Final Thoughts and Lessons Learned

With the children of CMC TZ Mission Church after Sunday service.

Watoto: Swahili word meaning children

Missionary work is truly a calling and a gift from God. The missionaries who work in Tanzania are born with this gift, but I realized that I definitely don't have this calling.

Some may see my photos and think “how can these people live under such deplorable conditions?” But this is just the way these people live, and everyone is happy and friendly and constantly smiling. This is their way of life, just as high speed internet and 10 lane highways are a way of life for us. Of course if they can obtain better medical care, cleaner water, etc those things would be wonderful to have. But just because they don't have those things does not make their lives any less substantial or worse than ours.

Despite their many cultural idiosyncrasies that we as westerners cannot understand, Tanzanians have a warm and gentle innocence that radiates from their happy demeanor and ease of carriage. Although Tanzanians often do not own many material possessions, they are also incredibly generous and love to connect with their peers and community. Maybe we can learn a few things from the people of this country.

Please continue to keep the mission and the people of Tanzania in your thoughts and prayers for its continued support and growth both spiritually and operationally.

This trip is now over, but the journey most certainly is not.