tami and I went back for another walk. This time we went to a different part of Unga and visited some of the mama's that I had known months ago. Mama Jackson has still moved away but that doesn't mean I can't stay connected to those I met through her. We visited Mama Zumra and she insisted we eat. She through together some Ugali and some fish and we ate. I wrestle with this part of the culture. Regardless of who visits, they will cook, and well, knowing that I have just eaten lunch I hate for her to make a meal, as I am full, and i know there are days, many days that people in this community wonder what "to feel full" seems like.
On our walks this week we learned of a health concern for the kiddos. It appears that Chicken Pox is working its way through the schools. A few of the classes in the schools in Unga are just not meeting, because SO MANY kids have Chicken pox. Pray that they heal quickly, and that they can keep from spreading it. Pray for those kids who are HIV positive who are battling Chicken Pox, pray for those who aren't. I know this is a normal childhood illness in the USA, but any illness here is more dangerous because of the lack of healthcare.
Friday, November 30, 2007
Friday, November 23, 2007
Its only just begun...
Yesterday was the final day of our week long Training of Trainers for a new Urban Poor CHE project in Unga Limited. It was another good day with a lot of discussion, ideas, and inspiration as a group of people who have nothing want to use what they have to minister to others. I am floored by this group of women, and encouraged by the two men that also attended the entire week.
We ended our day asking them to develop a plan of action. We challenged them that if they want to start a ministry they need to be strategic and think it through. We gave them a few ideas and sent them off into small groups. I filled with excitement as those groups buzzed with energy about what they can do. We cam back together, and they shared, and they said they wanted to do CHE, and that they were ready to develop a committee and select trainers. We encouraged them to do so and told them we would help them in any way.
We then proceeded to close out the day, bless them, give our thanks and receive theirs. There was singing, dancing, gifts and prayer. It was precious. As we were closing out, I was encouraged as one of the key women in the group asked the others to stay late so they could select a committee and a group of trainers. I smiled huge.
We ended our day asking them to develop a plan of action. We challenged them that if they want to start a ministry they need to be strategic and think it through. We gave them a few ideas and sent them off into small groups. I filled with excitement as those groups buzzed with energy about what they can do. We cam back together, and they shared, and they said they wanted to do CHE, and that they were ready to develop a committee and select trainers. We encouraged them to do so and told them we would help them in any way.
We then proceeded to close out the day, bless them, give our thanks and receive theirs. There was singing, dancing, gifts and prayer. It was precious. As we were closing out, I was encouraged as one of the key women in the group asked the others to stay late so they could select a committee and a group of trainers. I smiled huge.
Thursday, November 22, 2007
A marathon day...but yet another good one!
No pictures today folks, but then again, today was more of the same...small groups...short drama's, and discovery. I begged our other teachers to allow me to leave early today for a gathering of Americans to celebrate Thanksgiving...I got my wish, but that meant I did the opening, and taught both morning sessions, back to back. It was loads of fun to share with them the importance of prayer and how many people had already been praying for them, and to encourage them to do the same in their future ministry. Then we talked about mapping and discovering all there is to discover about their community. Ultimately we would like to know everything that we can know, what schools are there, how many, are they good, where are the drugs, where are the street kids hanging, which areas are most affected by crime, are their clinics? witchdoctors? you know...everything.
It was a fun, and like I said marathon day. I can't believe that tomorrow is our last day, and honestly, that I am done "teaching." for the week! My job tomorrow is not to teach but to spur on, and to develop a plan of action with the group. It too should be fun!
It was a fun, and like I said marathon day. I can't believe that tomorrow is our last day, and honestly, that I am done "teaching." for the week! My job tomorrow is not to teach but to spur on, and to develop a plan of action with the group. It too should be fun!
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
What beautiful feet!
