September 19, 2007
“I am under vows to you, O God, I will present my thank offerings to you.” Psalm 56:12
Numerous times prior to my departure to Tanzania, verses such as this have constantly surfaced in my readings. God is good, just remembering that I have once made a promise to Him about serving in Africa almost 9 years ago. I am here, now, fulfilling my vows to Him. The journey is just beginning
As I said my farewells to friends and family in Montreal and Vancouver, I am overwhelmed with love and support for my work in Tanzania, for what God has called me to do. It is exciting to be in God’s will and to know that many are praying and caring for me. Thank you all!
After attending my cousin Annie’s glorious wedding in Vancouver, I was ready to say “goodbye” to Canada and “HELLO” to Tanzania. The journey started at 8:40pm on Sunday night where my teammate, Joseph and I flew to London Heathrow International airport. From London, we were met by our third teammate, Sacha for the next connection to Dar Es Salaam, the capital of Tanzania. Traveling with teammates and talking with them about our expectations and plans was very encouraging. As we arrived in Dar, Andrew Wingfield, our in-country representative from Emmanuel International was waiting at the gates for us with the proper visa permits. We then, had another 8 hours of bus ride to the town of Iringa where our in-country language training and orientation will be held. Miriam, Andrew’s wife met us at the bus depot in town and we lugged our 6 large suitcases back to the “House” where all EI’s work in Tanzania is done, also the home of Andrew, Miriam and baby Benjamin (8 weeks old!). The interns live in the “Top house” where we each had a room and a beautiful mosquito net waiting for us. So, we made it!! More than 40 hours of intense traveling across the globe, we are FINALLY here – “Hello, Tanzania!!”.
First Contact: So how is Tanzania like?
From the airplane, the sun was just rising, creating a beautiful orange glow on the flat, green land in Dar Es Salaam. As we waited for the officers to clear customs, an African song was playing on the stereo. The music was uplifting and relaxing. That’s what Tanzania feels like, welcoming and at home. Stepping foot on African soil is actually a very subtle and steady feeling. Discussing within the teammates, we all felt comfortable here, not out of place in any way.
As we made our way out to the city, women balancing buckets and other oversized items on their heads, children in their school uniforms, the yellow dust roads, the bustling traffic of daladalas (buses used in Dar for transportation) and the loud, colorful name tags and signs in the roads seems like I walked into a documentary on African cities. It was exactly how I pictured it! I still can’t believe I am in Tanzania! Thank God for bringing me!
It strikes me that the African city was in every way similar to the rural cities in China where I have visited. The unstructuredness and crowded streets, the exciting air of locals going about their daily activities and the populated low-rise buildings all remind me of China. Many products, to my amazement, were Chinese from ink stampers in the bank to toilet paper rolls had Chinese writings on them. I was pretty impressed with the Chinese manufacturers. It just goes to say that no matter where you are in the world, whatever you do, or produce are so essential for the survival of this global neighborhood. The world is so small that even without being in Africa, you are impacting each other. So your actions do matter, your prayers matters!
On our long bus ride to Iringa, the surrounding villages were simple thatched or tin-roofed houses, some were made of bricks while others of mud. At nearly most stops we had to make, young, capable men in their teens or early twenties raced up to our windows trying to sell any bit of their goodies (walnuts, slippers, books, foods). They’re really energetic, but we smiled and said “Asante” (thank you) while shaking our heads when we couldn’t buy any. On the way, we also passed a game park. From far away, we could catch glimpses of elephants, lions and giraffes. My teammate saw a zebra from her side of the bus. There were numerous monkeys by the roadside, just sitting there, hoping for some food to be thrown over. As we neared Iringa, there was a steady climb up mountains as Iringa is 1500m above sea levels.
Moving up the mountain, with the sun gradually setting, the red sun and the orange sky casting a warm glow on the landscape, I felt peaceful, but excited. It was love at first sight, I loved the mountains, and as we neared town, I loved Iringa. Even though I have only been here for one day, I loved every moment of it. Of course, there will be times I will dread my existence in this place, but on first contact, it was a good impression. Iringa, a town of around 100,000 residents, is a welcoming place, a place of learning, and a place I will grow to admire in the months to come.
As for the details about my work, we are still learning about our positions. I will update you in my next letter, hopefully not too far from now.
If you wish to mail me anything, my address is the following:
P.O. Box 962
Iringa, Tanzania
Infinite thankfulness to Him who is faithful,
Love,
Jen Wen Luoh
Prayer Requests:
- Thanksgiving for God’s guiding hand on the smooth arrival of the team to Iringa
- Pray for the hearts of people that we are to meet – for God to work in our relationships
- Pray for Swahili language training that is starting in 2 days.
