Green, David Tanzania
Green main pageNovember 2006 Prayer Letter (Click here for Acrobat pdf version)
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James and Ros at Diani Beach (click photo to enlarge) |
Dear Friends,
Two and a half weeks ago I arrived back in Tabora – and an eventful 2½ weeks they have been! My first impression on returning: How dry it is! The land is parched and dust is thick. We have received water through our mains supply for just 3 hours in the past 7 days. And as Tanzania’s power depends almost entirely on hydro-electric schemes, day-long power cuts are frequent. The rains are due next month: Pray that they will come – and consistently, and steadily – to fill the dams, raise the water table, and give good harvests. But first …
Thanks
My grateful thanks to all of you who, over the summer months, have welcomed, hosted, given time and counsel, and provided me with the resources that I need for another year here in Tabora. I’m only sorry that there were several with whom I did not manage to make contact this time. But thanks chiefly to all who pray for me: that’s the greatest support you can give, and please continue it in the months ahead.
Wedding
The summer began with the happy event of Ros’ wedding (my youngest daughter) to James Dennison – for which they chose the romantic location of Diani Beach, on the Indian Ocean coast just south of Mombasa, and at which Mike Harries, a Kenyan farmer and friend of many years standing, officiated. Later, I stayed with Ros and James (and Lyla the cat) at their new home in Basildon, Essex.
Crosslinks
Also of importance, I was accepted by Crosslinks in July as a full Mission Partner, instead of just a short-term volunteer, as I have been for the past 2 years. It is an encouraging confirmation that this is where the Lord wants me for the present – for the next 12 to 18 months anyway. Only He knows what is in store after that.
Back to the present – Teaching English
We started with a class of 14, which has now risen to 23. All but 2 are in their mid-teens, wanting to improve their English for Secondary Education. They are still rather shy, and effort is needed to get them motivated. A change from previous years – I am sharing more of the teaching with an African colleague, Eleazer, who is giving them more of the grammar, while I concentrate on listening and speaking skills. Interesting, but hard work – they need a lot of pushing at present.
Malaria
Yes, I succumbed last week to a mild attack – parasites were confirmed in a blood test – and I was off teaching for 3 days. (My fault: I forgot to start the prophylactic course
on time. I started only 4 days before re-entering Tanzania, instead of a full week.) And I was grateful for an urgent phone message (SMS) from Ruth Hulser, our local CMS doctor (who is currently in England) who told me the right and genuine drug to take – the drug I was prescribed here is one of those suspected of being counterfeited. Have you heard about that practice, particularly in West Africa?
Preaching
Actually, I was quite relieved to be off teaching – I needed the time to prepare for a double Swahili preaching commitment last Sunday – all at rather short notice … A case of Romans 8:28 ??
Car
How great is our God! Anyone working in Tabora needs a 4x4 vehicle. My first year here, Giles and Annie Roberts left me their Landrover, because they were going on 12 months’ extended leave. The second year, Bishop Francis Ntiruka had just retired, with a Toyota Twin-cab as a farewell gift from the diocese, but he started his retirement by taking a 12 month Sabbatical at Belfast Bible College, writing a Swahili commentary on Deuteronomy under the Langham Partnership Scheme. So to whom did he most generously entrust his retirement present while he was in Ireland …??
This year, no such provision seemed to be coming for me from heaven. But on my first Sunday back in England, worshipping at Andrew and Jayne’s church, Christian Centre in Nottingham, the Minister taking the service, David Hind, added to his words of general welcome “… and a special welcome to Andy Green’s dad who is just back from Tanzania”; then he added “I think we ought to bless Andy’s dad with a love offering…” so the collection bags went round a 2nd time. (I thought ‘Wow – the C of E never treated me like this!) Three days late Andrew phoned to say that £1,000 had been given for me personally. I sensed that it was God’s arrabwn (see Eph.1:14) - first instalment and guarantee, that whatever was needed for the car would be forthcoming. So it has proved to be, through many gifts – some small, some large, but all generous – and to God be the praise!
I hope to acquire a Toyota RAV4 at the end of November, freshly reconditioned and imported from Japan, through the good offices of MAF-Tanzania. Until then – again most generously – I have the use of Ruth Hulser’s Suzuki.
Not only the car, the Lord, through many of you, has provided sufficient for my other serious need – new Sietec hearing aids, which were on a 50% reduced offer, bringing the price down to £2,700. And a new laptop computer …
How great is our God! So, as my friend Mike Harries signs his letters –
In His grip …
David Green