Tanzania, June, 2026 Part Four

Saturday The Second Week in Tanzania

As we await the new additions arriving today, we take a hike to “The Source of Water”. It is a true four wheel drive road to the trail that is up past New Hope. Many times, I have imagined what a trek up the mountain might look like and today I am treated to something like it. It is a gorgeous, cool day with blue skies and fresh breezing.

The thorn forest is robust as we bump our way beyond New Hope. As the ‘road’ narrows, it becomes more crowded with copious, scattered rock/boulders. The trick becomes judging between whether the rocks or the thorn trees offer more peril. It is Canyonlands-level driving and I am reliving some of my favorite memories.

The hike begins with a narrow tunnel of the usual brambly thorn trees above and treacherous roots and scree below. It is a downward rocky slope under the canopied tangle of the trees whose branches reach out and take my hat even as I hunch over. Though I am distracted by the thieving plants, I can hear the beguiling, refreshing sound of gurgling, rushing water singing to me. As I step down and straighten up, the river’s hidden corridor unexpectedly emerges.

The source of water which begins in the mountains, dances past in rushing, rivaling rivulets. It meanders at its leisure through a forest of baby bao bao trees on either side.  The scene is framed by the deceptively serene bee hive boxes that hang overhead awaiting their honey harvesters.  Its whirling pools of sound and refreshment paired with the fluttering leaves and crazy rootedness of the trees completely enchant me and immediately cause my heart to sing its most cherished melody.
On either side, there are cliffs with caves reminiscent of Arizona’s Montezuma’s Well and Castle. When God makes all things new, this will be among my sought after restorations.

Psalm 46:4 bubbles to my surface:
There is a river whose streams
make glad the city of God,
the holy habitation of the Most High. 
(Psalm 46:4, ESV)
 
The road back seems less insidious as its familiarity numbs me to its ridiculous state of bumpiness. I marvel at the diverse disparities of this land. The long, prickly thorns awaiting their opportunity to hitch a ride in our skin contrasted the delicate, fragility of the twittering yellow, orange, green and black rimmed, purple butterflies that follow softly in waves of sweetness. But, best of all, are the wide grins of children whose faces transform with delight at the sight of our waving. Their brilliant white teeth shining as, with arms out stretched, they wave wildly with a whole body greeting at the simple joy of being seen.

The new team arrives infusing new energy to our ranks despite their long journey here. We will begin fresh on the morrow.

Second Monday VBS @The New Hope Pavilion

Today is Vacation Bible School day. The nearby  boarding school students will join us for fun. Parachute colors, jump rope skill, football prowess and even Pickleball comes to the pavilion. Singing, dancing and Bible storytelling follow. The sounds of gladness echo into the hills as the children are welcomed to be children. I feel the smile of God shining on us.

I once again find myself weary but my favorite of all events pulls me from my diminished state. There is a little one, no more than three years old, trying to keep up with the olders. They have been given scooter boards and are speeding across the pavilion floor with gusto!  My little one pushes an older child on one until he is brave enough to set out on his own. He inhabits his giggling joy as he wills his tiny legs to go faster than sound. The pavilion is overflowing with his irrepressible radiance that zips right from him directly into my soul. I am giddy with the sweetness of his abandon, my diminishment replaced.

Pastor Peter calls the boards: Plates with tires, and joins the play as do several other adults. Can you imagine your Pastor flinging you across the floor on a plate with tires with you holding on for dear life to the rope he holds? The laughter is wildly vibrant with its unrestrained next level giddy up as all our faces explode with the uncontainable brilliancy of joy.

It is a picture of the truth of Hebrews 1:3 in action.

Hebrew 1:3
The Son, Jesus, is the radiance of God’s glory
and the exact representation of His being,
sustaining all things by His powerful word.

Amen