A Tanzanian Christmas

                          
                                                                                   26 Dec. 2012

Dear Family and Friends-
   It's the day after Christmas and everything in Tz. is very much back to normal.  It seems as if Christmas is a one day event here.  The chapel is decorated on Christmas Eve, Christmas carols are sung during Christmas Eve and Christmas Day worship, and families who are able get together for a meal---and for some, a small gift is exchanged---all very low keyed and short-lived.
   At first, I didn't know what to make of this.  I thought that the simplicity of the season would make it more powerful spiritually for me.  I remember when we were in the states last year for Christmas thinking that the commercialism of the season obliterated the precious message.  So now I'm experiencing the total opposite and feeling that this extreme also has its drawbacks--it comes and goes before you can savor the richness and depth of the season.
   So, after much pondering,  I've concluded that there is beauty and meaning in both cultures' expressions, and that the real Christmas happens internally in one's own soul.  Christ's birth is not about location, but rather it's about openness--- to receiving God's Son, everyday, wherever we are.
   Tim had the Christmas Eve. Service in English and a childrens choir sang beautifully. The musical talent here is generational--everyone seems to have such natural harmony.
  It's been wonderful having our daugher,Jill, with us for 2 weeks.  We enjoyed an amazing safari to the Serengetti, and Ngorongoro Crater. We had a "tenting" experience the first two nights and could hear  worthogs snorting and rooting right outside our doorflap. We could hear the hyenas howling throughout the night--it just added to the excitement and suspense of the darkness.  The last night we were in Tarangire and stayed in a bungalow.  We were delighted that evening when a pack of baboons paraded 3 feet in front of our tent---keeping their eyes glued to us, as if we were the ones on show!
   Well, I want to get this sent before our internet connection is lost.  We truly miss all of you and are keeping you in our prayers for a wonderful coming year.
   God's peace and blessings be with you.
          Tim & Diane 


                                                                                        

Merry Christmas Pictures!

 Merry Christmas from Tanzania!












Tanzanian "Christmas Tree"  This tree only blooms right before Christmas and turns a brilliant red--then loses its bloom right after Christmas!












Another Christmas tree! They are all over now and are very pretty!










Jill--bringing a feeling of "home" to Tanzania for Christmas












The chapel on campus.  Students decorated it for tonight's service that Tim is preaching at.














Inside the chapel









    Waterfall at Mt. Kilimanjaro that we hiked to yesterday.  We ate lunch in the little shelter.

Garden and Confirmation - Tanzanian Style!

 Our garden has lots of potential. I hope we get to reap its benefits before we leave!










   Our seminary students getting a ride up the hill to the Confirmation party. Tim and I and a 4 yr. old child and the driver sat inside.










   Tim giving a blessing to a Confirmand













   Maasai mother putting a flower garland on her Confirmand daughter.













  A band celebrating and leading people to someone's Confirmation party!

Robbery at Makumira

Dear Family and Friends,
  We were assured that campus was a safe place.  Armed security guards are at the two gates, and some "fundi" (security guards) stroll thru the faculty and student housing during the night.  We were advised to keep our door locked when not at home, but otherwise, there are no problems----until -----last week, one of our neighbor's stopped by to give us some bell peppers from his garden.  They were really quite small and needed more time to develop. When we questioned him about this, he excitedly replied, "Well, haven't you heard?  The monkeys are stealing the veggies and fruit!  They are having a regular holiday feast---climbing the Mango and Papaya trees and sitting out on the limbs enjoying the fruit. Then boldly going into the staff's personal gardens (during daylight hours even!) and stripping the plants of their sweet bell peppers and sitting on the ground to enjoy!  No, we hadn't heard, because our garden is still growing---lots of foliage, but no signs of harvest.  But now we know, so we keep our eye on these clever critters and wait to see what they'll be eating for their Christmas Dinner!
   Yesterday, we had the interesting experience of attending the Confirmation of one of our student's two daughters.  We were escorted by several of our students, and after 2 dala dalas, and a dusty, pot-holed walk up a hillside, we arrived at a Maasai village.  The people are pastoralists, as they call those who have cattle for their livelihood. The members of this village live in houses and many wear Western style clothes.  We attended both the first service in which they baptized about 30 infants and adults, and the second service, in which they confirmed 110 youth.  The church was packed for both services, with people looking in thru each window, and several 100 people waiting outside the doors, trying to hear or take a look.
   Tim was surprised that he ended up taking part in both services.  At the first service he just had to sit up at the altar with 3 other pastors.  But at the 2nd service, he was part of the team, confirming, blessing, and sending.  (Since he only speaks English, they told him to just put his hands on their heads and say a prayer!)  The kids looked like the fear of God was in them when he cupped his huge hands around their heads.
   Confirmation is really a huge community event. It happens sometime during the month of December in all the Lutheran churches (either along with or directly following Baptism).  Families decorate vehicles for the confirmand to travel in. Some families even have a brass band sitting in a pick-up truck to lead a procession of people to their home! At their home their are huge celebrations, and a special booth is set up for the confirmand and a selected "attendant" (friend) sits with them. Special clothes are made and there is a particular format in which gifts are presented.  Tents are set up and enormous amounts of food are prepared by family and friends.  It is truly honored as a very significant occassion.
   I've included some pictures that I hope you will enjoy.
   Our daughter, Jill, arrives this Friday and will be spending Christmas with us.  We are so grateful to have her here since we miss all of you very, very, very much!
   We pray this find each of you doing well, and keep you in our hearts and prayers.
  With much love from both of us,
        Tim & Diane
     

