Tanzania Blog Final

Photos of Ed Todino's 4 months in Tanzania

Tanzania Blog 6

Monday 31st May   Eventful!   Hello people, hope this finds you in good spirits. A lot has happened in these last few days but before I continue, I just want to say a big Thank You for all your positive feedback I have received over the last few months. Believe me it goes along way and literally changes lives.   Right, now if you ever come to Tanzania you MUST go to Matema. The scenery is absolutely stunning. It is on the Tanzania Malawi Border and is separated by Lake Nyasa. I spent three days there with a fellow Neema volunteer. Just what the doctor ordered. As well as relaxing, I also had some much needed God time. It might sound strange when being in Africa, but privacy really doesn’t happen over here. Anyway I really enjoyed some time to gain focus although since returning normal service has resumed so please pray for us to have more time together.   Since Matema though, things at Neema have really gathered pace. As a Neema Crafts delegate I had the amazing blessing of attending the annual disability conference in Dar Es Salaam. I say amazing because God just used that time to stoke the fire within my belly. Issues such as Disability Policy were discussed, and I had the chance to meet with Disability and Social Welfare directors both here and in Europe. One big negative however was the realisation that some of the delegates themselves, from many organisations, really weren’t interested in giving themselves but rather gaining from others' misfortune. Corruption is everywhere, I know, but not this obvious.   To me this just highlighted the amazing job that Andy and Susie had done through Jesus. To avoid all the pit holes that they have along the way is totally God’s doing. I caught up with Andy on my return and we talked about all things Neema, being a missionary and God’s Social Services idea. He stated that he was thrilled that I had come out but wanted to stress that Missionaries generally don’t get on, meaning that I would have to be wary of wolves in sheep’s clothing. The conference had done little to quash this, so it was relatively easy to accept.   God’s been teaching me tons since we last spoke, many a chat with Baba and Tumaini have taken place, with much impact. After coming back from the conference I spoke to Baba re the levels corruption and the role and state of the church. “Corrupt people think they are bigger than God” he said and on the church he stated “ Too many leaders today do not have the muscle to stand up for what is right, in all areas of the church, even in those churches that exclude themselves from their communities. They are unwilling or unable to respond to the needs of their congregation because they themselves have too many of the same skeletons in their closets, or through fear of disapproval or breaking the status quo”. Profound statements, I feel. What are we to learn from them though? Well firstly, I believe we are all leaders who are to serve people according to God’s wishes and so all of us (myself included) have a great responsibility to look out for those around us. Picking people up on things if needed but most importantly having a listening ear to those that need it instead of completely unnecessary response. Be real but think before you speak.   Lesson number two has been “please watch out for self sufficiency”. Jesus encourages us interdependent, relational beings sharing and living with each other’s joy as well as difficulties and frustrations. Let’s do that eh? Too much of this life is focused on self sufficiency, so much so that when someone needs a helping hand very few have the presence of mind to give it, because they weren’t expecting you to ask! Oh ok… yeah I guess they say. God has called us to extend a hand and all times and to learn to be at the very least interdependent with each other, and that’s what I need to be more of.   Finally I have some fantastic News re Social Service Project. Today I sat with the heads of around 12 NGO’s. We managed to discuss possible plans for action. Something which is a major breakthrough. Praise God; please do continue to pray for the last couple of weeks and coming home. I had to say my first Goodbye last night, one of the hardest things ever! It’s only going to get harder too.   Love you all very much, God bless   Ed xxxx

Tanzania Blog 5

Thursday 6th May   Moving at a pace!   Don't worry Ladies and Gentlemen, the title chosen for this weeks blog, does not mean that I have been blessed with a sudden ability to run. On the contrary I think I've slowed down. Time though is flying by, I am struggling to believe its been nearly 3 months. These last few days have been full of excitement, joy and hope, but also a realisation that there is a lot more to living the life God called me to live. Decisions on my future solely rest with him and whilst I am ok with that, the fact that I need to let go is hard. As humans we love to plan, cover ourselves, minimise the chance of risk. Where does that leave God though? Even now as I write this there is a voice saying risk failing more, you need to do that if you are going to see me. I am not saying for one minute be wreckless, but we just need to stick our necks out a little more. It is incredibly difficult to describe the amount that I have learnt whilst being here, but what I can say is that although Africa and Europe are on the same planet they are two completely different worlds! God created both and gave them beauty, blessing them both along the way with many fantastic attributes. It's amazing to be getting an understanding of both. One prayer request before we move on would be to ask to prepare me for coming home. I know that it's going to be a huge challenge coming back, much harder than when I left, not just because of the friendships I have formed but more the cultural transition. People will for example feel very cold and abrupt in comparison with what exists here, there will not be the same freedom in conversation, I will miss real, honest answers, probing questions, the amount of detail and relational intermacy when we greet each other to name just a few. Thank you in advance for those! So what's been happening I here you ask? Well, I have had the absolute pleasure of going to Ruaha National Park with some friends from Iringa Christian Fellowship, the English Church. I do have many photos but unfortunately it takes about 25 minutes to download one photo so I think I would be best served uploading them on my return. I have also been to a local farm to see some really big blokes milking cows with their own hands. This was suprisingly good fun and once again highlighted the vast difference between here and home. This weekend Lake Malawi beckons. I'll be sure to keep you informed with how things go. A quick update on all things in Iringa. Neema is going well, Susie is currently in England travelling around the country doing radio shows and satisfying sponsors and stakeholders in the UK. Andy is as busy as can be with Susie being away and the children are obviously missing her. We pray for a her safe return. All the boys have started their exams at school and are busy revising, Baba is away in Dodoma at a conference and Mamma is attending a 4 day seminar with the local Mothers' Union. The turnover in the house this week has been nothing short of mindblowing. Thanks again for all your support. I wouldn't be here without it. I pray with all my heart that God is blessing you through it. Much Love as always Ed xxx ps. Since meeting about the Centre there has been progress, slow I might add but we've moved forward. Tomorrow I plan to speak with a number of NGOs about the practicalities of it all. Praise God!

