Letter

April 2010

Jambo Friends and Family,

I hope this letter finds you well!  I’m excited to tell you about my trip to Tanzania this summer.  Some of you may remember that I went to Tanzania while in college.  It was a very moving and even life changing experience. I’ve always wanted to go back.  From mid July through August (6 weeks), that is exactly what I intend to do!  I’d like to invite you to take this journey with me!  Here are the details you need to know.

Who:

I am partnering with a small grassroots organization called Lahash International.  I have had the privilege of knowing Lahash’s founder for several years and have always appreciated their approach to ministry.  The Grace and Healing Ministry (GHMD) of Dodoma are partners of Lahash and I will be traveling to Tanzania to volunteer with them.  Over the last two years, eight people from my church, Vibrant Covenant, have made this same journey.  GHMD cares for a very impoverished city by providing home-based care for AIDS clients, sponsorship programs for vulnerable kids, and an exciting church outreach network.

What I hope to do in Dodoma:

* Keep the connection between my church and the Tanzania church strong and healthy. * Spend time at the church and volunteer with the various projects. * Go out into the community to listen and learn from the people. * Live with one of the local staff. * Join Home Based Care teams on their weekly visits to homes in the area caring for people with HIV or other illnesses.* Teach the Compassion International and Lahash kids at the church. * Learn how the Tanzanian church applies the principles of justice, advocacy, and compassion. * Teach English, computer basics, and tutor kids after school at the church. * Use my counseling skills with the children wherever they will be applicable.

Why do I want to go:

To be face to face with Jesus’ most vulnerable children, to see Jesus through their eyes, to walk with them in their grief and their joy, to offer the Jesus in me through service and presence, and to more freely give when I return home.

How you can journey with me:

·      Let’s get together for coffee and I’ll tell you first hand about this journey I’m on.

·      Tell others about Lahash and think about sponsoring a child in East Africa.

·      Pray for me, my journey, the East African nations and what God is doing there.

·      Host a fundraiser to help cover the cost of my travels.

·      If you are willing and able to financially support my journey to Tanzania, I’d greatly appreciate it.  I will be covering the plane fair on my own, but it will cost approximately $1000 for me to stay and travel in Tanzania.  You can send donations directly to me at 12959 E Burnside St., Portland, Oregon 97233 or you can donate on Lahash’s website.  Under “Lahash Travelers”, click on my name.  All donations are tax deductable.

·      If you’d like to hear more about my journey, check out my blog at http://erinweissjourney.blogspot.com/.

Upendo, Erin Weiss              (weiss.erin1@gmail.com)