Advent in the Village

Dear Family and Friends,
   Recently I saw on the internet lots of ads for "Black Friday" sales!  What a shock!  I found myself saying, "Really?  Is it that time of year?"  In this part of Tanzania, the weather is tropical year round.  We do not have dependable electricity or internet service so we really don't get news on a regular basis.  Tanzanians don't celebrate Halloween or our American Thanksgiving so there's no "build up" for Christmas.  And here it is November 28th and we've yet to hear the first Christmas song---anywhere.  No T.V. so no Charlie Brown Christmas Special (or the Grinch or Rudolph or Frosty  or anyone for that matter.)  One day often seems like the next here.  The sun rises at 6 a.m. and sets at 6 p.m---everyday.  The temperature starts at 64 degrees and reaches lower 80's ---everyday.  Except for 3 days of rain, there's been only dryness and sunshine for 5 monnths now.
   So------no colorful ads in Swahili newspapers---only black and white pictures and articles about the "Gov't Move to Sell Ivory Stockpile Faulted"(last week's headline).  No clever commercials on T.V. for stocking stuffers or that holiday party!  Tanzania in December is the same as Tanzania in October when we arrived---sort of just another day.
   I wonder if that's why the shepherds were so shocked on that Holy Night 2000 years ago.  Their life was probably somewhat like life is today for many village people in Tanzania.  Each day is the same---filled with the goal of survival---getting enough water for their livestock, selling enough tomatoes or bananas or mangos so they can buy some eggs from their neighbbor's chickens or some milk from the scrawny goat tethered to the nearby tree.
   In America, Jesus comes in the sparkle and glitter of the holiday season. 
   In Tanzania, Jesus comes into the dust and dirt and poverty of everyday existence.
   I don't know what to make of all of this yet---but somehow I expect that Christmas will be very different for Tim and me this year. . .but if it's anything like what we've experienced so far, Christmas will far surpass our expectations.
  No matter where we live, may we all use this time of Advent to truly prepare our hearts for the incredible blessing of the birth of God's Son.
   With much love for each of you,
     Tim & Diane
  

Greetings from "the farm"

                                                                                                           Sunday, Nov. 11, 2012

Dear Family and Friends,

     It's hard to believe that Diane and I are begnning our 7th week in Tanzania.  The campus has a very "agricultural flavor."  The campus is about 60 acres, has 2500 students, and no paved roads.  Several of our Tanzania  faculty members raise livestock on their little house lot on campus--usually chickens, ducks, goats, and sheep.  Almost anywhere on campus you will see a mother hen with her brood of six or seven chicks scratching and pecking for food.
     The weather is really quite nice---60 degrees at night and about 82 degrees during the day, and that's the temperature all year round.  So we keep the windows open 24/7 for the fresh air and dust!  About midnight we can smell the distinct odor of our neighbor's sheep.  Then at 2 a.m. another neighbor's dog goes into attack mode as he takes on a snake---poisonous.  Then another neighbor has some "druken roosters" that start crowing around 3:20 a.m.!  This is more like living on the farm then when I was living on the farm!
   My class is going well.  I have 30 students who are second year students in the Bachelor of Divinity Progrram.  About one third are female and most all of them come from tribes with very strong cultural traditions.  We will soon be completing the academic part of my class.  For the last half of the semester we will move into the seminary chapel.  Each student will plan, practice, and lead a worship service for the rest of the class.  They will chant a full liturgy, deliver a sermon and preside at Holy Communion.  After each service the class will process, encourage, and critique the student's worship service.  The liturgy will be in Swahili  since that is the language they will use when  they go back to their villages.  But I asked that they do their sermon in English (for my sake).  Should be an interesting time.
    Things are going well here, and we pray that things are well for you.
   With a prayer for God's blessing,
        Pastor Tim & Diane
P.S.  All the pictures of flowers that follow are from our yard and neighborhood.  Enjoy!

