March 2011 Progress Note

Dearest Family, Friends, and Praying Buddies,

Thank you for helping us with your usual style and many prayers this month! Some of you heard us groaning all the way from Africa as our water supply was blocked and we were spending large amounts of money purchasing truckloads of water. After several workers spent all one day digging and replacing pipe, the problem was finally solved. A large section of our “bomba” that comes off the main line was completely blocked with who knows what—rocks, mud, old plastic bags, etc. Our unfiltered water comes from the collection area complete with trash, insects, hepatitis viruses, ameba, etc. How blessed we are in the US to have piped-in clean water and a water department to solve delivery problems!

In the midst of these difficulties Rick and Cynthia Nobles arrived for 2 ½ months to again lend their cheer and expertise, so we are greatly encouraged. As usual, they are already studying  the Bible with several.  Two journeys have been made to Mfarigi, two hours away and much of it cross-country, where we all were able to share the Lord with 15 adults and 30 children. As we studied the Bible with these eager, friendly Maasai, they reported that many in their area worshiped trees and need the Good News. Begging us to return while hoarding our stick-figure charts showing how to be saved, they reminded us of the Bereans in Acts 17.  Also, we are thrilled to report that Mary, a clinic patient with HIV and cancer, and her 19 year-old son Andrew plan to be baptized today after church at Monduli Juu.

Another happy occurrence this month was the baptism of three more high school students from Ole Sokoine School.  Walking six miles down mountainous terrain, the students arrived here in a rainstorm with their friend Kuimere, an outstanding Christian student and teacher. Baptized while wearing only a towel wrapped around their waists (they had no other clothes and did not want to trudge six more miles in wet ones) they then redressed, drank hot chocolate in our house to warm up, and began the long hike up the mountainside to their boarding school. How they shame us with their dedication to Jesus!

Others treated at the clinic this month were a mother and son attacked by a rabid dog just outside their house at Monduli Juu. Hoping that one does not lose her finger to infection, we were happy to take them into Arusha where they were able to obtain rarely found rabies vaccine.

All these happenings have made us realize that four years in African missions have made our lives far richer than otherwise they could have been. As we fly home tonight to be with our families for the next few months, we thank God that He has blessed and preserved our lives through this journey. In mid-June Danny plans to return to Tanzania but Nancy is unsure she will be coming then due to some health problems. In July Dr. Jason and Lauren White, our dentist son-in-law and university-teacher daughter plan to work here, along with Dr. Bobby Beasley, an orthopedic surgeon and his nurse. Staffing the clinic while we are away will be Elihuruma Emanuel, our clinical officer, and Peninah, our Kenyan nurse, while Rick and Cynthia Nobles host a Healing Hands Drip Irrigation and Food Preservation workshop to benefit the community. Thank you again to all of you for purchasing and sending the new large generator, X-ray machine, tractor, backhoe, and many needed supplies being shipped to TZ in the next few months.

All our love,
Danny and Nancy Smelser