Tanzania Blog 6

Monday 31st May   Eventful!   Hello people, hope this finds you in good spirits. A lot has happened in these last few days but before I continue, I just want to say a big Thank You for all your positive feedback I have received over the last few months. Believe me it goes along way and literally changes lives.   Right, now if you ever come to Tanzania you MUST go to Matema. The scenery is absolutely stunning. It is on the Tanzania Malawi Border and is separated by Lake Nyasa. I spent three days there with a fellow Neema volunteer. Just what the doctor ordered. As well as relaxing, I also had some much needed God time. It might sound strange when being in Africa, but privacy really doesn’t happen over here. Anyway I really enjoyed some time to gain focus although since returning normal service has resumed so please pray for us to have more time together.   Since Matema though, things at Neema have really gathered pace. As a Neema Crafts delegate I had the amazing blessing of attending the annual disability conference in Dar Es Salaam. I say amazing because God just used that time to stoke the fire within my belly. Issues such as Disability Policy were discussed, and I had the chance to meet with Disability and Social Welfare directors both here and in Europe. One big negative however was the realisation that some of the delegates themselves, from many organisations, really weren’t interested in giving themselves but rather gaining from others' misfortune. Corruption is everywhere, I know, but not this obvious.   To me this just highlighted the amazing job that Andy and Susie had done through Jesus. To avoid all the pit holes that they have along the way is totally God’s doing. I caught up with Andy on my return and we talked about all things Neema, being a missionary and God’s Social Services idea. He stated that he was thrilled that I had come out but wanted to stress that Missionaries generally don’t get on, meaning that I would have to be wary of wolves in sheep’s clothing. The conference had done little to quash this, so it was relatively easy to accept.   God’s been teaching me tons since we last spoke, many a chat with Baba and Tumaini have taken place, with much impact. After coming back from the conference I spoke to Baba re the levels corruption and the role and state of the church. “Corrupt people think they are bigger than God” he said and on the church he stated “ Too many leaders today do not have the muscle to stand up for what is right, in all areas of the church, even in those churches that exclude themselves from their communities. They are unwilling or unable to respond to the needs of their congregation because they themselves have too many of the same skeletons in their closets, or through fear of disapproval or breaking the status quo”. Profound statements, I feel. What are we to learn from them though? Well firstly, I believe we are all leaders who are to serve people according to God’s wishes and so all of us (myself included) have a great responsibility to look out for those around us. Picking people up on things if needed but most importantly having a listening ear to those that need it instead of completely unnecessary response. Be real but think before you speak.   Lesson number two has been “please watch out for self sufficiency”. Jesus encourages us interdependent, relational beings sharing and living with each other’s joy as well as difficulties and frustrations. Let’s do that eh? Too much of this life is focused on self sufficiency, so much so that when someone needs a helping hand very few have the presence of mind to give it, because they weren’t expecting you to ask! Oh ok… yeah I guess they say. God has called us to extend a hand and all times and to learn to be at the very least interdependent with each other, and that’s what I need to be more of.   Finally I have some fantastic News re Social Service Project. Today I sat with the heads of around 12 NGO’s. We managed to discuss possible plans for action. Something which is a major breakthrough. Praise God; please do continue to pray for the last couple of weeks and coming home. I had to say my first Goodbye last night, one of the hardest things ever! It’s only going to get harder too.   Love you all very much, God bless   Ed xxxx