Asante sana Jesu!

Asante sana Jesu! "Thank you, Jesus" is the blessing song we language-challenged Americans sing with joy here in Tanzania.

Every day brings new blessings and unimagined experiences. We have had so many "God moments" that our heads are hearts are overcome and our brains are spinning. It will take us months to absorb all we have seen and done; the photographs will help, but many of the messages are engraved solely on our hearts.

Showers here may be a little shorter (due to the drought), but we are well-bathed daily in the sunny smiles of strangers. Tanzanians reach out to us happily and unconditionally. The children--toddlers to teens--flock to us, delighted with the prospect of having their pictures captured on our digital cameras. They love to see their faces; some of the kids do amazing Power Ranger imitations! As we walk about, adults also greet us, frequently eager to try out their English or just to be friendly. Everyone returns our greetings--some smiling shyly and others changing their paths to walk along with us and share the day.

People put their hands out to us, not to beg for money, but to affirm friendship. One Tanzanian told us that when people come to visit from the United States, the people here view it as a blessing from God...quite a contrast from the Western world; we have never felt so loved. I feel like the welcome in heaven could not possibly be any better than the welcome we have received here in Tanzania.

The warmth of the African people rivals the heat of the African sun. Our weather here has been perfect...warm but usually with a welcome breeze.

In our few days here we have learned that nothing quells the African spirit. Entrepreneurs load bikes with bags of bread and crates of coca cola. Handcarts overflow with green bananas, bags of charcoal for cooking, or just about anything else you can image.

The students in our schools have charmed us with the magic of their music. The DIRA schools house and educate hundreds of happy, singing children, with limited electricity and without running water. Five-gallon pails are everywhere..students must carry water for the schools use when they aren't in class...everyone pitches in. Even little kids at the schools wash their own clothes in buckets outside then hang them on the line.

The record number of people seen riding on one bicycle is currently four and we saw two Masaai men in full regalia astride a motorcycle, sitting behind the driver.

Every day we are blessed--with this amazing experience of sharing our faith, with good health, and with our amazing friends, Tom and Beth, who, with the help of God, made this journey possible.

Asante sana Jesu!