So what would you do if you had to work outside on a cold day and you had a warm, fuzzy, matching coat and hat in your closet? You would wear it of course!
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Thursday, June 18, 2009
I spent the last few weeks working on preparations for teams and then hanging out with two great teams from Perimeter Church and Scottsdale Bible Church. Both teams were here earlier this month to partner with Imara in the community development (or rather, community transformation) work that is going on in Northern Tanzania. I had a lot of fun with both groups, and, of course, took lots of pictures. I got to be part of ministry to widows (by planting gardens and building goat pens), ministry to children who are sponsored by individuals at both churches, and enjoyed interacting with so many of the wonderful people who live in these two communities. I also got to see some amazing scenery!
Click here to see some new photos.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Thursday, January 15, 2009
there's no place like home
I've been home for just over a month now, and what a full time it has been! I have been so blessed to get to see many of you. In addition to celebrating Christmas with family in Tennessee, North Carolina and Georgia (yes, we have a large extended family), I spent New Year's Eve with some very dear friends in South Carolina, and then my birthday with my family back in NC. In the meantime I've made a few trips to Atlanta to catch up with friends and supporters, go to the dentist, and see a good friend get married. Besides all the merriment I have loved being able to just enjoy the comforts of home - hot water from the tap, home cooked meals, trips to Target . . .the list could go on and on.
About a week and a half ago I was at Perimeter Church for a time of sharing what I have been doing in Tanzania. I was so encouraged by how many of you came to show your support. Thank you!
me, my brother and sister at Christmas
playing with Kerith
Thursday, December 4, 2008
ask and you shall receive
Since the robbery that occurred less than two weeks ago people have been praying for me in lots of different ways . . . that I would be able to sleep, that I wouldn't be overwhelmed with feelings of fear, that my stolen items would somehow be restored to me . . . Those first two things have definitely been answered in a very real way. I have still managed to get 7-8 hours of good sleep each night without interruptions of nightmares or flashbacks. I have also felt any feelings of fear subside each day to the point that I really don't feel them at all anymore (although I am still more jumpy than normal, so don't sneak up behind me as a joke and expect to get a laugh out of me). And now even that third thing people have been praying for has been answered as well!
A few days ago I received an email that gave me a bit of a shock, it was from the person who was at that time in possession of my computer. I had to read it several times and have other people read it as well before I could actually comprehend what it was saying. It was from a man who wondered if the used mac he recently bought had been stolen. When he started to use it he discovered all of my personal documents and photographs. He realized that someone who intended to sell a computer would not have left these things on the hard drive. He searched for an email address and contacted me. I don't know how many hands it passed through before this man bought it but I know that God put it in the hands of this honest man.
After emailing back a forth a few times with this man and getting lots of advice from people I trusted, I felt that he was trustworthy and arranged a meeting. It was strange to have the computer in my hands again. I looked quickly over the files and it looks like nothing has been deleted or lost! What an answer to prayer! The things that were irreplaceable (most importantly, the thousands of photos that I have taken of this past year) have now been restored to me. Its still hard for me to comprehend at times, I have to pinch myself and remind myself that it really is true!
We still have not come to a final arrangement of how I can compensate him for his kind and courageous act, but the important thing is that I have my files, photos, music (everything!) back in my possession and already backed up on an external hard drive. The rest will fall into place.
A few days ago I received an email that gave me a bit of a shock, it was from the person who was at that time in possession of my computer. I had to read it several times and have other people read it as well before I could actually comprehend what it was saying. It was from a man who wondered if the used mac he recently bought had been stolen. When he started to use it he discovered all of my personal documents and photographs. He realized that someone who intended to sell a computer would not have left these things on the hard drive. He searched for an email address and contacted me. I don't know how many hands it passed through before this man bought it but I know that God put it in the hands of this honest man.
After emailing back a forth a few times with this man and getting lots of advice from people I trusted, I felt that he was trustworthy and arranged a meeting. It was strange to have the computer in my hands again. I looked quickly over the files and it looks like nothing has been deleted or lost! What an answer to prayer! The things that were irreplaceable (most importantly, the thousands of photos that I have taken of this past year) have now been restored to me. Its still hard for me to comprehend at times, I have to pinch myself and remind myself that it really is true!
We still have not come to a final arrangement of how I can compensate him for his kind and courageous act, but the important thing is that I have my files, photos, music (everything!) back in my possession and already backed up on an external hard drive. The rest will fall into place.
Monday, November 24, 2008
much to give thanks for . . .
This is an entry I never thought I would write, nor would ever want to have to write. Some of you reading this may have already heard the news through a prayer chain or email. I wanted to post something here to let anyone else know and also, selfishly, to have as many people praying for me as I possibly can.
This past Friday evening my roommate Meagan and I were at home when five armed men broke into the house around 8:30. They threatened us, demanded money (which we didn't have much of anyway), took all of our electronics, camera, etc and then locked us in a bedroom as they went through the rest of the house to find anything else they might want to take. Once we were sure that they had gone we went to the neighbors to get help, made a report with the police and eventually went to the home of trusted friends who welcomed us in like we were their own family.
While this was certainly a terrifying experience there are many things I can be thankful for:
I wanted you all to know what had happened, but most importantly to know that I am safe and unharmed. Please do continue to pray for me and Meagan as we deal with the feelings and emotions that come along with an experience like this. We are also praying that somehow the things that were stolen would be restored to us. I know it would take a miracle but its nothing God can't handle!
This past Friday evening my roommate Meagan and I were at home when five armed men broke into the house around 8:30. They threatened us, demanded money (which we didn't have much of anyway), took all of our electronics, camera, etc and then locked us in a bedroom as they went through the rest of the house to find anything else they might want to take. Once we were sure that they had gone we went to the neighbors to get help, made a report with the police and eventually went to the home of trusted friends who welcomed us in like we were their own family.
While this was certainly a terrifying experience there are many things I can be thankful for:
- First and foremost is the fact that we were not physically harmed in any way. It is clearly a miracle of God that we were not injured.
- I initially thought that they had taken my passport and knowing that I have a ticket to fly home on December 8th I was worried that I would have to delay my trip home as I went through the process of getting a new passport. The next morning when we went back to the house to gather some of our things I found my passport! It was not in the place where I normally kept it and was therefore safe and sound sitting under a basket on top of the dresser.
- Even though my phone was taken, Meagan had accidentally left hers at the office that day, so once we were able to get to the office we were able to get in contact with everyone that we needed. (This age of cell phones has caused me to neglect committing any phone numbers to memory)
- We knew that we had a safe place to go and felt comfortable calling our friends at 11:30pm to come and pick us up (it was pretty late by the time we finished the reports with the police and got to Meagan's phone)
- We have both been so well loved and cared for by the Body of Christ here in Arusha and from our home communities in America
- I have been able to sleep very well the past 2 nights and have not had any bad dreams
- So many people who have been praying
I wanted you all to know what had happened, but most importantly to know that I am safe and unharmed. Please do continue to pray for me and Meagan as we deal with the feelings and emotions that come along with an experience like this. We are also praying that somehow the things that were stolen would be restored to us. I know it would take a miracle but its nothing God can't handle!
Thursday, October 2, 2008
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