Today, Sunday, was a wonderfully full day. We left for Mudio to worship, and as has become their custom, they met us on the road with a brass band in the back of a pick-up truck and played as we drove up the hill to the church. It is humbling to be announced so boldly! (I have no idea how they can play their horns, let alone ride without falling off the pick-up, on such a bumpy road!)
I was able to get to know Mudio's new pastor, Christosia. He had been at Mudio for several years prior to going for more seminary training. He has now returned and is doing an excellent job. Everyone there says that he is very hard working and has helped the church progress.
After our three hour worship service and auction, Emilie and I were served lunch, including the traditional goat! It is hard eating something that is looking back at you, but we managed! It is an honor to be treated so well. After lunch we were able to get a tour of the Maize Mill that Sheridan's gifts had built. It is definitely an outreach to the entire community. I also toured their original building, which is in disrepair. I am hopeful that we will be able to support them as they renovate it.
Our final stop was to the home of our dear friend, host and ambassador to many Sheridan members, Saltieli Munisi. He and his wonderful wife, Helenna, hosted us for some conversation and fellowship. I was also able to pray for Saltieli's sister, Ufoo. Saltieli and Helenna are caring for her on hospice.
Well that is all for now. I can't wait to see all of you.
Peace,
Pastor Greg
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Saturday, July 7, 2012
Update from Pastor Greg
Emilie and I just returned to Uhuru Hotel. All went very well with the climb and we summited well. The final day is the hard part and we made it to the top an hour earlier than the last time I climbed. Emilie was great - I clearly slowed her down! The conditions were excellent, although it was much colder throughout and brutally cold at the summit. When we get back to Nebraska, I'll be sure to post photos!
I'm very much looking forward to worshipping at Mudio tomorrow. It will be another mountain top experience!
Thanks for all of your prayer support!
Peace, Pastor Greg
I'm very much looking forward to worshipping at Mudio tomorrow. It will be another mountain top experience!
Thanks for all of your prayer support!
Peace, Pastor Greg
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Family Fishing Fun
On Sunday, July 1, about 50 friends and members of Sheridan went out to Bob and Gretchen Terpsma's farm for fellowship, fishing, food and fun. In the words of Bob, "It was a good day." The temperature was sweltering, but that didn't stop the fishermen (and women) from catch and release- "I got one!" followed by cheers heard all over the pond... The men's ministry grilled favorite burgers and dogs... and the opportunity to sit back and watch families relax and laugh together was priceless. Thank you Terpsma's! See you at the next event in October!
Click here to see highlights from the day.
Click here to see highlights from the day.
Sunday, July 1, 2012
An Update from Pastor Greg in Tanzania
Yesterday was a wonderful day. We had slept well and felt no ill-effects of all the travel time. Saltieli took us "window shopping" (his words, which is ironic as there were no windows) and we relaxed over pizza at a local place where many Americans eat. I can tell that it has been a long time since I've relaxed well. It felt good to be able to truly unwind.
As I write this, I am aware that it is Sunday morning in Lincoln - and therefore it is Pastor Eric's first day. Welcome, Eric! I am so excited about the direction of our team. God is so good. It does feel strange to be away from the pulse of Sheridan. But this is probably a good and necessary thing.
Today was great. We got up after another good night's sleep and departed for Karansi with Saltieli and our driver, Ali. It was a cool morning, made even cooler by the elevation at Karansi. We arrived at the main church and then were led to a remote location. This is a new locale that we have never been to before. It is a nice building. It is simple, but very well kept.
Much to our surprise, the ELCT Northern Diocese had sent the group from Minnesota/Pennsylvania there. So it was weird to have another group of nine there. Pastor Chad has been a longtime visitor to TZ. His former congregation in Penn. had built the orphanage that the NE Synod trip goes to. Now he is in the Twin Cities and he is building relationships with his new congregation and the Northern Diocese.
Worship was wonderful. I was asked to preach - a daunting task to try to bridge the gap we know exists. As part of my message I asked that we have Holy Communion and I gave a gift of a home Communion Kit to Pastor Joshua. It all seemed well-received. Once again, we were given full Maasai garb and a meal afterwards. It is truly humbling to experience this again. It never gets old! I found myself choking back the tears...
