Praise God!!! - Exciting News for Gertruda!

Dear Friends and Family. We wanted to share with you some news Liz and I received recently so you could celebrate with us the excitement of what God is doing as a result of our work in Tanzania.

Many of you know that while we were in Arusha, Gertruda was a big part of our lives.During our stay, we had helped Gertruda (who was orphaned and living with her Grandmother) to get back into school, and we were able to supply them with a small stipend each month for food and medicine. However, their living situation was still not good, and she needed care and attention that her Grandmother, despite being willing, was unable to give her. We were concerned that once we left, they would essentially return to homelessness and living off of the Grandmother's meager earnings in town - begging on a street corner. We didn't want that to happen.

Thankfully, before we left, I was able to connect Gertruda and her Grandmother with our friend Audi, a Tanzanian who had graciously offered to help them.

(Note, if you received this via email and would like to view the full post with Photos and Video, Click Here)


We have just received word from Audi that with the help of a guardian family in Moshi (a neighboring city), Gertruda is now safely in the care of the wonderful staff at The Amani Children's Home (Amani in Swahili mean's "peace, security and quietude" and is, coincidentally, the name we had given to our Intern House)! The Amani Home provides Getruda - and other kids in need - with shelter, clothing, education, medical care and opportunity :) You can watch a video about the Orphanage here.

I just got off the phone with Kathleen from Amani who assured us that Gertruda arrived there safely a few weeks ago. She is in good hands and is being well taken care of. She will no longer have to worry where her next meal is coming from, and we are hopeful that her schooling will improve now that all her basic needs are being met. And she will still get to see her Grandmother from time to time. I can tell you that when we received this initial news a couple weeks ago, it was all I could do not to cry with thankfulness and relief!

For those of you who sponsored us, we want you to know that a portion of your money went to Gertruda and her Grandmother, and now that we are home we will continue to support them through this wonderful organization who has chosen to care for the orphans and the fatherless. If you feel so compelled, you can make a donation to Amani Childrens Home by Clicking Here. God bless you as we continue to give to others as God has given to us.