Dear Cherished Interested’s,

Different computer.. Mine is flying to the UK late this week for re-repair. Taken by willing hands traveling there.

A child was taken back to the hospital last night. This dear one has been having a very difficult post-tonsillectomy. Poorly prescribed pharmaceuticals leading to becoming unconscious and unresponsive midweek and a long night for all involved. Being prayed over by someone who scared her deeply, not me.

Beyond a CT Scan scheduled for today, I don’t know details from last night as I was intentionally left uncalled with the intention that I sleep.

Well, why write about a sick child? Why write about a driver who got partially crushed by the bus?

Firstly, you folks are praying ones. That is the biggest reason to include you.

It has been a rougher week than most.

Second is to explain how there was a timely blessing as part of these very recent and difficult events.

That is the arrival of Hilda’s little truck. I got it to the house determined to never drive here after dark.

I was almost in bed, in the dark, when the midweek call came about the child. It was a long night on some unfamiliar roads after dark with a good used but unfamiliar vehicle. Driving on the left not on the right.

The truck paid for itself the first night it was here. Then got loaned out to a family we work with whose car was unavailable. The truck was in the right place for another medical transport on Saturday. One of the drivers got pinned while working on the bus, thankfully the sternum was missed but broke a clavicle and dislocated a shoulder.

That imperfect little truck has mechanical/electrical issues but has been perfectly placed for two events that make its expense seem as nothing. It also has four doors. Four doors that I can get through and get seated beyond. Not everyone’s struggle but limits my options some. It also comes with good people.

It comes from a local family of gearheads. Gearheads who didn’t want to let the truck go but needed to so the owning son could keep his business going and get a smaller city car for his wife. The former owner’s father and I spent a morning comfortably talking about important things, even hard important things. This we did while the truck and another needed vehicle were worked on by the former owner’s brother. Yet another Islamic family who are glad we are here, glad we read scripture, glad we bought the truck, glad to consider us.. trusted.. friends.

A vital member of the vital inside team at the Children’s Village and beyond is heading to the UK this week. There was a death in the family there that needs time. While that member is gone, my imperfect efforts will be in higher demand.

A Teacher at Silverleaf Academy brought her two young children to our door so they could meet us. The people/staff of this Academy want Hilda and I to start a Sunday School. It may be on Saturdays. It may include the Islamic children too as Friday is their important day leaving them free for Saturday. We’ll see.

The best part in all this is we made ourselves visible. We made ourselves available. They had time to get to know us. All of the staff has gotten to know us not just the teachers. The littles who board on site have decided we are to be waved and smiled at. They chose to ask us. It is their idea.

The Spirit has been and is at work, we just need to say yes. When I tell them that the science teacher, they’ve seen active on campus taught Sunday School for 30 years, jaws drop. Again, that is longer than most folks here have been alive, 30 years is older than many get.

Yesterday, Sunday, we went to English service down in Usa River at the Cathedral. Then we drove up the hill to Nkoaranga and went to a Ki-Meru language service with three teenagers, born locally, adopted or in process together now as the children of a diverse family. A family glad for us to go to church with their children.

One of the boys is the one I stood up for at his Baptism and Confirmation those first couple weeks here. Children who have survived things no children should. Children who have been loved softly and firmly enough to trust again. Children whose survival comes with joy and empathy that lovingly, at times laughingly, comes out. It is unconscious for them. They can’t help it.

There is another introduction to make. Reverend Doctor Justin Mungure is a recent graduate with his PHD in Hebrew from Tumaini University at Makumira. He runs the Cathedral and leads the English service. He’s been aware of, helped and included me/us since my first Sunday here when he was given the unfortunate job of translating Bishop’s sermon on the fly for two old folks from the U.S.

He was scheduled to return to Germany to complete his PHD there but COVID changed that. COVID also took away his pen-pals, friends. He sat in our living/dining room this week Friday and decided to trust us enough to ask that there might be someone reading this who would like to communicate with a Tanzanian Pastor. A highly educated Tanzanian Pastor whose linguistic ability includes English, but is not limited by it, I would add.

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What to Pray for:

All the tough and blessing expressed above –

The love of folks –

Whatever is on your hearts and minds for us –

A beloved Mentor at home whose lifelong cousin companion co-mission-ary and brother in Christ went home Friday a week ago –

For our children and grand-children who miss us.. we miss them too.. for the Army family on the move..

For Makumira Secondary School looking to share stories and partner in some way with a foreign school, Great leaders, teachers, students, programs, strong backs, minds, and hearts –

For that person to write with my dear friend Reverend Dr. Justin Mungure -

For each and every one of you –

Each and every one of your prayers, your precious conversations with God –

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 -