I know, I know it is so cliche' but really, these are beautiful feet! They are feet that desire nothing more than to know Jesus and follow Him, to bring Him to their community. These particular feet walked easily a couple miles today, just to get to the training...Today was another incredible day! We had a guest teacher, for the whole day, which was good, as I was still tired from the last two days! I was amazed as I watched Dr. Declare share from his heart and with all of his being about how God has equipped them to change their lives, and how God views people with HIV/AIDS and about how they should. It was fun to watch their minds and thinking be transformed a bit...as well as to watch them continue to share and learn and grow together. Today we had more skits, more small groups, more lessons, and well just more of everything! It was another jam packed day of learning, and growing, and yes, it was so very fun! Who would have thought that sitting in a week long seminar could be so fun!
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Can it get any better?
Today was an AMAZING day!
We started relatively on-time, and I admit, that culturally, I was the only one who cared! I was excited as those who attended yesterday all came back eager to learn, eager to get started.
I love watching Lorivi teach! Lorivi is a Tanzanian who honestly knows more about CHE than I do, and he has an amazing way of reaching his own people. It is so refreshing to watch him teach and challenge and joke and celebrate with other Tanzanians. Lorivi is a key part of our ministries using CHE, such a key part that we are realizing we need another Lorivi as ministries expand and grow there isn't enough of him to go around!
It is also thrilling to watch the trainees break off into small groups and learn from each other, coming up with solutions on their own, without us having to feed them the information. It gives them great confidence in their own abilities when we pose a strange question to them and they come up with solutions...yes folks...multiple solutions!
It is also loads of fun to watch those being trained teach each other through skits, and sharing of what they have discovered in their small groups. This is fun because in their mind, learning is done with pen and paper, and the teacher just spoon feeds them, to have them encounter and embrace a new style of learning is fun.
I had the last teaching of the day, and I have to tell you I got goose-bumps as I noticed their eyes begin to light up. The lesson I was doing was a lesson of how to go about starting this ministry in their area, and they immediately sat upright in their chairs, and their faces woke up (it was after lunch, we were all looking a little tired up to this point) and as I shared I could feel the energy in the room increase. It was fun. Really fun. It was also really fun to see them understanding and asking, "so when do we start?"
Can tomorrow really be any better? Surely it will be, the entire day we will share with them how CHE can help them reach out to those with HIV and AIDS. It is a day of sharing how they can help transform the lives of those living with this dreadful disease, as well as those who are living with them. Pray for tomorrow, that they continue to get excited, that the momentum would continue to build, and that as we address a sensitive topic, that they would not shy away from the reality of many people suffering around them.
We started relatively on-time, and I admit, that culturally, I was the only one who cared! I was excited as those who attended yesterday all came back eager to learn, eager to get started.
I love watching Lorivi teach! Lorivi is a Tanzanian who honestly knows more about CHE than I do, and he has an amazing way of reaching his own people. It is so refreshing to watch him teach and challenge and joke and celebrate with other Tanzanians. Lorivi is a key part of our ministries using CHE, such a key part that we are realizing we need another Lorivi as ministries expand and grow there isn't enough of him to go around!
It is also thrilling to watch the trainees break off into small groups and learn from each other, coming up with solutions on their own, without us having to feed them the information. It gives them great confidence in their own abilities when we pose a strange question to them and they come up with solutions...yes folks...multiple solutions!
It is also loads of fun to watch those being trained teach each other through skits, and sharing of what they have discovered in their small groups. This is fun because in their mind, learning is done with pen and paper, and the teacher just spoon feeds them, to have them encounter and embrace a new style of learning is fun.
I had the last teaching of the day, and I have to tell you I got goose-bumps as I noticed their eyes begin to light up. The lesson I was doing was a lesson of how to go about starting this ministry in their area, and they immediately sat upright in their chairs, and their faces woke up (it was after lunch, we were all looking a little tired up to this point) and as I shared I could feel the energy in the room increase. It was fun. Really fun. It was also really fun to see them understanding and asking, "so when do we start?"
Can tomorrow really be any better? Surely it will be, the entire day we will share with them how CHE can help them reach out to those with HIV and AIDS. It is a day of sharing how they can help transform the lives of those living with this dreadful disease, as well as those who are living with them. Pray for tomorrow, that they continue to get excited, that the momentum would continue to build, and that as we address a sensitive topic, that they would not shy away from the reality of many people suffering around them.
