Wednesday, January 21, 2009

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.

5 comments:

  1. Hi Judy and all others from First:) Sounds like you guys are having a great experience! It is so fun to hear what you have been doing. Not much going on here. It is supose to get to 32 degrees today! YIPEE
    How warm is it there? Sounds like Jeff and some of the kids are coming home this weekend, so that should be fun. It will be a very crazy weekend with a full day of Hockey and another full day of gymnastics! Better go for now. Take care and we look forward to seeing your next blog. Any photos????? But don't clear your card:) LOL
    Love- Traci, Jarrett, PJ, and Kylla

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  2. Great to hear from you. Yes, it is disappointing not to be able to communicate with you at the lodge. Traci reported on the weather and this week-end. I met Dave and Val this noon, and buying dinner for the Bixby's this eve. They leave Fri. for Fla. See is this goes thru. Jim

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  3. Mom,

    We can't wait to hear about all the details. I'm sure it will be difficult to describe all that you will experience, but we are glad you have the chance to be there. It's hard to believe you a a half a world away.

    We saw pictures of people in a Kenyan village that was Barack Obama's father's ancestral home watching the inauguration. It looked like it was fairly close to Arusha (when looking at the African continent).

    We continue to think and pray for the STEMM team!

    Jeff

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  4. Aunt Judy,
    What an amazing experience. You and your group are making such a difference in the lives of these people as they will also make a difference in yours forever. I'll be anxious to see pictures and hear about your adventure. Safe travels to both you and your group. I'll continue to pray for the work you are doing. I love you.

    Kristi Sue

    Kristi Sue

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  5. Hi Judy- Jim called and told me the story about the monkeys and the peanuts:) I hope you stuck a monkey in your suitcase for me!! How exciting! What are you guys up to now? Jarrett took off for his snowmobiling trip this morning and called and said they made it there about 6:00 p.m. He said it was a long day driving. I hope everything else is going well with you and all from First. I look forward to all your stories and photo's. Better go for now. Love Ya, Traci

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