During the post-worship auction and social time, Emilie was able to talk with a young man who teaches English within the Karansi community. He was able to articulate to her how much days like this mean for their community. So much of what they hear about Americans is negative, so for them to hear such positive words that uplift them as spiritual partners means the world to them. He said that days like this are never forgotten in his community.
After worship we traveled to the main Karansi church and we were updated on the progress of the school. They are very confident that it will be complete by the time February rolls around. We have the dedication day set and they are excited in anticipation.
We were tired when we got back to Uhuru. We both napped and are preparing to go to supper with Saltieli and his wife, Helena. That will be a treat. We are fully packed for the climb, so we're feeling prepared in that way. Tonight we begin our altitude medicine.
Obviously, we will be out of touch for the next six days. As always, keep us in your prayers as we climb. I hope it goes well!
Grace and peace to each of you! Know that you are missed!
Peace, Greg
As I write this, I am aware that it is Sunday morning in Lincoln - and therefore it is Pastor Eric's first day. Welcome, Eric! I am so excited about the direction of our team. God is so good. It does feel strange to be away from the pulse of Sheridan. But this is probably a good and necessary thing.
Today was great. We got up after another good night's sleep and departed for Karansi with Saltieli and our driver, Ali. It was a cool morning, made even cooler by the elevation at Karansi. We arrived at the main church and then were led to a remote location. This is a new locale that we have never been to before. It is a nice building. It is simple, but very well kept.
Much to our surprise, the ELCT Northern Diocese had sent the group from Minnesota/Pennsylvania there. So it was weird to have another group of nine there. Pastor Chad has been a longtime visitor to TZ. His former congregation in Penn. had built the orphanage that the NE Synod trip goes to. Now he is in the Twin Cities and he is building relationships with his new congregation and the Northern Diocese.
Worship was wonderful. I was asked to preach - a daunting task to try to bridge the gap we know exists. As part of my message I asked that we have Holy Communion and I gave a gift of a home Communion Kit to Pastor Joshua. It all seemed well-received. Once again, we were given full Maasai garb and a meal afterwards. It is truly humbling to experience this again. It never gets old! I found myself choking back the tears...
During the post-worship auction and social time, Emilie was able to talk with a young man who teaches English within the Karansi community. He was able to articulate to her how much days like this mean for their community. So much of what they hear about Americans is negative, so for them to hear such positive words that uplift them as spiritual partners means the world to them. He said that days like this are never forgotten in his community.
After worship we traveled to the main Karansi church and we were updated on the progress of the school. They are very confident that it will be complete by the time February rolls around. We have the dedication day set and they are excited in anticipation.
We were tired when we got back to Uhuru. We both napped and are preparing to go to supper with Saltieli and his wife, Helena. That will be a treat. We are fully packed for the climb, so we're feeling prepared in that way. Tonight we begin our altitude medicine.
Obviously, we will be out of touch for the next six days. As always, keep us in your prayers as we climb. I hope it goes well!
Grace and peace to each of you! Know that you are missed!
Peace, Greg
Saturday, June 23, 2012
El Salvador, Part 7
Friday, June 22
Wow! What a day! The first thing we did when we got to the work site today was move cement block that had been delivered after we left yesterday. Then we got a new delivery and unloaded and stacked that as well. When we finished today, our site looked great. This week we have cleared the lot, (and one of those stumps was a whole grove of trees), dug the footings, filled the footings with sand and cement, tamped it all down; then tied the rebar, (a lot of it done by Koren), put it in the footings, and tied it together along with the vertical supports. Everything looks great and ready to pour the final layer of the foundation tomorrow, and start block on Monday.
At 2:00 we met Pastor Wilma and Carlos Avalos, at Pastor Wilma's church down the street, for a celebration with the community. Pastor Wilma told us the history of St. Paul's and we met many of the people. We took a lot of pictures of all of our new friends. They are the family members and neighbors of Gladis, who is getting the house. Then we had a piñata for the children and ate some delicious cake.
After some sad good-byes, we went back to the Sahara and got ready to go to the Habitat office for traditional El Salvadoran food that Ana Maria Montoya cooked for us. Gladis, who is the house owner, her daughter and son-in-law, Claudia and Juan José, and grandson, Juan José, Jr. were able to come as well. After a delicious dinner we were surprised by a Mariachi band and everyone danced. Then we again said some sad good byes to Gladis and her family, who were so gracious and grateful. We all had such a good time together.