Monday, November 19, 2007
TOT Day 1...
Today I experienced a little African Culture...rather a LOT of it!
First, we were set to start at 10:30 this morning. The attendees showed up at 11:30. Yep, an hour late, and yes, we waited, because that is what you do. People will get there when they can.
This of course presented a dilemma, as we are still expected to get them out on time, but we had an hours worth of info for the hour they were late. We hustled. We cut and chopped and we still managed to cast the vision. It was incredible.
It was a fun day, it was fun to hear them interacting with each other, and fun to hear their insight. I learned a lot about Unga today as we discussed from their perspective the problems that affect their community, and it was fun to hear them discuss, and disagree on why those problems existed and how they could be eradicated. I learned of new struggles, and other hardships that I assumed were there, but hadn't been able to confirm as of yet...
And, I learned how difficult it is to work with a translator. Yes, I can speak swahili, and yes I could probably communicate most of what I am teaching...but...I would get tired faster, and there would be some mistakes...so it is better this way. It wasn't so bad, really, it is just that so much gets lots in translation, the emotion, the tone of voice...SO MUCH! It made me want to master this language even more-so.
A few pics, and then I need to finish getting ready for tomorrow:
First, we were set to start at 10:30 this morning. The attendees showed up at 11:30. Yep, an hour late, and yes, we waited, because that is what you do. People will get there when they can.
This of course presented a dilemma, as we are still expected to get them out on time, but we had an hours worth of info for the hour they were late. We hustled. We cut and chopped and we still managed to cast the vision. It was incredible.
It was a fun day, it was fun to hear them interacting with each other, and fun to hear their insight. I learned a lot about Unga today as we discussed from their perspective the problems that affect their community, and it was fun to hear them discuss, and disagree on why those problems existed and how they could be eradicated. I learned of new struggles, and other hardships that I assumed were there, but hadn't been able to confirm as of yet...
And, I learned how difficult it is to work with a translator. Yes, I can speak swahili, and yes I could probably communicate most of what I am teaching...but...I would get tired faster, and there would be some mistakes...so it is better this way. It wasn't so bad, really, it is just that so much gets lots in translation, the emotion, the tone of voice...SO MUCH! It made me want to master this language even more-so.
A few pics, and then I need to finish getting ready for tomorrow:
Sunday, November 18, 2007
TOT week!
In 2005 I met with many of you sharing the vision of reaching the lost of the slums of Arusha. I talked about poverty, without having seen it firsthand, and talked about the needs and the opportunities.
In December 2005 God provided the last of my support.
In January 2006 I spent a month in CO getting the last bit of my training that was needed before I left for Tanzania.
February and March I said my goodbyes and on March 22 I boarded that plane.
Thus started hours and days and months of preparation for this week. Weeks and months of courses to learn the language, the culture, and the ways of this foreign land. I saw the poverty first hand, I smelled it and in some cases...I tasted it. Countless hours have gone into building relationships and praying over this community...we have shared bit by bit and had the vision seminar and last week took the women to a rural community.
And here it is. The moment. The week long seminar that is the springboard for ongoing training. If all goes well this week, a committee of nationals will develop. This committee will be the heart behind this project, and in addition to a committee hopefully people will step forward to be the actual trainers of their neighbors. And lives will be transformed.
My life has been transformed in the last 20 months. Pray that lives will continue to be transformed, that those living in poverty will know the richness of Christ, and they will see how He can transform their community.
In December 2005 God provided the last of my support.
In January 2006 I spent a month in CO getting the last bit of my training that was needed before I left for Tanzania.
February and March I said my goodbyes and on March 22 I boarded that plane.
Thus started hours and days and months of preparation for this week. Weeks and months of courses to learn the language, the culture, and the ways of this foreign land. I saw the poverty first hand, I smelled it and in some cases...I tasted it. Countless hours have gone into building relationships and praying over this community...we have shared bit by bit and had the vision seminar and last week took the women to a rural community.
