Bethel Tanzania Mission 2015

OK, finally, we have some time to blog. Tuesday was "medical" day as we explored the incredible ministry being done here by wonderfully gifted saints. We were moved and profoundly grateful to be connected to these amazing people.

Arusha Medical Center

Outside ALMC

Jack is Back!

Reception area

The ALMC tower

Logo for Arusha Lutheran Medical Center and Selian Hospital (stain glass in the chapel)

Nursing students receiving their stethoscopes from Bethel

One of the only CT scanners in Tanzania

Arusha Lutheran Nursing School

They are currently renting this space

Oh yeah, we at here for lunch, it's a Coffee plantation!

At the Plaster House entrance

Plaster House entrance

Way to go Bethel!

The Plaster House Courtyard

Terri doing what Terri does!

Giving one of our Bethel quilts to a young child at Plaster House

Bethel Quilts!

Sarah (who runs the Plaster House) with Jack and Diane Jacoby (OBA)

Despite physical disabilities, the kids play just like normal kids

A young man who played football with PD

End of the evening at the home of Dr. Mark and Linda Jacobson

We began the day with a tremendous breakfast at Ilboru Safari Lodge and then some of us bought some beautiful hand woven baskets made by a woman recommended to us. Her proceeds go to help support widows whose husbands have died from Aids.

Then, we walked from the Lodge to the Ilboru Primary school. On our way we passed the Ilboru Secondary school which is quite prestigious. Many of Tanzania's leaders have attended this school. The land surrounding the school was owned by Lutherans and the old Ilboru Lutheran Church (built in 1906) is right beside the school.

We arrived at the Ilboru Primary school, which has 1900 students! It was started and run by the Lutheran Church until the government took over. All the kids walk to school, many as far as 5-6 miles.

Operation Bootstrap Africa was instrumental in building a building that offers education for both deaf children and children with mental disabilities. As you can imagine, those children are often forgotten, so this is a pretty special and meaningful ministry.

Classroom for Deaf Children

Classroom for Children with disabilities

There is also a special new building ... a girls dormitory ... that has been built for the deaf girls. They are at special risk for assault when they walk home. It has beds for 20 girls and will be open very soon.

Now for pics of the beautiful children we got to meet and share time with during the morning.

Following our time at the school, we made our way to Shanga Shangaa in Arusha. It hosts a wonderful restaurant where we had an amazing meal (The River House) and has a glass blowing, jewelry, and clothing business. It is built on land owned by a Dutch woman who runs a coffee bean farm. The wonderful deal is that the business is staffed by adults who are deaf or have physical disabilities, allowing them to make a living. So, children we met this morning may eventually make their living there.