Greetings from Tanzania

This is the first time we have been able {to update everyone}. This is a quick update on the past three days. Our flight was long and very tiring, but we had good seat partners. I talked to a Korean girl who had almost been in a bad car wreck, but God spared her life on her way to the airport. I talked to her about the importance of her walk with God and how God was not finished with her. She thanked me and told me that I made it easy for her to talk about how she was hurt in church. Her name is Beth.
Geofrey picked us up at airport and we spent the night sleeping under a fan. We are sleeping very good and Agnes makes sure we eat good. We have eaten good meals like rice, english peas and green beans cooked with coconut. I went to the market yesterday and I picked out the chickens we would eat for supper. The smell was awful but the people are laughing and smiling at me as I try to learn their language.

Kevin and Ricky went with Geofrey to find wood and supplies. Everything is different here because when you order it has to be made the day you order. The wood arrived about 7;30 at night and it took about an hour to unload. We have been going to bed very late and yet it is all very good. It is very hot but the Indian ocean supplies a breeze. We somehow left one of my suitcases at home that contained most of my clothes, but God is supplying what I need. Agnes gave me a beautiful dress and a dress maker came by last night and measured me for another skirt outfit(!) I do have pants but only 1 skirt for church services.

I watched as the men took off the existing roof and waited on Geofrey to come back. Kevin and Ricky went to the Indian ocean and shopped while they waited on the wood to be prepared. Ricky says to tell everyone hello and that he loves and misses all of you. He is having a good time although it is a much slower pace than he is used to. Here we call it "African time", because people get to it when they get to it.

There are so many crippled people and they are taught from an early age to beg for stuff so that they can survive. I gave away a ball yesterday to a neighbor of Geofreys. He was 3 and named Moses. His sisters were 1 year old Anna and 7 year old Miriam. I saw him this morning and he was still playing with his ball. I also gave a ball to my dress maker named Bahati. I met her in 07 when we were here before. She is a very powerful woman of God.

Ricky has made friends with the local children. He played soccer!(football) with them on Wed. and plans on playing this afternoon! He has been asked to speak at the Dar es Sallem College next week. We will go Sat. to speak to the children. That is 2 hours away and several miles off the main road. We have to have a 4 wheel drive to make it there. The men working on the house are very nice and eager to learn. Kevin brought tools and they are very thankful. Geofreys sister Juliet is coming over to help with cooking and washing dishes. They are hard workers. She stands and bends the whole time she is cooking.

We love all of you and we are taking lots of pictures. Tell Bean that they pray over his picture every night and they say thank you to everyone who has helped. Agnes just cried and she asked God why He chose them over others she feels need things also. She knows she is being blessed. I will update again as soon as I can. Keep praying and know that we love each of you and we feel you are here with us. Blessings from the African house builders,Kevin, Sherry and Ricky ( posted by Paula Lett for the Rickles)