ARCHIVE – 2008 Posts
Here are some of our past updates, for your reading pleasure….or something.
The Year End View
31 December 2008Wow….2008 is gone already!? What a busy and eventful year! Time has flown by so fast, Blessing and I are wondering if we missed a month or two along the way. I know 2007 didn’t seem to move this fast!? In everything from our wedding to our house to finding about our pregnancy to getting Blessing’s visa and our subsequent travel to the US, it is overwhelmingly apparent to us both that 2008 was definitely a year of God’s amazing faithfulness and provision. I could break down the blessings month by month but that would take too long!
Our wedding on February 28th was a fantastic event…simple and beautiful, surrounded by many friends and a few family. Our house, while we were in Arusha, never ceased to amaze us by how much of an oasis of peace it was. Quiet, private, located close to the base and soccer fields where we worked. We miss our house! It is safe to say we don’t miss the cold showers or boiling our bath water for a ‘bucket bath’. We also don’t miss the dogs that would randomly start barking at 1 or 2am in the neighborhood around us! And for sure, we do NOT miss the dang roosters crowing at 3 or 4 am every single morning from our neighbor’s house!!! We love hot showers at any time of the day or night here in the US, and love having the use of a car (that we don’t have to pay for except gas/petrol!). We discovered in June that we were/are pregnant and after the initial heart-stopping shock and a bit of awe, reconciled ourselves to the fact that we are about to be parents. In September, we received the double (and still mind blowing) blessing of receiving money for air tickets to the US and Blessing’s visa for the US….in that order! Money and then visa!! Shortly thereafter in October, we boarded the planes bound for Oregon. Amazing.
Since we have arrived in the US, there have been challenges to be sure, BUT there have been abundant blessings as well. The ‘free’ place to live, the free car to drive are major benefits. The amount of baby gear that has been given to us, is nothing short of amazing as well. Baby bouncy things, toys, bassinett, stroller/carseat combo, the list goes on! And the baby shower is still a few days away!
Yes, 2008 has been a year to remember for sure! We are looking forward to the arrival of little Emma Chipo Chaendera anytime in the next 3 weeks or so, and are excited and scared at the same time. Parents?!, US?!?! Guess God knows what He’s doing even if we are clueless parents-to-be! As we head into 2009 we are very much seeking God to determine our future. We are praying to know the time we are to stay in the States, whether it’s months or a year or more. Please be praying with us, for peace, provision, and wisdom in all things.
Happy New Year!! Be Blessed!!
The Traveling
8 November 2008Oh, the traveling! We are tired of traveling!! Let me rephrase….we are tired of traveling in a car! No, that does not mean we miss the scary buses of Tanzania or the equally scary public transit, just that we are tired of being in cars for hours at a time!! But that’s how life is, and more accurately that’s how America is! Big country equals big transit time. We do LOVE seeing people tho! My sisters and nieces and nephews and friends! Today we are in Boise, Idaho which is a long way from Roseburg, Oregon where we currently live. A ‘family member’ is getting married today and my parents and I couldn’t/wouldn’t miss the wedding for anything in the world! So Thursday we drove 6 hours, and yesterday we drove 4 or 5 hours….only to do it all again on Monday/Tuesday! Now Blessing has been in 3 States in 3 1/2 weeks…such a travelin’ man.
In other news we are doing very well. The adjustment to the food, climate, and pace of life is still in progress, but we are really doing quite well and thank you for your prayers. We are also getting caught up with prenatal appointments and such. The nurses and doctor were so surprised that my ‘first’ prenatal visit was at 6 1/2 months of pregnancy…until I told them that we just returned to the country a few weeks ago. Now it’s busy catch-up time! We had an in depth Ultrasound on Wednesday (the 5th) and everything is looking as it should (i think). And YES, we do know if the baby is a boy or girl, but if you really want to know…you have to give us a call or a real email!!! Some things just need to be said person to person!
