Missionaries of Old and New

I read a book last month that I picked up in a guest house in Nairobi. It was a collection of short stories Lutheran Women wrote as Missionaries in Tanzania stretching as early as 1940 to 1990s. For obvious reasons I was immediately fascinated by the stories that filled the pages. I was amazed at the length of time some of these earlier families traveled to reach Tanzania. I thought two days was rough. With the help of a friend though thoughts of if the longer route would help in transitioning from one world to the next better. But, as we find in most things and situations of life there are pros and cons! Then, there were the tellings of animal encounters, illness, loss, and pioneer efforts in setting up home were all tiring just to read. I thought I had it rough till I wandered through some of these pages of hearty faithful women! Interesting enough just like any time or place there are advancements and with that there are things that I do not have to do like these early woman. But, there are lots of things that I can relate as a Woman Missionary in Tanzania and things to do that are not so far from the stories on the page. Meals from a box are that of the past. Just about everything is from scratch and carefully prepared. Clothes are hung out on the line to dry however, the advancement is that we do have a machine for washing! Those are some silly examples but the truth is I am finding that I am a better person for having to figure out and do these things. Though nothing says we can't have a little fun with our lists of differences or withouts! So, I have made a list of the current top 5!!

You know You are a Missionary in Africa When:
5. you take toilet paper wherever you go.
4. you, are in a larger city and ride the escalator like you are on a roller coaster at King's Island
3. finding deoderant could take a five hour car ride
2. you can't tell if something is a decoration or a bug till is has movement
1. you always have a flashlight with you cause you never know where you might be when the power goes out.

All these things aside the story that lives on is the fact that Christ is being proclaimed and the true story continues to be told. I do not know if my stories will ever be read by someone behind me but I do know that the reason I am here as well as the many women before me is that there is one true story to be told. There are precious people here who do not know yet about the God we serve therefore I take my toilet paper and flashlight and off we GO!