Day Full of Promise

As I lay in my bed each morning before the sun rises, listening to the rooster’s crow, I know even then that the day will be full of promise. Soon, I will get up to start my day and the children will begin to lift their angelic voices toward heaven in praise. Daily I am reminded of the glory of creation and of the heart of the Father for His children.

About 85 in number- the children have grown much more than I had anticipated. They are so healthy and strong. Their dreams are bigger, the expectations loftier, responsibilities greater and their hearts more pure. They greet the day with prayers to the Father and know that He will carry them through.

I cannot describe how wonderful it is to use Swahili again and to walk down the road hearing my name called from houses and bushes. I LOVE the people of Ntagacha. One of my goals for the summer has been to reestablish relationships within the village, and I have been doing just that.

It’s 8:30 at night and I am sitting outside, it is completely black minus a few flashlights and the only sounds I hear are the chirping of the crickets and the sound of their singing filling the night sky. They are singing: “Hakuna Mungu Kama Wewe” – “There is no one like our God.”

Each night I have been helping four of the older girls wash dishes. Though not my favorite chore, I look forward to these times. We talk about what they are learning in school, what America is like or just about our families and friends. I love each one of them dearly and love being able to have time set aside each day with them.

Today a few of us went to greet the local school. As I sat in the afternoon sun surrounded by beautiful, smiling faces, I felt such joy sweep over me. I was so excited about the potential that sat in front of me. These children, though they may not realize it now, are the future of their community. We encouraged them to study hard and they thanked us for coming and supporting them. There is such a sense of peace and unity here. God has truly brought blessing to this land.

I am so excited about what is going on here, and even more excited to be a part of it. Thanks to each and every one of you that have helped make this possible!!! My heart is still for Ntagacha!

Father's Day

With Father’s day just around the corner, and Mother’s day just passed, I am once again reminded of how blessed I am. My parents are so much more than just providers; they are my encouragers, my prayer warriors, and friends. They are my shoulder to lean on and, when needed, my push in the right direction 

My mother serves with an open, loving heart, and my father has given me a beautiful glimpse at the Father. He is an example of what fatherhood should be. They are my heroes, and I would not be who I am without them.

But as I think of my wonderful parents, I think of those who are parentless and this Father’s Day I am reminded of why I am returning to Tanzania. I am reminded of my beautiful little friends at the City of Hope, who have grown up without a father, without someone rooting for them and molding them into the men and women they need to be. I think of the heartbreaking stories I have heard about how sickness and violence have torn these beautiful families apart.

Their circumstances bring me great heartache, but in this I a reminded of something else. I am reminded that they are not fatherless, that are provided for by the greatest Father of all; One that is never selfish, never distracted, never provoked. There is no comparison to the great and mighty Father of us all. He has not given up on these children, for He has numbered their steps. He has not forgotten them, for He has numbered the hairs on their head. He is not to busy for them, for He has said, "let the children come unto me." Yes, He is great, this Father of us all.

This Father’s Day let us be thankful for our earthly fathers that have helped shape us into who we are, and think too of the City of Hope and the children that have been introduced to a Father that will never fail. Think of me too, as I head out in search of new adventure, new friends and new ways to serve. And let us all give thanks to the Heavenly Father, the beautiful Creator of all.

Making My Cheeks Hurt....

I have a wonderful friend who is serving in Nigeria right now. She is amazing and courageous and I look up to her so much! In one of her communications home, she wrote this, and I must say I feel exactly the same way...

"I admitted to the bishop last night that Africa makes my cheeks hurt. He asked, "Baby, why does Africa make your cheeks hurt?" I answered, "Because from the time I wake up, until the time I lay down Africa keeps a big smile on my face." That is not only a true conversation, which made him laugh quite jovially, but it is true that my cheeks do ache from the smile Africa and of course the Lord keep between my ears."

Tanzania absolutely keeps a smile between my ears. When I am there, I cannot stop smiling and when I am here at home, thinking of there, I am smiling still. I have the joy of the Lord in my soul and a great love for Ntagacha in my heart.