We hope you are all doing good too! We love emails and phone calls, so don’t be shy! Enjoy the fall leaves and stay warm!
20 October 2008Hi everyone! Greetings from Oregon!!
One week after landing we are still adjusting a bit. Climate change, jet-lag, culture change! But we are doing well. I (megan) have renewed my love of Taco Bell and have succeeded in converting my husband as well! Blessing is really in to the whole drive-thru concept whether it’s food or coffee/chai. For other foods we are taking it slow as our bodies aren’t used to all the added fats and oils American’s add to their food. It’s a bit scary…but very tasty!?!?
We are doing quite a bit of travelling in the next few weeks, so please be keeping us in your prayers. This week (Oct 20-27) we will be in Hermiston, Oregon visiting my sister Gretchan and her family. It will be Blessing’s first time to meet our brother-in-law Ivan and our nieces Madison and Caitlin! They’ve spoken on the phone but I’m a little concerned. It seems that Blessing and Caitlin are already best friends (what about aunt Megan), and the more I think about it Ivan and Blessing are a little too much alike! Should be an interesting time, but I’m sure it will be fun. The girls are playing their last soccer games this week, hence the trip while still having jet-lag, but Blessing being a soccer coach kind of mandates that we be there! Then it’s back to Roseburg for a week before travelling back thru Hermiston on our way to Boise, Idaho for a wedding. Then back to Roseburg for 2 weeks before returning to Hermiston! Yikes that’s a lot of driving for me! Pray for safety and gas money!
I have update our contact information on the ‘About’ page, so please feel free to give us a call or an email or a note in the mail!
29 September 2008A few days ago I took what may have been my (Megan) last trip out to Maasai-land for clinic. And oh what a busy day it was! We had not gone out the week before, so there were many many patients to be seen….and only 2 providers, myself and Dr. Mumbi who goes out with us weekly. As the patients were flooding in and waiting outside, I scarcely had time to think. But I stole a minute (when I took a pregnant lady potty break) to reflect on all that has been accomplished out there in the village of Enkikaret. Weekly medical clinic outreaches have drastically cut down on major sicknesses. Children are looking a bit healthier thanks to vitamins. There is less pneumonia and other communicable diseases. “Wow, what progress we have made”, I thought to myself. When I came back to my table and continued with patients, I was reminded that while progress has been made, there are still cultural beliefs to consider. I had a pregnant lady 8 months along come to me with her mother-in-law. She wasn’t sick, but they wanted me to listen with my ‘machine’ to the spirit of the baby to see if things were going well. I smiled. “Of course, let’s go into the other room and I will listen”, I told them thru my translator. So I took my ‘machine’ (stethoscope) and listened to the ‘spirit’ (heartbeat) of the baby and gladly told them everything felt and sounded good for being 8 months along. I was reminded of a clinic a while back, when my translator Bariki told me this patient wouldn’t leave until I listened to him with my ‘machine’. I don’t remember exactly what the complaint was, but I was curious as to just what I was supposed to be listening for in that area. Bariki told me that it is a belief that when I listen to them (heart, lungs, etc) with my ‘machine’ I am listening to the spirit(s) inside them that tells me what’s wrong. So I listened with my stethoscope to the area, and confirmed (with the spirit) that my diagnosis was correct. The patient got their medicine and went their way, confident that I had done everything I could for them. Now do I really converse with spirits? Not exactly. But when working in a village/society where culture is everything, sometimes it’s better to work with their beliefs instead of against them. After all, I could’ve been listening to the Holy Spirit…who’s to say?! J
When we were recently in Dar Es Salaam for Blessing’s visa, we stayed 2 nights at a nice place on the beach. Breakfast was included in the room price, and was a self-service English style buffet. Breads, fruits, cereals, juices, coffee/tea/cocoa, everything you could want for breakfast. I immediately spotted the Cocoa Crispies, right there next to the Rice Crispies and Corn Flakes. I got a little excited…I couldn’t remember just when I had cold cereal last, much less Cocoa Crispies! So I poured myself a bowl, and to my husband’s horror I mixed the Cocoa and Rice Crispies (cuz it makes chocolate milk!). And….I fell in love. Well as much as a pregnant lady can fall in love with a food, anyway! I decided (or my hormones or baby decided) that I could not any longer live without cereal in my house. We came back to Arusha, and I decided to splurge and buy some Kellogg’s Corn Flakes at the store. (Yes it’s a splurge as cereals like that are expensive here!) OhmydearLordinheaven. It was like experiencing an oasis in the middle of a desert. Now, normally I don’t like Corn Flakes in America. I think I had to eat them too much when I was young (Mom was against ‘sugary’ cereals). When I buy cereal in the States, it’s usually Fruit Loops or something sugary with very little health value but that tastes sooooo good. But here…in the last few weeks, we have gone thru Corn Flakes by the boxful! Corn Flakes are an integral part of my life right now. That may change soon, but for now… a little taste of heaven comes from Kellogg’s. In fact, I think I’ll have a bowl right now.
