african certainty

I have tried to post this 3 times , so now it will be the short version. \\luggage was in Amsterdam, it found us at last. Went to zanzibar weds, no lights on the island for a week now - kinda sad to see the really old places falling into disrepair. Seasick on the boat ride back, all but frank!

We were stuck in the worst vere traffice jam- there would have death and destruction if it had happened at home, We sat for hours- and thousands of people walking by, hopping off daladala busses and walking home. Bothe that scene and the no ligths on zanzibar poit out how much more accepting these people are of what comes thier way.

So, come to africa and get stuck in traffic & get seasick - who would have guessed
off to see animals in am- it's 9:30 PM on Thursday here. we are well fed, comfortable and happy. many good people care for us.''

love to all-steven, gary , anne , muppy...\\

i'll get to another computer soon, this one is giving me fits!''

love bert

we made it

We made it! We are in Dar Es Salamm - nice night's sleep...long flight, only problem, our luggage decided to stay in Nairobi !! well, the giant bag of soccer balls did make it...Oh well, how bad can it be - WE ARE IN FREAKING AFRICA! \

Thanks for the prayers - they helped keep the plane up. We are all well, and warm. Fr. Kurian already looks like he may not want to come back.

Off to Zanzibar tomorrw ? Doesn't even sound real, does it? Hope to have a change of clothes by then.

Peace to all

Bert

60 Hours and counting

Most of you know, (some may not), that George and I are leaving on a three week "mission" trip to Tanzania and Kenya this weekend. It has been a long time in the planning, and was even longer in the dreaming stage, and I can't believe it is so close to happening now! No, I am NOT ready......packed, not!

We fly into Tanzania at 11:30 PM Moday night, and from there I really have NO idea where we are going to be. We are trusting Fr. Kurian to get us there, and get us around. Fr. has lived there for 12 years, and so we are in good hands. There are four of us going together, besides us and Fr. K, it's Frank, a Deacon at our church. A little but excited group!

We have been vaccinated against all of the scary African things, and have bug spray and sunscreen and not much else. We are travelling light, living out of a backpack for three weeks, so our luggage space could be used for the MANY items people at St. Joe's donated to take to the people over there. Fr. stared an orphanage in Tabora, Tanzania and has a school in Kenya that he supports, so we have 360 kids to supply with really basic school things, like pencils and crayons. We also have a huge duffel bag full of soccer balls donated by the youth group and the Detroit Ignition ( we have a professional soccer team?). Can't wait to send you pictures of them playing "football"!

I am dreading the 24 hour plane ride and wondering things like where we are sleeping and IF we will be eating...Fr. Kurian eats once a day .....It could be the overseas version of Weight Watchers....Not a bad thing for two of us, anyway.

I will post to this blog as able. If someone will keep us up on Red Wings Stanley Cup drive, the Belmont Stakes ( go Big Brown!) and any other "news" that would be great. We return on June 14th.

Looking forward to a once in a lifetime trip. Pray for us all!

Bert

Howell to Tanzania

Okay, it's official ..Fr. Kurian says we will have access to t computer SOMETIMES on our upcoming trip. So I have decided to start a blog in case you want to check in on us during our trip.

Father, Deacon Frank George and I leave for Kenya on Sunday, May 25th and will return on June 14th.

Pray for us! and check the blog for updats and maybe even pictures...

Bert