Update from TZ

Slowly but surely we are getting things moving here. Access to internet is sometimes challenging. We'll try to give you a quick update of what we've been doing over the past week. (Hard to believe it's been almost a week, but we've seen and done so much.)



The countryside here is absolutely beautiful. I was traveling around the Masai country one day and when I looked at the hillside and mountains, I saw Masai herders draped in traditional garb walking with their herds of goats and cattle - just like National Geographic.



Last Saturday, most of our team went to the orphanage at Huruma. We toured the facility (a long story), gave gifts to the children including quilts from Tom's church E Free. We all piled into the vehicles to take the children and staff out for a Tanzanian barbecue. These are very well behaved children.:-) Tom, Doug, and Wilson shopped for a 6 month supply of staple food for the orphanage. They purchased about $500 worth of food 14 children and this lasts them about 6 months.



This past Monday and Tuesday, the orphanage team built a new outdoor kitchen for the children and staff at New Paradise Orphanage. This orphanage is located within the city of Arusha while Huruma is situated more on the outskirts. The new kitchen is probably similar to what US residents may call a summer kitchen except that the cook in this outdoor kitchen squats on the ground to cook over an open fire. The team totally demolished the old kitchen and constructed the new one under the direction of fundi (Swahili for carpenter) Rich. This completed project brought tears of joy to Mama Gayle and a number of orphanage team members.



On Thursday, many of the STEMM team members went with Wilson to an outdoor food market to buy food for the children of New Paradise. This is a huge market and nothing like what we've seen in Spirit Lake or the Twin Cities. We purchased staples and some fresh vegetables for them and then delivered.



The medical team has been busy, some of us learning more than helping. A number of us had the opportunity to make home visits with the Hospice Team from Selian. Patients are living in their homes with assistance from local volunteers. We are learning the value of community. Many of the patients on the hospice caseload are HIV. The fabulous STEMM team donated over $240 to buy food for hospice patients - no subsidized food programs for the poor here.



Dr. John Sinnot gave a presentation to medical staff and others on Wednesday re: rheumatoid arthritis and the success he has had in treating it. It was very well received with many good questions from participants.



Of course, Dr. Steve is doing surgeries on children with deformities who otherwise would not have any corrections to their orthopedic problems. A number of us have been able to observe him at work - both with the children pre- and post-op - as well as the surgery itself. Mike, John, and Rachel have helped Steve in the OR. The facilities at old Selian do not compare to what we know in Sioux City, Spirit Lake, etc. More later.



This afternoon we motored to Masai country and saw the STEMM students at the New Life School. This school is providing "free" education to Masai children, and we are especially greatful that girls are included in this school. Historically girls are not allowed to acquire an education. Through this program and the slow change in Masai cultural norms, young women are being educated and encouraged to pursue their dreams.



This has been quite an experience for all us, each probably experiencing something totally different from everyone else. We are growing personally, spiritually, and as a team. We are all in awe of the joy that the people we have met experience as part of their entire life despite poverty and illness.



A final brief note about Wilson's church which is located in one of the poorest parts of this city. Words cannot describe the enthusiasm with which these members worship their Lord in song, prayer, and dance. We look forward to another session at this church. We are treated so well in spite of our stiff white-ness.



Friday we head out for three days of safari and marveling at God's creation.

God is Alive in Africa

We thought we were coming here to witness to the people of Tanzania, but it is they who have witnessed to us. there faith is so strong it blows us over. they have so little, but are so content and at peace. they truly practise; with God nothing else matters.

what a beautiful country. Roads are a challenge, but the mountains are magnificent.

our lodge is brand new, so new that the water and electricity only work on rare occasions, unless you count the water running out the bottom of the stools.
it is humbling, and gives notice as to what is important in life.

friday we begin our safari experience. can't wait to see the awesomes creatures of this country. we are all staying well, and having life changing experiences every day. peace be with you all, know we are fine, in god's hands, but do miss you.
(the capital letter key is not working, in case you're wondering.)
everyone should experience this trip at least once in their lifetime.
aileen schacherer
okoboji, ia from arusha, tz.

hello from TZ

hello to all friends and especially family! We are so saddened that is this the first we have been able to get to the internet!! We are downtown at a large hotel that is quite far from where we are staying. I don't even know where to begin what we have seen and experienced thus far -- we have been here only 5 days and it seems as though 2 weeks because we have had such diverse experiences. We have been to 2 different orphanages and just spent 2 days at the one called New Paridise where there are 13 children who are under school age. There was NO way we could have been ready for what we encountered. They literaly have nothing!!! We tore down a shed that they used for their kitchen ( that is hardly the term ) we then built them a new DELUXE kitchen where all the cooking is done at an open fire with the crudest of pots. We toured 2 hospitals today, one a new one that has been built largely from donations from Lutheran churches, and the other the old Silian hopital where Dr. Meyer does his surgeries. I was even able to scrub and go into the surgery room and watch him correct a badly bow-leg little girl. I sure didn't think I would ever be in an operating room( without being the patient).
I will sign off for now and we will hope that we are able to connect soon at the Lodge.