Off to the Embassy…again
5 September 08
Greetings from the land of extreme weather!
It’s finally getting warmer here in Arusha! Woohoo! Well, that is, some days are warmer. It has been ‘blazing’ hot on a few days only to be followed by really cloudy cold and drizzly days! Since the cold winter weather came early this year, we were hoping the warm spring weather would come early too? No such luck!
As you know Blessing applied for a US visa in Harare (Zimbabwe) last month and was denied due to “lack of sufficient evidence of strong ties to Africa”. We have decided to apply again, this time in Dar Es Salaam (Tanzania) so I can go with him! His application has been re-submitted online (that’s how it’s done) and we have an appointment at the Embassy for Wednesday September 10th at 9am. PLEASE be praying for us! We are taking letters this time from the YWAM base stating that I, his American wife, have been working here in TZ for a while and have established my work here, and have a desire to continue that work. The letter will also state that Blessing is linked to the YWAM base as well, and that we have been in the process of applying for his Tanzanian work permit for a few months now. Also a letter from the Tanzanian Football Federation will state that he is a nationally certified football (soccer) coach as is recognized as an active member of the Federation. Hopefully, these letters together with a LOT of prayer will help us to get his visa this time! Blessing and I have prayed much (together and separately) and have a great amount of peace concerning the visa application. Ultimately we pray that God’s will and not man’s will be done. After all, God already knows whether this kid is a boy or a girl (we don’t!) and when and where it will be born! And doesn’t it say in that Book we call the Bible that God opens doors that no man can close and closes doors that no man can open? It does, look it up! J
So please be keeping us in your prayers! We will need to travel on Monday by bus, and I’m a little concerned about 10 hours on a bus with this pregnant body! Also pray with us for safe and favorable (uh, affordable too!) accommodation in Dar as we will need to be there at least until Friday. Thank you so much for your prayers and emails of support. God Bless you!
23 August 2008 The long awaited update:
Oops, time has run away from me again! I have such good intentions of posting regular updates, it just doesn’t always work out! Sorry. Between pregnancy and life in general it’s a very lucky thing that I remember to get dressed each day, much less email? I know…excuses, excuses!
Well, as I type I am desperately missing my husband. Blessing left for Zambia/Zimbabwe on the 13th and I’ve been alone ever since! He will be back in Arusha on Tuesday the 26th and I must say, I’m just a step away from counting the hours and minutes left. It’s quite pathetic how much I miss him. Granted these hormones are really messing with me, but I really really really miss him! We’ve been married just a few days shy of 6 months and haven’t been apart for more than 2 days since October…before we were married.
