Preparations confirmed

Planning and preparations have gone very well. We were able to confirm and visit the work placements which each team member and their Tanzanian counterpart will be serving.

Arend and his CP have been accepted to work at the Tumaini Hospital. They offer many different services, so each week the CP can work in a different department of the hospital. Arend is a nursing student, and has some experience working in a hospital.
The hospital has provided us with a donation list, so Arend is scouring Ontario hospitals for:
Forceps
Microscope (lots of malaria here)
Gall pot
Kidney dishes
Blood Pressure checking machine
Blood and water giving set (IV unit).
Medical gloves

Stelna and her CP have been accepted to work in an orphanage hosting approx 20 orphans. Ages range from child to teenager. She will be involved in all the activities related to caring for the children. Many are suffering from HIV/Aids.

Sara's Tanzanian CP just completed her teachers education; she is qualified. Sara is working on an Education degree at Trinity. The Eckenford English Medium School has gratefully accepted both of them to teach their choice of the following subjects (note this school is taught completetly in English): English,Physics,Biology,Chemistry,Math,French.
Sara will probably choose either Chemistry, Math, or French.
The curriculum will be provided.

Ollie and his CP will be serving at a Christian youth center in town. Youth come from all over to catch up on their school work, network with other students, and enjoy group activities. The Youth Center also has a department which cares for "vulnerable children" in the community.

Jamie and I have also met with each Tanzanian Host Family. Most of the families have previous experience hosting international missionaries. They are all Christians, exceptionally friendly and hospitable.

That's all the news for now. Jamie, Shayo(Tanzanian supervisor) and I will pick up the Canadian team members in three days. We'll do a short orientation with the team and then dive into service. Thank you for your continued prayers.

Jamie and I have arrived safely and soundly

Habari?
Right from the beginning our journey was hopeful. Because of coincidental congestion, Air Canada offered me and Jamie a $500 flying voucher each to take a later flight. And upon arrival in Tanzania, it was nice to have all our luggage arrive, unlike last year.
So far we have been able to visit with the people whom we were working with last year. They greeted us with warm hospitality. We have also met up with Sarah Switzer (our leader last year) who is living in Tanga working with ACTS (Africa Community Technical Service) and Under the Reading Tree. Jamie and I are staying with Sarah in Tanga until the rest of the team arrives, then we will move in with host families.
Meeting Mr. Shayo, our team’s Tanzanian supervisor, has been so great. He is more experienced than I thought, very organized and very enjoyable to be around. His passion is working with young adults, and I can tell he has spent a lifetime learning how to relate to them. In the next few days he will be taking me and Jamie to meet church officials, volunteer placements, and host families.
So far our expectations have been superseded, which is usually not the case.
Please pray that our preparations and introductions continue to go well. Also pray that the rest of our team (Arend, Sara, Stelna and Ollie) finish all their preparations before coming. And keep all of us in mind during these next few weeks as we adjust to the culture and get aquainted with our Tanzanian counterparts.
Thank you, friends in Christ, for making all of this possible.