2012 UPDATE

It's been quite awhile since we blogged, but I think that this Holiday card summarizes what we've been up to since you heard from us last.....

After we left Tanzania, we did a tour of Europe which was such a blast. Upon returning home, the Lord certainly had some plans for us. We soon became pregnant and are now anxiously awaiting the arrival of our little boy in May of next year.

We have also moved to Centerville and are still waiting to hear about medical school. Both Matt and I are working part-time and Matt is taking a couple more classes at the U. Life is busy, but wonderful.

2012 has been such a blessing to us. The adventures we have had together and the experiences we shared will forever shape our lives. We are grateful for all your love and support this year! Happy Holidays!

YOUR SISTERS UPDATE

  

As I have been working closely with Your Sisters Orphanage, I have felt a strong connection to them and an urge to stay involved. Libby Bailey, the director, has asked me to be a board member of the organization! What a privilege it will be to still have my hands here in Africa even after returning home to Utah. I feel so grateful for the chance to continue to serve these beautiful young orphan girls for many years to come. They are my little sisters!

MATT'S EYE CAMP

THE ALBINO POPULATION IN TANZANIA FACES EXTREME DISCRIMINATION FROM THE CLASSROOM TO THE WORKPLACE. THEY EVEN NEED TO WORRY ABOUT THEIR SAFETY WITH THE RISE OF BOUNTIES PLACED ON THEIR BODY PARTS BY LOCAL WITCH DOCTORS. SPECIFICALLY, ALBINISM BRINGS GREATER SUSCEPTIBILITY TO POOR VISION AND OTHER EYE DISEASE. MATT WAS THE PROJECT LEADER OF OUR EYE CAMP YESTERDAY WHERE WE SOUGHT TO AID THE ALBINO POPULATION AND OTHER IMPOVERISHED INDIVIDUALS TO OBTAIN PROPER VISION CORRECTION.

WE TEAMED UP WITH THE ALBINO PEACEMAKERS TO COORDINATE WITH MEDICAL STAFF FROM KCMC MEDICAL CENTER IN MOSHI, TANZANIA, IN ORDER TO PROVIDE EYE SCREENINGS. WE ALSO HELPED TO BRING DONATED GLASSES FROM DR. BRANSON CALL FROM OUR HOME WARD. WE WORKED LONG AND HARD ALL DAY TO TREAT AS MANY PEOPLE AS WE COULD, 73 TOTAL. TEN OF THESE INDIVIDUALS REQUIRE FURTHER HELP, AND WE ARE COORDINATING THEIR TREATMENT AND SURGERIES FOR NEXT WEEK!

MANY TIMES I HELD BACK TEARS AS I SAW TRUE AND GENUINE SMILES FROM FACES WHOSE EYES COULD FINALLY SEE. THIS EXPERIENCE HAS TRULY TOUCHED BOTH OF US. IT EXCITES ME TO THINK THAT MANY MORE PROJECTS LIKE THESE AWAIT US WITH MATT'S FUTURE MEDICAL CAREER!!!!

 

Last Day at Cradle of Love

 We will sure miss these sweet faces and will pray for each of them daily!

 Matt helped teach first aid to the workers today.

This little one, Cecilia, loves Matt! She cried her eyes out as we said goodbye.

Tonight we watched some Tanzanian acrobats at a local restaurant!

Base of Mt. Kilimanjaro

Matt and I went to the base of Mount Kilimanjaro on Saturday. It is the tallest mountain in Africa, and we live so close! The house we are staying in is right next to Mount Meru....and right behind Meru is Kilimanjaro! 
 

Unfortunately, it was an overcast day and Kili was hidden in the clouds, but it was still fun to put our feet on the base!

Because Kilimanjaro is so large, there are four vegetation zones.

This is where all the courageous climbers start their trek. Someday we want to come back and be one of them!

Holding a chameleon! It really does change colors.

At the base, we also went through some caves of the CHAGA tribe. They would hide here during war with the MASAI people.

This is a traditional Chaga hut. How would you like to live here?!

We also got to see some waterfalls.

 It was a fun day. I still can't believe we are in Africa! It seems unreal.

Cradle of Love

Cradle of Love is an organization that takes care of children 0-3 years old that have lost one or both parents. Usually it is because the mother dies in childbirth and the father cannot take care of the baby while still going to work. Sometimes the babies lose both parents and an uncle or grandparent takes them in, otherwise they are passed along to another orphanage at age 3. 

There are currently 8 small babies in the nursery and about 35 toddlers in the main building. There are not enough staff to help truly care for them all. The toddlers cry at your feet wanting to be held and aching for attention. It is very sad, and I have to admit it's quite depressing. You hold these little ones in your arms and you can't help but wonder what kind of life is ahead of them. Your heart aches wishing you could do something, but you aren't quite sure where to even begin.

This is JUSTIN.

This is PRINCESS.

And this is her twin sister PRICKET.

This is KAREEM. He reminds me so much of our little Squiggles (Jaxon).

There are so many, and we wish we could take them all home with us.