One more picture

This is a picture we took in the market today. We paid the woman 500 Tsh (=50 cents) to take her picture. She had a few green peppers she was selling in the market. Sorry I don't know how to turn the photos on the blog.

Arusha, Tanzania 2/7/08

Hello friends and family:
We are staying in a hotel in Arusha for 2 nights. We will begin our safari tomorrow. Today we wandered the streets with a local student as a guide. We will attach several pictures. This afternoon we will begin our orientation with OFF (Orphans Foundation Fund). This is an organization that Dr. James Lace is on the Board of Directors.

Africa 2/6/08

Hello friends and family:
This is not one of our easiest or relaxing trips. We spent 5 days and 4 nights at the orphanage in Dar es Salaam. Conditions are very primitive. The children are delightful--3 years to 19 and a few older--about 75 at the orphanage now--many are at boarding schools. We have both had some GI challenges. . .moral of the story is don't eat in 3rd World Countries!
We are now in Arusha--we are staying in a fairly nice motel. We will begin our safari on Friday. We will then spend time with an organization that supervises 32 orphanages--over 1000 children. The directors are both very nice so I am sure it is a well-run process.

The pictures are\;
A typical beans and rice meal being served.

Sharon taking BP on the orphanage staff.

\Sharon serving peanut butter and crackers to the children. They had never tasted peanut butter. The night before we left we supplied 86 bottles of cold pop. They don't have refrigeration and the orphanage so they only get cold drinks on special occasion. The peanut butter was hand delivered in our suitcase.

Returning from church--we bought coconuts from a bike peddler. The cost included him opening it and cutting the coconut meat out after we drank the milk. Fun and tasty.

The children are eating dinner. They don't use silverware--but they certainly are able to eat a lot. Mostly rice and beans.

Ron and the farm manager and one student inspecting the crops. The student, Derrick, now has Ron's sandels because he didn't own a pair of shoes.

Africa Update

Hello friends and family: We have now been here four days. . . We would say it seems like a lot longer. Imagine camping in hot, sultry weather. . .it makes for us being very tired. Plus jetlag still has denied us a total night's sleep.

They are treating us very well. The children are all very well behaved. The youngest is 3 yrs. I have done physical examinations on 31 of them --we will do more today. We went with them to the Lutheran church yesterday. The Lutheran church sponsors some of the children--but the orphanage is not a religious based organization. Ron, of course, is taking lots of pictures. We will try to post--b ut it is a slow internet connection. Sharon has an upset GI system--those who have traveled internationally know what that means. Today is grocery shopping day and also perhaps help plant some banana trees on the farm. There is lots to do--it exceeds our energy. More later..

Day 1 Africa

Day 1 Africa

Hello:  We arrived safely last night about 11:30 p.m.  Three of our four checked luggage made it also--we hope the other one will arrive safely.  All of the checked luggage contains donations and supplies for the orphanages.  We have all our clothes and personal items with our carry on.  There were about 20 people there to meet us--in three pickups.  They are very excited to have us visit!  Enthusiasm is an understatement.  Today there is a welcome reception planned and they have invited media.  We are staying the first two nights in a hotel--the air conditioning is appreciated.  I know we will miss it when we move into the orphanage tomorrow.  The breakfast at the hotel this morning was a nice buffet--lots of fruit--some we didn't recognize but all tasted good.  I will try to post pictures but the internet connection is very slow so I don't know how successful I will be.

Going to Tanzania!

Hello everyone: We will leave Jan 30 to Africa. We will be in Dar Es Salaam and Arusha Tanzania at orphanages for 3 weeks. Then we travel on a safari and to Zanzabar. We will try to post info when internet is available. Your prayers for our safety are appreciated!