Tanzania Blog 4

Saturday 10th April   Andy and Susie Hart and their children Well Hello everyone. This has been by far the toughest update to write, sorry for the delay. It's been a whirlwind twenty with many hardships and challenges, not forgetting a load of fun! I really love Africa. The culture is much like what I would like home to be. In comparison, I am afraid to say we lag way behind. Everyone is always so warm and uncomplicated. It is lovely to be in a place where honesty is not deemed as a weakness or a failure, and a "How are you?" is not a rhetorical question. Yes of course it has its challenges, but life here actually is centred around God's plans, not anyone else's, not individual desires, not materialism. God's message to me over these last two weeks has been 'The simpler the better'. Man's thirst for all things materialistic seems to be at the root of the majority of the world's problems. I class myself in this category completely (I have fallen prey to it many times). You may say to me its because people in Africa have little, and (at least to some degree) you would be right but it is far more than that. They love being poor (if that makes sense). They don't want anything to get in the way of their relationship with God or with family and friends. Sometimes I bet they would love 'luxuries' but if these were to be at the expense of the life they cherish then (they would argue) there is little point in going down that road. Baba and I were talking on this very subject at dinner on Easter Monday. He said that he was becoming worried that Tanzania was a nation that was aspiring for 'things 'out of its depth. Trying hard to make ground on what is mistaken for a perfect world in the west. Very sad really.   Susie Hart and Children Moving on. Events. I have had the priviledge of attending a Tanzanian wedding! It was such a proud moment for us all, lots of food music and celebration. Fantastic. Last week was fantastic too. Easter weekend in Africa. On Good friday there was a 4 hour service dedicated to Jesus' teaching and trials through the final three hours of his life. Sunday was, as so many put it, 'A celebration of our redemption'. The finest food, china, the best that everyone had was pulled out and we all loved it. Baba sends his many blessings to you all! I also managed to spend some time with a local english speaking church and some expats which was great. On Wednesday last week it was the anniversary of Tanzania's first President's death, Julius Nyerere (now eleven years). His face is everywhere here, it has struck me since I have arrived here how much honour they give their dead. Every evening about 20:30 their national TV station dedicates 20 minutes in which people (who have already prepared profiles) can remember their loved ones. I think we should do that!   Neema is as busy as ever. Andy and Susie are well they have just returned from a holiday in Tanga about 15 hours north of Iringa, a futher 8 from Dar Es Salaam. They had a great time and enjoyed a real, much needed rest. Andy's parents are now with us too and are enjoying being back here. For those of you that don't know yet the Neema cafe is officially the best expat run restaurant in the world. We won the competition! And there's more good news. I have been given the go ahead to set up a Social Services Department in Iringa. It will be the first of its kind here and is only in its first stages so please pray that things progress. I am going to see the equivalent of Iringa's MP on Monday to discuss plans. I am also working to get local educational bodies involved; to send students on placements to help here at Neema and at all the other charites. Really exciting eh? Susie has also been praying for resources and the opportunity to employ our very own Chaplin. We feel that having someone around to spend time focusing solely on spiritual needs would give the whole workforce a huge lift, challenging them at the same time to be all that God has called them to be. For more information please get in touch with Mum.   Right I think that's all for now, Thank you ever so much for all your support.   Love and Blessings, Ed xxxx