Sending you a bouquet of flowers from Tanzania

                                                                                                              Sunday, Nov. 4th
Dear Family and Friends,
  I apologize for the pictures that follow and commentary not lining up!  Obviously the learning curve is slow which seems to be the theme for our life these days!  I'll keep trying, but don't jump to the false conclusion---Tim is NOT cooking--we are probbably changing in many ways, but that's not one of them---yet!
  It has been a good week since I last wrote.  We had a wonderful time with Mark and Linda Jacobson who are Americans who have lived here over 30 years.  Mark told us some of the history of the country so we could better understand the politics, economics, and social issues that he faces as Executive Director of the Arusha Lutheran Medical Center.  It is a beautiful, new, 3 story hospital that has advanced technology and training for staff.  (Dr.) Mark starts each day with his staff in prayer.  He sees their role as healer/priest--a very wholistic approach to medicine.  You will be hearing more about ALMC when we return because it is a project worthy of your prayers and support.  After an enjoyable lunch, Linda showed her Tz. driving skills as she manipulated the jammed traffic as we looked for a toilet seat cover!  Even in Tz. the basics in life are still important.
(The President of Tz. was in Arusha proclaiming Arusha to have the status of a city, and dedicating the new Mandela University).
  We also met with Barbara and Andy Hinderlie yesterday for a delicious "American" lunch prepared by Andy.  The Hinderlies are the Global Mission Program Directors for East Africa.  They have lived in Africa for 15 years, so they were sharing their experiences in ministry in the various African countries in which they've lived.  Then Barbara took us for our first haircuts since we've been here.  I was a bit apprehesive since Aly, the haircutter, has a "unique" reputation.  However, the haircut turned out great and I look forward to going back again
   The great news is that after nearly 4 months of dry season, God opened up the heavens and we now have rain.  And I mean rain!!! This rain is not like what we have at home--rain for maybe 20 minutes and then that's usually it for most of the day.  This rain is like someone ripped open the heavens and massive amounts of water pour down endlessly for hours.  A Maasai student we've come to know well told us that this type of strong, heavy pounding rain is not what they usually get.  Usually they receive a softer rain this time of year.  He went on to say that the Maasai are not happy with this rain.  Their cattle are very weak at this time of year because the dry season lasted 1 month longer and the cattle had very little grass to eat.  Consequently, the cattle are extremely weak.  He said that in the past 2 days the Maasai have had many cattle killed by the fierce rain that went on so long ---amazing but true.  This rain is something else!
  Our classes continue to go well.  Last week after class a student talked with me about discipline of young children.  We had just completed a week of lesson on developmental stages.  She focused on pre-schoolers and said, that if a 2 or 3 year-old doesn't obey they are beaten with a stick, and later the child will come and say, "mama, I love you. Why did you beat me?"  Sometimes the parent will threaten the child by saying, "I will dig a big hole and put you in it if you don't obey"---or tell the child they aren't their first born any more.  Even at that young age, the child seems to know the importance and value of being the first born.  So this led to a discussion about healthy ways to handle such situation.  The needs in Tz. seem endless and parenting classes are unheard of, but I think I'll be mentioing in class how this could be a good outreach program for the church to offer.
  We hope this finds each of you well. We are praying for you as you vote and for our country's leadership.  The people here are very much Obama fans and they like talking to us about the upcoming election.  We miss being there at this important time in our country.
  Enjoy the following pictures.  Until next week--may you know God's peace,
      Tim & Diane

Dear Family and Friends--
  I apologize for the pictures and commentary not lining up!  Obviously, this is a learning curve which seems to be the theme for my life these days!  I'll keep trying, but don't come to the wrong conclusion---Tim IS NOT COOKING--we are probably changing in mant ways, but that's not one of them-

Daily life in Tanzania

 This isPenina, who is teaching me Tanzanian cooking. She is preparing Ndizi Chezi, translated as Banana Cheese casserole. It has bananas (like the ones we eat), spinach, onions, oregano, and cumin seeds in it topped with cheese. (Tim's not a real fan of this recipe!) I thought it was quite tastey!





