Dudoma!!!!

The ride out SHOULD have taken about 3 hours . That is if you are in America and have direct highways and paved roads. But since this is Africa, and parts of the road we went through mud ditch and a VERY old bridge.....and you are constantly passing HUGE trucks, it took us about 7 hrs each way. Of course this did include a break down (Praise God it was in a town and we knew someone who lived there to call to come help us) and lots of traffic on the way home.



But overall, it was quite a scenic ride out. The country side is so unique here. You never know what you will see, kids peeing on the side of the road, herds of cows heading towards water, small villages, MUD HUTS WITH SATTELITE DISHES! I stayed awake and just kept watching to see what was out there. Plus it helped Carley the driver to have four eyes on the road. There are always trucks broken down. Since no one has flares, they just put out bushes. Lots of road hazards. Once we made it to Dudoma, it was so great to be out of the city. I didn't realize how loud Dar was til we left. I felt like I had travelled down to DE to visit my grandparents. That is how Dudoma felt. Slow, relaxed, more like a community. An SIL missionary named Marcia (below on the left) opened up her home to us! We were very thankful....and super excited to see she had a Wii!!! Thats right, a Wii in Africa! Someone had given it to her as a gift last year. And we were happy to play a bit!

Saturday was quite a busy day though! Kate and I went to visit a friend we met at ABO (our summer training), Andrea (on left). don't you love my mismatched clothes. I really am beginning to dress like an African. Stripes and circles!!!!! We got to see her ministry with street children. Basically every morning, her and two other people go around town and visit different places where they know the kids hang out. Then talk to them, hold a Bible study, and see if they have any needs (they usually do). By2, everyone comes back to this little rented room they have. The boys just start showing up. they really mulitplied. At first i wondered if any were coming, but by the end there were about 70 boys there! here they are waiting for others playing with Adam's accordian.

The boys hang out and the man, Adam (below in the middle) leads the worship time. Lots of singing, praying, and talking from the word. They try to have a few people share with the boys too. but as you look out at the dirty faces of the kids, I realized some things. one is that although Physically they really needed a good bath, clean clothes, house, consistent food....what they really needed overall, they were getting right here. They were finding out about the Lord Jesus and how He is there with them through all of their trials.

It was incredible to realize that although this ministry was just starting, they were beginning by meeting the right needs. Daily food (rice and beans) and lots of scripture. I wanted to adopt all of the boys move to Africa, build a huge house and take care of them, but that isn't really possible. Not until I learn more Swahili that is! But I was almost depressed about the need there. So many kids who are getting in trouble for stealing food. But they only are stealing because they are hungry!!!

However, God didn't leave me there. On Sunday we have a AIM Bible study and I was talking with Kathleen who runs the street ministry here in Dar. She was saying how that ministry has grown from occasional food filled with worms to healthy food for the children every day. her first day in Dudoma, they shared food with the kids on the street. There was literally worms floating in the food, but it was all they had. To keep a good relationship with the boys and not waste food, she had to eat the food, worms and All!! So there has been great improvements in that area. The whole time Adam has told the kids that life is hard, but Christ is walking with us and we need to follow him. Then he will supply all our needs.So this man Adam, is really incredible. He gave up his life, to wander the streets and find kids to tell about Jesus. Talk about an insiring man! I was almost thinking how brave I was to come to Africa, but I am NOTHING compared to this man and the sacrifice he makes each day to serve these kids. And then He is NOTHING compared to the sacrifice Christ made for us...so that put me back in my place!! :-)

It was a great trip overall. I love seeing more and more of Tanzania. It is such a diverse country.

Later that night, we also were invited to a Scottish dance in the MAF (missions aviation fellowship) hanger. So here are some pics of Clare (red skirt), Kate (black skirt), Carley (white skirt) and I hanging out.