Sunday, November 14, 2010

Human Interest Stories

Well, Frank was not able to get Janet seat on my plane but did get her a ticket booked for December 14. We contacted Butler Travel and I could have changed my ticket from 21st to 14th but it would have cost me $430.00 to change it for one week. I could not justify spending that much money for just one week so my ticket stays. The Lord is so good, though, we had talked about me traveling with her to Dar and staying there for a week by myself and then fly out. She had left to go pick up Beverly, a lady from Canada who is here for 3 months teaching English and being girl's dean, and the more I thought about it, I really didn't want to spend a couple of hundred of dollars for my stay in Dar. I also did not want to deal with the heat, mosquitoes, traffic, people who don't speak English, etc. by myself in Dar – and besides, what can I do for 7 days, it would be so boring. Anyway, when Janet got back I told her that I really did not want to spend my week in Dar by myself and told her I would stay at Kibidula and see if Bill could take me to Dar. She told me that Jon Luke would be going on the 19th and he said I could ride with him. The Lord had it all worked out before I did. Also, there is another girl from Kibidula going at the same time to Dar with Jon Luke so there will be three of us. Jon Luke is picking up his kids from the airport who is coming home from school for Christmas break. I will stay in Dar for one day and two nights. Marianna's flight is also on the 21st but later in the afternoon; mine is at 8:40 am. God does look after His own. I am not worthy of His loving care accept for Jesus making me worthy.

We have been so busy with work here that that is all I have talked about. This blog is going to be more of a "human interest" blog. We have done four clothes distribution to the orphans so far this year and are planning for 3 more before leaving this year. Work is slowing down and so that is freeing us to do them. When the children come they sing songs to us. We can't understand the words but we do hear Jesus' name every once in a while so we know they are singing about Him. These kids can really sing well. I can just sit a listen to them all day. They have one person who leads out by herself and then the rest will repeat. I am going to try and get a video of it to share. You will really enjoy it. The kids are so grateful to get the clothes we give them. We also give them all a toothbrush and some toothpaste. We share with them a flyer with a bible verse on it in Swahili. Some of the schools are a couple of hours walk away from us and the kids still walk here. Some of them come on a day after the distribution day and still wanting clothes. Some come, even ones that are not orphans, to get clothes. We get a list from the schools that lets us know which ones are orphans and which ones are not. Those that are absent on the day the others come arrive on another day and we check their name against the list and we share clothes with them also. It is hard because by that time we have put everything away; but we find something to give them that they can wear and they are happy. Some of the kids that are not orphans come for clothes and we have to send them away. It is sad, but we know that if we share with them, then we will have the whole village here for clothes and we just can't do it. We have to draw the line. I noticed she gave some young kids some toys that had been given to us and she passed them out to several of the "non-orphans". I was working in the church where we do the distribution a few days later and there were 5 real little kids, not even in school and a couple just barely walking They were sitting outside the church watching me for the longest time. I came out and smiled at them and said "Habadi" which is hello, how are you in Swahili. Almost all of them said "Nzoodi" which is good in Swahili. (I am not sure if my Swahili spelling is correct, I am just spelling it like it sounds.) I think they came for something and I didn't have anything to give. Janet was down at the school and so I went to Miriam to have her check and see if they need anything. When I went back, they had left. I just wished I could provide for these little ones all that they needed.

Here is another story, some of you may know (and some may not) but Janet is an extractor of teeth. She doesn't claim to be a dentist because she is not, but she can and does pull teeth. She averages 5-6 patients each week and they come from all the local villages around the area. She gives the lanacain for deadening the gums and then she pulls the tooth/teeth. Well recently we have been having an influx of even more people. It seems that her "fame" has gotten around that people are walking 2-3 hours to her place to get their teeth pulled if for no other reason than that she doesn't charge anything for the service. We had two come one day from Makete (3/4 hour drive) and then about 2 days later we got a couple more and then another the same week. Pardon the pun, but word of mouth gets around and more people are coming. We give them toothbrush, toothpaste and a religious tract before they leave. She takes care of wounds and even takes people to the hospital; some have come and ask for a ride to hospital or she sees them on the side of the road and sees their need and offers to help. Sometimes she may be up by the clinic in Lupalilo and the people at the clinic ask her to take one of their patients to the hospital. Some of the people that she tends to in one way or another are so thankful that they come back and give something for their gratitude such as dried beans, potatoes or maize for the service. Janet in turns gives the "gift" to her students which are in need of food. It is such a blessing to be able to help on both parties.

I find that sometimes I don't feel like doing something but I have to do it anyway. When I read what Christ went through for me it is easier for me to live by principle and not by feelings. Christ did not feel like going through what He did for us in the garden as is written in these words: "Stronger Than Human Desire.--The human nature of Christ was like unto ours, and suffering was more keenly felt by Him; for His spiritual nature was free from every taint of sin. Therefore His desire for the removal of suffering was stronger than human beings can experience. How intense was the desire of the humanity of Christ to escape the displeasure of an offended God, how His soul longed for relief, is revealed in the words, "O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done." {5BC 1103.8} Yet Christ had not been forced to take this step. He had contemplated this struggle. To His disciples He had said, "I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!" "Now is your hour, and the power of darkness." He had volunteered to lay down His life to save the world (ST Dec. 9, 1897). When it seemed like His weakness was too much Mrs. White writes that an angel came to strengthen Him in Gethsemane. When it seems that our weakness is too much we have the same promise in Heb. 13:5 – "[Let your] conversation [be] without covetousness; [and be] content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." Let us claim this promise and watch unto prayer until He comes to take us home.

Signing out from Mago, TZ Africa

Deniece