some safari pictures

here are some pictures from our Safari. Unfortunately, I haven't had time yet to download my favorite pictures to the computer yet. But these are some good ones too... here is the lodge we stayed at...our rooms over looked the crator, it was breathtaking.


I love this picture...this camera isn't on zoom (i don't think it is anyway)...we were SO close we could have reached out and pet the lions. :)

Our team has been going into elementary schools and teaching bible lessons. The public schools here are very open to us coming and speaking to their students.
Louis with the kids...
"David" kills Goliath... :)

My Valentine's Day dates (its funny...V-day was a much bigger holiday here then in the States, so for all you cynics who thought Halmark invented it, it seems to be a world-wide day of love!))

here are some pictures... :)

Gaudenzia and Emmanuel...
Kelvin and Emmanuel E...
Noella and Enoch...
This is my team for most of the time that I am here. It has been such a blessing to have them here...we are having a great time together. :)

here is a picture from my backyard... :) The picture doesn't do it justice.

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. :)

I am finally here! :)

Here is a picture of Jill (the missionary I will be working with) and her two children that she is in the process of adopting, Noella Sessy and Enoch Manji


here are four of the boys from the Emmanuel Center.

my favorite 7 year old...

I have had such a great time in Rhode Island. I am SO blessed to have an amazing extended family. Today is my last day of this snowy, cold weather...I leave tomorrow for Tanzania! I appreciate everyones encouragement, support, and prayers. We were able to fill up two of those blue containers with lots of fun things for the kids and the missionaries over there!

My aunt and uncle and their two children went to Tanzania this time last year. Cole, was extremely jealous that I was going to the Emmanuel Center without him. Hardly a day goes by that Cole does not talk about going to Africa or those kids... he even tried to sneak into my luggage. :) We were joking with him for about a week before we realized that he thought we were serious. His little heart was so sad when Chris had to explain to him that he could not ride in my luggage. I am convinced if we were to discover Martians on Mars tomorrow...Cole would be on the next space ship ride to be the first missionary there. :) I love his special heart.