Final days

With the final days in Tanzania rapidly approaching last week, we were absolutely swamped finishing projects, working out last minute details and trying to say our goodbyes.  Sitting here now in Bellingham is an absolute trip, and explaining the last two months will be as much of a process as it was when I arrived in Africa, adjusting to a way of life that is so unfamiliar.  Seeing my time there in hindsight, I am still only beginning to see the reality of it, and plan on writing quite a bit in my next few posts.  Working with Faces4Hope and the Maasai people, their leaders, and the people of YWAM, has been a total privelege, and a deep and true blessing. One I hope to return, in telling about a place and a people, that many in the world don't know about.  If you see me, please ask, if you ask me, please listen.  Check out Faces4Hope on the verge of some huge changes, check out YWAM in Arusha, check out Amanda Halle's blog, and most of all check out the rest of the world, there is alot of stuff going on in it.

thank you so much for reading, for looking, for supporting me, and for your time,

This truly is, merely the beginning.

-Rhys

Arusha from an iPhone

Walking around Arusha, shooting from the hip

thanks for looking

-Rhys

Tanzania

With only two and a half weeks left in Africa for me, I have seen and done so much and can't wait to use the most of time here still, to get more done. The last week has brought awesome rainstorms to Arusha, but not enough has fallen in the surrounding areas like Engikaret, where it is needed most. 

This week we also visited local women and families in desperate need near the base outside the inner city of Arusha.  A mother and daughter who live in their one bedroom house and both are HIV positive.  They raise chickens in order to have enough protein to take their medications, which are provided for free. Testing for HIV is also free, and takes only minutes.  Estimates for HIV in Tanzania are 2 out of 10 people.  Estimates are extremely difficult to make accurately however, with thousands going under reported, and deaths caused by subsequent illnesses due to AIDS.

Faces4Hope

The month has absolutely flown by and learning a whole new culture and language and seeing some of the world has been a complete blast.  It has been great to be here and see so many new things, but approaching a month here, I am really looking forward to really focusing even more and working more effectively in covering the truly amazing and truly compelling stories and people here. I need your help. We need your help.  Faces4Hope is on the verge of something big, and I really do hope that if you are reading this, you will at least find out more about it.

thank you so much for looking,

Rhys

This is a local watering hole near the Maasai bomas. Completely dry and cracked, most Maasai have to rely on these holes, and the putrid water that becomes contaominated extremely quickly, which only comes from rainwater. Otherwise, it is not uncommon for Maasai women to travel 20 kilometers to get water for their families. Maasai men walk even farther to find water for their cattle and goats.

This little guy got a huge kick out of me laughing at him, pretending to be me using my camera.