Dear Cherished Interested,
Computer is back!

We found an affordable, unsold from the Emirates, computer too so we each have one.

There is an English language service at the Lutheran Cathedral in Usa River not too far away. It has been a pleasant respite for two Sundays now. I haven’t had to preach, though I understand that it is my responsibility and my joy to talk about and proclaim Jesus Christ and all the intricate intimate and public ways God loves.

So far we are the only native English speakers there. Reverend Dr. Justin Mungure heads the Cathedral staff. His PHD is in Biblical Hebrew but his demeanor is kind, very kind and inclusive.

Since last posting we have gotten a fan. A fan. Simple but profound blessing that I understand makes no sense in the context of winter north of the equator as faced by so many of you.

We also have hot water, or cold water, but not both except in one sink just outside the shower room. The Shower room is the same size as the room with the western toilet. It has a tiled floor and walls up five feet or so. So is the room with the toilet.

An electrician came by motorbike replaced half a dozen outlets and got the hot water tank working. More work to do and he insisted he would be back to do it. The kitchen sink and the shower mixer faucets only flow water from what should be the hot water supply. Turn on what should be cold water supply and nothing comes.

So, we turn on the hot water tank and wait for it to heat up. Timing has been everything until very recently because wait too long and even the dribble from the shower head will scald. A fixer(Fundi) from the Children’s Village came down and got some cold water supply to function.

Another plumber came by motorbike a couple days ago and in spite of no common language he and I communicated well. Seeing and showing problems is universal. That and I know the word for crazy now and it fits this houses water supply issues.

There is a spigot in the shower room beneath the cold water supply intended for filling buckets and tubs. Since the fundi from the Children’s Village came down that spigot flows water, cold water. Logically the shower should too but it doesn’t. No matter.. we have a bucket. The dribbling outfall of scalding hot from the shower falls just six inches from the bucket fill spigot. Perfect! One bucket to blend then pour over your head.

Nearly heaven in an instant. Silly, but so very true.

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Hilda is head to toe drying up sores. Those mosquito bites got infected. Then she reacted to the antibiotic. All swelling is down. She is nearly off all meds. She took only part of one day to rest. She is amazing.

I am thankful that the computer died at just the right time for her NOT to be on it all the time while sick. She couldn’t work at home. That is except for observing classrooms and going to meetings here at Silverleaf Academy where the house is.

She could borrow a computer up at the Children’s Village and work lesson plans and dialogues for translation up there. So that she did, around meetings there whenever she was there. Which is whenever she isn’t here. Yes busy..

Basically, it’s complicated, three NGO’s(two mature one just forming up) the churches, several families, lots of dear ones have us at their disposal and believe it or not are glad for it. God is. God does. Us lucky ones get to see.

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I am ashamed to admit that we have help with the house. Heriheti has less English than I have Swahili. My brain is miserably slow yet I am eternally thankful for every miserly word it holds on to. I get to ask about her children and how she is too. She answers but never stops moving.

One of the grown ones aged like our children insisted we get help from Heriheti. That dear one who sent us Heriheti was right. She comes starting this week 2 times a week on the days Hilda is scheduled to be on campus where the house is. We thought she was coming to help with laundry, an old school process of tubs of suds and hands, but she also moves and mops and makes certain everything is spotless. She also finds and brings us good fresh eggs, free range of course.

Later we learned that we are the reason her children are now in school. The help is huge. The result for a young family bursts me.

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This week while up at the Children’s Village a young indispensable teacher came to find me reading scripture in a quiet place. He was very glad to find me reading scripture. He sat with me and then with a huge smile said he needed to tell me something.

He wanted to tell me what the people in the community had decided. Decided, that is, after seeing me at funerals of both Lutherans and Catholics. Decided, after seeing me driving Pastors in their vehicles, driving pastors vehicles. Decided, after me walking and daring to greet glances with what few words and kind gestures I can muster.

He wanted to tell me that the folks, of the mountain on which The Children’s Village is built, have decided that I am good to have around. That I have come not to be a problem but instead to be a help. This quiet, capable, teacher bubbled as he told me.

Like most he calls me Babu(grandfather). He knows and doesn’t care that I am a Christian. This indispensable one who calls me grandfather is not a Christian but Islamic.

Scripture is as scripture does? Or, is The Spirit ever stirring among any who long to talk with God and serve his littles, even the grown ones. Maybe both?

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YES! Your praying efforts show! I pray I can let you see through mere words..

Thankfulness for what you have read thus far –

Thankfulness for Visa’s granted, without us visiting the office, by the head of office before leaving on vacation, certified in writing by the head of office in his own hand, a hand all others including local police know and pay attention too, certified by head of office with a portion of the cost waived –

Thankfulness for Our Children who served and are serving in the Armed Forces who gave us a Navy Federal Account. Thankful that Navy Federal has gotten some money shifted from the U.S. to Tanzania for us –

Thankful for the wheels those shillings will bring to us, hopefully this next week –

Thankfulness for Heriheti –

Thankfulness for Hilda –

For our children and grandchildren who miss us.. we miss them too –

For our children’s helps.. you mean the world to us –

For the Army family moving assignment from Georgia to Colorado in this winter -

For everyone everywhere with winter –

We pray you have some of our heat –

We are thankful for the rain –

Thankfulness for teachers who care more for people than religious barriers –

Thankfulness for busy-ness –

For Makumira Lutheran Secondary school and her students, teachers and helpers –

For Silverleaf Academy and her students, teachers and helpers -

For The Children’s Village, her many faces, hands and hearts –

For whatever is on your hearts and minds for us -

For each and every one of you –

Each and every one of your prayers too -

Thank you, Thank You, Thank You.. Prayers, your prayer, makes all the difference..

Vern W

May Life be as Music to your Heart - May Music be as Heart to your Life 

- May Heart be as Life to your Music -