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.