To Tanzania with the Media team

Our media team (minus Casey) has just finished some burrito wraps at the Minneapolis airport and we're headed out in a couple hours to Tanzania. Nate Grubbs (our magazine designer) and Dana Bertermann (our magazine editor) are joining Casey Schilperoort and I for a couple really exciting projects.

The big project we'll be working on is a partner designed and created magazine. We'll create an issue of Hope Is Alive on the ground in Tanzania with the ideas, photos, and text from our Dodoma partners. We'll share updates along the way about this process.

We'll also be working on some photography projects, video pieces, and we'll all be sharing a homestay with kids in the sponsorship program.

We'll get some good updates on the blog in the upcoming month - so stay tuned...

Catching Up With Erin, Katie, and Will

There was a packed crowd at the Lahash House as Erin Weiss, Will Campbell, and Katie Potter shared their stories and pictures from their travels to Dodoma.

About 40 people came to hear about their trips, and shared a great time of catching up with Erin, Will, and Katie--as well as each other.



There was wonderful fellowship (as well as wonderful desserts), and also a time to pray for Dan, Nate, and Dana as they head out to East Africa on September 1st.



Keep checking back here for stories and pictures of their travels.

Dodoma through the lens of Erin Weiss

Erin Weiss is a friend from Vibrant Covenant Church in Portland, Oregon. She's been living with our partners in Tanzania for about a month now. She's been uploading some great photos on her online photo album - the photos in this post are a select few from her album.

Above: Leah Burkholder (who's been serving for nearly a year in Dodoma with our partners) does some office work while one of the kids enjoys reading.

Above: White field corn (maize) drying after the harvest.

Above: Katie Potter (our U.S. sponsorship director) enjoys some conversations with the kids she's been representing and advocating for over the past year.

Above: A baobab tree spreads over the dusty Dodoma landscape.

Above: Jeff Angote, Mama Betty, and Tifanee share with an HIV/AIDS support group in Dodoma.

Above: Meal time at Leisha and Leah's home. Beans, a spicy salad, and rice.

Above: The Lahash kids' choir singing in church.

Above: Fresh vegetables in the Dodoma market.

Casey & Abbe sendoff party

Casey (our Media Director) and his wonderful family will be heading out to Tanzania about mid-day tomorrow. They'll be working with our partners in Dodoma - being a serving presence and capturing stories and video for our advocacy needs.

On Monday we met at the Portland Lahash house to send them off with our love and prayers. It was great seeing many of you Portland friends there during the evening.

Casey and Abbe will be staying at Leisha's house in Dodoma. Please pray for their family during the travels and seven weeks of service in Tanzania.

You can send Casey an email at cschilperoort(at)lahash.net. Kwaheri!

New Board Chair

Jeff Griggs was unanimously voted as Lahash's new board chair.

Bringing a specialty working with policy formation at Blue Cross/Blue Shield, and a heart to help the vulnerable people of East Africa, Jeff is an amazing fit for the job.

"I was praying for an opportunity to use my professional skills, and Lahash is a unique organization that focuses on serving people. It is a great fit for my abilities. Their biggest goal is to best help our brothers and sisters in East Africa, and I'm glad I can be a part of that."

Jeff lives in Oregon City with his wife Jen and their new baby boy Oliver.

New partner photos

Here's some new photos from our partners

Leisha

Katie at Kampala House


Erin getting her foot checked out


"Huzzah,I get a cane! Um...I mean a broomstick!"

Erin Weiss & Will Campbell arrive in Tanzania

On Wednesday our team saw two Lahash travelers off at the Portland airport. Erin Weiss (in purple above) is a friend from Vibrant Covenant Church and will be plugging into the kids' community in Dodoma and sharing life through some of her teaching and counseling skills. Will Campbell (in green above) is a friend from Imago Dei. He brings his photographer's eye to the scene and will be capturing some images of the staff and kids of Grace & Healing Ministry.

This afternoon I just got a text from our staff member Leisha Adams. She let me know that the travelers arrived safely in Dar Es Salaam. They'll be heading across country to the capital city of Dodoma tomorrow.


Please be in prayer for these two as they join Katie Potter and Leisha Adams in service of our awesome Tanzanian friends!

Another Great Work Day!

Here are some more pictures of last weekend's work day! Lots of sanding, painting, and elbow grease. Things are looking great! Thanks to everyone that has lent a hand!

Katie's pre-trip video!

Check out Katie's video leading up to her (and Leisha's) travel to Uganda, and then to Nairobi!