Habari! Today was a really great day. Thankfully we got to sleep in until 9 o’clock. After breakfast we visited the diocese office and learned a lot about what they do to help the different churches. We were there for about an hour and then visited the market. Many people purchased kangas, carvings, bracelets, and necklaces. Theo bought a “power stick” which is used by the Massai elder when he is speaking and has the authority to tell people when they can speak. Theo is greatly enjoying it, he promises to keep us all safe. It was exciting to barder. A lot of us managed to get the prices down lower. I only had one successful barder out of many, but I’m hoping to get better over time. We went to the Hasty Tasty for lunch which was very good, but very busy. We spent a little while longer at the market but headed away from town to go on our rock climb. We took a wrong turn while on our way to the path, so we had a little bit of trouble We climbed (which was more of a hike) Gangalanga Rock. After about 45 minutes we reached what we guessed was the top, or at least as high as the path would take us. There was a gorgeous view of Iringa and the mountains. We took lots of pictures, especially of Theo and his precious power stick. On our way down we got a little lost, apparently we don’t have a very good sense of direction. We headed back to the Lutheran Center for dinner, which was also very good. Tomorrow we are leaving for Ihemi for 2 days and we will be staying at the pastor’s home. We apprecitate your comments and look forward to reading them. We are having a great time and hope that life in Minnesota is well.
Kwa Heri (Good bye)
Jessica Boerner
the next couple days with your brothers and sisters of Ihemi – staying, eating, playing, praying and planning with them will bring memories for a lifetime! Take in the wonder of the children, love and respect of the elders and presence of the Holy Spirit.
Oh how excited we all are for you … pinch yourself!
Skillman’s
It will be an exciting time with the people in Ihemi. I will be with you in spirit. Enjoy the children and feel the Holy Spirit in that place. They have so little but are so happy and blessed. Don’t let Theo get to powerful!!!! Maybe he will want to stay and herd cows.
Have you had umgali yet? I had to wait until the last day to have this staple.
I’m praying for you everyday.
Karen Fehr
Jessica and
It is my hope and prayer that each of you, each in your own way, are touched by the love and profound faith in Jesus that our brothers and sisters in Ihemi demonstrated when we visited them several years ago. As you have seen, life in Ihemi is startlingly different that we experience back here in Minnesota.
We can all learn so much from our sister congregation. In Minnesota we often measure success by how big our pile of stuff is. In Ihemi, they don’t have enough stuff to make a pile, but they have enough love to give some to each of us and always have more.
Bring home some of that Tanzanian love along, with Theo’s whatamacallit stick and the suitcases full of baskets and stuff for the pile (you can give your clothes away before you leave to make more room to carry stuff home).
While reading the postings, I can see the smiles on your faces.
Kwaheri,
Don Fehr
Three-hour worship, gorgeous views, good hikes, a power stick–but what in the world is the Hasty Tasty………
We’re thinking of you often and you’re in our prayers. May you keep on having a wonderful journey.
oh yeah, the Twins are in first place.
Love,
Dan and Gabe
hey yall i hope your having lots of fun in africa!!!! Lots of us here in Minnesota are wondering what the kids are like there in africa? And if they liked all the gifts you brought for them? Have fun!!!!
Alex, if you see any bush babies(those cute animals with HUGE eyes) take a picture. Or bring one home. miss you! toodlez
Claire Krenz
I’m glad to read that you had another great day in Iringa. Don’t worry Jessica, I’m no good at bartering either. (note how I spelled that with a T instead of a D….. sorry, I couldn’t help it) Maybe we just don’t have the barter gene. Tell Theo not to let his head swell over the power stick.
It sounds like you’ve been getting lost alot. I should have let you borrow the GPS.
If you get a chance, email some pictures.
Remember not to get eaten by any lions!
We miss you, even Mike. ( I know, I can’t believe it either)
Love,
Dad
So good to hear you are having such a good time. Just reading these blogs brings back memories of my experience there. Take the time to really absorb all the sights and sounds and if anyone can record the music to bring back home you will really enjoy replaying it. Here in MN the weather has been hot and humid although it is supposed to cool down some this week. For those of you that are Packer fans it looks like Brett Farve is back. The Twins continue to win and are now in first place in their division.
