QUOTE OF THE WEEK: "The righteous is a guide to his neighbor, but the way of the wicked leads them astray." Proverbs 12:26
The scripture above reminds us of the importance of a good example. Until a new family photo is taken, we're replacing the old one with scenery/nature photos of Africa. The beautiful purple flower grows in our yard by the gazebo. The teen girls came over on Saturday for a devotional, games, food and laughs. They all left exhausted after playing a game called "Link."
"I JUST WISH I COULD LIVE MY LIFE OVER AGAIN!" said 6-year-old Elijah, while at the ACSOP where he and his brothers were enjoying their skateboard and skates on the smooth concrete. Thinking he was dissatisfied and wanted to change something, I asked what he would do differently. He enthusiastically responded, "Nothing! I just want to do it all over again!"
ACSOP: The employees of the ACSOP enjoyed a delicious meal as part of the "Employee Appreciation Day." Mr. Elly Martin (the General Manager of TZ 2000 Properties and government liaison) cooked some of the dishes, making some "down-home" Southern mashed potatoes (not normally a Tanzanian dish) and a wonderful fruit salad. Each employee received some groceries, a small cash gift and a whole chicken for their service to the school.
COUNTDOWN to furlough is about 13 weeks and $13,000 on the airfare. Other travel expenses are also needed but the priority focus is the airfare. If the tickets are purchased early we can lock in the departure date and have a better chance of reserving all 11 seats together. We are DEEPLY grateful for all the funds sent so far! We appreciate your generosity, one of the evidences of your appreciation for our work.
MICHAEL MITALAMI (left), an ACSOP Master's graduate, preached a wonderful lesson from James (three types of faith) at Kisongo. Trina continued teaching Genesis to the ladies and Abigail taught the children (right photo) about Noah. Three lady visitors were in worship today. Two were employees of the mosquito net factory. The third was from Mbeya (a day's journey) and, almost in tears, she told that she came to Kisongo looking for her husband who had abandoned her and her children. Jimmy preached at the new congregation in White Rose.
Many times "old-fashioned" English songs are led in worship here. Certainly nothing is wrong with these songs (although they are sung slower than normal). However, when "Bringing in the Sheaves" is selected, Trina imagines herself wearing a bonnet while sitting in the church building on "The Little House on the Prairie" show. When she was a child, she sang it as "Bringing in the Sheets" and wondered why one would rejoice...maybe because of clean sheets?
WAYS IN WHICH OUR LIFE MAY BE DIFFERENT FROM YOURS:
* On our weekly "grocery" day, we shop at two different grocery stores (one mainly to get tastier bread), go to a separate meat store, then on to another place for our fruits and vegetables, and, if needed, go to another store to swap out our empty gas cylinder for the stove (not much "one-stop shopping.")
*We "buy" our electricity on our cell phone and install it (entering the numbers) on our Luku meter. Our guard helps us keep up with the amount left so we don't run out unexpectedly.
*We discuss, consider and check our water supply nearly every single day. I think most folks in the U.S. don't even think about their water supply except when paying the monthly bill...because they don't have to! :)
*We don't experience a "real" winter...haven't for the past 7 years because our time in the states is always spent in the summer months.
We appreciate each and every one of you!
With Love from Africa,
The Jimmy Gee family