Geyman Steps

This last week Carmen was sick and I had meetings in the city. On my way back I bought a bundle of roses from a roadside salesman for Carmen. A few mornings later, I noticed that all the other roses were quickly wilting. But in the midst of these dying roses stood one, alive and beautiful in contrast to the others. It was an instant reminder of a verse. "But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ...Stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." 1 Corinthians 15:58 In this life, we have the choice to either stand firm, unmovable and confident in the Christ, or we can wilt under the cares of the world. I have to admit, the latter choice is an easy one to make. In fact, it just happens. Many times, by the end of the day I look more like one one of those drooping roses. But thanks be to God, who give us victory so that we can continue....

Today we dropped Dinah off at the airport. Our 26 mile drive took over 3 hours which averages out to be about 9 mph or, in Tanzania terms, 29 speed bumps per hour. Since she is on a tourist visa, she needs to leave the country in order to have it renewed. She arrives today in Johannesburg, South Africa, and will be staying with some friends of ours until Monday. And a stowaway on the window (below)... at least we were insured by Geico Notice the guy under the bag? One intersection took 50 minutes to get through. Good for roadside business! You can literally buy anything next to the road.  On Another Note: It is difficult to write about Tanzania after having a bad day. In all fairness, there are many good days and there are many difficult ones too. In the midst of a good day or week, there is nowhere else in the world I would rather be. It is almost as if God is allowing me to taste a tangible confirmation of our calling to serve in Tan...

These are some evening pictures from the top of the apartment building we are staying in. Besides being mentally and physically tired, everyone is doing well. Thank you all for your prayers and encouragement!  Psalm 86 sums up our prayer for this coming week. Please be praying these verses with us this coming week. "There is none like you among the gods, O Lord, nor are there any works like yours. All the nations you have made shall come and worship before you, O Lord, and shall glorify your name. For you are great and do wonderous things; you alone are God. Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name. I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever. For great is your steadfast love toward me; you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol."  Psalm 86:8-13

Esther and Tivoli are already three months old! Wow, a lot has happened in three months. Besides adding two sweethearts to our family, we have moved across the States,  spoke in seven churches, moved to Tanzania, and completed SIL orientation. Some days we have been literally exhausted, but we are grateful to God that he has kept us and given us grace through these past three months. Mapacha is the Swahili word for twins. To have twins is considered to be a huge blessing - a sign of God's double blessing and favour. I get the feeling they were not necessarily fond of this particular pose...In fact, half of my pictures looked this way. They are definitely calm, sweet babies, but they do have their moments! First mug shots! Shoot, I forgot the ruler. In the meantime, Esther was being a ham. And the other two. We found a playground at a shopping centre which the boys have visited often. Something familiar for them to play with ...

Leaving Idaho in Two Weeks! This is one of my favourite pictures of one of my favourite spots in Idaho's mountains. We are so excited for what God has planned for us in Tanzania. In the meantime, next stop, Pennsylvania! On Another Note: The girls turned 5 weeks on Wednesday. They have changed so much in a month! They have gained almost 150% of their body weight. At that rate, I would have to gain around 70 lbs in five weeks! Not good for me, great for them as they are now 7lb 2oz and 7lb 4oz! Their personalities are definitely starting to show more and more. I am so proud of my wife. To say the least, the past month has been full of an incredible amount of transition and stresses which she has had to handle while waking up every few hours during the night to feed them both. I am blessed to be married to such an amazing women! There is nothing as sweet as a mother's love for her child.