It was far from “just another day” in Tanzania, mainly because I saw Jesus again. Really I did. He was in the face of sweet little children, most of whom were orphans. Just so you understand, orphans here means one or both parents have died, more than likely due to contracting AIDS. Then I saw Him in a church where 20-30 adults were gathered, a support group for those who suffer from this horrific disease. As they thanked us for WV’s support, you could sense unbelievable vulnerability as they asked for more help for their families.
I saw Him in the faces of my “teammates” as we listened and learned of the solid impact that World Vision has had in the Sanya area. It brought us a sense of pride and relief, frankly. Then I saw Jesus in the Pastor who is a their loving shepherd, and the nurse who prays for their recovery as she administers the medicine. I saw Jesus in a male teacher who had no less than 50 kids learn some English for us. This guy was so much fun; He loves these kids. I cannot tell you how difficult it was to leave them. In fact, I am sitting in my hotel room, all showered up, watching Twister on TV and it is useless to concentrate on anything else, because I am crying as I think about their condition. The kids didn’t want us to go either, smiling and waving as they sang a song. It was ridiculous.
While our World Vision group toured what is considered a mature ADP (Area Development Project), we enjoyed 80 degree, sharp blue skies and some of the prettiest tropical plants, but whoa was the ride rough and long. When we finally got to our fifth destination today, it only added insult to injury as I traipsed over mud and animal poop to join the group in the middle of a rice paddy. Whoops! Honestly, thought I was on sold ground, only to watch myself (slo-mo) tumble….going, going, going, gone~there I was in a mud hole. Picking myself up, I was drenched in slobber, a sight for sore eyes. Made it over to the actual rice paddy and sat in on the family “pad” having their mid-day break, eating, you guessed it, rice!
I will admit that I am tired and almost ready to come home, yet I am completely satisfied because I know my Redeemer lives. I saw Him today and I saw Him yesterday and I will see Him tomorrow and when we get on our late night flight, I will see Him again. When I get home to the US of A, I will see Him yet again and I can only hope that I will recognize Him.
To sponsor a World Vision child, go back to the front page of the WMUZ website and click on the banner. You will be so blessed by doing this.