Tanzania - Just under 10 hours flying.
Michael and I spent the day in London Airport. Our flight to Tanzania was a long journey through the night. I meet another wonderful couple from India. Their 3 year old little girl slept the whole way through and Pangi (the mother) also slept as she was so tired. (2nd Pangi I met in a weeks time) She had just had a baby girl 2 weeks ago. Her hubby was so wonderful with the baby. He took care of her the whole flight, changing her diapers and holding her while Pangi slept. I loved hearing his story and again couldn't`t help but thank God for meeting wonderful people everywhere we went. I really loved seeing this young man take such wonderful care of his newborn baby.
Our ride was bumpy at times to say the least. This plane ride
was 10 hours and this time a little more rocky but God had us in His hands. Fell asleep most of the way, but very uncomfortable. We arrived in Tanzania safe and sound. ♥ Michael didn`t sleep much and I did, but very uncomfortably. I am at peace over the years in flying. I feel God`s hand totally on our lives, and that we are following His will and that we do not have to fear although I am challenged in this at different times. When I start to have anxiety over anything, the words of Psalm 33:6 always make me feel calm. By the Word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth. The comfort for me always is The Star breather is my God and He has this whole world in His Hands and my life. Yes. Thank you Father. I definitely had to say thank you many times this week.
Coming in over Tanzania, we got to see Kilimanjaro Mountain perfectly. We looked down on its white capped mountain tops and I had to laugh when Michael said "we have seen it now perfectly, so we don't need to climb it now Ingrid. Who would ever have thought a year ago that we would fly over Kilimanjaro and see the Indian Ocean. Wow God. Thank you.
Getting off the plane the heat hit us like a wave. We are just starting the hot season. In Africa there are 2 seasons. The Hot and the Wet. We get off the plane and go for another crazy ride. Our taxi driver. Every car has scrapes and dents mostly. I know why, they drive like crazy people. We hung on for the ride of our life. The cab driver told Michael " I think you have a very happy wife ". Every time we almost hit someone or vice versa I would say Momma Mia and laugh.
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| Amazing view. Hmmm Alberta or Africa - Indian Ocean |
Tsunami warning today, and we slept through it. We came to our overpriced B & B here in Tanzania and slept. The Tsunami warning became downgraded at night and again showed us God`s loving hand over us. We are right on the Indian Ocean coastline. We should see some big waves tonight at around 10pm. Still sleeping lots lol. It rained so hard that when we woke up our entire floor was covered in water. The little gecko`s came out to greet us in the hallway, but after it dried up, I didn`t see them again. One lady complained of Cockroaches in her suite, so Michael and I felt that $130 US a night for our leaking room, we were doing good. We are staying for a few days at The Slipway B & B at the Msasani Peninsula, right on the Indian Ocean overlooking Msasani Bay. Amazing view a balmy 86 plus degrees out We are on top of a small mall area. We are in the expats area. There is a large mixture of both Muslim and Christian people where we are in Dar es Salaam. I see more people wearing our type of clothing than Muslim dress, here in the city. I also have a feeling this is just a adjustment for Malawi. I think God is being gentle with us. There is so much poverty, yet Tanzania is doing very well for Africa. They all dress good but the poverty is in the homes they live in and the cost of education. The city of Dar es Salaam rests on the Indian Ocean coastline and is a beautiful country (hilly in a lot of parts) The city of Dar es Salaam also boosts a populations of around 3 million, though those are old stats. Many here still die in childbirth but also due to education costs and divorce, I have heard some say they only wish for 2 or 3 children. But that is not the majority.
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| The lobby looks really good |
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| The mini mall we are over |
Joann our maid was a sweetheart. Hearing her story, I wanted to bring her home with me. She asked what it would take to come to Canada. I don't know whether to feel sad or happy at times here. Joann is divorced and has 2 daughters. She makes $50 US dollars a month and she just had to take her 2 daughters out of school. If they go to a school that teaches English she has to pay $100 each a month for her daughters education and she can no longer afford it. One thing that keeps coming back to my heart is that in the end, whatever resources we have here on this earth, we go empty handed before the Father one day, and He looks at what is in our hearts. Whether we be rich or poor, that is where we will all stand one day, although those of us born in Canada and the US and even Europe (top 10% of world income) have more to answer for how we shared His blessings.
We went to the beach the other day and it was not like Jamaica. In Jamaica they clean the beaches every day by the resorts. Dar Es Salaam was trying to put up these type of resorts here, charging higher prices and getting it. They serve a mostly European tourist here and expats. Our place was more Italian here in nature. Today my prayer again is God please give me your opportunities. Sitting on this somewhat dirty beach Michael and I were enjoying a diet coke, and God again gave an opportunity. We meet Reese and his friend Doreen. He started telling us about the population explosion that will happen here in Tanzania within the next 20 years. (Same as Malawi) Dar Es Salaam has a population of approx 3 million. Malawi has a much greater population of about 13 million with an exploding population as well. Reese is a 51 year old ex peace corp and now a political scientist who never left Africa after coming. He teaches at a University here in Arusha. He told us how he loved looking at the ocean. Sitting there on our cheap lawn chairs, we ended up having the most amazing conversation with him and Doreen. Doreen was a feisty girl in a interracial relationship and I just loved her. Her hubby or boyfriend was from Mississippi. Soon our conversation turned to the one thing we love to share. God. We soon saw that Reese was awestruck by signs and wonders, but believed they were nature and lateral (his words). I asked him if he believed that only, or if the creator our God had made them. Doreen soon responded how for the last 2 years she has been trying to tell Reese about God. I loved talking to these two, and find it amazing who God puts in the way of others for their eyes to be opened and Doreen was definitely there for a reason. Reese was a wonderful guy and I know God has a plan for him and his lovely wife will continue to pray for him. Michael and I felt a great connection with them and had much conversation and laughter. Nothing is ever random or by chance
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| Doreen and I |
At night Michael and I went out for supper although the first night we stayed within our compound. This night and other nights I see younger women selling their selves for that fast American or European money. My heart cries out when I hear an older Caucasian gentleman proposition a girl in the courtyard. He asked if he could meet with her after she finished working in the hotel at 10 in the morning. I want to help these women and children and get frustrated when I think we are only 2 people. I also, always need to hear from God when to speak. Not every moment is a opportunity and I really lean on Him to give us "when to speak and when not to". Another night as we sat in the main lobby a older man was called to leave as he to had taken a "lady" upstairs. I think of the struggle for many single women here to bring up their children by themselves and pay for education.
