Home Once Again!

Boabab Tree, they are amazing!

Elephants we woke up to the first morning by the tents!

This is our bon-voyage

friends:

Some time has passed since my last post. Returning from Zanzibar and then packing to come home took quite alot time. Lesli and I returned last Thursday night after a 30 hour trip home. It took 3 days to recuperate. It was so good seeing Bill, I msised him! Next time, he will go with us. Here are some of my best pictures. Africa was wonderful, and we are so thankful for Peter, Mary and little Hope. We love you!

Thisi s a celebration jump! Even the Massai got into it!

After our spice tour, the workers made us hats and purses from banana leaves. We're modeling them!

The church that sits on top of the slave trading auction that was abolished with the help of Dr. Livingstone.

Bye Zanzabar!

Picture on left is church built on top of Slavery Auction.


I only have a few minutes before my battery runs out. We'll be to Mary's later this evening. There is no adapter at this lodge. What a beautiful place. We went snorkeling yesterday, my very first tme and certainly not the last. Starfish, sea urchins, a school of fish, coral all over. It was a very old Zanzabar boat which made it even more fun. We climbed on top and watch the sun set. We only were able to stay in the water for 20 minutes or so because of stinging jellyfish, so small we couldn't see them.





Georgia gave me my special notes last night. What a very sweet surprise. I was very blessed. Thank you so much. Very blessed. Food poisoning Friday. How terrible it was.





When we entered Stone Town Wednesday night, we went to our very archaic hotel, very different, but that was part of the wonderful adventure that we will never forget. No seats on the toilet, no towels, no speaking English or liking English, ha. We took our luggage up to the rooms after a VERY long day of traveling. Our guide was with us, thank the LORD, because it was a bunch of allyways, dark, rocky. Everyone agreed to go the special fish market on the beach, not realizing that the walk (for me, the oldest, ha), was around 2 miles through the maze of allys and small roads. Got to the fish market, and it was so cool, BUT the food was not good. Finally got back to room and slept good. Guide met us in the morning, took us to stone town. When we went into the church that sits on top of the slave trading arena, I couldn't quit weeping. I'm so thankful the Lord intervened in that terrible atrocity.





We then went to the spice farm, so fun. Saw alot of trees where the spices come from, tasted many new fruits, my favorite is custard apple. I bought two to bring back to Bill, but they are too ripe now. We watched on the of the workers climb a coconut tree singing. That was my next favorite, green coconuts, the juice, and the fruit which is so different before it's ripe. I ate three, which I think was my downfall!





Met Mary and Peter afer that and came to our lodge on the ocean. It's like a piece of paradise, I love saying Hallelujah to the Massai's that guard. Islam is around 95% here, but I've found some Christians. We love them, I've never seen such beautiful ocean water, the sand is like walking on memory foam, so soft. Many beautiful shells. I will try to post some pictures. Georgia, Leslie and the rest of the team are on their way home to Mary's via ferry, and bus. I'm flying with Peter and Mary because of God's blessing, thank you Lord. I'm still a little weak from the food poisoning, Everyone made my birthday so special yesterday. The chef here made a cake, cake's aren't something they make often, he spelled my name with watermelon strips, so sweet, last night we ate down the beach at at another place, and they sang to me. Very sweet.





Funny story, yesterday we were in the little shop and thought I would get a little henna. Hopefully I can get it off before coming home!

Zanzabar!

Wireless, Yay! Can't wait to talk with Bill tonight, Tonight is morning there.



