Tanzania Blog 5

Thursday 6th May   Moving at a pace!   Don't worry Ladies and Gentlemen, the title chosen for this weeks blog, does not mean that I have been blessed with a sudden ability to run. On the contrary I think I've slowed down. Time though is flying by, I am struggling to believe its been nearly 3 months. These last few days have been full of excitement, joy and hope, but also a realisation that there is a lot more to living the life God called me to live. Decisions on my future solely rest with him and whilst I am ok with that, the fact that I need to let go is hard. As humans we love to plan, cover ourselves, minimise the chance of risk. Where does that leave God though? Even now as I write this there is a voice saying risk failing more, you need to do that if you are going to see me. I am not saying for one minute be wreckless, but we just need to stick our necks out a little more. It is incredibly difficult to describe the amount that I have learnt whilst being here, but what I can say is that although Africa and Europe are on the same planet they are two completely different worlds! God created both and gave them beauty, blessing them both along the way with many fantastic attributes. It's amazing to be getting an understanding of both. One prayer request before we move on would be to ask to prepare me for coming home. I know that it's going to be a huge challenge coming back, much harder than when I left, not just because of the friendships I have formed but more the cultural transition. People will for example feel very cold and abrupt in comparison with what exists here, there will not be the same freedom in conversation, I will miss real, honest answers, probing questions, the amount of detail and relational intermacy when we greet each other to name just a few. Thank you in advance for those! So what's been happening I here you ask? Well, I have had the absolute pleasure of going to Ruaha National Park with some friends from Iringa Christian Fellowship, the English Church. I do have many photos but unfortunately it takes about 25 minutes to download one photo so I think I would be best served uploading them on my return. I have also been to a local farm to see some really big blokes milking cows with their own hands. This was suprisingly good fun and once again highlighted the vast difference between here and home. This weekend Lake Malawi beckons. I'll be sure to keep you informed with how things go. A quick update on all things in Iringa. Neema is going well, Susie is currently in England travelling around the country doing radio shows and satisfying sponsors and stakeholders in the UK. Andy is as busy as can be with Susie being away and the children are obviously missing her. We pray for a her safe return. All the boys have started their exams at school and are busy revising, Baba is away in Dodoma at a conference and Mamma is attending a 4 day seminar with the local Mothers' Union. The turnover in the house this week has been nothing short of mindblowing. Thanks again for all your support. I wouldn't be here without it. I pray with all my heart that God is blessing you through it. Much Love as always Ed xxx ps. Since meeting about the Centre there has been progress, slow I might add but we've moved forward. Tomorrow I plan to speak with a number of NGOs about the practicalities of it all. Praise God!