Getting Ready

We leave for Moshi only 4 weeks from today. Our team is busy getting ready and making sure we have all the necessary items we will need for 5 weeks away. In East Africa the women dress much more modestly than we do here in the US and as we are trying to work within their culture it is important that we respect the differences. Basically our dress code is to always cover the knees and shoulders, wear nothing too tight and nothing with a low neck line. The most difficult for me has been that women wear long skirts even when doing manual labor. I have been searching the thrift shops for simple skirts that go down to the ankles. I think skirts will be much cooler than pants but since I have the thighs of a linebacker I am also looking for something cool to wear under the skirt to prevent chaffing. It has been an interesting search and I have tried everything from cut off pantyhose to men's football underwear - so far I think the cheap, cut off pantyhose will work best.

It is also cultural to give a gift when invited to someones home. I have had a good time shopping around for proper gifts. With Phil's guidance, I have purchased a variety of nice kitchen towels, some beaded bracelets, fun key chains, bouncy balls, and nice ball point pens. It was much easier to buy for the women and children than it was for the men. My mom has sent me some of her beaded watches to take as gifts and a client of mine gave me 10 My Utmost For His Highest books to give to any of the congregation who might want them. Many of them do speak English so I think they will enjoy this book. I also have crayons, pens, pencils and paper for the kids in the orphanage.

How can we benefit the people of East Africa without trying to turn it into a little USA? I feel it is so important to be of help within their culture not to change their culture and to give people a step stool so they can make their own changes. 5 weeks is not much time to do anything but hopefully this will not be the last time I am there. I will do my best to spend this time getting to know the people and their culture. Hopefully God will open a door while I am there and show me a path that will enable me to work more closely within this wonderful country.