I had never heard of Zanzibar until we decided to come on this trip. Mary and Peter made it a part of our itenerary, because the more people, the cheaper the rates for more of an experience, and what an experience it has been, starting with the 10 hour Tanzanian bus trip on Wednesday, which means completely non-American, non-American bathroom facilities, but as nice as it can be for Tanzania. Mary personally experienced the cheapest a few years ago to Zanzibar and it was terrifying, It started early in the morning, around 7, paved roads which was very good, from Moshi and we arrived in Dar Salome around 3:30. Dar Sa Lome (sp?) is the capital of Tanzania. Very, very large city. I was surprised to see a more cars, more businessmen. A taxi was waiting for us because our bus was late (we were on a schedule for Zanzabar), to get us to the ferry. Much, much stopped traffic, there was a stop light or so. We were scheduled and had tickets for the ferry at 4:30, the last one for the night, and could not miss it. The last 10 minutes, we ran from the taxi to the ferry just before the gate closed. The Lord was definitely with us. Mary and Peter came the next day, Thursday. After the ferry ride, which was nice because of the wind and the ocean blowing and a change of scenery from the 10 hour bus ride, we arrived in Stonetown. Our guide met us off the boat, Halelujah! I need to post the rest of the adventure later, don't know if I can charge my battery and need to save for Skype. Much love, Cheryl

Zanzibar!

Hello from Zanibar! Bill, I can't get into my email to write you and there is no wireless for Skype. Just wanted to touch base with you. I love and miss you. Zanzibar is wonderful, Stone Town so unusual and very touching and now we're on the beautiful ocean. It's so clear, you can see to the bottom, you would love it. Miss you much again, MUCH love, Cheryl

Food

I was reading my comments and saw Bill's question about the food here. That's one thing that I had no idea about before we came. Meat is very scarce and expensive. When meat is used in a meal, it's almost always chicken or a kind of stew meat. I cooked dinner for the team last night, and had to go to a special meat store to buy beef, there was only three containers to choose from. I learned from cooking last night that African beef is very tough, even if cut in small strips. I love the food here, I'm not a big meat eater anyway, I think Ottie, our new friend that is here also, is suffering a bit, ha. He's very large and was a professional basketball player in the U.K.. There are many vegetables, they are in abundance right now. Many bananas, people sell vegetables all through the streets. Rice is a very staple dish here, cooked in coconut milk, so very good. Avocados are abundant, and everywhere. Very good. We went to a very ethnic restaurant in the heart of downtown. On our plates were rice and meat dish, cucumbers and tomatoes, a small portion of watered down ground meat side, and french fries cooked inside an omelet. That was a very real dining experience. There were chickens running around. One thing a person does NOT want to do in Africa, use the restroom unless it's an unusually nice place away from home. For dessert, they brought us an avocado pudding, I ate the whole thing, it had fruit at the bottom. Our table was filled with food, and was only 18 shillings for all six of us, which is around 15 dollars.

The Massai Tribe's food was rice and meat dish, an amazingly good hot slaw mix, cut cucumbers on a plate, and wonderful avocados. It's so humbling to have others share so much when we know it's such a sacrifice for them. They also had cokes for us, which was also a sacrifice. Very loving and giving. Pastor Issac, he's part of the Massai's but became a Christian in Mary's ministry and has now moved back to the tribe and is their pastor. Very sweet man. He was so happy to show us his hut, made of mud but felt almost like cement. A thatched roof. Two very small rooms, one on the right with a baby sheep, and the one on the left with a small table that we ate around. We loved the experience.

I stopped taking Malarone yesterday, a preventative for Malaria. It's the cool season, 72 for the highs, misquitos are at their lowest. It has side effects of mouth sores, which are worse than the disease it prevents. Malaria is so treatable here.

Double Perfection 7/7

The Lord is so good, today is 7/7, double perfection. Today is also Mary and Peter's 2nd anniversary. Georgia and Leslie made breakfast in bed for them this morning, decorated with balloons and candles. It was a very special treat to wake up to. Mary and Peter are Blessings to many people here in Africa. They have a heart of giving, a strength from the Lord, and much love in their hearts for others. We've known Mary for around 6 years, and I'm so glad to know Peter now.

