I was invited to speak in a women's conference in Tanzania with my friends Sherry and Rhona recently. Although we live in Nairobi for so many years, I have not been to Tanzania before - so this trip was pretty exciting for me. I flew to Nairobi first and then took another flight to Kilimanjaro airport. Feeling blessed that I got to be in Nairobi twice this year.
You know those hotel toiletries that we all collect (yes we all do :), I like to take them with me to share. The dental kit with the toothbrush and toothpaste is a great for our orphange. This trip, the ladies at Tabernacle of David, helped us with gifts and toiletries.
I was pleasantly suprised at the boarding gate for my first flight from Kuala Lumpur to Dubai. When they scanned my boarding pass, the staff informed me there was a change in my seat assignment - I had requested and gotten an aisle seat so I was a little suprised. They gave me a new boarding pass with an upgrade to Business Class...woot woot!!! Business class was a LOT of fun. I was too busy enjoying everything that I forgot to take pictues. I had a nice toiletry kit from Bylgari, my seat can be turned to a flat bed and we have yummy food! AND my seat was also a massage chair!
7 hours of total bliss!
Had to get myself a giant samosa from the Java House at the airport.
In Tanzania, specifically Kabuku. The african market always fascinates me - such colorful shoes!
Reminds me of the night market backhome in Malaysia - I love it!
These were some of the homes and houses on the way to the open air church I preached in.
This is the site of new orpahange and water tower of the Tanzanian Assembly of God. The women's ministry in Southern Missiouri under the leadership of Sherry raised funds to help them with this project. We met the General Superintendent, Rev Barnabas, at the project site and we were so inspired by his vision for the work of God in Tanzania.
This poor puppy is a bag of bones :( I felt so sorry for him. When times are hard for humans, life is even harder for animals.
This is one of the many church planting schools in Tanzania. They have a church plant school in each of the 33 districts - these young people are trained specifically to plant churches. Tanzania has over 7,500 AOG churches and is still going strong.
Our second day in Tanzania was also a special day for Rhonda. It was not an easy feat to get a birthday cake last minute but we somehow managed! Happy birthday, Rhonda!!!
On our way to Karatu, we got to know Daudi, who is the Director for Convoy of Hope Africa. He also gave us a brief tour of his office in Arusha and even helped us get his friend to cut a regular sim card to a micro size card using a panga (machete).
On Sunday, I preached in an open air church -they had a simple skeletal structure and a mabati roof (iron sheet). About 70 people were present.
The congregation were so responsive and hungry for the Word. The pastor and his wife is doing such a great work in this community. After the service they presented me with a beautiful African fabric and a Masaai shuka.
Our little motel :) It's US$15 a night - clean, has hot shower and breakfast included - pretty good deal if you ask me.
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Sherry - also my roomate :) and I started packing gifts for the women's conference on Monday - we brought with us gifts of soaps, lotions, jewellery, purses, perfumes, etc. The ladies are going to love it! Thank you all who have contributed to this goodie bags!
Monday was Women's Conference Day! We defintely did not expect the reception we were so graciously given - the women danced and sang as we were driven to the church where the conference we held. The women were so ready to hear the Word and to meet with the Lord! I love the singing, the colorful outfits and the joy of these women.
These kids were just hanging out in one of the rooms at the church - peeking out and curious about all the commotions! Beautiful kids
This wonderful woman is the wife of our host Pastor. She is also a teacher at a local school. She keeps calling me "dada" (sister) because I was the only member of the team who speaks a little swahili! I am thankful that my little bit of Swahili was revived during m
The welcoming choir with another special song in their beautiful choir uniform.
Praying at the altars - the women came, some wept openly, but all with hearts opened, desiring to be used of God, giving themselves to the Lord. As I moved around with the other team members and the women leaders, laying hands on them and praying for them, I thought how blessed is Kabuku to have so many God fearing women. These women will change their community for the Lord!
Over 500 women came for the conference. There weren't enough chairs for all, so some stood the entire conference. Others sat outside and listened in. The women came from various places and represent different tribes. This picture is of the Masai women who were singing a special. Several different groups presented their unique dance and song throughout the day - what a treat it was to us to see and hear these beautiful women in their colorful outfits praising and worshipping God in their own tongue. A little bit of heaven on earth! How glorious heaven will be when every tribe and tongue is represented!
I'll end this blog here but will most defintely have a part II soon. Part II will be about the game drive we did and my short visit to Nairobi. Check back soon, okay? I wish I had taken more and better pictures. I get so immersed in the moments and so enjoyed interacting with people that I often forget to take pictures. I need to do better cos I love sharing our lives and ministries with you. Many of you pray for us and even support us in so many diffrent ways and it is a joy to share our trips with you.
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