A Lot of Mud, and Then a Village

March , 2012

Kiru, Tanzania.  A village way off the road.   It rained last night, so the dirt road into Kiru was now a mud road.  We forded streams, navigated huge HUGE puddles (I wondered if they had bottoms to them), and bumped and slid all over our seats as Ron Baker “drove” the landrover over ruts, mud beds, and questionable detours.  It was a typical African trip to a village during this season.

Ron and Carol Baker, directors of Children of Promise (known as “Safina”) in Tanzania, are my hosts this week.  I am so impressed with them and their ministry.  They know the children well, pray and cry over them, do everything in their power to make decisions that will benefit the kids, and love the people deeply.  As I watch them interact with the parents, children, and committee members, I am so grateful that God can be trusted to provide just the right people for just the right places and times.  They are doing such an incredible job.  The people love them deeply.

Today we met a young man who is studying in the level (Form 3) equivalent to 10^th grade in the U. S. system.  He has never known his father.  He and his three brothers were raised by their mother until she passed away in 2008.   At age 21, he is working hard to finish high school.  He has two more years.  His desire is to be a secondary teacher.  During school breaks, he boards with family members.  During school months, he lives near the school by himself in a one-room apartment and rides a bicycle that the program provided for him.  He is doing the best he can in a very difficult situation.  The deep feelings behind his eyes betray him, though.  He has so much on his mind.  So much in his heart.  I pray that God will give him peace and joy as he walks into adulthood.  Who knows where he would be today if he had not been sponsored.  He has never received a letter from his sponsor in the twelve years he has been sponsored.   I pray they will write soon.

Well, a goat was butchered as we arrived in Kiru, a tradition when visitors come.  So, after the interviewing and wonderful singing by the children, the rice, goat, and beans arrived.  And, of course, those special little finger bananas.

I could write and write, but you have other things to do.  Tomorrow we interview children at Aldersgate Education Center – the children sponsored in the primary levels.  That will be fun.  See you then.

Dr. Paul Maxfield

Executive Director