So it is finally going to happen. I am headed back to Tanzania. This has been my longest break since starting in the full time mission field and the most “in limbo” I have felt. I think it is funny that it was the US Government that led to all this confusion and not the Tanzanian Government. It took 6 months to get my passport renewed and only 5 days (including a weekend) to get my Tanzania visa.
I officially leave Tuesday, September 14. I get tested on Monday for the required international travel COVID test. Even that was difficult as most testing facilities only promise 2 day turnaround on a test that I cannot take until 72 hours before my arrival in Tanzania. I guess they don’t understand I am in the plane for 2 days. Finally found a place for twice the price to do a couple of hours turnaround.
People keep asking if I am glad or excited. YES, sorry yes I am. Not that I don’t love being here and seeing my friends and spending time with my parents. But this is what I was called to do, I feel like I am missing something from my life not being there with the kids and teachers.
A lot of friends also ask what I need or what they can do for me as I get ready to leave. The answer this time is simple. If you could consider giving to our capital campaign fundraiser for the dining hall and missionary vehicle. This is the construction project I am hoping to work on before the end of the year. We are currently at 47% of the total cost of building the dining hall, getting the tables and chairs built and purchasing a vehicle I can utilize in my duties there. This includes checks as well as the online donations so you will notice a smaller percent on the fundraising page as it only counts online donations.
You can visit the online donation site here: https://dining-hall-and-missionary-vehicle.causevox.com/
If you would prefer to mail a check you can make it out to Blessed2BlessU Ministry and mail to them at PO Box 2016, Fremont, NC 27830 and put “dining hall fundraiser” in the memo line.
Thank you to everyone who has helped us get to this point. We have been fortunate to have so many folks willing to step up and contribute so far. While big donations are wonderful, the more small donations we get the further along we are.
For example we still need roughly $15,900 to complete the fundraiser. If you were donate an amount equal to a dinner out for you and your family we would only need 300 contributors total to finish. I have that many “friends” on Facebook. Think about what you spent on your last dining room table and how quickly we could reach our goal if everyone contributed that amount of money.
In the end we need people to help us spread the word by sharing our fundraiser or joining to help us raise the money. If you can talk to 5 people and get them to contribute$25-50 we will be there in not time.
Most importantly for me is I will have a project to work on. (just kidding sort of)
I will continue with the podcast episodes while in Tanzania and some will feature what life is like. There will be fewer of them but they will still be coming. If you have anything you want me to cover in the blog or podcast, please email me at steveintanzania@gmail.com