And here it is. The moment. The week long seminar that is the springboard for ongoing training. If all goes well this week, a committee of nationals will develop. This committee will be the heart behind this project, and in addition to a committee hopefully people will step forward to be the actual trainers of their neighbors. And lives will be transformed.
My life has been transformed in the last 20 months. Pray that lives will continue to be transformed, that those living in poverty will know the richness of Christ, and they will see how He can transform their community.
Friday, November 16, 2007
Unga goes Rural
Today we took a group of women from the urban slum called Unga, to a rural project so they could "see" for themselves how CHE has changed a community. SO many things happened today that I can't even begin to put the stories down. A few things, I noticed:
More stories to come, and more thoughts later...but for now, just enjoy the view through my camera lens...it gives a glimpse of what occurred today.
- A group of women was teaching another group of women about their ministry...not me.
- A group of rural women (sometimes considered as less intelligent or less educated culturally) was teaching a group of urban women who were eagerly listening and asking questions...this in itself was amazing...I cannot put into words what kind of landmark it is.
- I got to watch, learn, take photos and share, but it wasn't "my thing" it was theirs and they were proud to share it...that is what CHE is all about.
- The women in Unga were dreaming of transforming their own community as we learned and shared experiences...and this...this is VERY exciting.
More stories to come, and more thoughts later...but for now, just enjoy the view through my camera lens...it gives a glimpse of what occurred today.
Monday, November 12, 2007
Excitement welling up...
WOW FOLKS! A week from now we will have finished our first day of a week long training educating leaders in Unga about transforming their community with CHE! I have to be honest, I am a little bit overwhelmed, but at the same time so incredibly excited! YIKES!
Here's a sneak peak of what we are cramming into the week:
Pray for us as we prepare for next week. Pray for those who are attending, that they would not have things come up and get in the way of being there. Pray that those who need to be there, make it.
Wow. this is exciting.
Here's a sneak peak of what we are cramming into the week:
- the great commandment and the great commission
- Urban CHE concepts (how CHE fits in an urban setting)
- Roles of the training team
- Roles of a CHE (a person who is using CHE to teach their neighbors)
- Entering the Community
- Finding out what their community needs
- How God views the city
- Urban CHE approach
- Reaching out in ministry to people with AIDS
- How does HIV affect our community
- what God says about AIDS and what the church can do
- Empowering the Urban poor, poverty and community organization
- Paralytic and Development
- Mapping your community
- Praying for our target area
- LePSAS learning techniques
- Leadership
- Understanding community car for the terminally ill
- Counseling the AIDS patient
Pray for us as we prepare for next week. Pray for those who are attending, that they would not have things come up and get in the way of being there. Pray that those who need to be there, make it.
Wow. this is exciting.
Thursday, November 8, 2007
A new view
Every time I take someone new into Unga with me I see a new Unga. I remember the first time Katie and I went, and the Unga we saw, and the experiences we had, they were incredibly different from the Unga I saw with each of the REACH interns (those were all different experiences from each other even.) Taking Kendra brought out a new experience, as did taking Tami and even today as Scott and I walked and visited and prayed we saw a different Unga. It is the same place, but our encounters, the way we are treated, as well as how we walk out of there is different. All different...all beautiful and unforgettable.
Today I met some new mama's. After the harassment we received with Tami the pastor's wife of one of the churches is taking it upon herself to find us an escort everytime we walk. I don't complain, and actually I appreciate it, as we learn more and more and get to go a little deeper with these escorts. It was fun to take Scott Price (our TZ Team Leader) with me as I had never walked through Unga with him before. He had driven through and little did I know he knew some people who lived there. It was fun to share today with him, and to even hear his observations and questions.
Today I got a bigger glimpse of the problems in the local school. The guy who walked with us informed us that a classroom can have in excess of 100 students! And in typical East African public school systems there aren't enough textbooks to go around, as well as teachers. No wonder the students aren't learning! The Government is allocating A LOT of money to building schools, but I have to ask, is education improving just by having more school buildings? If there aren't enough teachers and materials (including desks) then how are these kids gonna learn anymore? I am walking a fine line here, I realize it.