Voila! (Not a Tanzanian word but it works!)
Here Penina shows the finished dish.  It's assembled similar to how we make lasagna.










This is 2 yr. old Christina.  She is the daughter of our housekeeper. Christina had just come from the doctor (Look how dressed up her mother had her.)  She has been having stomach problems, and did not want to be separated fom her mother, so Lydia (Christina's mother) brought her to "work" with her. Lydia wrapped her up and carried her on her back while she swept and fixed lunch.  It was a short work day for Lydia since her daughter was not feeling well.



You just can't take the farm out of the boy---no matter where he is!  Tim is putting his homemade rain gauge out in our yard.  The rains have begun and they are powerful.  We get about 2 1/2 inches each time the heavens open up!









For all you monkey fans--this fella sits in the tree outside the window where my desk is.  We sort of have a mutual fascination ---he wonders about me and I wonder about him!

 Here I am with some of our students who came over for chai.  The two girls on the end were raised Muslim.  The girl in the middle is the daughter of a Lutheran pastor.









The Maasai always look beautiful in the beaded jewelry that they make by hand.












This choir competed in the traditional choir group.  They are wearing what their ancestorrs wore years ago--grass skirts and material for their top.

Daily life in Tanzania

   After going several days without internet connection, we are realizing how much we've come to depend on it for all off our communication. We often are without electricity since it is hydro-electricity and we are having an extended dry season.  The rains were suppose to come during all of October, but we have not yet had any.  So this dry country is now even dryer!  And as a result, the electricity is rationed.  The University has a generator that is used certain hours, but we are not able to connect with the internet when we have generated electricity--only when it's the "real" electricity.  I don't understand this, but there is alot that I don't understand!
  For example, I didn't understand that if you hang your clothes outside to dry, the mango flies lay their eggs in the moist clothes, and then when you wear them, the eggs hatch and the larvae burrow into your warm skin. FORTUNATELY, we've been hanging our clothes in the upstairs attic because it isn't as dusty as the outside---otherwise, I'm sure we would be harboring some happy little mango babies because I only recently found that out. Apparently, you can iron your clothes (if they've hung outside) and that kills the eggs!
   On another exciting note--we've started putting our lives at risk and are now using the infamous "dala dalas" for much of our transportation.  These are the "packed" (that is definitely an understatement) vans that transport bodies!  In America, we would consider 12 people to be a very full van, but on our first trip, Tim counted 27 people in the van.  Yesterday the one we rode into Arusha for church had 23 people in it!  Poor Tim. He is especially contorted and then whenever they go over a speed bump, he hits his head on the ceiling!  Not a pleasant experience, but it is the only available transportation we have if no one with a car is going in our direction. It's amazing though how they can cram so many bodies into a space that doesn't expand! (I don't advise you try this.)
   A few weeks ago, we attended the regional church choir competition.  This is a very big thing for the Lutheran churches here.  Twenty-eight churches participated in 4 categories:  women's choirs, mixed choirs, traditional choirs (this included Maasai choirs and also choirs from villages that sang and reinacted times from their early history), and the last category was choirs with electricity---this means that the choirs were accompanied by keyboards and electric guitars.  Of course, when the choirs with electricity performed, the electricity went out---so instantly, as if on cue, everyone (but us) turned on the flashlight on their cell phones to help out the band players read their music.  The choir never missed a beat.  Tim and I were still trying to figure out how to find the flashlight on our cell phones!  Actually, it's amazing that it seems that everyone here has cell phones  Apparently they sell them very cheaply to the Tanzanians and then sells minutes for just a few pennies.
   We have started having students over for chai (tea) and snacks (bananas, ginger cookies, and peanuts--I was told this is an appropriate Tanzanian snack).  They signed up to come 3 at a time. This way we get to know the students personally and it's really enjoyable.  Last week, 2 of the 3 girls who came were raised Muslim and at the age of 11 became Christian  They now are studying to be pastors and have a heart for the Muslims.  One girl's parents both died when she was 11 and she went to live with her older sister's in-laws who were Christian.  The other Muslim girl's father was not in the home anymore and one day her mother just announced that the whole family was going to be baptized and become Christian. She said she didn't want to change because all of her friends were Muslim.  It was very difficult for her then, but now she understands Christianity and loves Christ very much. She wants her Muslim friends to also understand some day, but says changing religions is very difficult and comes with great consequences.
   One last thing, our classes are going well. Last week in my class the topic was Erikson's Developmental Stages.  We were discussing them and how the stages apply to teaching people and working with members of the church when one male student asked, "Why do some women who are at one stage dress and act like they are at a younger stage?"  I guess that happens all over the world--I thought it was just in the USA!
  Hope all is going well for all of you.  We just found out today (Monday) that Ohio State won again!
Yipee!  Go Bucks!  Hope you enjoy the followig pictures---Tim & Diane

