Hello from Dodoma!
Following our recent trip to the UK we returned to Tanzania to spend some days working in MAF's new'ish operating location in Arusha...as promised we said we'd tell you more about it. Oh doooo watch (and listen to) the following link to understand a little more of what it is we're up to ...
In support of our two pilots Kirstein and Jarkko who live/work/fly/serve from the Arusha programme they need the support of a team (two of whom you'll notice have turned grey!)
Stewart, foreground left, lives/works in Dar es Salaam. Next to him (toasting tea!) are Steve and Debbie who live in the south of the country in Mbeya, splitting their time between MAF and Wycliffe Bible translators.
Often Jez 'meets' with them remotely via skype to discuss, advise and support, also having regular meetings with staff from MAF UK and International offices too, when there's electricity/wifi!
Meet more of the team: Pirita is office manager, Jarkko's wife, mum to Jeremias and Samuel
Below is flight-follower Emmanuel, no coincidence that his name means "God with us"... comforting to know 'they' are always with us ;o)
To the right is Gilbert, the finance and admin officer who live in Arusha with his wife and baby daughter - his family are from the Maasi tribe.
Our office isn't near Arusha airport; we rent space on the Scripture Mission compound,a beautiful haven away from the dusty town/streets. Here are some lovely, dedicated folk: our office neighbours who work with Bible translators and run a bookshop, also housed in the building shown.
Unlike Dodoma water isn't in short supply up in the north; our 'sophisticated' sprinklers (hose pipe attached to plastic water bottle with holes in!) are needed to reduce dust and keep it beautiful....
This shot is taken outside the guesthouse where we and other visitors stay when working in the Arusha office, with Mount Meru in the background, an active stratovolcano but which thankfully last erupted in 1910. It stands at 14,977 ft (4,565m). 70m west is the highest mountain in Africa and which surprised us to learn that it's the highest free-standing mountain in the world: Kilimanjaro stands at 19,341ft (5,895 m).
We'll hopefully have more news on life with us and MAF Dodoma next week. Have a great weekend! Enjoy autumn!
Sending you love and WARMest greetings (its currently 32 in the shade!)
not-yet-wilting-simpsons,
Jez and Carina xx
No comments:
Post a Comment