Africa is a land of hardship and beauty. Islam is the ruling religion in this area, calls to prayer are announced all over, it's unnerving for me to hear it. I would say that lawlessnesss abounds outside our protected walls here, but there are also many people of God. It's almost an instant thing to recognize it in a person's face. The roads are very hazardous. It takes alot of ability to drive here, alot of practice with no speed limits, winding in and out of people walking in the streets, cars stopped, trucks barreling through. Driving at night is perilous. Peter has a special ability to do it, possibly because of growing up here with missionary parents. We will be on a bus tomorrow to Zanzabar. This is another special blessing for our team. We will tour Stone Town, they are known for their spices, and I will learn more about David Livingstone. Peter and Mary will meet us Thursday and we will return Sunday.

I am going to try to learn more about posting pictures on this. There are so many from the safari.

Safari Pictures!

These pictures aren't quite in order.

This is our crew, Leslie, me, Georgia, Mary and baby Hope, Peter and his friend, and now our friend, Ottie.

We stayed at Tangarie Lodge in these tents. This is an actual picture of the first morning when we woke up. Elephants were everywhere! It was so amazing.

We saw so many animals, amazing!

Today is Friday, how time has passed so quickly. I haven't posted since the visit to the orphanage on Wednesday. It was not an experience that I want to remember in detail, or that I would like to relive.

Yesterday was definitely a day to remember. We visited a Massai Tribe in a very remote area. They loved our visit, we sang, danced and worshipped together. 28 of them received Jesus yesterday into their hearts, and some received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. They are known for their bead work and present me and Georgia with special necklaces representing their love for us. It was very touching. Issaac, the Massai pastor, invited us into his hut to eat before we left. That was so sweet and giving! Here are a couple of pictures from yesterday. Today we are leaving for Terrenghetti, don't know about that spelling, for a two day safari, and are staying in tents for more of an experience. It's a safe experience, Mary and Peter have done it a couple of times before.

I'm having trouble uploading images, and will work on that when I get back. I possibly will start using Picasa.

Emmanuel Center

We visited the Emmanuel Center yesterday, ate with them, played soccer with them, sang with them, danced with them, and watched their dramas. What a difference God can make in lives. Driving in different areas of the city, I can see hardness and pain in men and women's eyes, hardness that harbors injustice, false religion, racism. And then in God's children's eyes, there's softness and love. As it was at the boy's home yesterday. Even though they all come from extreme hardships as children, and still struggle with the pain, there is much love in their hearts for each other, (there are 24 of them), and for others that come to visit. They live a very meager existence, but to have food and clothing and shelter with love means the world to them. Life doesn't consist of what we have, but what is in our hearts to give. Today we are visiting the orphanage, Kili Kids.

Sunday

We went to church this morning and it was so wonderful. It was an older gym setting, chairs with chipped paint in an older business area where many people gathered that love the Lord. I sat down in a chair in the back, and instantly a little girl in tattered clothes with a cough climbed in my lap. I held and rocked her for quite awhile, wondering which one the ladies was her mother. I found out later, while we were helping with the children's ministry, there are many orphans in that church. I would more than love to bring her home and surprise Bill! Wouldn't that be a surprise and wouldn't it be such a blessing to be that easy. To give a child with no home, a home with much love. I love the singing and listening to the language.

As I am typing this on Sunday afternoon, Georgia is giving a guitar to the worship leader that she brought that was donated for this trip. He is a man with a testimony that I want to hear, the Lord literally saved his life as a child through Christians. He and his siblings were severely beaten often.

Yesterday we went to a waterfall, and then to tea at a restaurant/hotel. The flowers and trees are so beautiful here, more beautiful than anyplace I've seen. Bird of Paradise, Angel Trumpets, Lantana, most of these grow wild. There's a tree called the Flame Tree, huge with massive red flowers all over. Here are some pictures of yesterday. I've tried making it easier to post comments.