Sigh… so Blessing went to Zambia to be the Best Man in a friend’s wedding and then continued on to Zimbabwe. In Zimbabwe he has been visiting family (he finally got to see his young brother whom he hasn’t seen in 1 ½ years!) and friends which has been good. However, his main purpose of being so long in Zimbabwe was to apply at the US Embassy in Harare for a visa to the USA. It is our goal, our hope, our prayer to be able to go to the US to have our baby. So on Thursday the 21st, he went to his interview with the $131 application fee and his application. I know many of you were praying and I want to say a heartfelt THANK YOU for doing so,however Blessing was denied a visa to the USA. We are not disheartened, this is but yet another bump in the road. We can reapply again at any time, and we will do so (hopefully soon)paying the $131 again. This time he will apply in Dar Es Salaam so I can go with him. The Consular Officer in Harare said Blessing was denied for lack of sufficient proof of stronger ties to Africa than to the USA. They (the Embassy) see his wife being an American as a strong tie for him to stay in America, rather than return to Africa. (They don’t seem to consider that I, his American wife, don’t have a plan to stay in the US for a long time!) SO…here’s the plan of attack. I will type a letter on behalf of my husband stating that my ties to Africa are stronger than to America at this point. Of the last 2 ½ years, only 5 months have been spent in America. I am a resident of Tanzania! And honest to God, at this time we truly have no intention of immigrating to the USA (maybe later but not now). Second, we will try to get an official letter from the Tanzania Football (soccer) Federation stating and verifying that he is a nationally recognized football coach in Tanzania, and has been active as such. Third, we will ask for a letter from YWAM Arusha, stating that he is a staff member and actively involved in Sports Ministry here. These letters, together with a lot of prayer are what comprise our plan of attack! So the bumps in the road continue… but we aren’t giving up yet.
Aside from missing my husband and contemplating the difficulties that keep jumping in our paths, I have been going back out to Enkikaret (our adopted Maasai village) to help with the health clinics each week. It’s tiring for this ol’ pregnant girl and the road out there is a bit rough on me these days, but it’s good to be involved in ministry again. For most of May I was sick, June and July I was nauseated, so August seems to have been the first time I could re-engage in life again(albeit on a ½ time basis)!
Please keep us in your prayers. For continued good health, and for our finances which have been hit very hard recently. God is in control, we know, and it has been amazing to watch Him provide for the visa fees! Keep in touch, we love to hear from you!
25 July 2008 It’s true, I really do dream of tacos. And hamburgers. And pizza. When I was sick in May I was a bit delusional with my fevers, and I had closed my eyes in the hospital and could see and smell the taco in front of my eyes. Then I opened my eyes, and harsh reality set in. Over the last 2 months, I’m not sure exactly how many times I’ve dreamed of crunchy hard-shell tacos with perfectly seasoned ground beef, real lettuce, and a luscious amount of shredded cheddar cheese. But of course…those are NOWHERE to be found!! Food dreams are sooooo cruel!!
Why do I dream of tacos? Well, some of you guessed the cryptic message said but not said in my last update. The message about the change that is growing and will keep growing and growing is in fact a baby. Yes, people…I am pregnant…!!?!?! At the time of my last update I was still pretty much in denial about the whole thing, so couldn’t bring myself to say outright that I was/am pregnant. But I’ve recently come out of denial…so yeah, Blessing and I should have this lil’ SURPRISE in February. Surprise? Oh heck yes. Not to God obviously but definitely to Blessing and I. Planned? Uh, not by us…not for a few years, but clearly planned by God. Just proves He has a sense of humor and that His plans aren’t necessarily the Chaendera’s plans! This is also the reason for the need to return to the USA for a bit. Blessing and I have agreed that it would be best to try and have this kid in the USA for many reasons. First, it’s our first child and who really knows how delivery will go with a first born? Second, the hospitals here in Tanzania are horrifying for delivering babies. I have assisted in 12 births in Tanzania and I have seen first-hand the hygiene (or lack of) of the hospitals, and the way the doctors and nurses treat the babies and mothers. It is simply not acceptable. Third, I can be near my sisters etc, who have been thru this more recently than say, my mom, and they can help me try to stay normal thru the last trimester and delivery!? Blessing has yet to meet my sister Heather, either of my brother-in-laws or any of the wild and crazy nieces and nephews! The reasons go on and on, if you would like more in-depth info, just email me and I’ll give you the answers.
