As a missionary, living over here seems to have its dangers as a single girl but to add to this life of risk and intrigue we also must learn to drive on the wrong side of the road, on the other side of the car and to acknowledge that two lanes on a road may become four if you are driving too slow (the speed limit). You must learn to drive with a certain quality, say that of a NASCAR Formula 1 Driver. You need to watch both the left and the right side of the car for vehicles that are passing and if you have your blinker on that doesn't always mean you want to turn. I tend to look on both sides before I turn but then also up in the air because you never know here. Our biggest danger on the roads are these piki piki drivers (that's Swahili for motorcycles). Arusha is now using them as taxis. You see these guys have a way of creeping up on you. They will hold no less then two passengers at a time, getting the biggest bang for their buck and they have a certain death wish that i am unable to understand. Yes! Life here in Tanzania has many dangers and risks as a female in a third world country but do I have to be afraid of the roads too?

Good Mornings!

Here in Tanzania the best part of my days are the mornings actually no matter where i am I am always better in the morning. I say i don't like to make any decisions after 2:00pm and although I seem to be joking there is a lot of truth to it. This life as a missionary is WAY outside my box and being patient, kind and loving in a culture that tries my very last bit of patience on a daily bases mostly before 11:00am is a consent challenge. I am assured that others are experiencing the same trials over here but as I look around I mostly see quiet , meek and mild spirits roaming around loving on the very people that ride their nerves and I wonder how can anyone be that sweet. I do know how of course! God is working within us to give us the strength to Love one another when we are not so lovable. But yet I do often ponder why some people get this more then others (Me!).

Yes, mornings are my best times. I wake up feeling refreshed and ready to take on the day and whatever challenges it will bring me and I KNOW there will be challenges. I try and think about how i got here, how i was chosen for this work and then i try my very hardest to live up to that choice often failing before i even eat lunch. Why am I sharing all these things with you? Who knows. Maybe someone will read this and not feel like they are the only ones dealing with these feelings, maybe its to remind you of the wonderful Grace of God and maybe its to let you know that no matter what you do, God doesn't love you any more or less!

The picture I posted is of the crew that waits outside my gate each morning. Usually by now i am in my car feeling a little anxious about what might be lying ahead for me during the day but then I see these little faces and I realize how very blessed I am to be here, living in Tanzania, working with these beautiful women and surrounded by these adorable kids. I will tell you it makes for GOOD MORNINGS!

Jennifer
www.shiningalight.org

Clean Drinking Water!

Clean drinking water is a huge problem in Tanzania. When children are drinking water that is contaminated they contract many diseases. Although many do not die from drinking contaminated water they are often sick, missing school and causing their parents to spend money on doctor visits that could be avoided if they had access to clean, safe drinking water. Shining a Light is proud to say that our women now have access to safe drinking water in all of their homes thanks to Hope Reformed Church in Kalamazoo, MI. A few weeks ago 25 Sawyer Water Filters showed up at our workshop. We were unclear how the ladies would handle this wonderful donation since none of them had been educated on clean water. So with the help of African Outreach who delivered our filters we conducted a two day seminar that taught these women the heath and economic benefits of using these filters. One of the many challenges of living in Tanzania and working with these women is education. If they don't understand how something will improve their life then they wont be willing to try it. We also wanted the women to pay for the filters. Even though they were a donation we felt that the women would take ownership if a small fee was enforced. After the seminar not one of the ladies bought the filter BUT all of them did!!!!! After being educated on the health benefits to them and their families they saw the need and felt that the price was worth it. Shining a Light is not just about sandals and salaries. We are educating these women in many areas one very important one being Health Care and Disease Prevention.