Hello friends and family!
We had a wonderful couple of days and nights in Ihemi! We visited most of the preaching points and enojyed a variety of refreshments and singing and dancing. At most preaching points we were able to make connections on how or cultures are different and the same, how interesting that was! After a long day of traveling we would come back to the main Ihemi parish and play soccer or frisbee with the kids, they REALLY loved that! Sleeping in a small room with 13 bodies was another wonderful event we all got to experience. Overall, it was a time that I am sure that we will never forget. We got to Iringa this morning and were able to take our first shower in 3 days. I never knew that I would appreciate water so much in my life! 
While going down to the internet cafe, the president of Tanzania road by and waved at all of us. We were so excited that he waved at us, how cool is that? As of right now we are relaxing before lunch and traveling to the orphange and hospital. Keep your posts coming our way, all of us are always excited to see who has wrote to us. Peace!!
Savanna Anderson
Oh Savanna…..
It was SO great to hear from you, both in the blog and also in the e-mail! I really enjoyed your lengthy e-mail. You know me, I LOVE details!!! Sounds like you guys are having a great time, doing and seeing things that most people will never have the chance to do. This is why we rely on your stories so much, it is as close as we will ever get to experience what your experiencing. I hope your keeping up with your journel. I also hope you are taking lots of pictures! Even if you think it’s silly stuff, take them anyway! It would be fun to see where you have been eating, the pastors house, the church, the vehicle’s you have been traveling in, the villages, everything!
Have you been speaking any Swahili? Or do most of them know english?
Give all those orphans a big hug today, poor things. I wish I was going with you, I’m sure it will be kind of sad. It will be interesting to see there hospital too.
We are missing you terribly.
Write when you can, we love you!
Mom, Dad, Cole and Candice
P.S. Your car is back!
Savanna,
Glad to hear you are having a good experience, we all miss you very much! I’m feeling a little out numbered at home. I can’t wait hear all your stories when you get back!
Be safe!
Love Dad
Thank you, Savanna, for your update. It was good to hear back from you and the group.
I hope and pray that all of you are connecting with your hearts and kindred spirits. This is what the world need to bring God’s peoples together and bring His peace to this earth.
If their culture allows, be sure to touch each child/person at the orphanage/hopsital with a smile and a hug. Such a kindness is what every human needs and deserves.
I hope you fill you “memory cards” with all these experiences; to share with others when you get back.
Senja and Brian – you will be making StoryBooks for sure. See you at my next CM workshop
Keep writing in your journal to recall every experience.
For my family, we are doing well. Kyle is in the Boundary Waters (a different wilderness experience) and I will be at the cabin this weekend (Thurs – Mon). I have no access to the internet unit l I get back home, unless I can borrow a computer for a few minutes.
No news from the office, so I assume all is well.
We love you, miss you, and pray for you everyday.
Tia/Mom
Hi Everyone,
OH!!!! How I know how that shower felt after going without one. How blessed we are to have the abundants of water and we do not appreciate it until an experience like you have had.
Praying daily for you all.
My granddaugher, Erin would like to send a note to Jessica and Jenny. Jenny – you helped Erin at a couple of Easter Egg Hunts.
Hi have you seen any zebras or elephants?
Hi Jessica and Jenny.
LOVE ERIN
It is so nice to hear from you all again! It was tough for us to go a couple of days with no word. How wonderful to visit the orphanage and play with the children! Alex, if I know you I am sure you want to bring a few kids back!! Don’t even think about smuggling them in your extra suitcase!!!
We enjoyed reading your message on Claire’s My Space. You really don’t miss us? That’s okay…I will do the missing for both of us! You just keep on having a wonderful time. Matrix is feeling all better, but she is missing you terribly! Eric just asked where you were yesterday! I guess he is missing you too!! Claire is going to McGuire today for Ready-Set-Go. She is a little nervous. I am going to set up my classroom tomorrow. I can’t wait!
Well, we are so glad you all are having such a spectacular time and can’t wait until your next posting!
Love and Prayers,
Sally
Finally had time to find your comments about the trip. Sounds fantastic. You are all really having a great adventure and also a great witness to the people in Iringa and Ihemi that all Americans are not like they see on TV. We’re glad you are realizing how important water is to the people while we take it so much for granted here. I suppose when you return you will be expecting us to have some 3 hour services (my husband, Dave, would probably like that b/c he likes LONG sermons!). Maybe instead of longer services, you’ll just teach us to sing with a little more enthusiasm! I’m hoping Theo realizes that his “power stick” only works in Africa. The Masai did tell him that, didn’t they? Our prayers go with you for a fantastic finale for your trip and a safe journey home!
Dave and Louise Anderson
Hi Cathy and Abbie:
I just get all emotional (yes! me!) when I read the blogs. I could barely stand not seeing an entry for 2 days. I am just enjoying every word that is written and this is such a wonderful way for you all to share with us. Sounds like you are having experiences you only read about in books or see on TV. Such memories!!! I hope you are both well. Like everyone is saying, take lots of pictures, even if it doesn’t seem like much to you. We are al fine here. Chris stopped by yesterday as he loaned Grandpa the rear speakers for a few weeks to see how we liked them. Jersey is doing well and growing. She has most of her new teeth now so her nips aren’t quite so painful. Jeff is working all the time, as usual. We love you.
Grandma Judy (and Grandpa Doug)
I can’t believe the amazing things you have been able to experience. How wonderful! We are having some beautiful MN summer days around here. Not too hot and a break from the humidity. But it sounds like we are in for some rain this weekend. Hopefully nothing too big, we’ve all been through enough in that department.
Cathleen and Abbie – Things are going great around here. I can’t believe how fast the time is flying by. I am sure it has been even faster for you. Taylor says “hi” she leaves for AZ on Saturday. Wyatt is enjoying being a big boy around here:) He is off to Wisconsin Dells Sunday. Enjoy the rest of your experiences and keep us up to date:) The blogs are awesome. I check way too often to see if you have updated anything:)
Carmen
Hello to all
May God bless your journey and open your eyes to the many wonders of this world. Brian and Senja ,you are in our thoughts and prayers as you travel with your group. We look forward to hearing all your insights about the people and places of Africa.
Work and pray for peace and justice.
Becky and Brent
Vanna!!!!!!!
Hey, how are you? Wow it sounds like you are having an amazing experience and that you will come back to us a changed savanna but in a good way. I can’t believe that you lasted 3 days with out a shower….jk i knew you could do it.
Well, nothing that new here in Minnesota. I cant wait to hear from you and dont be shy send me an email if you get the chance so i can send you other news i dont want EVERyBODY to read and speaking of reading when you get back i am going to get you hooked on the Twilight books cause they are amazing.
Have an amazing rest of a trip and i cant wait to hear all about your trip and please take plenty of pictures. Love you my blonde sister 4 life.
Natalie