Please be praying for Blessing and I in these very strange pregnancy times. I’m still nauseated every day and seriously lacking energy to do much. We will be applying soon for a visa for Blessing and need to see a miracle from God with the Embassy as our time is short. It’s recommended that I travel while still in the 2nd trimester, which ends the end of October/early November. We are also believing for a miracle for the finances to get to America. Plane tickets just keep going up and it’s really stretching our faith to believe for such a large sum of money! Please let us know if there is anything we can pray about for you. Keep in touch!
4 July 2008Wow, it is always so strange to be in another country on American holidays, especially Independance Day! I get all excited, put on some red/white/blue but the people around me…just don’t really seem to care! It makes me miss barbeques, fireworks, the sun (still freezing here!) and my family!
So, about that change that Blessing and I have been sensing coming. Wow. We are grateful for your prayers as we have been and continue to sort this out. It is a big change and not one that we had planned on. It’s become apparent to us that we need to leave Tanzania for a while and go to the USA in late October, early November. We are VERY sure this is what God is directing us to do, however we are needing extra prayers for the finances involved in applying for Blessing’s visa in Dar Es Salaam, as well as the air tickets to get to the US. At this point we are looking into one-way tickets for each of us as we are not sure how long we are to be in the USA. We are not sure what comes after getting to the US, when or if we are to return to Tanzania or what, but we DO know that we are to go ‘home’ to Oregon for a time.
Okay, okay! I know I’m being ‘cryptic’ here. Agghh!!! Well let’s just say that God definitely has a sense of humor. And also that His plans and timing are not necessarily our/my plans and timing. So this particular change that is here, is a little change that is growing into a big change. And will keep growing…and growing…and growing……… And that’s all I have to say for now!!
23 June 2008
Whew! Greetings from FREEZING cold Arusha! Contrary to popular belief, yes it IS possible to get quite cold in the Southern Hemisphere winter! Especially when one lives in the mountain regions! Brrrrr! Living in a cement house with no heat, working in a cement office with no heat….hey, does shivering burn calories?!
We are still alive and kicking, the two of us, so that’s good news, eh? Thank you all so much for your prayers and encouragements when I (Megan) was sick with the evil kidney infection! I am healthy now and have recovered my energy for normal day to day activity. Blessing is still very much involved in soccer, and our boys are currently playing in a tournament of local teams. My friend Michelle and I are still tutoring English to our Standard 7 (US 6th Grade) soccer boys on Mondays (but not Wednesdays)and are loving it. We each have 7 boys in our group, and we finally had to tell Blessing ‘No More!”. Other than that I am, well… searching.
The winds of change continue to subtly blow in the life of the Chaendera’s. We have been feeling for quite some time that a change is coming for us… we just don’t know what it is yet! We are praying and talking with each other, and so far the only thing we know for sure is that change is coming! Blessing is doing quite well with this. I, on the other hand, am not doing so well with it! I want to know what the change is, when it’s coming, and how to prepare for it! But, alas, God has not revealed that to us yet. Please continue to pray for us and for clear direction in our lives as we are now married. God Bless you so much and please, please let us know if there is anything we can pray about with you!
Posted by Megan
7 MAY 08 One year.. a lot can happen in one year. People change, kids grow, friends have children, some people get divorced, others married. One year. That’s how long it’s been since I’ve seen my nieces and nephews, my eldest sister, my close friends. One year since I’ve stepped on U.S. soil. At times it seems like such a long time! And at other times it seems like it went by in a wink. It seems like it was 27 April 2007, then I blinked and it was 27 April 2008!
