Mondays with Allee

"But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him." Luke 15:20 The rainy season is beginning here in Morogoro.  This past week we had three days of rain, which I know is nothing compared to the massive amounts of rain Texas has been receiving over the past month, but for us here in Morogoro those three days brought much needed respite from the scorching sun we have seen every day for the past four months.  With the rain clouds came cooler temps (70 instead of 85) which meant everyone here was bundled up in sweatshirts and jackets. Life continued as normal, but just as the children at school covered their heads with their sweaters as they ran from class to class, the rain draped life in peace and calm.  I have been assured that once the rainy season really hits and it starts raining every day and doesn't stop for months, I will be sick of it, but for now I thank God for the blessing of ...

"Hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us." Romans 5:5 How is it already Monday again?  The past week was a full one.  As usual it was full of love, joy, and laughter.  But also full of opportunities for learning, growth, and gratitude. On Tuesday we went back to the Maasai village of Mtipule where over 100 men, women, and children had gathered together for our second visit.  We talked about the importance of a balanced diet in preventing disease and also discussed caring for those who are sick in the community and provided them with a first aid kit, showing them how to clean and cover wounds.  Frank had conversations with the women about the different foods available in their area and ways that they can be sure to get enough nutrients in their day to day eating.  As promised during our first visit, we brought chalkboards for their teacher to use in the classroom an...

If God is all you have, you have all you need. John 14:8 Major life update: I bought a coffee maker!  I blame my love of coffee 100 percent on my parents.  They have been drinking black coffee my whole life and I started following in their footsteps around the age of 13. I've been hooked ever since.  While I love a fancy Starbucks drink as much as the next person, there is just nothing like a freshly brewed cup of black coffee.  It tastes like home to me.  So when Anitha and I were walking through the grocery store on Tuesday and I stopped to smell the bags of coffee, that rich, familiar smell sucked me in and I couldn't resist.  I bought the bag of coffee and asked the cashier where I could buy a coffee maker.  Conveniently, as if planned by God himself, the shop was right next door and within a couple hours I was home enjoying my first cup of brewed coffee in three months.  To say that my joy has been increased would be an understatement. ...

And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. Ezekiel 36:26 Today is October 1st which means Fall is now in full swing in America.  My Facebook and Instagram feeds are full of pumpkin spiced latte and fall decor pictures, posts boasting about "cooler" temperatures and I've seen at least three people share this year's list of new Hallmark Christmas movies.  Meanwhile in Tanzania life continues as usual.  It's still hot and the closest thing we have to a pumpkin spiced latte is...well...nothing.  We have nothing close to a pumpkin spiced latte.  I would be lying if I said I didn't miss Fall and the anticipation of the holiday season that comes along with it, but it seems silly to complain about missing out when every day I am living a life that I spent close to a year praying for.   Today being October 1st also means that I have been serving...