21. Some friends to introduce to you… KaanangiraBaraka Lucy EliaFloraJoshua AgapeHappinessJoyIssangyaGodfreyPastor Warielli
22. In the summer of 2005, Eliamulika a Godly woman from district, rescued this baby that had been thrown away. She took him into her home to raise as her own child, and named him Kaanangira, meaning “Stay with the Lord. “ She had heard of Pastor Warielli and the ministry in Karansi. She brought him to Pastor who arranged for her to meet Dave Boy and me (adult chaperones on the first youth trip to Tanzania) after church on Sunday. That week, the teenagers collected enough money (from their spending money) for him to be seen by a doctor. He had malaria which was treated, and his cleft palate was assessed. Back home in Atlanta, the teens and their families donated the money for Kaanangira to have a cleft palate surgery. Dave Boy did the research and arranged for the surgery which took place in the fall of 2005.
23. This letter came from our partner, Godsave, in the spring of 2006: “Kaanangira and his mother last Saturday, visited the project office to thank God for the living miracle God has done to their family. The mother said, “Thank you and may God bless all those who have given their finances and time to meet Kaanangira mouth and lips operation. I do not have words enough to express the joy and humbleness in my heart. Every time I look at my son, I feel humble and blessed by God. Now I can walk to anywhere with him sharing this life time miracle done to me by my God. What a living and a life time miracle God has done to me. We will live to treasure in our hearts.”
24. As I was walking up the hill first thing Monday morning to worship, the youngest class (ages 2 – 6) were walking down. I was greeting each child. I often ask them their name – just to repeat it and tell them how beautiful they are. As I looked in this little face in the group, I saw the faint cleft-palate scar. I asked, “Jina la kuninani?” (What is your name?) Very quietly he said something I thought could mean Kaanangira. I asked his teacher and she confirmed it was he. He didn’t know me and I didn’t want to frighten him, so I just stood in the field with my hands on his head and quietly wept over God’s amazing work in the life of this precious child… and in mine.
26. Although he lives “a long way” from the school, Kaanangira walks to school every day (and when Tanzanians say it’s a long way, it’s a very long way!) One morning he arrived late - alone and beaded up with sweat. We gave him a water bottle (he drank all of it) and sat with him for a while as he cooled off. Dismissal for the little ones is around 1… they just walk off by themselves. Kaanangira and a friend are holding hands as they walk off down the road.
27. Joy is the daughter of one of the teachers, Moses. Moses and I have been friends since my first trip – the week Joy was born. In Swahili there is only one word for “happiness,” “gladness,” and “joy.” He and I were discussing this, and I explained that deep, abiding joy comes from the Lord and is not dependent on our circumstances. Moses and his wife decided to name their daughter Joy. This trip he invited me to his house to meet Joy. He told me that at first he didn’t really understand the difference between joy and happiness. In the last 5 years he says God’s been revealing the difference to him… with his own journey of joy… and Joy.
28. Baraka (on the left) is one of our sponsored children. He has special needs, and has lived with an alcoholic mother who was at least severely neglectful, perhaps abusive. This year, a Godly family in Karansi took him into their home. Godfrey took some of us to visit. These are the little girls who greeted and entertained us while an older girl helped Baraka get ready. These are pictures of their beautiful, large, well-kept home with a house church wing attached to the home.
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30. The older girl in the doorway had helped Baraka get ready. Baraka (on the left looking at pictures we’ve just taken on our cameras) greeted us dressed in a clean, white, men’s tuxedo shirt. “I feel like he’s been transported from the slums of Mumbai to the Garden of Eden.” – Bobby Scott, PCS Headmaster
41. … including 5 sponsored by Kindergarteners at Perimeter Christian School!Lucy and Flora
42. Agape and Joshua(Elia was absent the day I went to take pictures.)
43. Child sponsorship makes it all possible!We took 4 large suitcases filled with sponsor gifts… and had a great time distributing them! This is what was left for day 2!!!
52. This is Pastor Warielli whose heart for the Lord, widows and orphans birthed this ministry. He is a Godly man, great partner, humble servant of the Lord, and wonderful brother in Christ.
53. Thank you!for the privilege of being your representative, and His hands and feet to our brothers and sisters in Karansi. I am humbled and honored. Bwana Asifiwe! Amen!(“The praise goes to the Lord!”to which all reply, “Amen!”)