Africa – a place of overwhelming need!

This past few weeks has once again reminded us of the depth of need here in Tanzania.  Many things we just take for granted in the West become major issues here.  Below are just some of the needs that have confronted us.

1.      The wife of a staff member was taken to a local hospital on a Monday in labour.  Three days later on Thursday morning, the baby had still not arrived.  Concerned at the lack of progress and consequences for this lady, we went with her husband to transfer her to a better hospital in order for her to have a Caesarean. However when we arrived, we found out that she was in the process of  having the Caesarean (without notifying her husband).  All ended okay in this case but often it does not.  Often the baby dies and sometimes the mother also.  The standard of health care provided is often just so poor.

2. One of the Mission Bases african staff had a miscarriage recently and Jenny was called to assess her at mid-night.  At 4am she had deteriorated, so Jenny took her, to the hospital where she works at, to ensure she can be cared for properly, despite it being more expensive.  Again, this requires funding.

3      We visited one of our 'house staff's' home on a Sunday afternoon.  What a humbling experience.  They are so pleased you have come, offering you soda (coke / sprite) and some rice & meat (very tough) even though they are so poor.  It touches us deeply everytime we experience such hospitality in the midst of poverty. 

Her house is made of mud brick and much of the mortar has been washed away in the rains – another 1 or 2 rainy seasons and the wall will collapse unless they can waterproof it.  You notice some of your cardboard boxes covering the bedroom window and a broken kids chair you had thrown out sitting in the corner with their only doll sitting on it.  There are no books and no other toys for the 3 children.  The kitchen has been added on to the house and is made of left-over timber from the building of our house that we had given her.  It simply is a place to light an open fire and doesn't have a roof. 

Her garden is so small and looks desolate due to the fact she has little access to water because of lack of money.  In contrast her neighbour can afford to buy some water  and has a flourishing garden with crops, banana trees and chickens.

Once again you just overwhelmed with the sense of compassion.  You know that you have already been a help and blessing by employing her and with what you have already given but you just want to help so muchy more.  The big problem however is; this story is repeated time after time, house after house and you only have so much resource.  Also, you do not want to just give handouts as it creates dependency.  You need to assist them in taking the steps to get themselves out of the poverty trap.  

4.  One Sunday afternoon we received a call from another Pastor from College who was trying to get home but could not walk any further as he had Malaria and Typhoid.  He phoned to see if we could pick him up and take him home.  He lives up the mountain about an hours drive, on very rough roads, from where we live.  Owen, Richard's Dad, went and collected him and took him home.

5. We have received numerous requests from various people for assisting with their school fees.  The fees for secondary school are about NZ$400 - NZ$700 per year, very expensive when most are only earning about NZ$100 per month or less.  One of these requests comes from a pastor who has raised an orphan boy for the last 7 years – we decide to assist him.  Without secondary schooling and the english learning that accompanies secondary school, it is almost impossible for people to get ahead.  Again, saying no is just so heartbreaking as you realise you are potentially commiting this person to a life far less than the potential they possess.

We have discussed about the possibility of trying to establish an educational fund where people can apply for money to assist with school fees.  We will need to find a source of funds for this – maybe a trust or similar, who are prepared to give a substantial amount of money towards this. 

6.      The sister-in-law of our Base Manager was collecting rocks in the local canyon when she  slipped and fell to her death.  She has left a husband and four young children.  This follows two men being killed in the canyon the previous week when their truck went over the edge.  Life just seems so fragile here.

            These are just some recent stories and they are repeated over and over.  You just have to do what you can and trust Jesus.