In our walk we also got to meet a few more pastors, and a few more teachers, and I encountered another Compassion Project, the third in this slum area alone! I can see how Compassion is making a difference, and how our ministries are both changing this community and if we work together then we really can change this community.
We have set the final details for a CHE Field Trip on Friday Nov 16! A handful of people interested in learning about how to start a CHE project in Unga will go with me to one of our rural projects. They will see CHE firsthand, and also get to talk with those who took a leap of faith and are transforming their rural community with CHE! Pray for this field trip! Pray that questions are answered and people are challenged.
And things are taking shape for the TOT to be held the week of Nov 19! We have about 15 people who want to start a CHE project in their community and we are gonna show them how and get it rolling! I am thrilled and nervous at the same time! Thrilled as this was the goal in me coming in the first place, to help people transform their own community using CHE, and nervous as it is finally happening! AGH!
Its my last physical walk through Unga for the week, but in my mind and my spirit I walk through those slums every day. Pray for Unga, pray for us as we keep stepping out!
Today I met some new mama's. After the harassment we received with Tami the pastor's wife of one of the churches is taking it upon herself to find us an escort everytime we walk. I don't complain, and actually I appreciate it, as we learn more and more and get to go a little deeper with these escorts. It was fun to take Scott Price (our TZ Team Leader) with me as I had never walked through Unga with him before. He had driven through and little did I know he knew some people who lived there. It was fun to share today with him, and to even hear his observations and questions.
Today I got a bigger glimpse of the problems in the local school. The guy who walked with us informed us that a classroom can have in excess of 100 students! And in typical East African public school systems there aren't enough textbooks to go around, as well as teachers. No wonder the students aren't learning! The Government is allocating A LOT of money to building schools, but I have to ask, is education improving just by having more school buildings? If there aren't enough teachers and materials (including desks) then how are these kids gonna learn anymore? I am walking a fine line here, I realize it.
In our walk we also got to meet a few more pastors, and a few more teachers, and I encountered another Compassion Project, the third in this slum area alone! I can see how Compassion is making a difference, and how our ministries are both changing this community and if we work together then we really can change this community.
We have set the final details for a CHE Field Trip on Friday Nov 16! A handful of people interested in learning about how to start a CHE project in Unga will go with me to one of our rural projects. They will see CHE firsthand, and also get to talk with those who took a leap of faith and are transforming their rural community with CHE! Pray for this field trip! Pray that questions are answered and people are challenged.
And things are taking shape for the TOT to be held the week of Nov 19! We have about 15 people who want to start a CHE project in their community and we are gonna show them how and get it rolling! I am thrilled and nervous at the same time! Thrilled as this was the goal in me coming in the first place, to help people transform their own community using CHE, and nervous as it is finally happening! AGH!
Its my last physical walk through Unga for the week, but in my mind and my spirit I walk through those slums every day. Pray for Unga, pray for us as we keep stepping out!
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
It's broken.
Today I had some new experiences in Unga. I took teammate Tami Carter for a visit. It was so incredibly fun to introduce her to my friends and also incredibly fun to meet some new people with her! By nature Tami is a lover of people, and eagerly desires to bless those she meets, and she brought that with her today. It was so incredibly fun and eye opening for me.
We met several ladies I had not yet met, and it was fun to walk her around some of the old familiar places that Katie and I walked so many times. But even in all of this fun, there were reminders that we were in a broken place. For the first time ever, people were rude in their shouts and hollers after us. One man actually crossed the line with inappropriate gestures that I had never encountered in Unga before. Some of the women were demanding money from us, while others just hollered insults. It was disheartening, and honestly I still am not sure why today of all days. I remembered though, that we were there because people there don't know Jesus, they can't be expected to act like him! This is part of our task of transforming the community, that people would respect each other, as well as themselves. That people would have enough Hope in the Living God that they would not resort to demanding (way more aggressive than begging) money from passers by.
