Nessikar Miagre Boma (Village)

As we left Arusha we had the opportunity to visit a Maasai boma (village).  Nessikar Miagre is a 2001 graduate of the Maasae Girls school, and she took us to her home.  It was humbling, amazing, and altogether a great way to conclude the "mission" part of our time.

With Anneliese, the owner of Ilboru Lodge as we were leaving Arusha

The homes of the Boma

Nessikar is in the yellow scarf.  Linga is the Maasai man.  He is the "boss", meaning he is the oldest brother.

Outside the entrance to a home

Soda and beer cans decorate the inside

The "main living room"

The fire pit inside the house (no ventilation by the way)

The wise elder women of the Boma

Regina, who is a Maasae graduate, was singing hymns to the kids

Handing out candies to the kids

Linga does his own selfie

Day 4 - 20th Anniversary of the Maasae Girls School and 50th Anniversary of Operation Bootstrap Africa

Today was nothing short of phenomenal!  We regularly say these words of the Lord's Prayer, "thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven."  We are blessed when we experience this in the flesh.  Today was a day where the kingdom of God came near.  The spirit surrounding the day, the girls at the school, the people who were of significant importance showing up to be a part of the day was dripping with holiness.  A foretaste of the feast to come was our day.  Thank you Jesus!

Festive entrance

Several of the girls school and nursing school teachers

She is the head nursing instructor at the new nursing school

A member of the local council and Pastor Joel, a retired pastor who helped found the girls school

The Waldum chapel is shaped as a Masai shield

The grounds set up for the celebration

The OBA/Bethel folks seating as honored guests

The 20th Anniversary Design Logo

Jack and Mama Jean Wahlstrom with Nanyoke Nasiri

Pastor Dave with the first female Masai Lutheran pastor, Pr. Neema and her sister, Agnes, an accountant

OBA Executive Director Diane Jacoby with Edward Lowassa, former Prime Minister of Tanzania

Diane Jacoby with the 2nd President of Tanzania, President Mwinyi

The dignitaries (the man on the far right is Reginald Mengi, the richest man in Tanzania (Forbes net worth: $550 million)

Two of the members of the first graduating class from the school.  The woman on the right gave an incredible speech!

View from the chapel, the shield is the roof and the spear becomes a cross at the top

Bethel with Nanyoke and her husband Paul.  Under the banner made by Bethel for the chapel.

Urve placing a prayer shawl on Nanyoke

Having fun with the girls at the school

The festivities were delightful

We made so many new friends

After the long day, Jack took us to the Snake Bar, his favorite bar

Pastor Dave is a snake-handling preacher

Wayne's new tie might have a hard time getting through customs

Did I mention there were camels there too?

Daniel may skip Driver's Ed now

A camel built for two

Pastor Dave and his new bestie, Mr. Mengi

Day 3 - Ollarash Primary school, Maasae Girls School, and Dinner at Home of former Prime Minister of Tanzania

The Peder Waldum Chapel at the Massae Girls School

Day three was really long, but full of great experiences.  We saw a new OBA project, the Ollarash primary school, not far from the Massae girls school.  It has an interesting history.  It is a Masai village with about 4000 people, very poor, and have not always had good relationships with the girls school.  The struggle was around access to water.  For years there was tension and often the girls school did not get enough water and it could have potentially caused the closure of the school.  However, God worked reconciliation and now they are partners.  Very few people ever go to the Ollarash school and now that they have seen OBA providing help, the kids are getting support from home which translates to meals for the kids (porridge, but at least it is something).

Then we spent the majority of our day at the Maasae Girls School, getting a tour, exploring the grounds, and enjoying the festive mood that permeates the anticipation of the celebration tomorrow. We were blessed to meet some of the sponsored girls that Bethel supports and have a time to pray together in the chapel.

We ended the day by being guest of honor at a dinner hosted on the palatial estate of former Prime minister, current member of parliament, and candidate for President of Tanzania Edward Lowassa.  It was a truly memorable evening.

A view from the Ollarash school, notice the three Masai women

The children receiving their daily porridge

The children of the school

Daniel handing out pencils to the students

The Masai guard at the school

The children love their pencils and school supplies

Entrance at Maasae Girls School

Some of the classrooms

Jack with his granddaughter Havi's sponsored girl

Jack with Jane's sponsored girl

The science room

The computer room

The Hottle House

The gang in front of the Bethel Hottle House

A view of the African moon from the Lowasa house (didn't take my camera inside as I wasn't sure if it would be appropriate)

Hail to the Redskins!