The Eagle Has Landed!

Dr. Turner gets a picture from Ev. Agnes

We all are glad to be home. I am blogging from Dulles International Airport. Molly said, "I am so glad to be an American." Yes, we all have a lot to be thankful for...including Star Bucks, Subway, french fries, and fastfoods. All of those places were patronized "immediately" upon going through customs. All is well. We soon will be boarding for Chicago and look forward to see Vicki and the church van -- to take us home.

 

Thank you all for your prayers, gifts, and support...because of you we left 11 full bags of stuff (clothes, medicines, food, toys and such). "Well, done good and faithful servants." And we thank God for this blessed experience with our brothers and sisters from Tanzania. We love them deeply and they were very grateful for all that we gave them.

 

Lori gets a necklace from Ev. Agnes

We are returning with many gifts for family and friends, as well as gifts from our friends in Tanzania.

Ev. Agnes giving Molly a gift.

Favorite sayings from the trip:

• "Molly, Molly, Molly, Molly." (number one)
• "Builds character."
• "We've never been closer...than we are right now."
• "Are we there yet?"

 

 

 

 

Our hosts: Andy and Lilly

 

"De-plane, de-plane, de-plane"
Boarding at Kilaminjaro

We're Coming Home!

Bags are packed. Gifts are given. Gifts received. Memories made. And relationships formed will continue in this world as well as in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Timbo, Timbo, Timbo

"Timbo, Timbo, Timbo, come here!"

"Keep coming!"

"Whoa! Timbo! Whoa!"

As you may know, Timbo is Swahili for elephant. And elephants were the highlight of our second day of safari. Dr. Turner was in heaven as he loves, Timbo's. They got so close Dr. Turner could have touched him, but he had warned the youth not to touch lions -- he thought he better not. However, Timbo may have brushed up to our vehicle. It was exciting. They were everywhere and active: tearing leaves off bushes and trees, dusting themselves off, walking across the road, and taking care of their young.

"If you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours."

"Mom, are all these
people coming for dinner?"

"Come on little one, you've got to keep up."

"I may be old, but I still can see."

Soaring, a Yellow Billed Stork

Acacia tree thorns, something like the kind that was used for
Jesus crown of thorns. The exact plant is not known.

The Acacia tree, has finely leaves and yellow flowers, grows to a height of twenty feet or more, and its stem may sometimes reach two feet in thickness. The tree often assumes a characteristic umbrella-like form. The wood is close-grained and is not readily attacked by insects. It would be well suited for such purposes as described, the construction of the ark of the covenant, the altar and boarding of the tabernacle. It too is known as the "shittah" tree (Isaiah 41:19). Its wood is called shittim wood (Exodus 26:15,26; 25:10,13,23,28, etc.).

The Crown Of Thorns in Matthew 27:29. Our Lord was crowned with thorns in mockery by the Roman soldiers. Obviously some small flexile thorny shrub is meant perhaps Capparis spinosa. "Hasselquist, a Swedish naturalist, supposes a very common plant naba or nubka of the Arabs, with many small and sharp sines; soft, round and pliant branches; leaves much resembling ivy, of a very deep green, as if in designed mockery of a victor's wreath." — Alford.
Some interesting facts: Three of the four evangelists mention the crown of thorns, wherewith the rude Roman soldiers derided the captive Christ (Matthew 27:29; Mark 15:17; John 19:2). All speak of the akanthine (Acanthus) crown, but there is no certainty about the peculiar plant, from the branches of which this crown of cruel mockery was plaited. The rabbinical books. mention no less than twenty-two words in the Bible signifying thorny plants, and the word akantha in the New Testament Greek is a generic and not a specific term.

Elephants and Girrafes will eat this thorny tree.

"There's got to be something good here."

Dave, taking it in.



Who's Watching Who? (pictures added to blogs)

On Monday, July 9th, we went on our first of two safaris, by going to Ngorngoro Crater. We started out at 6:00 a.m. in the morning a 3+ hour drive. What a great safari. Too many pictures to post, but I will try pick a good variety. To say that we were up close and personal would be an understatement. We could have touched a lion and an elephant, along with seeing a lion take down a wilderbeast. David has a great video of it, hopefully we will be able to down load it when we get home -- along with others.

A map of the crater.
How it was formed to the left.

Mom, are we there yet?
Once a baby is 3 mos. old it rides on top.

Mom, quit moving I am trying to eat.

There are over 3,000 Baboons in Lake Manirya, alone.

Boma Village

Now that's better,
I too can see better.

Are you looking at me?

Are you looking at me?

Hey, I think someone's looking at us.

Yes, we're looking at you!

Three Maasai women.

Dave Russell, are you serious?

"More fans from the Lion King.
I got to get away from them."

 

Hee - hee - hee - hee - hee!

Are you looking at me?

Mom, you're good mom,
but not a very good pillow I keep sliding off .

Too close for comfort, not the lion -- but the vehicle.

(Right outside our window on the ground.)
What are all these people doing here?

Hey, would someone scratch my belly?

I got your tail, your it.

Lunch with the Hippos.

The new African pose.

Tumaini Cottage

Doesn't even look like we are in Africa.
Building toward the back is our dining hall.

View of our rooms and team relaxing.
We were on the far left, first and second floor.

Our host at Tumaini Cottage is Andy and Lilly. It is a beautiful and peace filled place. Andy and his wife, have alot to do with that, he is so calm. It is out of the way, on the outskirts of Arusha. As Pastor Mushi said the very first day, "We are hiding you." Not really, but is really secluded. The food is great and they try to adjust to our tastes while giving us a cultural experience.

Dining hall.

The bottom line is that, "we eat a lot" and are fed very good food, whenever we need it. Andy has adjusted to our schedule, whether it be early in the morning or late at night. We would definitely come back here and highly recommend it to others without hesitation.

www.tumainicottage.com
www.youtube.com/tumainicottage
www.facebook.com/tumainicottage

Dave and Pastor Mark's room with netting.

Worshipping at Bethania Lutheran Church

The Son is shining upon us.

It was a early morning with worship beginning at 6:30 a.m. The service went about 2 1/2 hours. Then we had tea time while the other service started. Half way through the other service, we joined them and had our introductions.

This is a group picture of us from in front of the church, with evangelists, church workers, and elders.

After the worship service there was time for introductions by all and the giving of gifts. As a team we gave $3000 in compensation for room and board. We all too received gifts. They gave Pastor Mark four stoles, others got shirts and scarves. Plus, we had a wonderful meal followed by, yes, you guessed it -- "goat cake."

Eeeeeek, a snake!

"Goat Cake"

Pastor Mushi
blowing bubbles.

This evening after supper we had a visit by the Hmabasha family. When again we received many gifts. These people of faith are so loving and generous. Thank you Lord for our brothers and sisters in Christ, in Tanzania.

Blessing of the "goat cake."

Tomorrow at 5 a.m. we are on Safari for two days. First to Ngorogoro Crater and then to Lake Manayra.