Goodbyes in the Valley

Today was a packed day. Zach and I had school this morning but Danae did not since it was her last day to spend time with her friend Sierra Rabenold who is leaving tomorrow. Today was also the fly-in medical clinic. There were lots of people this month probably because of the advertising they have been doing with loudspeakers from a car and because the rains have quit and the roads and trails are drying out. Danae and I usually go and help the nurses do different things but we didn't today since it was our last day with Sierra. Colton Rabenold and his friend Joey have been here several months and they are also leaving. We are not sure when we will see any of them again so this afternoon we invited them and the rest of the Rabenolds down for some coffee and chocolate cake. We had a very nice time talking and praying together before we said our goodbyes. This life is full of a lot of goodbyes but on the other hand, as my dad always says, it is full of a lot of "hello's" too. We consider the Rabenolds family, and for this we thank God. In Him, Leah

Easter in Kapenta

He is Risen! We just got done with two days of church services (3 each day) for Easter in our home village. Several churches from neighboring villages also came along with their choirs. Because of the number of people, the services were held under a couple of big trees outside. It was a nice setting and we all loved the breeze. While we worshipped, life in the village continued on and I had to laugh when a boy shepherded his flock of 20+ goats through us while we were all kneeling during a special prayer. Uncle Ted, our missionary coworker, preached several times and my dad taught the children (FYI It is customary for missionary kids to call other missionaries "uncle" or "aunt", maybe because we go through so much together so far from home that we become close, like family). Dad used flannel graph to teach and did a great job. The kids really like it, helping them to better see the story of Jesus' death and resurrection. Danae and I like to hold kids during the service. We are so different to them that they stare at us, stroke our skin, and feel our hair. One little boy this weekend was very silly, or "fujo" as we would say in Swahili. He kept wiggling my ears and pinching my nose. All in all we had a wonderful time celebrating the resurrection of our Saviour with our Tanzanian brothers and sisters. We will be driving up out of the valley this week so my dad can attend some national church meetings. The rest of us will stay in Mumba. It will be fun to see our other coworkers and friends, the Shermans and Caraways. God Bless, -Leah