Reality sinking in

I feel as though the reality is sinking in. I will be back in Tanzania in just over two weeks. That is not such a long time. This was highlighted by the fact that the conclusion of two conversations or email threads was that we will just wait until I am back in Tanzania. One was an email thread with one of the office staff at Hananasif. The other was a conversation with Christine, a friend of mine who is volunteering at Hananasif and who will still be there when I get back. We decided it was best to just wait until I am back in Tanzania to finish buying the remaining shoes for the students. I am posting a few pictures here of the boys with their new soccer cleats. Our team was able to purchase cleats for all the boys and shoes for all the girls.

Representatives of Team Yanga

Representatives of Team Simba

The guys all together.

As you can tell. They are excited about their new cleats and socks! There are still a number who we need to get the correct sizes for. I was one of the people who went shopping for the shoes while the team was there and so I will be going with Christine once I get back to Tanzania to get the rest of the shoes we need. I will make sure to take Uswege with me. Although I was there the first time I do not have great confidence in my ability to find the shop again, but I have great confidence in Uswege’s ability to find anything at Kariakoo. He is a man on a mission when he is there. He led the way when we did our shopping. He also quickly rushed me around to get a few remaining items before the stores started to close when dusk was approaching. I will write more about Uswege another day. He is the truck driver for the orphanage and he is awesome!

Beyond the fact that I will be back in Tanzania in such a short time, I think the reality of being gone for a year is beginning to sink in. I am excited, but also a little nervous. I got to meet my nephew Jonah for the first time just a few days ago. Jonah is my older brother James’ first child. I am happy to be auntie Iris. I know Jonah is going to be so big when I get back from Tanzania. I am at home this week and spending time with my family, but also trying to finishing my preparations for the trip, but time with family is the more important part.

My heart feels ready to be back in Tanzania. I am trusting that the Lord will work out all the remaining details and that He will guide me along this journey. I recognize that I can never be fully prepared for everything I will do and experience in the up coming months and through the next year, but my prayer has been that my heart will be ready to depend on the Lord for guidance and strength.

The Lord is my shepherd and I shall not want. He leads me beside still waters. Even when I walk through difficult times and face struggles, I will not be afraid, for He is with me.

Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd;
I have all that I need.
He lets me rest in green meadows;
he leads me beside peaceful streams.
He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
bringing honor to his name.
Even when I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will not be afraid,
for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff
protect and comfort me.
You prepare a feast for me
in the presence of my enemies.
You honor me by anointing my head with oil.
My cup overflows with blessings.
Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me
all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the Lord
forever.

Zaburi 23
BWANA ndiye mchungaji wangu, sitapungukiwa na kitu.
Katika malisho ya majani mabichi hunilaza, kando ya maji ya utulivu huniongoza,
huihuisha nafsi yangu. Huniongoza katika njia za haki kwa ajili ya jina lake.
Naam, nijapopita katikati ya bonde la uvuli wa mauti, sitaogopa mabaya,
kwa maana wewe upo pamoja nami, rungu yako na fimbo yako vyanifariji.
Waandaa meza mbele yangu machoni pa watesi wangu.
Umenipaka mafuta kichwani pangu, kikombe changu kinafurika.
Hakika wema na fadhili zitanifuata siku zote za maisha yangu,
nami nitakaa nyumbani mwa BWANA milele.