Encouraging the harvest workers...

What a daunting task and privilege to be asked as guest speakers for the annual retreat of Imara Ministry Foundation. "Imara" is Swahili for 'strong', and for good reason. This ministry is multi-pronged, starting schools, health and HIV/AIDS programs as well as broad influence on the interdenominational church scene here in Northern Tanzania, working to bring unity in a very factional environment.
One of the things that impressed me first up on arriving in Arusha, was how well Imara stood out in the area of national leadership development, having locals in the majority of their key positions.
We spent two days with the team - 20 or so Africans and 3 wazungu (whites), with the job of encouraging them after a big year.
We were well received - God turned up, some wonderful people who are touching thousands of lives directly and indirectly appeared to be indeed encouraged.
For those who prayed for us during this time ... you share the blessing! Thank you!

Larger meeting and break-out group...

Pastors celebrate at their graduation!

The pastors at Christian Missionary Fellowship graduated. They sang, did skits, received awards and danced and ate.
The skit they performed was about the importance of digging a hole for a toilet and drinking good water. hygiene and health are such important aspects of the kingdom of God coming to a community.

Flash gets busy....

Our housekeeper mentioned today: "Flash is so busy that he has not been bothering us!"

After the initial awkward introductions Flash, our East African tortoise began to follow his female tortoise companion around. Very soon it became obvious that they were in fact married...... at least he thought they were. She continued to graze and actively attempts to hide from him. It seems, she finds his fascination with her, boring..

He is however, undaunted and persists in following her everywhere.

Eliza, our housekeeper is right.... our house has not even entered his thoughts today!!

Zac gets braces..... before and after shots!!

After braces..... the pain is obvious.... 2 extractions and braces

Close up of braces - blue in color... the choice was red or blue??

Before shot showing Zac's crowded mouth....

Yes, Zac's braces hurt..... but they are very necessary. Getting photos of him has been a mammoth effort and these pics are especially so his sisters can see how he is doing....

Flash meets his wife.......

Tortoises meet!

He is curious..... she is not!

Anyone home? ..... her response: "Grrrr........ hissss"

"Hello!"......


Rejection!!!

She takes a peek..... who is this guy? Why so interested?

She leaves....

He leaves.....

Flash..... back with mama who loves me....

Last night, one of the guests attending Alpha brought her female tortoise over to live with us. She will soon be departing from Arusha.

We excitedly let "kobe" out of her box, however, Flash was no where to be found and I had 36 guests to attend to.

This morning we found Flash sniffing the box Kobe had been transported in. "Kobe" simply means tortoise in Swahili. We may have to come up with a more romantic name.... Any suggestions?

We located Kobe who was hiding under a shrub and brought her over to meet Flash.

The meeting did not go well. She was very shy and hid in her shell. He advanced too quickly and invaded her space. She made a number of "hissing/growling" noises that tortoises make when threatened which echoed in her shell. He continued to poke his head in her shell where her face might have been if she was "out". She eventually backed up and he walked of hurt and rejected. He lumbered over to my feet where I was photographing the event and sat next to me as if to say... "at least my mama loves me". She peeked her head out to see who might have been inspecting her so intently and then walked away .... uninterested!!

Poor Flash.... his first lesson in love.... "if at first you don't succeed, then try, try again"

Alpha Celebration Dinner .... excitement builds

The Evening after..... dinner for 36!!

At the end of our Alpha course we celebrated by inviting friends we thought would love to part of the next course. As the day of the celebration came we had about 20 people who had RSVP'd and we were excited. By the afternoon, the guest list increased to 30 and in the evening we had 36 people at our Alpha dinner.

Every plate, chair, piece of cutlery and cup in my house was used and then some. Friends brought cutlery, glasses and folding chairs to help accommodate the event.

What an environment of excitement. A group of people from many different backgrounds, some muslim, some hindu, some nominal christian, some Roman Catholic and some church goers sat around and watched the dvd discussing whether Christianity is relevant, boring and untrue. The other difference was the our ethnic backgrounds. Some were from India, some from Tanzania, the Philippines, Canada, Australia, Kenya, Zambia, Cameroon, South Africa and America. Wow! Kind of a little glimpse of what heaven will look like. Except everyone will already believe.....

Of course, the food reflected the ethnic diversity and was simply delicious. Everything from beef kebabs, fish curry, coconut rice, coriander chicken, turkey chowder, beef stroganoff, scalloped potatoes, salads, kachambari and more..

In January, we start our new course with many people already showing interest and others signed up. Pray for us as we are part of this exciting move of God in this place.

Flash disgraces himself.....

Flash has decided that David is his favorite person.... or perhaps David is the only person who is not a little nervous of this reptile lumbering toward him.

Flash really enjoys being tickled on his little head and his "tail" wags and he pees with excitement! Three times in two days... our carpets have been soiled.

The decision has been made for this tortoise to stay outdoors. We are having difficulty having him understand the decision. He is hell bent on getting into the house.

Thankfully, our guest provided him with some companionship. Dave Pedersen decided to read outdoors the other morning and Flash, of course, found him and sidled up to him. Dave used Flash as a footstool and Flash fell into a satisfied sleep. They made a happy pair.

Later today, I discovered Flash cuddled up to the voltage regulator (inside the house)... possibly seeking warmth during the downpour outside.

His girlfriend is due to arrive any day now.....