Friday Adventures

I have definitely lost track of the date. It’s Saturday morning, sitting on Mary’s veranda. She made a huge breakfast for all of us, so sweet, and I slept until 10. Partly because of the hiking yesterday, and then waking up at 1 and checking Skype, hoping Bill was on it. He wasn’t, but I im’d Karen and spoke with Janice quickly before it was too loud in the house. Mary’s house is very quiet, no cars, no planes, no air conditioners, just quiet and an occasional neighbor noise or rooster, like I just heard. Her garden is beautiful, flowers all around. Africa is beautiful. I do really love it. I can’t say that I’ve felt afraid since I’ve been here. Even yesterday in the rainforest, climbing up the steep crevices, or walking in the creek for a little rest of climbing. I loved the experience. There’s a little red, orchid looking flower called Kilamanjaro flower, it only grows on the mountain. I took a picture. The villagers on the way up the mountain were so very interesting. I wouldn’t think they have electricity, but they could. They seemed content working in their community. The more we came down the mountain onto the street, it was quite different. Very much more worldly, discontent, dirty, surviving. The villagers are for the most part distanced from that, and the others see what they don’t have. When we went to dinner last night, it was at a local barbeque where they cooked chicken outside on the grill, with a few other things also. There’s were many people walking around, islam coming from the mosque a couple of buildings away. It was fun to be there with Alice, another missionary on Mary's team, and Gaudy, I can't wait to hear her testimony on how the Lord saved her life. She lived with Mary a few years.

We are going to see a waterfall today, can't think of anything much more beautiful than that. I found out this morning that on our safari in a few days, we will sleep overnight in tents, can you BELIEVE that! Ha, that will be very intersting to say the least. I am going to try to post a few pictures I took yesterday, one of a monkey, huge, black with white stripes down the middle of it's back.

Much love,
Cheryl

Kilamajaro

These past two days have been wonder-filled for me. The quietness during the day while at Mary's home is so nice. The weather is cool, the windows are opened. Very peaceful and serene. There's a fence around the yard and the gate must be locked at night. Hiring a night guard seems to be a normal thing. Not so much a guard in uniform, but someone to watch over the yard at night. We went into the market yesterday. It was like something from the discovery channel. Meat hanging from the walls in one area, men following us asking us to look at what they were selling. Lots of fresh vegetables to buy. I took several pictures and hopefully will take time to learn how to post them on this blog. It is 11:00 a.m. here, and 3:00 a.m. there. 8 hours difference. The roads are halarious, to say the least. The main road into town, which is very close to where Mary lives, is good, BUT any other road is like something out of a comedy. Calling the holes in the roads potholes just doesn't convey the deepness of them. Possibly small craters. Everywhere. Holding onto something while in a car is a necessity, but I love it because it is here and is part of this wonderful experience. Today we are going to visit Kilamajaro, driving up through some of the villages and then hiking into the rain forest. Can't WAIT! I will let you know what it is like. Thanks for reading this post.

Preparation Day

We are on the last day of preparation for our long trip to Moshi, Tanzania, Africa. We're getting all the loose ends tied up, a few more shopping items and to finish packing. There are many items we are taking to Mary and her family to bless them. Giving their lives to the Lord for his service in Africa is not a small thing. Mary and Peter have been married for two years, and have a baby, Hope, that is 14 mos. Hope is recuperating from Malaria as I write this, she's recuperating very well.

I have been reading about David Livingstone and his missionary adventures. He was an anti-slavery acitivist in Zanzabar, which we are going to visit the last week we are there. There is a church on top of the slave trade areas in Zanzabar built in his honor. He covered 29,000 miles during his lifetime touching many tribes for the Lord. He paved the way for missionaries in Africa. I will be reading more about him in the days to come.

Georgia, I and Lesli are very excited and somewhat apprehensive about our trip. Apprehensive because of not knowing what to expect, but knowing that we defintiely are in wonderful hands with Mary and Peter. I personally am looking forward to the new terrain, the plants, trees, animals, insects, and birds. I'm bringing a pair of binoculars which I'm sure will hang around my neck for most of the trip. We will find out first hand about Mary and Peter's ministry there, get to know the team they work with, visit the Massai tribe, orphanage, boys home, an overnight safari, and many other adventures.

I plan on posting more on this blog as well as a few of the hundreds of pictures that I take.
Until next time, thanks to all who continue to pray for our trip, that it would be all that the Lord has planned and that His purposes be fulfilled in it.