We met several ladies I had not yet met, and it was fun to walk her around some of the old familiar places that Katie and I walked so many times. But even in all of this fun, there were reminders that we were in a broken place. For the first time ever, people were rude in their shouts and hollers after us. One man actually crossed the line with inappropriate gestures that I had never encountered in Unga before. Some of the women were demanding money from us, while others just hollered insults. It was disheartening, and honestly I still am not sure why today of all days. I remembered though, that we were there because people there don't know Jesus, they can't be expected to act like him! This is part of our task of transforming the community, that people would respect each other, as well as themselves. That people would have enough Hope in the Living God that they would not resort to demanding (way more aggressive than begging) money from passers by.
Monday, November 5, 2007
She's Back!
And it feels good!
I went back to Unga today and met with Mama Diwani, Mary and the ladies who work in the local Compassion Project office! There were squeals, hugs, questions and laughter as I told them about the last couple months, explained why I hadn't been there but also shared with them that I was back...that's where the squeals came in...from all of us!
It felt so good to be back, to walk around Unga, and to see those kiddos and mama's that I have been getting to know the last several months. It was good to embrace them, to hear about life since my last visit and yet, it was even good to get my feet dirty.
After a short walk through the neighborhood I met with Mama Diwani and Mary and talked about the next few weeks. After the vision seminar a few of those who attended wanted more info. They wanted to see "CHE" in action, so we decided to plan a field trip of sorts, to one of our Rural CHE sites that is about 1/2 hour from town. So pray, as on Nov 16 we will take a small group out, to see CHE as well as hear from those who took the leap themselves and are ministering in their community! Pray that they get a picture of the impact they can have in Unga, and also embrace the idea of sharing Christ with their neighbors using this tool!
We also set a date for our first TOT! A TOT is a week long seminar, the acronym stands for Training for Trainers. This is HUGE! Several have already said they want the training necessary to do CHE in their neighborhood, so the week of Nov 19 we will meet with about 10-15 of them each day to give them the skills necessary to start a CHE project. I think this calls for a celebration dance! Pray as we prepare for this week of training, it will be my first time as officially training as well! Its a bit overwhelming, but very very exciting!
It was a good visit to Unga, and I must admit, that I am very tired but very excited. I am thankful for what God has done in my time away from there, but also very thankful that I still get to minister in the community! I also am very psyched that I get to go to Unga Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of this week! YAHOOOO!
I went back to Unga today and met with Mama Diwani, Mary and the ladies who work in the local Compassion Project office! There were squeals, hugs, questions and laughter as I told them about the last couple months, explained why I hadn't been there but also shared with them that I was back...that's where the squeals came in...from all of us!
It felt so good to be back, to walk around Unga, and to see those kiddos and mama's that I have been getting to know the last several months. It was good to embrace them, to hear about life since my last visit and yet, it was even good to get my feet dirty.
After a short walk through the neighborhood I met with Mama Diwani and Mary and talked about the next few weeks. After the vision seminar a few of those who attended wanted more info. They wanted to see "CHE" in action, so we decided to plan a field trip of sorts, to one of our Rural CHE sites that is about 1/2 hour from town. So pray, as on Nov 16 we will take a small group out, to see CHE as well as hear from those who took the leap themselves and are ministering in their community! Pray that they get a picture of the impact they can have in Unga, and also embrace the idea of sharing Christ with their neighbors using this tool!
We also set a date for our first TOT! A TOT is a week long seminar, the acronym stands for Training for Trainers. This is HUGE! Several have already said they want the training necessary to do CHE in their neighborhood, so the week of Nov 19 we will meet with about 10-15 of them each day to give them the skills necessary to start a CHE project. I think this calls for a celebration dance! Pray as we prepare for this week of training, it will be my first time as officially training as well! Its a bit overwhelming, but very very exciting!
It was a good visit to Unga, and I must admit, that I am very tired but very excited. I am thankful for what God has done in my time away from there, but also very thankful that I still get to minister in the community! I also am very psyched that I get to go to Unga Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of this week! YAHOOOO!