Tanzania Blog 3

Monday 22nd March   It's that time again folks. How are you all? A huge Thank You from me for all your prayers and support once more. It means so much! May God Bless you for it. Below are a number of pics, that have been taken in the home and at the Centre too (the different workshops, the store etc. so enjoy). The last two weeks have flown by, and so much has been done! Teaching Computer Literacy seems to be taking up most of my time, but I have also begun to network with some other NGO's (Non Governmental Organisations) to see how together we can meet a number of crucial basic needs for both disabled and able-bodied people. These include the arranging tests for STDs, working with local schools to promote good health and hygiene, as well as providing advocacy for those who are currently unable to speak for themselves, on the issues that matter to them. Obviously this can't happen overnight and a lot of work is currently going into this, so please keep praying! As well as the all of this, I have also begun an intensive Kiswahili Course. It's going well and I seem to be picking it up, which is good news. I have found with the language that although many people can speak English, confidence always seems to be lacking, so very few people actually do! Even more reason for me to learn eh?. Life is great here though of course at times I miss home and family life with all of you but I have been so blessed by God in doing what I am doing that I have found it amazingly easy to settle. Many of the Guys and Girls here have been dying for someone to walk with them on their journeys, face their struggles with and share their hope. What a blessing that God picked me, he could have picked so many, but he chose me. Why? Not because I'm anything special but so that he could glorify himself and believe me he is! Last week I spoke for about 20 minuets in a Kiswahili Service, which Pastor Mwaja(baba) was leading. God decided to tell people about his Glory, lamenting the world for ever doubting him in life. Why do you doubt me? he said. Look around you? Then baba asked me up! knowing only limited Swahili I went up to the front and mixed what I knew of the language with English words. My lips began to move and that's all I remember really. When I came to sitting down there was a silence like no other you could literally hear a pin drop .... followed by a rapturous round of applause for Jesus! It was wonderful! On more practical issues washing is still a challenge but (with regards to toileting) I will soon have a completely fitted western loo. Praise God! My stomach still seems to be funny but I am slowly adjusting which is great news! Lots of love and enjoy the photos. Love and blessings Eddie. xxxx P.S I need news from home so please keep the updates coming!

 

Tanzania Blog 2

Wednesday 3rd March   Hello folks, How are we all? Firstly I wish to apologise to you all for not getting back to you. I want you all to know that I truly cherish your support, and as you will see in the following I would be missing out on so much without it. These last couple of weeks have been horrendously busy, but also good fun! It has been an amazing priviledge to see God working through some of the worlds most forgotten people. Since arriving at Neema, the guys are so welcoming, some cannot understand that with all the materials in the west that anyone can be disabled, some love the fact that I have come over, some I'm sure are slightly sceptical. After all why would a Mzungu (white man, with a Disability) come all this way to help people that their own community couldn't care less about? ARE YOU NUTS? What an amazing platform for God though eh? Unfortunately though for me, there have been some very sad times. Just going to look around town, I have seen so much fear! Fear that has brought me too tears before now, fear that has kept children in boxes under there beds, fear that has struck down families and forced loved ones to split up because one of them has a disabled sibling which (to them) increases their chances of having a Disabled child themselves. To live out here, with a Disability brings an astounding level of hardship. However because of this, they are so much closer to the one that provides, makes things happen, brings a smile. Yes we all know his name whether we believe in him or not (those who don't know God yet, you will) it's so good to see him here! Just thought I'd take the time now to introduce you to two amazing people Haruna and Claudy! Haruna is a barrel of laughs, he is cheeky quick witted but also probably the most considerate guys you will ever meet, He is very loud and sits in prime position behind the shop counter, always welcoming and very talkative, a real character. and then there's Claudy, a true leader of the people, a man who crawls his way everywhere. Until recently this was literally everywhere, home from work, to the shops, friends' places 7,8,9 miles away. He had no shoes, his legs were are even now so thin, but the inspiration he is and the respect he commands is truly mind blowing! No one has suffered like him, I have not seen God's strength reside in a stronger man. But again he is God's and that's why! I will send a more factual email soon. Hope you're all well.   Love and Blessings.

Tanzania Blog 1

Monday 15th February 2010   Hi all,   I have safely arrived in Africa! It was a long day yesterday but well worth it. It's wonderfully warm here, not a cloud in the sky. Andy Hart (the founder of the Centre along with his wife Susie) picked me up from the airport and took me back to a close friend's for breakfast, before we met Susie and their children Grace and Rosie. Then at about 11.30 am we set of for a 500km drive back to Iringa. (Not exactly the smoothest of road surfaces). On our journey to Iringa yesterday we saw a whole host of animals baboons, impalers, elephants, wathogs along with some amazing scenery. We were really pushed for time though, so unfortunately, I was unable to take any photographs! I do feel so at home here though, I am staying with a Pastor of a local church, who fortunately for me speaks Very Good English. I start Swahili Lessons next week. This morning, I was given a tour of the centre and was not suprised to see the level of support everyone has for each other. There is not a shred of discrimination, oppression or hostility'because you have a disability' but rather a longing to see change in the way in which they are treated within their society. There is amazing hope here, such as I have never seen or heard before. Andy and Susie have done an amazing job here, and I am honoured to be a part of God's work through them. Love and Blessings to you all.