Feb. 12th Update!

So I know I haven't been as up to date on postings as I wish, a better effort coming next week! Here is a quicky to keep you posted on all that's going on.

This week we have spent a lot of time with the kids! We kicked off the week by driving around Africa in a jam packed car of us Muzungus and the other half Africans looking for land for the future school. The plots we saw were horribly expensive, and very very far away from where the kids are now. The four of us all agreed we didn't feel any sort of peace or possibility with any of the plots. However, we were thrilled for the unique experience to survey the land and were happy to get the ball rolling for the long term at Tuamken.

This coming Monday we will be exploring possibilities within the village where they are at now. We walked the kids home from school yesterday and all agreed there HAS to be something feasible within the community they are in now. We saw all kinds of open plots, as well as buildings that were half built but never finished. It seems much more feasible to acquire one of these half built buildings and develop it to the Tanzanian standards for a schoolhouse.

We are discussing the option of having a child sponsorship program with our kids. We met with the area director at Compassion International yesterday to at least get more ideas. We have also meet some friends through the church we are going to, that either run NGO's or are missionaries that focus on education. Still under the assumption that God will align the stars.

One of the highlights of the week was individually measuring the kids for their new uniforms. The old one's are SO tattered and worn. You could see in their eyes that the very rarely get that kind of individual attention. Jenna was there to give each student a sucker after being measured up. What a special moment.

We also put in the payment for the desks, and they are currently being constructed. Once we get those (about another week), we plan to turn some of the old wooden desks into bookshelves. We will build a mini library for the kids, as well as have a few bookshelves for the teachers to store their school supplies!

Aside from things with the project, I am reflecting a lot on have a like minded attitude of Christ. Frankly, I haven't been the best at that this week, and I'm trying to figure out why. Look for a post soon, maybe it will be great or maybe it will totally suck, but maybe together we can figure out how to have a Christ like attitude.

Love you and miss you all! Nakupenda Sana!
Andrew