An Eye Opener

Here is a very small glimpse of what we did today. Please check back once we get home for a more extensive post on each of these places.

Arusha Medical Center was the first stop of our day.  Dr. Paul Kishanga greeted us as we joined the staff for Chapel at the beginning of the day. For both hospitals we visited (Arusha Medical Center and Selian Hospital) this was a staple they did every morning before heading to work.

We toured the building and learned much about what the day-to-day life was like there.  We toured their NICU, ER, GYNO, and Outpatient, wards.  At this time they see about 350 people a day. Where as when they opened there were only about 15 patients that first day in January 2009.

We delivered our first set of blankets to the NICU unit.

We then moved on Selian Lutheran Hospital. Dr. Mollel was most gracious the whole time we were here. He showed us around and invited us for tea (which always includes food) after.

They have a very high demand of services but a very low income.  

The maternity ward and especially the malnutrition center for children were very grateful for the blankets as it is something they constantly need yet cannot always afford.

Dr. Mollel wishes to thank us (the church and Synod) for our donations to the hospital as well as the donation of the blankets.

Our last stop of the day was to Plaster House where they currently have over 80 kids being treated for things such as cleft pallet, club foot, burns, and much more.  These kids stay there until their surgery and recovery is finished and then can return home to their families.

It was great to see their smiling faces as they were so excited to get their pictures taken. They were also so grateful for the donation of the blankets we had brought.

Today was an emotionally exhausting day for many of us. However, seeing what good things these places we support are doing was well worth it. 

Blessings and Bumpy Roads

Saturday we had a slower day getting to know the area and checking out a couple local sites in Arusha.

We made a few stops including the Market and Shanga Shop (a shop that employs all handicap workers)

Today (Sunday) we got up very early for what turned out to be a great adventure.

We started the day at church at 6:30 a.m. with the Olturumet Congregation. It was a beautiful service and we were able to present the banner from Grace that Linda made to Pastor Christopher.

We were given beaded necklaces and bracelets as gifts given in love from their parish.

They were very gracious and prepared a special meal for us following the second service.

From there we stopped at Losakito, Likomba, Galilya, and Olchorovos.

We attended a 50th Anniversary celebration of friends of the Gustafsons.

We returned home at 6:00 p.m. A very busy 12 hours in which we were richly blessed by the churches, people, stories and experiences.

We have ARRIVED!

We are now safely in Arusha, Tanzania! 

We left O'Hare and headed to Atlanta where, Chris ran into a former Team Effort Mission Trip group leader. SMALL WORLD! 

From Atlanta we boarded our first long flight of the day to Amsterdam. After 7 1/2 hours and a small layover we hopped on the last flight that would take us to Tanzania.

Meet "The Baby"

When we arrived at the airport we were a bit stunned to find out at least 3 of our bags were over the weight limit. Determined to take all the blankets we had packed Pastor Dahlseng took this as one of his carry ons. We have since learned you will get many strange looks while walking through the airport with a space saving bag filled with colorful blankets. 

But it arrived safe and sound along with the rest of us.

It was quite the long trip but we are so excited to be kicking off our first day in Arusha.

Check out some photos from yesterday!

ANTICIPATION!

The team is getting ready to leave tomorrow! Everyone is finishing their packing and getting things in order. We are all excited for a GREAT Christmas Eve as we all head to worship and spend this evening with family before we head out in the morning.

Pastor Dustin, Chris, Katie with the help of Gloria have packed up the blankets you have so generously donated! Thanks to space saving bags we will be able to fit them ALL into suitcases to take with us.

Once again we are so thankful for your support. Please keep the team in your prayers as we leave Grand Avenue and start our adventure!

Meet the Team!

Hey all! We want to thank you so much for your support, blankets, prayers, and so much more. We want to take a moment to tell you a little about the purpose of our trip and introduce ourselves!

Purpose: To build relationships with our sister churches in Tanzania. We want to build the bond between Grace Lutheran and these churches that they would feel comfortable coming over to visit us in the states and share what is happening in their churches.
We also will visit other places and ministries we as a church and the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) support. Our hope is to build relationships as well as show the congregation exactly where their support and prayers are going and what is being done through those ministries.

Meet the Crew:

Pastor Brent Dahlseng, Jody Dahlseng, Katie Thomas, Chris Thomas, Patricia Lenz, Pastor Dustin Lenz, Debbie Gustafson, and Ron Gustafson

Please continue to check back as we try to keep you updated on the trip with pictures, videos, and stories from Africa.