I have stayed back at LJS (Lutheran Junior Seminary) today to try and fix some of their computers. The 2 computers that are in the common area that everyone has access to are very-very-very-very slow. In case you didn’t understand me I said they are SLOW! The scary thing is I am the one with the most knowledge around here on how to attempt to speed them up just a little bit. They are Pentiums with 48m of ram, running windows 98. It is very frustrating for the students to work on. What would take us back home an hour or two of research will take them weeks (Literally.) This is due to how slow they are and they have to share them too. I would rather have my teeth pulled without anesthesia, than have to do research on these 2 PCs they have here. Some of the foreign students (not all) bring laptops which help out some. But don’t forget there are NO high speed connections here.
The people we have been working with are not in the city areas but rather the outer laying areas around Morogoru.
When I say poor, I don’t think you have the ability to picture what I mean. I know maybe you have seen pictures on TV or documentaries but it is just not the same as seeing and experiencing these things in person. Many of the people we have been with literally wear rags for clothing. I don’t think I am off the mark by saying that in the US we wouldn’t even consider them rags they would be trash. They wear these same clothes day in and day out, for many days in a row before they put on something different, if that option is even available to them… I was talking to Linda Spitalari this morning and while walking with her I asked her what about the greeting she and another woman exchanged. Now get this, I hope you are sitting down; she said the greeting basically was how are you, did you make it through the night, did your family make it through the night, and is everyone in your family ALIVE and ok this day. Wow! Now I don’t know about you, but as a normal casual greeting with someone in the states I have never been concerned about did everyone in your family live through the night (with the exception of people in the hospital). That is how short and devastating it is to live in this country. Grant has told us some really sad stories about unfortunate things happening to people here.
I have to admit you would have to be something other than human to not appreciate ALL of the luxuries we have back in the US . I mean even the smallest of things are HUGE deals in this country.
Now let’s talk about some things that are very positive that we can and have learned from these wonderful people.
- Slow Down
- Put on a smile
- Be thankful & grateful
- Be Happy!
- Take life as it is and enjoy
- Help others in all you do
- Always believe it can be done, especially if you have no other choice ***
- Take time to talk to people and get to know them. Care about their families and loved ones.
Probably one of the most important and enjoyable things here is to spend time with our unbelievably kind, gracious, considerate, loving, giving, servants of God.
Grant Miller ( he is our Asbury Man, born & raised in our Church)
Robert & Linda Spitalari (Missionaries)
Herb & Kierstan Hofferman (Missionaries) Staff and others at LJS
I just want to make sure all of our Asbury friends know just how much EVERYONE here appreciates all we do as the body of Christ for our brothers and sisters here in Tanzania . I still cannot put into words the way in which we are enhancing their way of life by installing water wells and building churches and supporting evangelists in these remote areas of the world. May God continue to bless our church and all of those who support us with their Prayers, gifts, talents, service and witness… I love you all…
IN His Grip,Glen
No comments:
Post a Comment