Day 4

Day 4

We started the day as usual with coffee and another surprise a fried egg that was delicious. We had to pack all our clothes and gear because we were leaving straight from the job site to our Tented Camp Safari. We were able to finish the job in record time. Ron Hansen ( Missionary of Tanzania) said that we are the best crew in all the years he has been in Tanzania, which are 35.

All in all, we built 28 steel trusses weighing 400lbs each, erected 4 buildings totaling 10,000 sq ft, laid 240 sheets of steel using 10,000 screws in 3 1/2 days with a crew of 15. Needless to say it was a lot of work but extremely rewarding. The District Manager of Tanzania came and dedicated the campus. He made an eloquent speech and said that" human words could not express his gratitude for our work". He also commented that the previous work that we had done had produce much fruit and many thousands of Tanzania's had come to know Christ as their savior... "Can I hear a big Amen to that", as a certain Pastor in the States likes to say. The District Manager made us all feel wonderful and humbled at the same time, if there were sign ups for next year right then I think everyone would have volunteered on the spot.

We left the site and the local men that had helped us with hope that this campus will bring the good news to all the people that visit. We believe that the differences between us might be obvious at first, such as clothing (they have practiculiy none) language, race, living conditions (mud huts with no power or running water)but that the same God that loves us also loves them just as much, and that through him they can know that there is hope beyond the grave and a peace that heaven is waiting for them if they only come to know the true and living God, Jesus Christ. This is our prayer.

We left the site and drove 2 hours further west to the Mikumi National Park. We are staying at Vuma Hill Tent camp which is situated 700 feet above the valley floor looking north. After settling in our tents we sat down for a relaxing lunch in the common dining area which is open-air with a wood plank floor and a tall grass roof over looking the valley.

We have come to appreciate the R&R not only for the relaxation after a hard weeks work but to bond with our brothers in service. We really do not see these men throughout the year but come together for a short time and reconnect for a common purpose. It has become so easy to pick-up where we left off with them a year ago like we just saw them last week.

We enjoy the hours long game drives observing God's creations throughout this land and discuss our lives, families and the purpose of why we all are driven to this cause.