Much has changed for me personally, aside from the obvious getting married. My vision/calling from when I came last year has…evolved a bit. I’ll try to explain, but it’s still being clarified in my brain! I am still very much passionate about health care here in Tanzania. I am still wanting to teach health to prevent many of the diseases and common problems and such, however, I no longer think the focus is Enkikaret and the Maasai. I went out with a team to do a clinic in April and it was good. The Maasai women who do the bead work I sell still remembered me by name! Something was different though, and I’ve tried to put words to it, but I fail each time.
There is a different feeling out there now (for me at least). It’s not a good or bad different…It’s just different. I know, I know…what does that mean?! After much soul-searching and such, I’ve come to the conclusion that my vision/calling has changed a bit. So what does it look like now? It looks like this: currently I and my friend Michelle are tutoring English to the Standard 7 (US grade 6) boys from the soccer team on Monday and Wednesday afternoons. There is a big national exam in October that determines if or where they will attend secondary school. The better marks (grades) you get the better the school, etc. We are determined to get our boys to have good marks! I am also pretty active in the “team doctor” aspect of the soccer team Blessing coaches. You never know what will happen at a match so I come prepared! Also in the future is me doing some first aid teachings to a few of the coaches in town, and hopefully some teachings to the mothers of the boys we coach! Teach a child and they teach their family. Families change communities. Communities change cities and cities change countries!
5 May 2008 Sigh… ya know, I really like being married! 
It’s nice to have someone else at home every night. Someone, who when I’m sick or my back is aching will cook dinner for me! Someone to talk to at night. Someone to hug, yell at, throw a pillow at, pray with. This is the good life! Actually, as I’m typing this I’m looking at this amazing man of God that I have been blessed with. I’m overwhelmed.
Enough of that mushy stuff! Life is going along quite well in Arusha. Our house is wonderful (mind you we still don’t have furniture, a stove, a fridge, or a table in the kitchen!), and we enjoy the peacefulness we find there each and every day. Blessing is making all kinds of connections with other soccer coaches here and is getting really excited about some ideas he and the others have come up with. Leagues, tournaments, etc. On Monday and Wednesday afternoons, I am tutoring/teaching English to some of our soccer boys with my friend Michelle. There are about 15 boys that we have divided into the groups “confident” and “not confident”. The boys are all in the same grade level, but their proficiency in English is like night and day. It breaks my heart! Clearly some of the boys are simply being pushed thru the school system, memorizing what they need to and not really understanding anything. Those would be the boys I’m working with, the “not confident” ones. I have 1 that I think has a slight ‘learning disorder’, 3 that have trouble listening and paying attention, 1 that is incredibly smart but has a stammer making him shy, and 1 that speaks really well, but doesn’t read/spell/listen that great. I’m talking simple sentences and they are not understanding! I’m not frustrated yet, I am determined!
In all other ways Blessing and I are doing good, enjoying each others company and learning to be married. I had to go to the hospital yesterday for a diagnosis of a kidney/bladder infection, but fortunately was able to get the anti-biotics needed and now just have to rest. Heh…I’m not very good at resting, but I have a wonderful husband who’s taking care of me! We love getting cards and things in the mail! Please keep in touch and let us know if there is anything we can pray with you about.
10 APRIL 2008
Oh my goodness, where to even begin? It’s been a bumpy couple of weeks recently. Yes, I know that the road of life is a bumpy one, but whew! God has been dealing with me (Megan) on so much lately, its been hard at times but good, ya know? Recently we were put thru a test of a cash-flow problem. Our support for some reason didn’t come in for a few weeks. We were getting creative with how many ways one can cook rice or spaghetti! I was praying and nervous. Blessing was praying and calm “honey, God will see us thru” he would say over and over to me. And there I was “yes, but…”. For me, having my ATM card and no money is a scary thing! God saw us through it, we were never hungry , we had our house, water and electricity (well…as much as usual), and of course each other. God was teaching us, not to look to people for provisions, but to look only to Him. Should be a standard issue thought for missionaries, I know, but we get all bogged down with ‘life’ just like anyone else! Our vision gets clouded and our pathy a bit muddy and unclear, until God comes along and cleans us up yet again.
