Spring preparations for fruitfulness

Looking around the countryside, you begin to see people out in the fields, preparing for the short springtime rains. Indeed, there have been hints of the returning rains: a cool breeze and nighttime sprinkles that clear the dust out of the air (though barely moistening the parched dirt).

Even Sofia reports that she and Elibariki will wait to see if the rains come. If the “short rains” begin, they will immediately plant their maize and try for a second harvest this year. However, if the rains do not come, they will not waste the precious seed. They will then wait until next March and the “long rains” before planting a crop.

We have returned to Tanzania at this agriculturally-opportune season, and have begun preparing the material for our next pastors conference. The topic: FRUITFULNESS.

We will discuss spiritual topics related to the preparation of the soil (fallow ground),

the four soils (Matthew 13), the vine and branches, pruning vs. discipline, the harvest, and the rewards of the harvest.

Such concepts will be rather familiar to the very agriculturally-minded Iraqw people. It is our prayer that they will receive spiritual understanding and insight, increasing the fruitfulness of their lives, their churches, and their communities.

UPDATE: Last night, it did indeed rain for several hours. Praise God! The dry, parched ground seemed to drink it up, and already this evening green grass has begun to sprout in our otherwise burnt-brown yard. Perhaps this is heralding springtime in Tanzania

Curious onlooker

Looking out over Lake Duluti, there is a dry, brown hue. However, the beautiful purple jacaranda blossoms bring glorious color. As we walked the garden grounds, we noticed that we were being watched. . .by a local monkey. Perhaps he was curious, or perhaps he was interested in our coffee.

Stroll around Mountain View Lodge

On our way back to Arusha, we stopped for a coffee at the beautiful Mountain View Lodge, where tourists go when they come to Tanzania for safari. We sat for coffee out on the beautifully manicured lawn surrounded by incredible gardens. It was a surprising contrast,….going from the simplicity of the common African home to the posh luxury of a resort.

The banana plants are blooming right now. The petals of the flower unfold one layer at a time exposing little flowers beneath. Those flowers get pollinated and voila! Bananas begin to grow in rows and then in bunches.

Elijah Nnko (with Babu Bob)

Elijah is now 3 months old. Don’t let the pink clothing fool you; he is a happy and healthy little boy. As Bob held him, Sofia giggled and rejoiced that “Babu Bob” (Grandpa Bob) was finally able to see the baby.

According to Sophia’s report, she and little Elijah had many challenges during her pregnancy. When she was only 3 months pregnant, she began bleeding. Doctors examined her that told her that her baby was dead. They scheduled her for medical procedures to clean her out.

But God talked to Elibariki three times, instructing him to fast and pray. God infused Sofia with a great level of faith, and she said “No, my baby lives!”

Throughout her pregnancy and labor there were complications. But, now he is here! They both know that Elijah is a bit of a miracle “by the grace of God.” This little guy is recognized to be a true blessing from God.

Born June 13, 2011

2.5 Kilograms (5½ pounds)

He is a happy little guy who loves to sing already!

Happy Family

As they began to go through the presents, their eyes beamed. Even Elibariki’s young sister came over to check out the new things! We asked Sofia if she already had many things for little Elijah. She said no. Even used baby things are very expensive at the market, beginning at 2000 Tanzanian shillings per piece. (That’s about $1.30 US, but I guess when you figure that the average Tanzanian makes only a dollar a day, we can see the problem.)

Everything we brought was extremely well received. Sofia was most grateful for the clothes and the diapers. She said, “Now I won’t have to go to the market for a long time!”

Of course, she had never seen a pacifier before. They don’t have such things here. When Susan explained its use, Sofia’s eyes lit up. She was relieved to know that, from time to time, she may have a bit of a break.

Believe it or not, Elibariki’s favorite is the pairs of shoes! Even though these shoes will not fit properly for about a year, he laughed openly with excitement and placed the oversized shoes on Elijah’s feet, and stood him up on them!

Elibariki is one proud Papa! He has tender love for his son, even carrying him around, changing him, and playing with him (not at all typical here.)

Presents for Elijah

We had learned about Elijah, when Sofia texted us in mid-June with the grand announcement. Because we know and understand their financial situation, we wanted to bring some gifts to congratulate them. We purchased a few things before leaving the States. But, thanks to a wonderfully generous friend at LifeQuest Church in Holland, Michigan, we were able to bring a large box of baby clothes and diapers for the next full year!

(Thank you, Amanda! Your gifts and generosity made a huge difference.)

Sophia was so happy she cried with delight.

A Visit to Sofia's

We drove to Tengeru on Saturday to see our former office worker, Sofia. You may recall that she began working in our office in 2006, helping maintain our database of pastors. I’m sure you can imagine that it’s a bit difficult to keep addresses and phone numbers in a culture where many live in mud huts in the middle of nowhere!

Sofia is a delight. Her smiling face brings light to a room. She has become a close friend to us.

Last year when we arrived in Arusha, we learned that she had recently been married. She was happily in her new home (pictured above. . .and yes, that is the entire house--a small cement block bedroom and sitting room only, with a kitchen and make-shift toilet enclosure outside). She is so happy, and she and her husband Elibariki are so grateful to God, and in love with each other.

In their home and surrounding yard, they are raising chickens--now up to 8 large chickens and 24 baby chicks. This provides them with both food and a potential little income. Additionally, they have used their yard as a small maize-field. Sofia says they have 2 feedsacks of maize from their crop last year.

When Sophia heard we were coming she wanted to honor us as special guests, so she actually went out and killed one of her chickens and cooked it along with roasted banana for us to eat. She was so excited to have company!

Elibariki is a good and kind man. We came to know him also in 2006, as he worked for friends as a construction worker. He has now learned the skills to be a mason, working well with concrete, brick, and plaster. As you can see, they have a new addition to their family! They are both so happy and excited about this new baby boy, Elijah (pronounced ee-LEE-yah).

Market Day in Tengeru

Saturday is Tengeru’s market day, and you could begin to sense the chaos when entering the village. People from miles around come to buy and sell almost anything--animals, produce, clothes, spices, etc.

Vendors bring their wares and display them across the ground on blankets or mats.

The bustling open-air marketplace is filled with sounds and smells that seem to assault the senses.

I guess when you haven’t grown up in that environment, it takes a bit of getting used to.

Tengeru Bridge

This week, we decided to go to visit a few friends. We were interested in seeing the bridge on the road to Tengeru. These

first pictures above are from 2009, when the bridge was in very poor shape. Local residents reported that there was an evil spirit in the chasm below that would “call” high occupancy vans or buses to careen through the guardrail on one side, plummeting to their deaths in the deep ravine below. Almost weekly, there would be deaths reported at this location. In fact, the guardrails would be repaired, and immediately another vehicle would destroy it again.

In March 2009, the Lord directed us to pray at this bridge, declaring the Word of the Lord over this place. The mysterious accidents stopped. When we returned in 2010, we witnessed the change in the condition of the bridge. The guardrail had remained in place for so long, rust was actually forming! However, you know how we humans can be. . .upon our return this year, we wanted to see it again with our own eyes, to know for sure that this prayer really worked.

I am thrilled to bear witness: the bridge is in fine condition! As we passed over it, the passengers in our car broke into praise to the God who overcomes. We were delighted to notice that there are still rusty places, showing there has been no need to do further bridge repair! God is good!

Return to Tanzanian life

It's good to be back in Tanzania--bright colors, smiling faces. . .

. . .small roadside shops, selling odd (and often hideous) goods. . .

. . .and of course, people, people, people!