Thanks for the blogs, they are such a great way to journal as well as keeping us updated. You have so much more to look forward to….ENJOY EVERYTHING. God be with you all and remember the importance of sleep and purell.
Bertie and Dave Mohling
Hi to all,
We check your blog twice a day and have a feel of being with your group. It’s fun to keep up with your experiences and all the things you have done! We think you all should bring home a power stick to use in the social room at Christiania.
Our love and prayers are with all of you each day.
The Jacobson’s
hi cathy and abbie hope you are having fun how is the weather there? not much is happening in grand rapids always busy busy looking forward to hearing from you love and peace. love mom and dad
Hi Jess and Sue, it has been really fun reading your blog. Jess, can imagine you on your climb and the friend with the power stick. Sure we’ll see pictures of that when you get home. I’m surprised by all the traveling you do. Is this all on foot or some by van? Also surprised by the places you go to eat (Hasty Tasty), I thought you would eat in the village with people from your sister church. We are enjoying summer, trying to keep the new kitty off the furniture, soccer tryouts for Lindsey and Haley, just got back from Alexandria with Todd and Ann’s family…lots of tubing and jetskiing, Andy just got back from Michigan on business. Have a great day…looking forward to reading more of your adventure.
Sandy
Hello Jess and Sue!
I hope that you are having a great time. It sounds like you guys are seeing some pretty neat things and meeting lots of people. I hope you don’t get lost again! Stay safe and keep having a great time! We miss you very much and will see you soon. I really don’t have anything to say about Minnesota because it is really boring here. (Well at least for me)
We will keep you in our prayers!
Love always,
Your cousin Lindsey
and everyone else says hi too. love you.
Hello Cathy, Abbie, and everyone. I trust you all are having a enlightening experience. I’m excited to here all about the happenings in Africa. What a great opportunity you have to spread the exciting gospel of Jesus Christ. I pray God will use you to carry out his will, and ask for his continued protection. All of you are in my prayers. God Bless you ALL!!!! In Christ——- Frank
Hi Cathleen & Abbie!
I have been reading the posts and am so excited for the both fo you to be experiencing all these fun things together — you will remember this trip forever. I am so happy for you both — can’t wait to hear the stories and see your pics!
Take care and have fun –
Love,
Charlee
Habari za kazi?
Figure that one out!
We are so excited for you and a little envious, wishing we were there. Can you feel the love and prayer support keeping you safe and guiding your faith? Wow! It is hard to believe that you are on the other side of the world-although I am sure you feel you are! Enjoy every second. We can’t wait to hear ALL the stories. Write them down so you can look back and feel the “wow” again!
Give hugs to Sara for us! Mungu Aka Bariki!
God bless you,
Juli
hi cathleen & abbie how is it going you are going to an orphange and hospital i know cathleen you will be excited seeing you deal with children everyday love and prayers i can’t wait to hear about your wonderful travels. love mom
jess and sue
Jess and Sue
Sounds like your having tons of fun!
I cant wait for you to come home and tell me all of your stories. I miss you so much and will pray for all of you guys to stay safe while your on your trip.
love you,
Haley
hey jessica!!
sorry i havent written but o my goodness its sounds like you are having an amazing time!!! i really hope you are and i cannot wait to hear everything that you did!!
well back here in minnesota the only thing you werent at that we missed you was the bissells party it was fun and i wish you could have come but come on you are in AFRICA!!! that is like a once in a lifetime chance and you will never forget it!!!
cant wait to see all the pictures!!!
have an amazing rest of the trip and enjoy yourself!!!
love,
Molly.
Hi Jessica & Sue,
I finally got a chance to check out your blog. It sounds like you are having a great trip. This is a once in a lifetime trip so make the most of it!
In MN we are making the most of watching the Olympics.
It is so impressive to see what these athletes can do after all the training time they put it.
It sounds like the Bachman’s were members of your church.
It is such a sad story. They are fortunate to have such a supportive church community.
Enjoy all that this adventure has in store for you.
We will pray that you return safely to us in MN.
Kwa Heri,
Ann, Jim, & Eddie Hoey