Rich in History and Possibilities

(Primary School students that wouldn't let me leave until I took a picture with them)

Greetings from the southern highlands of Tanzania. For those of you who might be wondering what happened to us, we did arrive safely at Kibidula. We are happy to be here and serving the campus and the people. It has been a busy time of cleaning, painting and moving in to our home, finding household items, setting up a new solar system and finding a new normal in life. The kids and Shiayla have been settling back into finish the school year, and the many tasks that make up life wherever you are. And those tasks seem to multiply in parts of the world where we have a few less conveniences, but we still find ourselves extremely blessed and comfortable in our new home. It's a sprawling older house that was built in about 1991 by a missionary family from the states. It originally sported a grass roof, but was upgraded to metal a few years later. It seems to be full of stories of the families that have lived here from the States, Switzerland, and Tanzania as well, and now we are grateful to call it our home and enjoy the many fruit trees and beautiful flowers that surround it. We are also excited to have a guest room, and space for any that might be able to come visit at some point.

(Our home)

The history of Kibidula seems to be as rich and full as the old house we live in, yet ever changing and growing and molding to serve the people of Tanzania and other parts of Africa as well. It has been a joy to spend time at the primary school and greet the smiling faces of the children as I oversaw my Fundis (local tradesman) in the the construction of new girls’ bathrooms. Several of the Fundis have spend much of their lives working here, in fact the local plumber and repairman Luca started out helping the original family that lived in our house with garden chores many years ago. I find it very rewarding to work with these talented individuals and get to know them better. I pray that I am able to help them learn as much as they teach me. There is need here for organization, training, and encouragement to strive for a high level of workmanship and cleanliness. It is an honor to work with each one and hopefully show them the love, kindness and patience of God as well as encourage them that the work we are doing is to further the soon coming of Jesus.

This next week we will continue pouring cement for the new publishing building. Work has stopped for some time due to supply issues and the heavy rains we were having, but now that we are entering dry season, it is a good time to keep pouring the slab for this 11,000 square foot facility that will print many thousands of books, tracks and Bible studies in the Swahili language. The need for printed materials is great here and we are excited to see the impact this new facility will make. Our current building is far too small and does not allow us to keep up with the demand. One of the exciting things we just learned is that we will begin printing children’s material in the new building and that we have gained permission to bring the My Bible First lessons in Swahili. I have not seen any Sabbath School materials handed out in this country and I am excited to see children receiving this blessing!

(Staff house under construction)

As well as hoping to complete the press building by the end of the year, I continue to juggle the construction of two staff houses, as well as a very long list of maintenance items and smaller projects, many of which should be completed by the end of the year. I ask for your prayers to know how to handle each task to God’s honor and glory. Also, I was recently asked by the principal of the Primary School to look for ways to work with the 14 level six and seven boys and help provide training in construction for them. I look forward to working more with the Agricultural School (different school, high school age, located a couple miles away across campus) in using their skills in the fine carpentry shop they have, as well as perhaps helping further their education in mechanics and other areas.

(Wood work from the AG School)

We wanted to especially thank those of you who have helped us in so many ways providing the household items and covering the other expenses this move has brought. We miss each one of you friends and family alike and pray that God continues to bless each one of you as He has blessed us.