After years of prayer, months of preparation and waiting, four flights and a nine hour time change, we have finally arrived in Tanzania!!! It is great to be here.
We were greeted at the airport by the ELCA Regional Representatives, Bob and JMe Lowden, and they have been treating us very well. They have helped us find the bank and the cell phone shop; they have introduced us to many people and given us many helpful insights into the language and culture.
We have been welcomed repeatedly, "Karibu!" by the friendly Tanzanian people. It will be so meaningful to begin language training, which starts on Monday, so that we are better able to make relationships and get to know people.
Salama (peace)
26 September 2009
We Made It!!!
15 September 2009
We Have Tickets
Although it is still hard for us to believe, it is starting to feel official. As our airline tickets arrived in the mail last week, with them came the clear sense that what we've only been able to think and dream about is finally becoming our reality. Our departure date is September 22nd, so we have a deadline and a steadily shrinking "to do" list. We also found out that our Work Permit for residency in Tanzania has come through and that we should receive it on Monday. Just in time.
Now, we have to pack.
11 September 2009
Orientation, Visitation, and Preparation
Many are the plans of the human heart,
but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails!
~Proverb 19:21
As you may know, we had originally planned to depart for Tanzania in August. However, upon our arrival at orientation in Chicago (ELCA - Global Mission) mid July, we found out that our departure date would not actually be until late September. This was due to our language school not starting until September 28th, plus it gave a little more time for our Tanzania Work Visa to be issued by the travel authority of Tanzania.
As is so often the case, despite having "extra" time, it seems that we've needed all the time we've had. Standing in today it's hard to even imagine how we would have been ready to depart for Tanzania back in August. So, while keeping up with semi-daily Swahili lessons (trying to get a head start with Rosetta Stone), July and August have been filled with three main things: orientation, visitation and preparation.
At orientation we made many friends and met numerous people who are currently traveling and settling in countries all around the world for the sake of Christ; ESL (English as second language) teachers, doctors, pastors and professionals of all kinds who have felt God calling them into global service through the church. Orientation was divided into three main parts which took place over a three week period in July. The first week was ELCA specific orientation which focused on policies, procedures, and introductions to the Global Mission staff in Chicago. There were around 20 people in these sessions, all getting ready for deployment as ELCA missionaries, many of these people we grew close to and "hung out" with for the entire three weeks.
The second week and a half was an ecumenical missionary orientation which added more missionaries to our numbers from several other Christian denominations: RCA, PCUSA, Episcopal, and Catholic. In these sessions we covered broader issues and topics pertaining to all Christian missionaries, such as cross-cultural awareness and safety precautions and contingency plans for traveling and living in foreign countries--"preparing for the unexpected."
The last three days were spent in Kenosha, Wisconsin at the ELCA Missionary conference. This was an opportunity for us, the newly oriented ELCA missionaries, to meet and mingle with the veteran missionaries who were either just finishing up their time in service or were back on their bi-annual home assignment. This was yet great opportunity to talk with people who already know what we are about to experience.
An unexpected pleasure this Summer has been the opportunity to visit with family and friends. Although there is never enough time for visitation with those we love, we are so thankful for all the the time many of you have given us. We will carry your friendship with us when we leave and it will be a source of strength for us as we arrive in unknown territory.
Finally, it is difficult to imagine all the preparation it takes to leave the country for two years. Sure, there is the challenge of packing into two suitcases what you will find essential for two years of living, but there are also the many details that you don't necessarily think of when you first sign on for something like this. For instance, last week we visited a lawyer friend in order to make arrangements for having a power of attorney placed in charge of our "estate" while we are away. Not to be morbid, but we also wound up having our wills and medical powers of attorney set up just in case the unthinkable should happen. I'm not even going to get into the whole issue of what to do with our taxes!
As is so often the case, despite having "extra" time, it seems that we've needed all the time we've had. Standing in today it's hard to even imagine how we would have been ready to depart for Tanzania back in August. So, while keeping up with semi-daily Swahili lessons (trying to get a head start with Rosetta Stone), July and August have been filled with three main things: orientation, visitation and preparation.
At orientation we made many friends and met numerous people who are currently traveling and settling in countries all around the world for the sake of Christ; ESL (English as second language) teachers, doctors, pastors and professionals of all kinds who have felt God calling them into global service through the church. Orientation was divided into three main parts which took place over a three week period in July. The first week was ELCA specific orientation which focused on policies, procedures, and introductions to the Global Mission staff in Chicago. There were around 20 people in these sessions, all getting ready for deployment as ELCA missionaries, many of these people we grew close to and "hung out" with for the entire three weeks.
The second week and a half was an ecumenical missionary orientation which added more missionaries to our numbers from several other Christian denominations: RCA, PCUSA, Episcopal, and Catholic. In these sessions we covered broader issues and topics pertaining to all Christian missionaries, such as cross-cultural awareness and safety precautions and contingency plans for traveling and living in foreign countries--"preparing for the unexpected."
The last three days were spent in Kenosha, Wisconsin at the ELCA Missionary conference. This was an opportunity for us, the newly oriented ELCA missionaries, to meet and mingle with the veteran missionaries who were either just finishing up their time in service or were back on their bi-annual home assignment. This was yet great opportunity to talk with people who already know what we are about to experience.
An unexpected pleasure this Summer has been the opportunity to visit with family and friends. Although there is never enough time for visitation with those we love, we are so thankful for all the the time many of you have given us. We will carry your friendship with us when we leave and it will be a source of strength for us as we arrive in unknown territory.
Finally, it is difficult to imagine all the preparation it takes to leave the country for two years. Sure, there is the challenge of packing into two suitcases what you will find essential for two years of living, but there are also the many details that you don't necessarily think of when you first sign on for something like this. For instance, last week we visited a lawyer friend in order to make arrangements for having a power of attorney placed in charge of our "estate" while we are away. Not to be morbid, but we also wound up having our wills and medical powers of attorney set up just in case the unthinkable should happen. I'm not even going to get into the whole issue of what to do with our taxes!
Preparation, preparation, preparation. I like to say, "prepare what you can, but understand that the plans are, in the end, not our own." Thank the Lord for that!
God Bless,
Josh and Sue
God Bless,
Josh and Sue
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