Tanzania first day

Our first day of traveling to Tanzania was for the birds.  It's amazing how one little bird can stop a mega ton machine causing 28 people to spend all day in an airport.  You might wonder what the bright side of this day could be? The answer is that twenty some people kept their cool and spent the day getting to know each other.  Tomorrow we will all wake up in Omaha Nebraska with our faith in God and start day two of our journey.  Proving my favorite saying "Adventure is but a collection of detours."   By Denise Spry

Delayed by A Bird

Well, our first day of travel was eventful and not eventful all at the same time. We boarded our plane to Minneapolis began the taxi to take off, accelerated for take off and then suddenly felt the brakes. We taxied to a stopping point where we heard word of what happened. A large bird flew in front of the plane and the pilots saw it headed toward the engine. Remember the Hudson River emergency landing a while ago? Our pilot wanted to avoid that!
After the mechanics looked over the plane, the wheels were deemed unsafe as they were pretty 'burned' after the sudden stop. So we moved to plan B.
Because we are a large group of 28, we weren't quite so easy to reschedule. After 7 1/2 hours in the airport, we finally were booked at a hotel in Omaha. Nice accommodations!
We depart today at 1:50 for Detroit, then Amsterdam, then Kilimanjaro. We should arrive in Tanzania tomorrow evening.
We've lost a day on the ground in Tanzania. However, we have gotten to know each other quite well already. Good friends are good to have on long travels such as these.
One of Jesus' parting encouragements to his disciples on his last days were to lay down their lives for each other- by doing so we show great love. I learned that yesterday.
Peace,
Pastor Rhonda

Eve of Departure

We're ready! These words feel good to say on the eve of departure to our mission partnerships in Tanzania. We've worked for months to be at this point. Not only are we ready because we're packed and ready to go, but we are ready because we've been so richly encouraged in faith. This morning our mission team from SLC was commissioned and prayed for. And we were encouraged by so many of our brothers and sisters in faith. People promised to pray for us and to look after our families in our time away. They also thanked us for our willingness to go and continue to build this partnership in Tanzania. It was a great day to be the church together. We collectively believe that the Spirit is leading us and guiding us and we carry this in our hearts as we depart tomorrow.
Keep us in prayer. Read is blog and follow our travels. We're ready!

Haitian partner program highlighted in Huffington Post article

It is hard to believe it has been three years since the devastating earthquake shook Haiti on Jan. 12. Sheridan has continued to partner with organizations in Haiti to further the rebuilding process. Below is a link to an article that speaks about a program that Sheridan helps to support through the partnership with The Haitian Timoun Foundation (HTF).
Click here to read the Huffington Post Article.
Sheridan will return to Haiti this July with two high school youth to help facilitate a VBS/Day Camp in Jacmel. Please contact Pastor Rhonda Bostrom for ways you can support and/or help further the Sheridan partnership with HTF.