Hope

We had a marvelous day today!! Not nearly as exhausting as yesterday-- but exhilarating? YES!!!

We traveled through rough terrain to the Massae Girls School today. It is a school that is for girls who achieve a certain level of academic level to qualify for the school-- in other words, it is by invitation only. The girls are all from local tribes (not just Massai). It is in the heart of some of the most beautiful country that I have ever seen.... Massai country. Quite a different look from the inner city, Arusha landscape!! Now, THIS is what I had imagined and hoped for in Africa!! We even saw camels on the trip to and from..

The girl's school is comprised of 275 girls at present enrollment. They have another 60 girls enrolled for the fall. The school is only 10 years old but has already done awesome work. Mama Jean has been the chaplain at the school for the last 10 years. What a strong woman, clear in her mission and goals!! However, today we also met the new Chaplain of the facility. This is a woman who began attending the school some 10 years ago (and was sponsored by Ron Henning from Bethany Church in Crystal Lake) and has now attended seminary and is taking the reigns of the pastorship of the school. The circle has been completed. So, as in true missionary form, Mama Jean is stepping aside and letting this new pastor take over--- How glorious to see that circle be completed!! Mama Jean thinks so too!!

We toured the facility and then gathered in the Chapel for worship--- there, we were greeted by at least 200 voices of the greatest, clearest African-based (and some not so African-based) music I have ever heard!! It was an awesome sound as these courageous young women stood up and sang for the glory of God! They clearly were pleased that we were there and this school has clearly changed their lives.

I was privileged to talk to a couple of the girls one-on-one. What clear sense of direction and the gift they have been given in being able to attend this school!!

So, tomorrow, we meet our companion congregation for the first time--- the Kijenge Parish. How great it will be to finally meet them. We will also be moving to the other hotel, so again, we will have to see how the internet capabilities are--- hopefully, we will be able to keep in touch.

More tomorrow after we visit our new friends of the Kijenge Lutheran Parish. Please continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers.

Cindy