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Neglected
Wow. It's been over a month since my last Unga update. I don't think I have left a blog sitting so long before! AGH!
Just because I haven't blogged doesn't mean nothing is going on. I haven't been into Unga very often as we were still trying to straighten life out since the accident, court, etc...you know the story.
In the last month, my life in Unga has changed dramatically...for the BETTER! We had our bi-annual team meeting where we review our goals, and talk strategy as well as share needs, dream, brainstorm etc... At this meeting I was able to share with my team the weight I was carrying for Unga. We are a unique team, in that we have two ministry focuses, and well, most of the people on my team are part of the focus that I don't have much to do with, and well, I felt like I was flying solo..in action, in dreaming, in decision making etc. I have such an AWESOME team that we made some changes, and now I have a committee of teammates who are coming along side me to reach Unga. I am thrilled. This committee will help steer the ministry, help me dream, go into Unga with me, challenge me, and well all around be co-ministers with me! I am so excited about this new change! I know that Jesus is the ultimate burden carrier for this ministry...but I was taking a lot of weight on as well...now we get to share it!
I have been in contact with Mama Jackson and Mama Diwani, and this week, with our new committee I will be able to start going into Unga regularly again, as my teammates have stepped up to a whole new level and are committing time in their week to go with me! Again, my team ROCKS!
Exciting news...we are looking at having our first TOT (week long training) where we will equip the leaders of the HIV/AIDS small groups to start their very own CHE project!!! THIS IS EXCITING! The group leaders caught the vision at our Vision Seminar a few months back, and have been begging for more! The accident and incidences surrounding slowed us down a bit, but we have it scheduled for the week of Nov 19! PRAY PRAY PRAY!
Also, some of those who attending the Vision Seminar had some unanswered questions, so we are going to take them to visit a CHE site just outside of Arusha on Nov 16! Pray for this day as well! I picture a beautiful sight as I envision Tanzanians sharing their ministry with others and encouraging them in the same path! BEAUTIFUL!
Thanks for praying, and thanks for your patience!
Just because I haven't blogged doesn't mean nothing is going on. I haven't been into Unga very often as we were still trying to straighten life out since the accident, court, etc...you know the story.
In the last month, my life in Unga has changed dramatically...for the BETTER! We had our bi-annual team meeting where we review our goals, and talk strategy as well as share needs, dream, brainstorm etc... At this meeting I was able to share with my team the weight I was carrying for Unga. We are a unique team, in that we have two ministry focuses, and well, most of the people on my team are part of the focus that I don't have much to do with, and well, I felt like I was flying solo..in action, in dreaming, in decision making etc. I have such an AWESOME team that we made some changes, and now I have a committee of teammates who are coming along side me to reach Unga. I am thrilled. This committee will help steer the ministry, help me dream, go into Unga with me, challenge me, and well all around be co-ministers with me! I am so excited about this new change! I know that Jesus is the ultimate burden carrier for this ministry...but I was taking a lot of weight on as well...now we get to share it!
I have been in contact with Mama Jackson and Mama Diwani, and this week, with our new committee I will be able to start going into Unga regularly again, as my teammates have stepped up to a whole new level and are committing time in their week to go with me! Again, my team ROCKS!
Exciting news...we are looking at having our first TOT (week long training) where we will equip the leaders of the HIV/AIDS small groups to start their very own CHE project!!! THIS IS EXCITING! The group leaders caught the vision at our Vision Seminar a few months back, and have been begging for more! The accident and incidences surrounding slowed us down a bit, but we have it scheduled for the week of Nov 19! PRAY PRAY PRAY!
Also, some of those who attending the Vision Seminar had some unanswered questions, so we are going to take them to visit a CHE site just outside of Arusha on Nov 16! Pray for this day as well! I picture a beautiful sight as I envision Tanzanians sharing their ministry with others and encouraging them in the same path! BEAUTIFUL!
Thanks for praying, and thanks for your patience!
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