Then the blessings started rolling in. Dropping in is more like it! My laptop computer died just before my wedding, leaving me without access to any of my teachings, pictures, etc. It was like a lost a hand! We were praying and praying “Lord, what do we do now? We need that computer!”. One of the churches that supports us prayed about it, and took a request for additional funds to the elders for replacing our laptop. They approved the request!! We now have the majority of the money we need to replace our dead laptop with a brand new one! I am grateful that I took out the hard drive of my old one before sending it back with my parents to the US! A few days after that big ol’ blessing, our support arrived in our account. We could pay our rent, go grocery shopping, and settle a few other things here. God provided indeed. But clearly I hadn’t learned the lesson God has been trying to teach me…
A few days after our support and such came in, I was having trouble with a few ATM’s in town. They weren’t processing the transactions…or so the machine told me. I get to the base a day or so later and check my account online, only to find that those transactions DID go thru, tho I did NOT receive money from the machine! I did some more checking of transactions, then get a Fraud Alert email from Bank of America citing suspicious activity on my account. Just what everyone wants to read when they are in AFRICA!! I call my parents and forward the email to them. They call some numbers, Dad goes and spends 2 hours at the bank trying to sort this thing out. There is now an investigation into my account, and they have canceled my ATM card. Which is good…I think. Last week we had an ATM card and no money, this week we have money but no ATM card to access it with! Thankfully VISA International was able to intervene a bit and wire me (via Western Union) some emergency cash. But Bank of America will only send my new ATM card to the address on my profile…which is Oregon. Hmmm… mail is NOT reliable here in Tanzania so currently we are (again) without money, until we figure a way to get the new ATM card here. It’s a bump, on the road of life.
I realize that I am a bit hard-headed when God is trying to teach me things, usually lessons have to be given more than once. However, even I can’t miss that God is trying to teach me something thru this. I prayed to God and yes, He provided the funds we needed. Then I was going to rely on those funds to purchase a few things we desperately need (and the laptop!). Then access to those funds is taken away. And once again we must rely FULLY on God to meet and provide all of our needs. It’s a learning process, that is for sure! We continue to appreciate your prayers and emails! God Bless you!!
1 APRIL 2008
Wow. Uhm when your own mother calls you and asks if you’ve fallen off the face of the earth, it may just be time to reach out and touch someone? (thank you AT&T for brainwashing me as a small child) Yes! we are still alive, and no! we haven’t fallen off the face of the earth, or been eaten by lions or some other wild thing! We are alive and very well. Married life is working out quite well for us. I guess we are still in that “newlywed bliss” because we hadn’t realized so much time had gone by without an email or update from us!
Recently Blessing’s soccer boys have played a couple of matches. I am telling you, the fact that they now have jerseys and soccer shoes to play in (both donated)…it just makes a huge difference for these boys. Their morale goes up. Their whole countenance changes the moment they tie their laces. It’s a wonderful thing to watch. As a result, they won 2 or their last 3 matches! The look on their faces after scoring a goal is a priceless treasure that almost brings one to tears. The team is doing well tho, and the boys are still relishing the time they spend with Blessing. Likewise Blessing is also relishing the time he spends with them, as it allows time for his inner little boy to come out and play!
I am spending a lot of time in the office and much time searching for renewal of my vision. It’s a bit of a rough patch for me right now (spiritually & physically), but I am trying to push thru and all the while relying on God. There is a health care team here on outreach and I will be working with them a bit the next few weeks, going to villages and doing mobile health clinics, which will be quite a welcome escape from the office! Something refreshing about being out in the fresh air!
posted by Megan
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