Stepping onto another continent

We're in Africa!!!

After 16 hours in the plane over three days, we're finally here.  All of our 23 checked bags made it through Chicago and London and arrived safely in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

In the London airport, we made an interesting observation.  We had no car keys, no house keys, and no cell phone.  It was a very strange feeling.  Utter helplessness and complete dependence on God for everything.

In Tanzania, we began orientation right away with sessions on safety, procedures, and do's and don'ts of African culture, but we also started Swahili classes, took public transportation, and bought food at the local market.

Please pray for our health as we are still recovering from jet lag and the kids have all battled tummy troubles.

let the wild rumpus start

We really like books. 

I mean really really like books. 

Our kids sit and read books to themselves and to each other for hours.  Grandpa and Grandma have given the kids a library of wonderful books.  But now we have to choose.  Which books do we put in storage?  Which books do we give away to bless others?  Which books go to Tanzania?  We want to take them all.  (if only there were a way to teleport our books across the ocean!)  Unfortunately we can't fit all our books because we also have to pack clothes.  So either we leave some books behind or our kids go without clothes.  Hmmmm....

The Gerths at night

Ever wonder how you would pack for a family of 6 moving to Tanzania?  Check out this video:

It's not fair!

Some days are harder than others.  When we said "goodbye" to family in Minnesota, realizing that we would not see them for a few years, that was a hard day.  As we drove away, we thought, "It's not fair!  It's not fair that our kids will not be able to get hugs from Grandma, or play bubbles with their uncle, or read books with Great Grandma, or cook with Grandpa, or go sliding with their aunt, or play ball with their other aunt,

It's just not fair!"

But then we stopped and wondered, why are we complaining about fairness when God has shown us infinite grace?  Beyond the grace of knowing Jesus and following Jesus, God has also graciously provided a wonderful, supportive family who loves us and encourages us.  They believe in what God has called us to do and they've joined our team.

And then, when we think about "fairness," is it fair that grandparents in Tanzania can't read the Bible to their grandchildren in their own language?  Is it fair that parents in Tanzania can't tell their children about Jesus in their own language?

THAT'S not fair!

And our family shares our passion to see God's Word in the heart language of the people of Tanzania.

No, it's not fair that we have to leave family...it's grace.

14 days

We leave 2 weeks from today.

Yeah, that's about how we feel!