A Walking Talking Blessing...

That's Mark on the left. The guy on the right may look like an ordinary guy, but he's really a blessing straight from heaven (he'll probably roll his eyes when he reads that). But it's true. Steve and his family moved from Golden Valley to Dar es Salaam in July. He's the director (mkurugenzi in Swahili) of a Christian mission school called Haven of Peace Academy there. We met him last spring a few times before they left and he's here at language camp in class with us.

But it's not his amazing grasp of Kiswahili that makes him a blessing. It's just who he is--a strong Christian with such a positive and hopeful and realistic outlook on life here in Tanzania, particularly as it relates to family and faith and education. Although he and Mark are working on very different projects, his 6 months of experience ahead of us and his perspective on doing business here as ex-pats has been so supportive and helpful (when we're not terrified at hearing about the work there is to do actually put into words). :-) For us coming here, we have not arrived into any type of support network or "think tank" for living or working--it's something that we'll have to create ourselves. And even though Steve and his family live several hours away, we have come to see them as a key part of that support we'll need as we forge on here.

And so, if he doesn't kill Mark with these daily runs they go on...he'll continue to be a great support to Mark in his work and his faith.

Thanks, Steve.