Early morning! We were up and on the buses by 6:00am. With our suitcases strapped on the roof of the buses, we began the six hour journey from Nairobi to Arusha, TZ. I was eager to see the African countryside for the first time. I caught glimpses of the landscape in Nairobi, but it was mostly industrialized...replete with tar roads, buildings, and billboards. I loved the ride for several reasons: a) It was great time to learn more about my old/new friends on the team. We shared stories and laughter. b) As the sun rose along the horizon, it was so beautiful to see the locals hustling and bustling along the roadside.
After six hours on dusty pothole filled roads, our buses pulled into our "home" for the remainder of the trip: Vernon & Mary Smith's home. The Smiths are a missionary couple who have lived in Arusha, TZ for over twenty years. Their hearts for the Lord and for the Arushan community, honestly took me aback. Vernon is the pastor at Bible Baptist Church, located in the neighborhood "Olorien," which is within Arusha. Next to their church is Bible Baptist School, which flocks of neighborhood children attend. Right across the church and school is the new Bible Baptist Olorien Medical Clinic. Our team will spend the remainder of our time working within this neighborhood.
We arrived around 1:30pm, and Vernon and Mary had prepared hamburgers and chips with guacamole (yum!). Mary said she was really excited because recently a grocery store that carries bread had opened in Arusha, so she didn't have to make the hamburger buns by hand this time (!). The meal was perfectly completed by homemade chocolate chip cookies, oatmeal chocolate chunk cookies, and fudge (Fudge = key to my heart. Actually most any chocolate dessert will suffice as the key ;) ). After lunch, Vernon & Mary gave a rundown of their involvement in the Arushan community, and laid out our rough blueprint for the remainder of our time. I am so thrilled and honored to work alongside these people. Vernon is completely fluent in Swahili. He randomly jumps from Swahili to English, at his leisure. I can't imagine how long that must have taken for him to learn. I am so blown away and encouraged by this couple.
This afternoon we went to the Olorien Clinic (which opens for the first time tomorrow!), and began setting up the medicine and supplies we had brought from America. The clinic is absolutely beautiful.
After six hours on dusty pothole filled roads, our buses pulled into our "home" for the remainder of the trip: Vernon & Mary Smith's home. The Smiths are a missionary couple who have lived in Arusha, TZ for over twenty years. Their hearts for the Lord and for the Arushan community, honestly took me aback. Vernon is the pastor at Bible Baptist Church, located in the neighborhood "Olorien," which is within Arusha. Next to their church is Bible Baptist School, which flocks of neighborhood children attend. Right across the church and school is the new Bible Baptist Olorien Medical Clinic. Our team will spend the remainder of our time working within this neighborhood.
We arrived around 1:30pm, and Vernon and Mary had prepared hamburgers and chips with guacamole (yum!). Mary said she was really excited because recently a grocery store that carries bread had opened in Arusha, so she didn't have to make the hamburger buns by hand this time (!). The meal was perfectly completed by homemade chocolate chip cookies, oatmeal chocolate chunk cookies, and fudge (Fudge = key to my heart. Actually most any chocolate dessert will suffice as the key ;) ). After lunch, Vernon & Mary gave a rundown of their involvement in the Arushan community, and laid out our rough blueprint for the remainder of our time. I am so thrilled and honored to work alongside these people. Vernon is completely fluent in Swahili. He randomly jumps from Swahili to English, at his leisure. I can't imagine how long that must have taken for him to learn. I am so blown away and encouraged by this couple.
This afternoon we went to the Olorien Clinic (which opens for the first time tomorrow!), and began setting up the medicine and supplies we had brought from America. The clinic is absolutely beautiful.
My heart is overflowing, words cannot capture my emotions.
I'm reminded of, "Savior, teach our souls to rise." -Sandra McCracken
Currently Playing: Ketchwa - Braddigan
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