so...everyone is asking me to post pictures, and I would LOVE to...but I am having technical difficulties! :) But be patient with me! I will figure it out soon.

Its hard to believe I have already been here for two weeks. The time is going by SO fast...yet, in many ways I feel like I have been here for years!

I have already had so many new experiences. I literally could write for pages about what has happened thus far. Each day is filled with so many exciting adventures and life-changing experiences. It is completely by God's grace that I am here and I am overwhelmed by the fact that the Lord brought me from Phoenix to Tanzania and is allowing me to see everything I have seen.

I am really enjoying being at the Emmanuel Center. Those boys are amazing. They all have stories that would break your heart, yet they are filled with so much joy and they really love each other. I have spent several days there playing soccer and trying to teach some English...but mostly they were laughing at my poor attempt to pronounce the Swahili words correctly. :)

We have also been working at Moyo Moja, a center for widowed or single mothers. I will write more about it later, the center just opened a week ago...so most of the work is just in getting it up and running, but once it is--I know it is going to be used to touch and change so many lives.

The world is so big. I know that isn't a very enlightening statement, but as I make new friends and meet new people every day from so many different cultures, countries, and backgrounds, I am just realizing more and more how small I am and how big the world is. It amazes me to think that God cares with such intense passion about each and every one of us and longs and desires for personal, intimate, authentic relationship with each and every soul. I have known that in my head for a long time, but somehow being here, seeing how the Lord is pursuing His children all over the world in such powerful ways has given me an entirely new love and hunger for God.

Like I said, I could write for pages about what is going on, what I am learning, and how much fun I am having! Thank you all for your encouragement and prayers. :)