Back in Business

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 If you've been following my updates the last couple of months, you know I came back to Canada for Board meetings, Follow-up to my past surgery and Christmas but, due to needing more surgery, what started out as a 3-4 week stay, turned out to be almost 3 months!


I'm happy to report my health is doing well, I'm back in Tanzania and 100% back to business (well, more like back on mission)! Now, don't think for a moment I was on a 3-month break! Other than the surgery recovery, I kept up to VOHA work while in Canada, but I have to say it's just so different working when you can interact with VOH staff on the ground and say hi to the children on your way into the office everyday. (Not to mention, the weather is much nicer here!)

On the home front, the transition back was a bit difficult. While I was away, we were converting my 1 room studio, to add a bedroom with a bit more space. But when I arrived, I found out "Ralph" (the affectionate name I gave to a rat who I didn't want to refer to as a rat) had moved in and ate my food, baskets and some clothes, there was huge water damage on my ceiling, and the walls (that weren't supposed to be painted) were painted a color I don't really fancy. All that to say, it was a bit overwhelming and unsettling.

The good news is that Ralph has been captured and moved to a pasture far away from my home, the water is starting to dry up, and paint can always be redone. So, it's starting to feel like home again.

On the work front, it's been busy. We had a great workshop last week with the program leaders at VOH Tanzania, reviewing their strengths and identifying key areas of opportunities. It had lots of small group discussions, team building exercises and of course flipchart presentations, but most of all, it was full of passion and enthusiasm.

I worked alongside the Welfare team who are directly responsible for the care of the children and child sponsorship. We brainstormed some fresh ideas and came up with plans to make things even better than they already are. It was great spending the day with them and sharing some of my experiences with child sponsorship and donors and how to ensure we are doing everything we can so every single child in our care is loved and cared for, and that we are be able to share that with donors.




I'm excited about the next few months. I will be attending a special global conference entitled "World Without Orphans", for grassroot charities who work directly with orphans, will be engaged in Petra City Church outreach and will continue to work on a Special project with the Welfare team around children in the extended communities.

Plus, I'm renewing my work permit... so I have one Special prayer request this month: That my Tanzania Work Permit gets renewed. My current work permit expires in April. I've submitted all the documents for a 2-year renewal. Please pray with me that it's granted and I am able to continue to serve in this wonderful country!

I close with a cute picture of some of the neighbours I have at the office. The whole family was glaring at me through the door, hoping to be part of the action inside, but I figured it's best for them to do their (monkey) business outdoors! :)

As always, I've ever grateful for your support, your love and prayers! Keep them coming! 

Jeanette

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