We will be leaving Santa Ana early in the morning for our beach activity day, before we return home on Sunday.
Jody Simeck and the Sheridan El Salvador Mission Team
Wow! What a day! The first thing we did when we got to the work site today was move cement block that had been delivered after we left yesterday. Then we got a new delivery and unloaded and stacked that as well. When we finished today, our site looked great. This week we have cleared the lot, (and one of those stumps was a whole grove of trees), dug the footings, filled the footings with sand and cement, tamped it all down; then tied the rebar, (a lot of it done by Koren), put it in the footings, and tied it together along with the vertical supports. Everything looks great and ready to pour the final layer of the foundation tomorrow, and start block on Monday.
At 2:00 we met Pastor Wilma and Carlos Avalos, at Pastor Wilma's church down the street, for a celebration with the community. Pastor Wilma told us the history of St. Paul's and we met many of the people. We took a lot of pictures of all of our new friends. They are the family members and neighbors of Gladis, who is getting the house. Then we had a piñata for the children and ate some delicious cake.
After some sad good-byes, we went back to the Sahara and got ready to go to the Habitat office for traditional El Salvadoran food that Ana Maria Montoya cooked for us. Gladis, who is the house owner, her daughter and son-in-law, Claudia and Juan José, and grandson, Juan José, Jr. were able to come as well. After a delicious dinner we were surprised by a Mariachi band and everyone danced. Then we again said some sad good byes to Gladis and her family, who were so gracious and grateful. We all had such a good time together.
We will be leaving Santa Ana early in the morning for our beach activity day, before we return home on Sunday.
Jody Simeck and the Sheridan El Salvador Mission Team
Friday, June 22, 2012
El Salvador, Part 6
Thursday, June 21
Well, today was the fourth day working at the soon-to-be house. We arrived at the site to discover that the trenches had been magically finished! No complaints here – now the nine blisters I got from swinging the pickaxe will have some time to disappear. Today the work was centered mainly around filling those trenches with a mix of ten wheelbarrows-full of “tierra blanca” alongside half a bag of cement mix, and then tamping it down. In addition to that, Koren and Cesar finished tying the rebar and it was placed in the trenches just before we left for the day.
All throughout the day Julio Cesar kept us on track, and I have to say that I was impressed with what he can get done with a plumb bob, a few shovels, a wheelbarrow, some neighbors, some Americans, and a bunch of little helpers.
Much more importantly than the work, however were the many memorable cultural connections we shared. Ken, for instance, was quite proud to say that he’s sixty-eight years old, a fact that genuinely impressed our Salvadoran friends when they asked his age. “He’s sixty-eight and he still does construction work with you?” they asked. “Yes,” I told them, and from then on they saw him in a whole new light.
Nila also told me about a pleasant conversation she had with Gladis and her mother. Gladis was making one hundred tortillas – enough for seven people for three meals each day for four days. Her nephew even stopped by to introduce himself and practice his English a bit. Nila said that this chance to talk with the leaders of the family was the time when she felt most strongly the support, love, and friendship in this community.
And finally, I had the chance to [try to] teach the neighborhood kids how to juggle! They said that they had never seen juggling before, and all were eager to try. I told them jokingly that I want to see their progress tomorrow. I guess we’ll wait and see.
Austin Walker and the El Salvador Mission team.
Well, today was the fourth day working at the soon-to-be house. We arrived at the site to discover that the trenches had been magically finished! No complaints here – now the nine blisters I got from swinging the pickaxe will have some time to disappear. Today the work was centered mainly around filling those trenches with a mix of ten wheelbarrows-full of “tierra blanca” alongside half a bag of cement mix, and then tamping it down. In addition to that, Koren and Cesar finished tying the rebar and it was placed in the trenches just before we left for the day.
All throughout the day Julio Cesar kept us on track, and I have to say that I was impressed with what he can get done with a plumb bob, a few shovels, a wheelbarrow, some neighbors, some Americans, and a bunch of little helpers.
