We Walk by Faith

As I sat down to type this I will admit that there was a long sigh.  The sigh is not to communicate a child-like "have to" spirit or even one to reflect any discontent at all for that matter.  The sigh is more to shake off the elements of the day and take a quiet moment to type a few words from Tanzania.  There is always a therapeutic element to my blogging.  A moment to reflect and for me to attempt to communicate the journey of doing life here in Tanzania.  It has been busy here and the moments to clear the head to type have been few.  Catching my breath as I sat down I began to listen to the sounds around me.  There are drums playing and children singing, "Amen, Amen, Amen Bwana Sifiwe" in a repetitious round.  The birds form a collective choir each concentrated on their part.  The sigh is good.  

Leaving the land of convenience I have begun to understand more and more of the dependence on God  that the scriptures speak.  Hebrews 11 "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see."  My faith is strengthened in what I can not see but know is to come.  Our days here in an African country are filled with all kinds of things that do not work out and hardly ever see.  However, we press on in life here because of something so much more than the convenience of my day.  The contrast of cautious at times reminds me as I take one step at a time knowing God is doing good work and one day I will indeed see!      

By faith Enoch was taken from this life so that he did not experience death.  By faith Noah, when warned about the rain not yet seen build an ark to save his family.  In faith Abraham, when called to go made a home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country.   In this life these great men of faith did not receive the things promised but knew they were foreigners and strangers on earth.  A longing forms for a better country-- a heavenly one!          

There are far many unknowns that fill my day, week, and year than when I lived in the States.  Anywhere to how to get food, to concerns of health, or the stability of the government.  Despite the unknowns of the day there is a peace and assurance that I have begun to know walking by faith in a culture of cautious.  Some days are easier than others to place one step in front of the other but my sights are set on the things that I have yet to see.  The day when I will worship before my King for eternity with an arm around my Masaai Daugther Naerian.  The trials of this day have been shaken off with a sigh, the trials of tomorrow will be walked through in due time, and the day will come when my faith will be sight.            

Until then, some days you just have to jump in the puddles!











Prayer Points~

• Many have asked about my health!  I am grateful for the healing that has occurred and still being patient for that which is to come.  The pains in my stomach are no longer except for a concentrated area in my left lower back which is where to sprue lies.  It is not constant which is a very good healing sign but does come and go.  I am recovering from some other illnesses since my immunity is low.  I am trying some herbal approaches to increase the health and healing of my GI.  But, also to help with my immunity and over all health.  Please continue to pray for healing and strength.  The sigh also probably comes from the continued tiredness most days.  
• I leave for a teacher training with the pre-primary teachers in Masaailand Friday and Saturday.  Pray that their minds are open to new things and that I am creatively able to address teaching in a land of unknowns.  
• There are many concerns and elements for our team to work through right now.  Please pray that we can experience joy as we jump in some puddles and bring unity as we minister here.  
• Preparations continue to be made for the upcoming CHE Training in Katesh that will kick off this next training course before the families arrive here at the CMF Center on the 17th of September.