Rukwa Valley: a well-watered garden.

I have to say, spending time with the missionary wives down here has been so encouraging. They are great examples of godly women who show such strength and courage by ministering here.

To put it simply,
I’m inspired by them.

One of their ministries is doing a women’s group each week. Right now, the women get together and learn how to crochet different things, which provides another opportunity to make a living through selling hats, baby booties, etc. After crocheting together for a bit, they have a devotional and spend time in  prayer and in the Word. I love that they are able to impact the women by meeting both their physical and spiritual needs.

busy working and catching up with friends

I loved holding their darling babies too!

The missionary ladies were finishing up a bible study called “Loving Well” by Beth Moore. I was able to sit in on the last session. Get this, we looked at a passage that has been so instrumental in my decision to come serve in TZ. Perhaps the Lord new that I needed a reminder as to why I came and what I have been called to do… If you received my sponsor letter, part of it is printed in the margin:
 
“and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the darkness,
and your night will become like the noonday.
The LORD will guide you always;
he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like a spring whose waters never fail.”
Isaiah 58:10-11

I have come across so many women on the mission field  who are spending themselves by serving the Lord, ministering in their communities, and caring for their families. I can only hope to someday, in whatever I’m doing and wherever I end up, to be that kind of woman. The kind of woman who looks only to the Lord for her source of strength and refreshes those around her through the outpouring of His love.

 "What a privilege we have been given by God to be able to spend our lives giving His love away."
 -Don Lessin 

Well, darling reader, Thanks for listening.
Until next time,
em.

Rukwa Valley: classical music in unexpected places

Latest update: I took a little trip! I went to stay with the Benton family in the Rukwa Valley for about 2 weeks. It’s  a 4-6 hour drive from Mumba (my home) depending on the roads and weather. It’s a really drastic difference in climate (it gets really hot!) as it is at least a 5,000 ft. difference in elevation. I’ve had SO much fun spending time with the families down here and sharing in their ministries. I do have to admit, it was nice to have a bit of a break from language school and just experience life in the valley.

Because the ministries are SO diverse and there is SO much to share, I thought I would do several different posts on my time spent there. I hope you don’t mind, darling reader.

One of the big areas that I was able to help with was in music lessons for the missionary kids. They are so blessed to already have a classical music training in the bush wilderness being so far removed from everything. Jodi Guilzon has done a great job teaching them!

Voice lessons!

We put together a recital for them and featured Leah Benton, who is a Senior this year. It was a really special evening for everyone! 

putting my conducting classes to good use...

The Lord’s timing is so perfect in enabling me to come and share and work with them. They are such a talented bunch of kids and I was so grateful to be a part of the recital. I’m so proud of them!

the whole bunch! We had piano, flute, violin, guitar, ukelele, and vocals