Internet found!!

What an amazing time so far! Words can't explain what it's like to be here. God has blessed us all so much in the last few days. The people are so wonderful, full of love, and joy that only God can bring to their lives.

Thank you all for your prayers! It is just so overwhelming the things we've seen and done. Today the non med team went to the new hospital, and the old hospital. It is so dramatically different, only pictures will explain.

Judy Valen will be blogging under my account-she will sign her name when she does.

Must go now-- Lyn

Update on the STEMM Team

I talked to Wilson and Dr. Steve Meyer today, so wanted to give you an update on how the STEMM team is doing. Wilson said the orphanage team finished building the kitchen at New Paradise Orphanage. Wilson said it is beautiful and built with perfection and the children and Mamas at the orphanage are very thankful and excited at the completion of the project. Wilson said he has very good carpenters and very hard working people.

Dr. Steve Meyer said the medical team has performed many life-changing surgeries, especially on some severely crippled children. Dr. Sinnott gave a teaching session today to all the physicians on Rheumatoid Arthritis that went very well. Steve said the team is fantastic and they are all enjoying themselves and really touching many lives in Africa.

All of the team members are well and sounds like they are all working hard and really enjoying themselves. Let us all continue to pray for them.

Gayle Stroschein
STEMM Medical Educational Director

The Team has Arrived in Tanzania

Hi Everyone,

I just talked to Wilson, our STEMM director in Africa and he said everyone is doing great and it is a fantastic hard working team. He said they have great hearts and are so kind and giving to his people. We scheduled 3 days to build a kitchen at New Paradise Orphanage. He was amazed that today they got all the walls up and only have the roof to put on tomorrow. They are having internet problems at the place that they are staying, so I was to tell everyone that they will go to an internet cafe tomorrow and would email and blog. Everyone is doing great and they had a good flight. Both Wilson and Dr. Steve Meyer said that this is a remarkable team and they are so enthused about doing God's work in Africa.

The medical team did many surgeries today and all went well. The team was just leaving to go out for the best Chinese food I have ever had--yes and it is in Arusha, Tanzania.

Just wanted to let you all know they are doing great and will be in contact via email and blog tomorrow. Please feel free to call if you have questions. My cell phone # 712-204-6148

Gayle Stroschein
STEMM Medical Educational Director

Hi Everyone,

For those of you who are following the blog from the STEMM team, I wanted to let you know I met them at the airport and they were full of excitement for their journey. Let us all say a special prayer for them that they will have a safe journey. There hearts are open and they are ready to do God's work in Africa. They said they would post a blog upon arrival.

Can't wait

Counting down the hours until we are bound for Africa. Our lives will be so richly touched, we can't even imagine. Right now, we may think we are going to make a difference in other people's lives, but we will be blown away by how much the local people will make a difference in us. It will be a life changing experience. See you at 6am as we depart the Lakes area. God Bless. Aileen S.

I want to let all the January STEMM team members that myself and all of the STEMM board members thank you so much for giving of yourself to do God's work in Tanzania. I know you will all enjoy your trip and God will bless you in so many ways spiritually and personally. See you all at the airport tomorrow. Thanks for setting up this blog and I look forward to hearing from all of you. My prayers will be with all of your that you have a safe and pleasant journey. I just talked to Wilson, our STEMM Director in Tanzania, to finish the final things for the trip. He said to send his love and prayers and he is excited to see you all the airport. He is so mumbled by all of your generousity to help his people and is forevery grateful to all of you.
God be with all of you.
gayle

Time to finish work and house projects without getting too distracted. Thanks for the opportunity to write on this blog - another learning experience associated with this trip. I will be one smart woman when all of this is over. More later.

Checking to See if I can post to this site.
Richard

STEMM

STEMM Siouxland Tanzania Educational Medical Ministries - Serving the Lord by addressing the educational, medical and spiritual needs of the children of Tanzania.

The Jan team will be leaving the 15th and most of us home again Feb. 2.

This is my first trip w/STEMM. God has provided me with the opportunity, time and money so how can one say "no". I'm not sure what His plans for me are on this trip, but Know that He is (and will be) at work in me and through me during my time in TZ.

Thank you all for the prayers, support, and interest for the members of this team. We will, if electricity and web connections permit, make posts and uploads of pictures while we are there.

Setup

Yay the blog is up and running!