Please login to continue
Having Trouble Logging In?
Reset your password
Don't have an account?
Sign Up Now!
Register for a Free Account
Name
Email
Choose Password
Confirm Password

Please confirm your email address with the email that was just sent.

Tanzania Foot Wash 21009

It's our last week at Merritt Island's Boot Camp! This is Anya H., assistant female leader. It's Thursday, June 24th.

Today is the last day of classes. We're finishing music with a presentation, drama, and advanced evangelism with plenty of practice and critique. In advanced evangelism, students learn about the Bible and how to evangelise to people, using logic, hospitality, confrontation, and more. Mr. Peterson shows them video examples of evangelism and 5-10 minutes of one-on-one practice. The team will get to the field with experience talking to people about Jesus and expect to witness. The leaders monitor during practice, and I've heard the teens using Scripture and answering questions well.

Mr. Paul Veit, Ms. Deb's father, came to speak the last three days. He's a creationist who helped teams understand why creation is geologically supported and how to explain that truth. Last night at Rally, he shared his powerful testimony of how Teen Missions helped him come to know the Lord, and our whole team went to the altar to pray. During mealtimes and free time, Mr. Veit communed with our team, ministering to them as individuals, telling stories, and listening to their interests. One team member, Ellia M., is interested in paleontology as a profession but doesn't want to study under secular teachers; he counseled her on study and career paths. If you watched rally last night, you heard Mr. Veit mention Nathan E. a few times; they've developed a precious relationship. The team calls him 'Mr. Dad' and was sad to see him go home this morning.

In other news, we served two team special blessings, or SBs, on Tuesday and Wednesday. Both were due to disqualifications on the obstacle course, one on Jacob's ladder and the other on the books of the Bible. Both times, the team hiked a mile into the swamp and shoveled roots and dirt off sidewalks. The mosquitos came in blankets; bug spray did no good. Team members spent half their time smacking the bugs. However, I witnessed wonderful teamwork on Wednesday. We split the team and went on opposite sidewalks; in my team were Ellia M., Neylan J., Lydia J., Bryson A., Ellie D., Abigail H., Elijah S., Allison T., Josh H., and Simon S. We got to a point where the sidewalk was completely covered and blended with the woods; they split up the work themselves, where two worked with pickaxes to define the edges and six shovelers came behind to clear the soil. Bryson A. and Allison T. cut away foliage with machetes. After 20 minutes of work, they came to a spot where fallen trees blocked the path. Bryson A. cut down low hanging tree branches, and Allison A. and Elijah S. cut a fallen tree about eight inches in diameter. When the team reached the spot, they surrounded the tree and held it steady so Elijah's swings were impactful. When the tree broke, they were nearly silent and listened to every precaution, carrying it slowly and listening to front and back carriers. Josh H. gave clear directions, and they lowered the log to the ground.

Yesterday, Ms. Deb taught a special class on foot care and washing. They practiced with saltwater and disposable washcloths similar to what they'll use overseas. She taught foot conditions, how to treat them, and materials to use. They appreciated the training specific to their team.

We've had afternoon rain several days in a row, and the air is thick with mosquitos. Ellia M.'s toes are healing beautifully from her ingrown toe surgery; Dr. Dark said she could switch to regular Band-Aids. Some of the students have sniffles and are getting cold medicine. Team members with malaria medicine will start taking it on Friday the 25th, two days before departure. Our goal this week is to pack quickly and travel safely. Please pray for good weather and attitudes. Keep sending emails to team members; they love the encouragement and connection to home. God bless!

"Hey family! Boot Camp is almost over, and I can't wait to get to Tanzania! My favorite class is advanced EV. I miss you all!" -Lydia J.

"Hey y'all! Boot Camp has been rough but not super bad because of my great team. I am so excited to start flying to Tanzania on Sunday and I am glad Boot Camp has prepared us for it." -Ellie D.

Tanzania #1

Our twenty team members are working hard. On Day 1, we registered, learned names, got to know one another, and put up with the afternoon thunderstorm.

The team finished puppetry and carpentry classes...

The team finished puppetry and carpentry classes on Friday, June 18th. The team had five days straight of puppets and learned to hold a stage, move a puppet's mouth, and dance to Sunday school songs.

Greetings from Tanzania!

Greetings from Tanzania! This is Anya Hockenberry. All 19 team members, 4 leaders, and luggage have safely arrived a 7pm last night.

Greetings from Tanzania!

Greetings from Tanzania! This is Anya Hockenberry. We are at the Teen Mission base in a rural area outside the city Moshi. This team report is from July 1st, 2021.

Greetings from Tanzania!

Foot washing will begin July 12th, for now, team members learn about the everyday lives of missionaries; that is their project until the social distancing lifts. Today, team members went with BMW students and staff members to the bean fields, learning how to harvest and peel beans. The cool morning air made the work enjoyable, and the huge pile of stalks testified to their work. The staff and students have an evening service after dinner, and last night, we joined them for worship and the Word.

Greetings from the Tanzania Teen Missions Base! This is Anya H., reporting on July 12th, 2021.

The team members learn more about BMW life and help with their work. The soybean harvest is finished, and now comes the task of separating the stalks from the fruit. This work can be done sitting down, and they’re enjoying it.

We have begun foot washing!

We are still situated at the Teen Missions Tanzania base, but we had a day off base and have begun foot washing!

Good morning from Tanzania!

We’ve foot washed three times, once on the base, and twice off. It’s a 4-5 hour event, including set up and tear down. We go to locations where the Teen Missions staff teach Saturday schools.

Good afternoon from the Tanzania Team!

Friday’s trip to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area was a smashing success.

Good afternoon from Tanzania!

Days are growing sunny as the winter winds down; when clouds permit, we have a stunning Kilimanjaro to behold.