I had lots of fun in the marketplace with a lady. She was one of the first booths I popped into and boy did we laugh. We called each other crazy Masai (a tribe) Every time she would quote me a price, I would ask if she thought I was crazy. We negotiated a fair price for a little dress she made for our grand baby back in Alberta. (sorry Amanda, I keep buying her dresses) I went to a couple other booths and yet every booth I went to my new friend would be there as well. I don`t know if she got a cut by bringing me to her friends. She had laughter on her face every time and in the end, I would turn my back so I would pretend not to see her as she went to the next booth. I don`t know who was crazier but she was so cute.
Then Michael decided to go to "white sand". Across our bay was another peninsula with white sand. All we had to do was go across the bay on a ferry. Well the ferry was sketchy at best and the area we had to travel through was down-right scary at times. I believe God gave us this taxi driver Martin for a reason. Michael can be somewhat naive at times, and there were times when Martin would reach over and lock doors or roll up windows. Martin asked if we would like him to drive with us on the ferry and instead of hiring another taxi driver on the other side would we pay him to go with us. That was again a God moment. The short journey across the bay took a did not take a long time but the place where Michael wanted to go took us on roads I had no idea if we would even get through at times. We got stuck at one point and had to get a few guys in a 4x4 to help us. No wonder they had a 4x4. We finally reached this hotel and the owner was gracious and allowed us to come in and order food and view the ocean with the white sands. We had the most amazing sea dinner with a view in a forsaken area with a view unlike any. What a wonderful dinner we had. I think we were wondering how we would get across the sand again. As we left 3 people had been whispering and looking at us. I think our driver did not feel safe either. 2 men came out the gate when we were leaving and said they would help. When I went to get out the car to help as well, Martin said no and locked my door. I think he wanted to get through the sand pit as quickly as possible before the other man came (he was on a bike). He definitely drove out of there as quickly as he could. I have felt every step of the way, God showing his provision and protection over us. I love how God makes me feel protected by him.
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Michael goes to the ends to find white sand, and the reward was amazing
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Today we went to Kingdom Gospel (pentecostal) and had a wonderful service also led by a female lay person, but there was much joy here. The children and the service was all in English. The children were filled with joy as they shared what they had learnt in Sunday school. The service was on Isaiah and it strikes me how Jesus who knew no sinned carried my sin and was marred beyond recognition beaten for my sins. I cannot thank Him enough for dying for me and giving me life. We are so blessed. One thing I find quiet unique is that mostly all people here dress quite well, but most places they live are so poor.
Today I was able to talk more with Rachel, our receptionist. She to is struggling to raise her 2 children on her own. What has happened she asked that men everywhere are struggling to take care of their children and responsibilities. I am sad when I think of all the broken homes everywhere. I pray that God will lift up a new generation to love Him and their families. I think of Moses in the desert and how they had to stay another 40 years in the desert because of their fear to enter the land of Canaan. A new generation had to be raised up. Is that what we need? Or has the end of age of apostasy come? Yet I see faith growing in countries like Tanzania and joy is in my heart for His word being spread all over this globe. I am very happy and feel so blessed to have my husband Michael, who loves me and cares for me daily. He is such a blessing to me and our children. I love the movie Courageous and think of them leading men to take up their positions as men (husbands and fathers) of God. May He bless all the work of mission workers and pastors thru-out this world. Praying that the Great Commission continues to grow.
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| Incredibly they packed people on the ferry in between cars and with cars running |
Their is no programs for the homeless or the handicapped here. This calls out to Michael's heart. At least in Alberta our homeless still get cheques and soup kitchens and donations from others. Here we have seen handicap people struggling. Their is no programs and no education is provided by the government. Yet Tanzania is doing well compared to a lot of other African countries. The population of these countries will explode again within the next 20 years. I think of Malawi and the great AIDS population. I don't know what the AIDS factor is here. Malawi is the warm heart of Africa but I leave a little part of myself here in Tanzania. Maybe there will be a day we come back.
Tomorrow morning very early we fly to Malawi. We leave Tanzania at 5 in the morning so we get to be up all night again as we have to be at the airport 3 hours early. Michael and I are so ready to meet Rio and our Agape children and staff. We take 2 plane trips, 1 to Nairobi and then onward to Malawi. Michael and I are mentally and physically raring to go and look forward to what God has in store for us. To be in His will is the only place I want to be. We are so ready and our feet are dancing. Bring us there Lord, we pray.
