Victory Highway: Day 4 (Jean Reporting)

The Toddlers
Originally uploaded by Boyznberry.

Greetings to all from Jean this time.

It was another glorious day to be about God’s work! As usual it was informal fellowship over coffee in the gazebo, followed by delicious breakfast.

But today was different -- we gave the Tanzania team of guys a proper send-off at 8:15 with prayers and hugs. We know that they will be protected as they work near Lake Victoria. The best news is that we received a quick call from Don Rogers about 9:00 this evening that both vehicles arrived safely and in good time. Praise God! Don did comment that the vehicles have never functioned so well as they did today – thanks to Wayne’s excellent automotive skills! No break-downs, no problem at the border, and a good meal awaiting them – what more could be asked. I’m sure that as soon as they get the tent set up, they’ll be ready for a good night’s rest.

With vehicles working properly, Wayne immediately started on his list of things to do. He started by attacking a stopped-up drain in a shower in the children’s home. He realized that it must be lunch time when he ended up with nine boys to “assist” him by trying to climb into the shower stall with him! Fun for all! (He finally did get the drain cleared this afternoon – cross that one off the list!)

We ladies met with Amy Rogers and Adele to plan and schedule the two weeks we’ll be here. We sure hope we can get it all crammed in!

Carol went to town with Adele to pick out paint for renovating the training center. (Where’s Home Depot when you need it?) Carol really got Amy and Adele excited with her talk of “bagging” and “feathering” the walls in the Training Center meeting room/dining room to coordinate with the drapes there and to cover up imperfections in the walls. Carol is so good at working her magic.

While in town, they also picked up plants at the nursery to help beautify the Training Center grounds.

Mary Lou spent a Bible Study and prayer time with the four mothers from the Children’s Home. She shared with us that the depth of their spiritual journey is amazing. We can learn, and are learning so much from them. She also spent considerable time measuring fabric in preparation for sewing curtains.

The ladies of Victory Highway were so generous that there should be plenty of fabric that we can also sew skirts for the girls in the Home.

Dot did her usual fantastic job of relating with children when she taught the preschoolers how to brush their teeth. She was assisted by Christopher Crocodile (with his set of human-looking choppers) and a toothbrush more than a foot long! I also got to assist and help the children practice with Christopher. It didn’t take too long to convince them that he wouldn’t bite them! We left toothbrushes and toothpaste for each child to take home.
We’d love to be a mouse in the corner tonight as those little ones related the event to their parents!

In between times, we all worked at organizing and preparing for our times to be spent with the ladies in the community, as well as a group 45 minutes away. We’ll tell you about those events as they happen.

It seemed strange to have fewer people around the lunch and dinner tables, but that didn’t dampen the fellowship. We shared our day with the others (especially highs and lows) and closed with the usual singing praises of worship. You should hear the harmony, even without Lyle’s tenor!

It’s off to bed with thankful hearts that the team is now safely in Tanzania! Today was yet another wonderful day!

(Click on the photo for more.)