Austria

This is my second day in Austria. I arrived yesterday after an 8 hour plane flight, 4 hour lay over and another 2 hours in the air from Brussels. It was quite an adventure. I sat next to a diplomat's relative from Entebbe to Brussels, who gave me a great inside view of East African life and politics.

Changing money from dollars to euro was quite the shock! $300 dollars came out to about 175 euro. In Uganda it was quite the opposite with $100 coming to 155500 schillings.

It has been really good to see the Mann's and learn more about what God is doing through their lives in Austria. They live right on the Danube river. I've been watching boats and barges pass by from their window. Tonight they will have a prayer meeting in their home with folks that help them in their ministry. I think it will all be in German, so this should be interesting. Being in places where English is not the main language has been an interesting and challenging part of the trip. Tanzania's official language is Swahili. Some people knew a little English - but I only knew how to say, "Hello. How are you? I am fine." in Swahili and not very well at all and it didn't get me very far. Fortunate, Godfrey my Tanzanian guide and friend was never too far away and could rescue me!

When I get home, I hope to post some pictures and go through my journal to recount some of my experiences over the past few weeks.

Thanks to everyone who has been writing me emails even though I haven't been able to answer very often. The messages from home have been great

On the shores of beautiful Lake Victoria

Hey! I've been in Africa for about 10 days now and this is the first chance I've had to get any solid computer time. I am in Bulima, Tanzania at Nassa Theological College. Westminster supports this school as a mission through Africa Inland Missions. I thought it would be in the city of Mwanza, but I am out in the sticks - but they have the best internet access that I have encountered so far on this trip.
I was inivited to preach in chapel yesterday and it was a great honor. The students here work hard and really seem to know their Bibles. I've been able to spend time with some of the profs and their families -It has been great!

A school teacher, named Godfrey has been showing me around and acting as my guide. He has a great sense of humor and has been much fun and really good guide.

My first week was in Uganda. I was in a much more urban area, filled with motor scooters (boda bodas)bikes, diesel fumes, people walking, cows and goats and store fronts on every inch of street space selling big hanging hunks of beef and everyone burning fires in front of their shops. The traffic is wild with people darting in and out on the boda bodas and trying to cross with out getting hit. I was excited to learn about the Ugandan Presbyterian Church and met with a pastor who shared their history with me. I'll share more about this later.

Tomorrow I go to spend the night at the Tanzania Children's Rescue Center. Monday I return to Kompala, Uganda and will see Pat Montgomery again. Pat lead a workshop for teachers this weekend in Kompala. Then on to Austria to see the Mann's on Wednesday.

All the Grandkids

Memorial day and the grandkids destroy the house - but it was fun!

Livingston, I presume?

Hey-
I'm taking off for Africa on Wednesday! I'm not taking my laptop so I'm not sure if I'll be blogging on the trip - but I will for sure when I get back. I can't believe this is really happening... please pray that things go well and I came back with a good plan for next years WPC Africa Mission Trip!