“I am under vows to you, O God, I will present my thank offerings to you.” Psalm 56:12
Numerous times prior to my departure to Tanzania, verses such as this have constantly surfaced in my readings. God is good, just remembering that I have once made a promise to Him about serving in Africa almost 9 years ago. I am here, now, fulfilling my vows to Him. The journey is just beginning
As I said my farewells to friends and family in Montreal and Vancouver, I am overwhelmed with love and support for my work in Tanzania, for what God has called me to do. It is exciting to be in God’s will and to know that many are praying and caring for me. Thank you all!
After attending my cousin Annie’s glorious wedding in Vancouver, I was ready to say “goodbye” to Canada and “HELLO” to Tanzania. The journey started at 8:40pm on Sunday night where my teammate, Joseph and I flew to London Heathrow International airport. From London, we were met by our third teammate, Sacha for the next connection to Dar Es Salaam, the capital of Tanzania. Traveling with teammates and talking with them about our expectations and plans was very encouraging. As we arrived in Dar, Andrew Wingfield, our in-country representative from Emmanuel International was waiting at the gates for us with the proper visa permits. We then, had another 8 hours of bus ride to the town of Iringa where our in-country language training and orientation will be held. Miriam, Andrew’s wife met us at the bus depot in town and we lugged our 6 large suitcases back to the “House” where all EI’s work in Tanzania is done, also the home of Andrew, Miriam and baby Benjamin (8 weeks old!). The interns live in the “Top house” where we each had a room and a beautiful mosquito net waiting for us. So, we made it!! More than 40 hours of intense traveling across the globe, we are FINALLY here – “Hello, Tanzania!!”.
First Contact: So how is Tanzania like?
From the airplane, the sun was just rising, creating a beautiful orange glow on the flat, green land in Dar Es Salaam. As we waited for the officers to clear customs, an African song was playing on the stereo. The music was uplifting and relaxing. That’s what Tanzania feels like, welcoming and at home. Stepping foot on African soil is actually a very subtle and steady feeling. Discussing within the teammates, we all felt comfortable here, not out of place in any way.
As we made our way out to the city, women balancing buckets and other oversized items on their heads, children in their school uniforms, the yellow dust roads, the bustling traffic of daladalas (buses used in Dar for transportation) and the loud, colorful name tags and signs in the roads seems like I walked into a documentary on African cities. It was exactly how I pictured it! I still can’t believe I am in Tanzania! Thank God for bringing me!
It strikes me that the African city was in every way similar to the rural cities in China where I have visited. The unstructuredness and crowded streets, the exciting air of locals going about their daily activities and the populated low-rise buildings all remind me of China. Many products, to my amazement, were Chinese from ink stampers in the bank to toilet paper rolls had Chinese writings on them. I was pretty impressed with the Chinese manufacturers. It just goes to say that no matter where you are in the world, whatever you do, or produce are so essential for the survival of this global neighborhood. The world is so small that even without being in Africa, you are impacting each other. So your actions do matter, your prayers matters!
On our long bus ride to Iringa, the surrounding villages were simple thatched or tin-roofed houses, some were made of bricks while others of mud. At nearly most stops we had to make, young, capable men in their teens or early twenties raced up to our windows trying to sell any bit of their goodies (walnuts, slippers, books, foods). They’re really energetic, but we smiled and said “Asante” (thank you) while shaking our heads when we couldn’t buy any. On the way, we also passed a game park. From far away, we could catch glimpses of elephants, lions and giraffes. My teammate saw a zebra from her side of the bus. There were numerous monkeys by the roadside, just sitting there, hoping for some food to be thrown over. As we neared Iringa, there was a steady climb up mountains as Iringa is 1500m above sea levels.
Moving up the mountain, with the sun gradually setting, the red sun and the orange sky casting a warm glow on the landscape, I felt peaceful, but excited. It was love at first sight, I loved the mountains, and as we neared town, I loved Iringa. Even though I have only been here for one day, I loved every moment of it. Of course, there will be times I will dread my existence in this place, but on first contact, it was a good impression. Iringa, a town of around 100,000 residents, is a welcoming place, a place of learning, and a place I will grow to admire in the months to come.
As for the details about my work, we are still learning about our positions. I will update you in my next letter, hopefully not too far from now.
If you wish to mail me anything, my address is the following:
P.O. Box 962
Iringa, Tanzania
Infinite thankfulness to Him who is faithful,
Love,
Jen Wen Luoh
Prayer Requests:
- Thanksgiving for God’s guiding hand on the smooth arrival of the team to Iringa
- Pray for the hearts of people that we are to meet – for God to work in our relationships
- Pray for Swahili language training that is starting in 2 days.