Much more importantly than the work, however were the many memorable cultural connections we shared. Ken, for instance, was quite proud to say that he’s sixty-eight years old, a fact that genuinely impressed our Salvadoran friends when they asked his age. “He’s sixty-eight and he still does construction work with you?” they asked. “Yes,” I told them, and from then on they saw him in a whole new light.
Nila also told me about a pleasant conversation she had with Gladis and her mother. Gladis was making one hundred tortillas – enough for seven people for three meals each day for four days. Her nephew even stopped by to introduce himself and practice his English a bit. Nila said that this chance to talk with the leaders of the family was the time when she felt most strongly the support, love, and friendship in this community.
And finally, I had the chance to [try to] teach the neighborhood kids how to juggle! They said that they had never seen juggling before, and all were eager to try. I told them jokingly that I want to see their progress tomorrow. I guess we’ll wait and see.
Austin Walker and the El Salvador Mission team.
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
El Salvador, Part 5
Wednesday, June 20th
Rain!
That was our main topic of conversation this morning. It had rained for a lot of the night and we use dirt roads to get to the work site which had become impassable. We had to come up with an alternate plan, so we decided to use the morning for a cultural experience. We had our driver Ramon take us to the local mall, which was an intriguing mix of local culture, like bears carved out of coconuts, and home favorites like McDonald's and Subway. After lunch we ate at a favorite restaurant of this group, Pollo Campero. It tasted pretty much like Kentucky Fried Chicken except a little less fried crisp on the edges, which could make it better or worse depending on your taste. We took a big box to go, ate that at the hotel and finally headed off to the work site around 1:00.
Today's work was pretty similar to yesterday's, involving lots of digging. The entire project requires 150 feet of footings which are all 10 inches wide and three to four feet deep, so we worked on that all of yesterday and today. Also, this work generates a lot of dirt waste, so hauling that off with buckets was a regular task. We estimate that all of the footing trenches combined had contained 16 cubic yards of dirt, most of which had to be moved three times. Added today was measuring, bending and wiring rebar. Josh worked with the head mason on this for most of the day, and they talked about various things in the United States all in Spanish. Our several Spanish speakers on our trip have let us get to know all of the other workers pretty well by now. There are various younger helpers working with us, including a 14 year old, eight year old twins, and an 11 year old. They usually work pretty well, but some of them can joke around quite a bit. In fact, one of the eight year olds would pretend to push Austin into the footing holes. The other one was beating on a bucket in rhythm, and Ken joined in to create a lively beat that everyone on the site could enjoy. We are very blessed by the gratitude of the people here and our chance to serve God and our neighbors in such a tangible way.
Josh Boeschen, Ken Green, and the El Salvador Mission Team
Rain!
That was our main topic of conversation this morning. It had rained for a lot of the night and we use dirt roads to get to the work site which had become impassable. We had to come up with an alternate plan, so we decided to use the morning for a cultural experience. We had our driver Ramon take us to the local mall, which was an intriguing mix of local culture, like bears carved out of coconuts, and home favorites like McDonald's and Subway. After lunch we ate at a favorite restaurant of this group, Pollo Campero. It tasted pretty much like Kentucky Fried Chicken except a little less fried crisp on the edges, which could make it better or worse depending on your taste. We took a big box to go, ate that at the hotel and finally headed off to the work site around 1:00.
Today's work was pretty similar to yesterday's, involving lots of digging. The entire project requires 150 feet of footings which are all 10 inches wide and three to four feet deep, so we worked on that all of yesterday and today. Also, this work generates a lot of dirt waste, so hauling that off with buckets was a regular task. We estimate that all of the footing trenches combined had contained 16 cubic yards of dirt, most of which had to be moved three times. Added today was measuring, bending and wiring rebar. Josh worked with the head mason on this for most of the day, and they talked about various things in the United States all in Spanish. Our several Spanish speakers on our trip have let us get to know all of the other workers pretty well by now. There are various younger helpers working with us, including a 14 year old, eight year old twins, and an 11 year old. They usually work pretty well, but some of them can joke around quite a bit. In fact, one of the eight year olds would pretend to push Austin into the footing holes. The other one was beating on a bucket in rhythm, and Ken joined in to create a lively beat that everyone on the site could enjoy. We are very blessed by the gratitude of the people here and our chance to serve God and our neighbors in such a tangible way.
Josh Boeschen, Ken Green, and the El Salvador Mission Team
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