One month.

Howdy people of earth! It has been one month since I embarked on this amazing journey! It has truly been an amazing experience thus far. So far I have watched Godly men and women lead Bible studies, both American and Tanzanian. I have witnessed many people put on Christ in Baptism, including a lady that I studied with. The Lord's hand is in Tanzania for sure! Although Bible studies are still a little bit scary, I think I am doing ok so far! 

Everyday I am learning something new. A new skill, and new way of thinking and a new view of the world. It is almost overwhelming, I am not even sure what to say about it. I am missing home, but I am still having a great time! The land scape is amazing and the people are always wanting to talk to you. The driving around is a little scary at times, and shopping is a trip. However all the experiences are lending themselves to some serious Character building. I hope to be able to write more detailed accounts of some of my experiences, but I never know where to begin!


~I hope this message finds you having a good and blessed day!~

The Birthday of a Lifetime!

I sincerely believe that this is one birthday I will never forget! For one thing I am officially not a teenager anymore! Pretty excited about that. Not to mention the fact that I spent this one in AFRICA!!!! Pretty cool! Let's begin of a rundown of the day:

Woke up at 7:30 to my campaign phone ringing. My Mom was calling me (knowing full and well that she would be waking me up) to be the first one to wish me a happy birthday! :-) It was sweet and good to get to talk to her and Dad! At about 8:45/9 o'clock we all left (except Von who was still recovering from his Kenya adventure) Stephanie had made a pedicure appointment fro herself and I and a Manicure appointment for Granny (her mother). I know what you are thinking "you are supposed to be on a mission trip, what are you doing getting a pedicure" Well Campaign was last week and Next week is follow-up studies, so I am still doing work! Well after the appointments, which took a while because the lady is the only one who does them and is by herself at her shop, we went to lunch. We then proceeded to go to 3 different grocery stores to get everything on Stephanie's list. Then it was off to the shop rite plaza thing because Granny needed to go to the fabric store and I was wanting to go to the bookstore. After that little trip we went home to eat some supper. 

As Von and I washed the dishes the Gee's came in, they said "we are here for the party" WHAT PARTY!!?!?!? Stephanie is so sweet she planned a surprise party for me with all the missionary families! I was defiantly surprised! 

And that is how I spent my African Birthday! Not a lot of excitement, but still a very good day! I am so blessed to be here with such great people. I am looking forward to the months to come and the adventures around the corner! And to add to my blessings all the love that was send from home via Facebook was just overwhelming! God has truly blessed me with such wonderful people in my life and I am forever thankful!

Have you counted your Blessings lately? I can guarantee  that when you do your heart will soar with joy! So if you want to feel overwhelming joy, count your blessings and Thank God for everyone of them!

~I hope this Message has found you having a wonderful and blessed day!~

what do you think?

     It has been a long week! We have been working with the group from Hoover, AL during their campaign work in Arusha and Kwa Mrombo. The Hoover group came with a full work force of about 20 people, half to go to Kwa Mrombo and half to go to Arusha. I was with the Arusha group witch was broken up between two areas. The group I was with was working in the White Rose area. This area is mostly a business area so it was a little harder to get someone to agree to a Bible study, however once someone said they were interested we would take full advantage of the opportunity. Over the course of my studies I found myself faced with questions I was not expecting. They were not really hard or unusual questions, however I was not mentally prepared for off topic questions.

       What do you do when you know the scripture, but can not remember "Book, Chapter, Verse"? Lucky for us there are men out there who have thought of that. I strongly recommend having a reference guide as apart of your Bible study arsenal. I use Paul Sain's "Ready Reference for Growing Christians" and it has helped me. Books like these are a great aid and tool for bible studies and Bible class preparation. 

     I also realized this week that if you know what the Bible says then you are more than qualified to teach some one else. I have never felt like I was qualified to teach someone else. I always felt I need to know more before i could tell someone else. I found out that I more prepared than I thought. I know this sounds braggy and I am not trying to be, I guess my point is that if you feel like I did, then you are probably more prepared than you think. Give it a try and you might be surprised!

~I hope this message has found you having a wonderful and Blessed day.~

one week

     It has been 1 week since I got here and I have already seen the Lord's Kingdom at work. When I arrived in TZ the group from Elk City, OK was in full swing at Maji Chi. There were also works going on in Kwa Marombo. The Baptism total thus far is about 40. Isn't that amazing!!! 

     I spent a couple of nights in the area where the Tanzania Christian Clinic is. There is a Lady staying there she has Bible studies up the mountain  with Masai women. She also Teaches the children in the afternoon. She had me teach on of her children's class while I was there. On the second day I was staying with her we went with one of the local preachers, Michael, to on of his studies with two women. He did the teaching we were there for moral support. I did not understand a word he said, since the study was in the Masai language (which is a different language from Swahili). However, Both ladies were baptized. That just goes to show you that the Truth is the Truth in any language, you just have to find someone willing to hear it! 

     The group from Hoover, Al has made it safe and sound and they will begin their work on Tuesday. I am excited to work with them this upcoming week and all the campaigners to come! I am learning a lot here and hope to learn even more! The Lord is so good and His work is everywhere. There are always opportunities to learn and grow, we just have to open our eyes and our hearts to them.

    I hope this message has found you in the middle of a great day, and in the word's of the Apostle Paul; "May the Lord Bless you and Keep you".

T.I.A.

I am here!!! Well It has been about 4 days since I official arrived in Tanzania. It has been GREAT so far! I got here on Friday afternoon. Saturday I went with the group from Oklahoma and the Boxes to Maji Chi and tagged along with their Bible studies, I went with Hannah and Rachael Box mostly. We worship At Maji Chi on Sunday and had a movie night and watched "The Ghost and the Darkness". 

Things are different here. Of course I knew they would be. The missionaries have a saying. T.I.A. "This is Africa" It is a simple reminder that It's not home and we have to deal. Haha, that makes it sound like this is a terrible place! It's not! i am enjoying myself I really am. However, you have to be thinking all the time, you can't always just go with the flow. You have to expect the unexpected. We visited with a lady who claims to be pregnant and has been for 4 years. She has gone to the doctor, but they can't see the baby because the Devil is hiding it. She has gone to witch doctors and is tired of it, she wants to know God. Naomi (one of the Local's wives, and a translator) told her that if she knew God she would know the Truth and the Truth would set her free! But can you imagine having that conversation in the States?? but T.I.A :-)

tomorrow I am going to the Medical clinic with Stephanie, I am excited because she said there is a lady there who studies with the Masai sometimes and I might get to go with her. 

 Well I hope this message has found you in good spirits! I ask that you add the mission efforts in Tanzania to your prayers, it is a great work.

~May the Lord Bless you and keep you~