Sharing meals and lives
The sun is beginning to warm the banana trees around me as I type this update. It's about 7 AM in Dodoma, and I'm swatting back the hungry mosquitoes.
We've had a wonderful past several days here in Dodoma. The staff at the local church have been so kind and welcoming. We've been served huge amounts of food, walked some good distances, and shaken hundreds of hands.
The first full day we were here in Dodoma we spent playing with the Lahash kids. Currently there are 50 children enrolled in the program here - but only 35 have been sponsored. If you'd like to sponsor a child - you can click on this link to see the kids and for details on sponsorship.
That evening we split up to head to our homestays. Various members of the church have invited our team members to stay with them - and we are learning more about Tanzanian life and culture from each of them.
Yesterday we spread out across Dodoma in our teams. We sat down with families affected by AIDS and heard story after story of survival, courage, hope, and faith. One grandmother our team visited worked several jobs - despite the aches and sickness of complications from AIDS - to provide for the kids left in her home.
Another family had 20+ children in the rundown home. There were 3 adults (all unemployed) trying to care for several families who had lost parents to HIV/AIDS. The grandfather of the clan took my hand and thanked us for coming for a visit. He explained how the recent storm had broken down two of the mud walls. Trina prayed over the family as we left - but it was difficult to find words to say in those situations.
Thank you all for your continued prayers for our group. We appreciate prayers for team unity, humility, love, and emotional strength as we are exposed to these stories of tragedy and suffering.
We've had a wonderful past several days here in Dodoma. The staff at the local church have been so kind and welcoming. We've been served huge amounts of food, walked some good distances, and shaken hundreds of hands.
The first full day we were here in Dodoma we spent playing with the Lahash kids. Currently there are 50 children enrolled in the program here - but only 35 have been sponsored. If you'd like to sponsor a child - you can click on this link to see the kids and for details on sponsorship.
That evening we split up to head to our homestays. Various members of the church have invited our team members to stay with them - and we are learning more about Tanzanian life and culture from each of them.
Yesterday we spread out across Dodoma in our teams. We sat down with families affected by AIDS and heard story after story of survival, courage, hope, and faith. One grandmother our team visited worked several jobs - despite the aches and sickness of complications from AIDS - to provide for the kids left in her home.
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| From Vibrant 08 Trip |
Another family had 20+ children in the rundown home. There were 3 adults (all unemployed) trying to care for several families who had lost parents to HIV/AIDS. The grandfather of the clan took my hand and thanked us for coming for a visit. He explained how the recent storm had broken down two of the mud walls. Trina prayed over the family as we left - but it was difficult to find words to say in those situations.
Thank you all for your continued prayers for our group. We appreciate prayers for team unity, humility, love, and emotional strength as we are exposed to these stories of tragedy and suffering.
posted by Dan Holcomb - Lahash at 9:04 PM
6 Comments:
Hi Dan, Erin and team,
Glad to hear things have gone well for you so far! (Dan, did you happen to pick up my email?)
We're praying for you all much. We've got your schedule and picture on our kitchen table.
love you, char, for usf
don't know if i'm doing this right, but i'll try.
Hello team... Liz's mom here.
It is so incredible to be able to follow along with you, and hear the work you are doing. I can't imagine the emotions you are going through being there, as I'm tearing up just reading your blog. Know that we are praying hard for you.
And remember, it's not always necessary to say anything in the face of these tragedies... your presence in the lives of these people speaks more than any words ever could. Please let them know that we are praying for them as well.
Hugs and prayers to all.
Glenda
Hi Dan and Erin,
Congratulations on your first wedding anniversary! How appropriate--to observe it in TZ as you serve together those who are in need! We are delighted that God has brought you together; we love you both!
Portland again featured a Rose Festival to celebrate the occasion!
We are following the events of your team with prayer that God will use you as a team to share his love and his truth. May you all grow in sharing God's heart for people, and may you bring real hope to those who must feel like there is not much to look forward to in this life.
May God bless you!
Dad and Mom
Hey there,
Happy Anniversary! May God bless you and your time in Africa! We wish we could be there with you!
Love,
Mike, Jeanette and all of the kids!
Once again, I hope it was a really special anniversary day--and you made our day special with that telephone call during The Gathering. What time was it there--1:00 a.m. or something like that? What's most exciting is your close contact with people. Where two are three are gathered, there I am, Jesus said. You're in his presence and care, I know.
Jim (and Annette)
It was such a gift to hear from all of you during the Gathering. All too often there are not words that can describe what you are experiencing. Thank you for sharing your hearts with us. We miss you and will continue praying for you and the lives you touch!
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