This summer, will be no exception. I am have once again been presented with the opportunity to return the land I love...I cannot even express how excited I am. I will be leaving on June 27 and returning in early August. While there, I hope to be assisting some nurse practitioners and the Tumaini Medical Center that has opened this spring. I will also be helping with some of the summer teams, and of course spending time with my beloved friends there. There has not been a day since I have been home that I have not thought about Ntagacha.

I believe that God put this love in my heart for a reason, and I am following His lead! I know that this is what I was made for, and I am so excited to find out more. If you are interested in finding out more about my trip, the City of Hope, or how you can help please contact me at monicajoy8@hotmail.com!

They say absence makes the heart grow fonder, and in this case, I cannot even tell you how true that is. When I think and returning my heart jumps for joy...and my cheeks hurt. I cannot wait to give a huge hug to each and everyone of the those children and to be a help in the hospital that I have been dreaming about for months. When people ask why I am so desperate to return I can truly tell them... "because from the time I wake up to the time I go to sleep, I cannot wipe off this smile that Africa has put on my face!"

My First Chapter

If you listen hard enough, you can hear the heartbeat of the land here in Tanzania. The stories trampled into the paths, the tales whispered into the air. You can feel the heart of the people and feel their blood pumping through the veins of Africa.
The Kuria people are truly something; they are crying out for a change, yet trying to figure out how to still hold on to their past. It has proven to be a difficult road.
We have seventy children now, and I am more sure than ever that I will leave seventy pieces of my heart in Africa. I am deeply saddened by the past they have lived, but ever optimistic about the future they hold. They are beautiful and strong. They have such a desire to learn and a plan to change their nation.
I have seen how AIDs, hunger and war have devastated this land, how they have wreaked havoc on the beautiful continent of Africa. In this, though, I have found beauty in the ashes, life amongst the dead and a sincere prayer among the godlessness. But most of all, I have found a people with hope in all the despair, a remnant refusing to give up.
After all this, I am truly content to close my first chapter here in Ntagacha. It has been long and full. I am content, only however, because a chapter is only a fraction of a book. Until next time, these have been my dreams from Africa.

I kissed a giraffe!

The Hospital

Lately I have been spending time sitting, thinking and praying in the empty hospital that will one day be full of men, women, and children. I sit and envision the people it will help and the lives it will change, for the babies that will be born and for the fathers that will be given another chance at life. I long to work there and to transform lives, but for now I am content praying for those who will walk through the doors. It will truly bring transformation to the village. Last week my pastor broke his leg and it took over an hour to drive to the nearest hospital. While there, he waited days for proper treatment and was kept in a small crowded room. His wife had to travel each day to provide food. How I am looking forward to bringing a change to that system. This hospital is the change this area needs and the children we are bringing up will become the doctors and nurses in that place. They will become the English teachers, the lawyers and the diplomats. They are about to change the world!
I can’t tell you how exciting it is to be a part of this project! The flags of different countries are flying high here and the hopes and expectations are just as lofty. I have already seen change in the children and even small changes in the surrounding area. I’m telling you God dances in the trees here; when he looks down on Ntagacha he can’t wipe the smile off of His face. He sees the potential and He is giving me eyes to see it as well!
May you set high goals, have big expectations and give God the freedom to work in and through your life. That’s what we are doing here and for now the sky is truly the limit. We’re reaching for it though, and I think we’re getting close :)

I'll miss the smiles

Once again I sit listening to the rain pattering on the roof and the calming hum of the generator. I believe that things are truly good here. As the rain falls, God’s grace falls along with it. How I love that God’s mercies are new every morning!
I still love each one of my fifty friends as much as I always have, more I am sure. I look so forward to them coming home from school each day. I love waiting at the gate to greet them, and by the look on their face, I think they feel the same. About a week ago I spent a few days in Nairobi, Kenya and I have to admit I couldn’t wait to come home to my village. I missed the smiles and the laughter. Oh how my heart will ache when I leave in two months to go back to school.
Truthfully enough though, I am far beyond the half way point of my trip and I am beginning to think about the importance of finishing projects and meeting goals. I am far from finished though, and my heart is still completely in this project, as it always will be, sometimes just in different ways.