Pictures from Tanzania

Here we are at the top of Kilima Moto--an extinct volcano.  This was a Sunday activity sponsored by a group from the Arusha Community Church.
  









This is a Maasai farmstead. Tim and I have 3 Maasai in our classes.













Here I am teaching an Introduction to Psychology Course.  I have 33 students. Recently, when we were discussing "culture,' one of the students asked if I thought it was right for a more powerful culture to force a weaker culture to change?  I asked if he was referring to the United States and Tanzania (because there's been great pressure from the US to stop female genital mutilization and other harmful, traditional practices.) This led to quite an interactive discussion between the students.



A great picture of 2 of our students.  Witness is the name of the female student. She is very passionate about female rights.  Behind her is Huruma. We have been impressed with the students' attentiveness,
respectfulness, and sense of humor!








One of the monkies that frequents our yard. There is a familly of monkies that enjoy playing in the trees and on the roof of our house!.  They scatter when we approach, but are fun to watch.

Life in Tz. is all about change!

                                                                                                  October 11, 2012

   We have been here one week now....and what a week it has been.
We found out the day after we arrived that we wouldn't be team teaching the course that I had spent months preparing.  Instead, we would each be teaching---different courses. Tim teaches an Introduction to Worship course, a 3 hour class on Tuesdays.  I am teaching an Introduction to Psychology class on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 2-4 (2 preparations).  We both have the same 31 students--all of the second year seminary class. The change in assignment was quite a surprise but classes started this week and went well.
   My class is held in a small room that was completely full with only 21 students.  Ten more students are to show up next week and there will be no room for them. (Other arrangements are being looked into but no news yet.)  Not everyone has a desk. The students sit at old wooden desks from the 1950's. I have a blackboard and chalk.
  The students are very polite and attentive. They have a good sense of humor and are very tolerant of our American English.
   The students all live on campus in dorms. They only have cold water to bathe in, wash their clothes by hand in plastic tubs and often go without a meal to save money.
   We also live on campus in a house.   We now have a gardener, Santos, to cut our yard (with a hand sickle), and keep the snakes in check.  He will also be planting a vegetable garden for us since crops grow all year long.  There are 3 kinds of poisonous snakes on campus--Black Mamas, Cobras, and one other one--I pray we never see any--so far so good.
  We also have a housekeeper who started today. Because we are at the end of the dry season, it is extremely dusty. Lydia, the housekeeper,wet mops our concrete floors and wipes off the furniture daily. She will also be doing laundry by hand in 2 large plastic tubs.  All the curtains and covers on the furniture also need to be washed and hung to dry. She will also prepare chai and lunch for the 4 of us (Lydia, Santos, Tim and me). These people work very hard and they are both earning 820 Tz.s  (Tanzanian shillings)/ hour.  This amounts to 55 cents/hr.  And they are the highest paid in the area.
   We have some lizards we see ocassionally on our walls. They are our friends since they eat the mosquitoes that might carry malaria.
 There is a family of monkies that often play in our yard and at night like to run across the corrugated roof---waking us to what sounds like our roof crashing in!
  And talking of wild life---we had our first sighting of the infamous Army Ants--also known as Soldier Ants or Driver Ants. The rains are starting to come, so the ants are coming down out of the mountains. They come in long lines sometimes quite wide. They will eat whatever is in front of them. Along the outside of the line are ants standing up on their back legs opening and closing their front pinchers. If you step by them, the outside ants will crawl up your leg to your groin area--you don't even know it's there until it pinches you--which really hurts.  By that time, lots of other ants have followed the soldier ant's lead and you've got them all over pinching you. .... We're paying attention to where we walk---for lots of reasons!
  On a nicer note, it is really beautiful here--so many flowers and trees blooming, and we are at the base of Mt. Meru--the "sister" mountain to Mt. Kilimanjaro.
   Even though we've only been at Makumira a short time, I have felt many emotions---one of them is "humbled."  Since the house we are living in was vacant for 3 years, it was furnished but not really "stocked" with any daily necessities---so people have been buying used items at the market for us when they go in town 10 miles away. Plastic storage containers for food, cooking & baking utensils, towels--all of it used--just like the stuff I donate when I'm in the states to a thrift store---not in the best shape---not always really even cleaned very well---but "good enough," I'd tell myself .  Well, now I'm on the receiving end and "good enough" looks a bit different.   The small stains on the skirts (a new dress code just went into effect stating no slacks for women so I needed some skirts), or the little bit of scorching in the pan, or the lime residue inside the coffee pot, or the "hardly noticeable" crud under the lip of the plastic food container lid seem more like a "big deal" to me now,
   I am "humbled" to thing that in the States I was one of these insensitive donors whose "generous" donation ended up making more work for that very person who actually has as little spare time as me.  I'm used to "new," and "clean." Now I see what it's like to be on the receiving end.
   We've only been in Tz. one week, but one thing is for sure. When I'm back in the States, I'm going to think about the receiver the next time I donate one of my used items.  I'm going to be sure it's more than "good enough."  I'm going to have it in the condition I'd want it to be in if it were going to someone special---like my daughter or my daughters-in-law.  Then I know it really will be good enough!
   God's blessing to each of you and GO BUCKS!
         Tim & Diane
    

