Tanzania Blog 4

Saturday 10th April   Andy and Susie Hart and their children Well Hello everyone. This has been by far the toughest update to write, sorry for the delay. It's been a whirlwind twenty with many hardships and challenges, not forgetting a load of fun! I really love Africa. The culture is much like what I would like home to be. In comparison, I am afraid to say we lag way behind. Everyone is always so warm and uncomplicated. It is lovely to be in a place where honesty is not deemed as a weakness or a failure, and a "How are you?" is not a rhetorical question. Yes of course it has its challenges, but life here actually is centred around God's plans, not anyone else's, not individual desires, not materialism. God's message to me over these last two weeks has been 'The simpler the better'. Man's thirst for all things materialistic seems to be at the root of the majority of the world's problems. I class myself in this category completely (I have fallen prey to it many times). You may say to me its because people in Africa have little, and (at least to some degree) you would be right but it is far more than that. They love being poor (if that makes sense). They don't want anything to get in the way of their relationship with God or with family and friends. Sometimes I bet they would love 'luxuries' but if these were to be at the expense of the life they cherish then (they would argue) there is little point in going down that road. Baba and I were talking on this very subject at dinner on Easter Monday. He said that he was becoming worried that Tanzania was a nation that was aspiring for 'things 'out of its depth. Trying hard to make ground on what is mistaken for a perfect world in the west. Very sad really.   Susie Hart and Children Moving on. Events. I have had the priviledge of attending a Tanzanian wedding! It was such a proud moment for us all, lots of food music and celebration. Fantastic. Last week was fantastic too. Easter weekend in Africa. On Good friday there was a 4 hour service dedicated to Jesus' teaching and trials through the final three hours of his life. Sunday was, as so many put it, 'A celebration of our redemption'. The finest food, china, the best that everyone had was pulled out and we all loved it. Baba sends his many blessings to you all! I also managed to spend some time with a local english speaking church and some expats which was great. On Wednesday last week it was the anniversary of Tanzania's first President's death, Julius Nyerere (now eleven years). His face is everywhere here, it has struck me since I have arrived here how much honour they give their dead. Every evening about 20:30 their national TV station dedicates 20 minutes in which people (who have already prepared profiles) can remember their loved ones. I think we should do that!   Neema is as busy as ever. Andy and Susie are well they have just returned from a holiday in Tanga about 15 hours north of Iringa, a futher 8 from Dar Es Salaam. They had a great time and enjoyed a real, much needed rest. Andy's parents are now with us too and are enjoying being back here. For those of you that don't know yet the Neema cafe is officially the best expat run restaurant in the world. We won the competition! And there's more good news. I have been given the go ahead to set up a Social Services Department in Iringa. It will be the first of its kind here and is only in its first stages so please pray that things progress. I am going to see the equivalent of Iringa's MP on Monday to discuss plans. I am also working to get local educational bodies involved; to send students on placements to help here at Neema and at all the other charites. Really exciting eh? Susie has also been praying for resources and the opportunity to employ our very own Chaplin. We feel that having someone around to spend time focusing solely on spiritual needs would give the whole workforce a huge lift, challenging them at the same time to be all that God has called them to be. For more information please get in touch with Mum.   Right I think that's all for now, Thank you ever so much for all your support.   Love and Blessings, Ed xxxx