Jim's Giraffes

This wonderful shot of a giraffe, and the others in this post are pix that Jim took at Arusha National Park.

A nice close up.

Not everyday you can have your picture taken with a giraffe standing in the background.

Thanks Jim for sharing your pix.

Happy Anniversary to Bruce!

Congratulations to Bruce on his 30th work anniversary. Bruce was the hero of our "Walking to Tanzania" fundraiser as he used the walk to gain his own strength back after surgery and chemo, and the monies from his sponsors to benefit the projects done in Tanzania.

In an devotion from earlier in the week, Bruce stated

"Labor Day will be a holiday for celebration and thanksgiving. I am back on the job after almost six months of short term disability and Friday marks the 30th year that I have worked for Hallmark. I have been blessed with a job that I enjoy and that has supported our family - truly a gift from God."

September and Rainy Season

It is now the beginning of September and the start of the rainy season in Tanzania. We hope to have another update from Paula about the progress of the roof of the eye clinic soon.

Benedict's Safari Car

Benedict and the gang from his safari car - Kari, Cindy, Brooke, Kurt, Don and Sherlyn.

Brooke shares,

"Benedict was our remarkable safari driver...quiet, gentle-spirited, kind, and always chuckling at Cindy "Doolittle" talking to the animals - or laughing at our staple Swahili phrase, "Twende, tafadahli - Asante!" (Let's go, please -Thank you!). We each had a particular word we would say and poor Benedict heard that phrase over and over and over again!

Benedict has worked for JM Tours for over 14 years and loves what he does. He says that he never gets tired of taking people on safari since you never know what you may see. His personal favorite is the cheetah.

He has a wife, 3 boys, and a daughter and he strives to be able to pay for his children's education. He grew up in Moshi close to Mt. Kilimanjaro and his mom still lives there and is a coffee farmer. He is Catholic and drove with the Virgin Mary right on his windshield.

Tanzania - Are You a Part of the Future?

Saturday, October 3rd, 6pm in Charter Hall
Share a meal, hear stories, see pictures, and learn what the future holds for Atonement and International Health Partners (IHP)-Tanzania. Paula & Denny Lofstrom (IHP missionaries) will be with us to share their vision and to celebrate. Gabe Bargen, Audiologist and Atonement member, will also speak to her experience of the mission she took part of in June, to Guatemala.

Tickets will be sold $5/person or $15/family. Proceeds will benefit IHP-Tanzania and are available for purchase three ways:
1.) Before and after worship weekend of 9/12-9/13 & 9/26-9/27
2.) Call or email Brooke Hodnefield, Dir Service Ministries, at the church.
3.) Find a member of the Tanzania travel team.

Beautiful jewelry, crafts, and baskets from Africa will be available for purchase on Saturday & Sunday, October 4th-3rd, before and after services in the Narthex. Proceeds will benefit International Health Partners Tanzania and African Team Ministries.

“Jesus expected His disciples to fulfill their mission because they had been fully equipped to do so. The same holds true for us. When God sends us out on a mission, He gives us the ability to do the mission, the power that will accomplish the mission. He gives us everything we need.”
-Life Principles Study Series: Talking with God, By Dr. Charles F. Stanley

No Hurry

A slow Monday morning in KC, wishing that things were as laid back as in Africa.

Trip Highlight from Jim and Cindy

One of the true highlights of our trip was getting to know our safari driver, Greyson Mndeme.

Greyson was very good at locating animals – maybe because he has made over 600 trips through the Serengeti!

He also told us many wonderful facts about the animals. Perhaps the most interesting was that every animal has a natural enemy. He said that an elephant has no predators, but can be brought down by an ant. There are ants that can get into the elephant’s ears. The elephant is driven so crazy that they hit their heads against a tree or rock until they die.

We learned that Greyson is Lutheran. His father is a retired Pastor who is now teaching. Greyson sings in the forty member choir at his church. He shared with us that he donated money for the choir at a mission church that we passed as we drive to Arusha. His home is about 15 km outside Arusha. He rides a daladala to and from work at J&M Tours. He saves his money for his children’s education. When they are educated, he will save for a car.

Each morning as we started out on safari we sang “Asante Sana Yesu” which means “Thank you, thank you Jesus”. Greyson taught us the second verse “Nakupenda Jesu”. I’m not sure of the spelling, but it means “I love you Jesus”.

We have mailed Greyson our two Atonement choir's CDs. We are so grateful to know him and to know that even though he lives almost 9000 miles away, we share a common faith.

Cindy and Jim Peine