We Have Arrived

Dear Friends-                                                                           October 5, 2012

   We have arrived---and it feels like total immersion----yet, in reality, we are still sheltered from much of the hardships most Tanzanians experience. 

We shower with COLD water--yet we are fortunate and have an indoor bathroom.

 We have to boil our water before drinking or brushing our teeth---yet we have immediate access to water in our house and don't have to walk miles to retrieve it.

We have to scrub everything in ourk house because it was vacant for 3 years---yet we have a sturdy shelter to live in with locks on the doors and rod iron over the windows for security.

We must walk everywhere for everything---yet we know people who have cars and are a safety net for emergencies and getting necessities.

The rice has grit in it, the meat is tough, the drinks are warm temperature---but we have access to food on a daily basis.

It is hard to sleep at night because of the 7 hour jet lag---yet we can enjoy a nocturnal concert of native birds, roosters, and even our local monies.

We have so much---it just looks different.

But one thing that is 100% the same is that God is with us---exactly like He was in the States.

May we all grow in awareness of our bounntiful blessings and then be spurred on to share more generously what we have with others.

Hoping to hear from you via email at timson@embarqmail.com or tdsonnenberg@gmail.com
   With love,
       Tim & Diane

                                                            Thursday, September 20, 2012

Dear Friends,
   We are on the countdown to leave for Tanzania (Tz.) on Oct. 1st---so basically we have 10 days to go.  Since I'm pretty inexperienced at writing a blog, I thought I'd better do a practice run while we're still home.  This way I can get home-delivered help from my "technical assistant" (Jen Hermann) if I need it.  And a huge "thank-you" to Jen for designing and putting together this blog.  We really like the way it looks and are pretty excited about it!
   As far as being ready, we still don't have our work permits but have been told "no problem."  We're operating on Plan B now which is to purchase a tourist visa at the airport.  Our challenge on this end is the packing.  I guess the best way to look at it is that we are "blessed" to have a lot of things.  That still leaves us with the "issue" of figuring out what goes and what doesn't--so Tim & I are negotiating.......item-by-item.  You find out a lot of things you didn't know about each other this way, that's for sure.
   We hope this finds each of you doing well.  Please remember us and the students in your prayers.
 Our next entry will be after we arrive in Arusha.
  Love, 
    Diane