"EMI Just Called to Say We're Approved and I Can’t Stop Crying Because God is Bigger Than All My Dreams!"

Today was that sort of day you don’t really expect. It started out not so well here in Tanzania, and then improved and got better and better. Throughout it, God showed up! The end of the day came with me thinking, “Wow, this was such a great day,” and not just because I’m in Tanzania which for me is the definition of a great day. As I prepared to turn in tonight, I had such a feeling of gratitude and was thanking God for many things. Then my USA phone began ringing . . . bringing the news we had prayerfully hoped for but didn't dare expect. Let me back up and try to explain.

As I write this I’m feeling completely rested physically. That, in itself, is a miracle. To say my schedule over the past two weeks was exhausting is an understatement. Seriously! I shared the schedule a week ago with a prayer warrior who prays faithfully for Kulea and me. She wrote back that just reading the schedule made her tired and that it seemed really impossible. My prayer was simply for stamina – to get through the two weeks - because everything was so important. My husband and I had out of town guests staying in our home three times in the past two weeks. At the same time I was preparing for my part in Kulea’s largest event of the year on last Friday, our Come Build A Village Auction and Dinner. The next day we had a dinner party in our home for two Kenyan families and two days later I was flying to East Africa for two and a half weeks along with missionary and new friend, James Myer. On top of everything, I was preparing for meetings in East Africa, prepping trip budgets for TZ this week and separate one for Uganda next week, authorizing international wire transfers, packing blessing bags, etc. The list goes on and on. I also tutor four kids two afternoons each week and the teaching continued. I worked through much of the night several times. 

James Myer and the Kulea Kids

When I got on the plane, I felt relief. I only had one item left on my urgent list – an Executive Director’s monthly report to write and email, due to our USA Board asap (planned to work on the plane). I had charged my mini laptop, but then took it to the Come Build a Village Auction three nights before and it was used there. Battery was now dead. I thought, “I’ll charge it in Amsterdam, no problem.” Where was the power cord? In my checked luggage, inaccessible. I believe God arranged for me to rest. Clearly! His plans may not be our plans, but they are always best. So I slept most of the way to Africa and felt pretty good once here. We arrived and felt the HEAT of the tropics. Welcome to rainy season!

The second night I stayed in a favorite Chalinze hoteli, The Bush Guest House: big simple rooms, inexpensive rate, nice staff, but no air conditioning. James was smart, staying down the road at Kimotonge with A/C.  It was very hot. I usually do not use A/C while in Africa but this was one of those extra hot nights. I showered at 11pm to cool down and went to bed with wet hair and the overhead fan on high. Still it was hot, but I was tired and slept until my hair dried at 2:30am. Then I was awake until 5:30am, sweating, and finally slept a little until 7:00am. I thought I was just having trouble because I had left the USA with snow falling (actually felt like a wimp and was embarrassed)!  However, today I learned that some Africans nearby had trouble sleeping, too. One friend showered several times during the night to survive the heat. It was unusually hot and though drinking a liter of water, I awoke feeling a little sick from the heat.

So, early morning found me calling our driver from Kanuth Adventure Safaris, Kanuth Tarimo (he’s the best, by the way), asking him to please find me an air conditioned room and help me move before he was to leave town. Kimotonge was full. The White Guest House was full. Finally, a room was found at a new small hotel, Lodge Bonnell. With James Myer’s help, Kanuth got me moved by 9:00 (please envision lots of heavy blessing bags). Kanuth then left with James and Pastor Romy for a day’s excursion to share God’s word with the Zaramo people in several villages. They left me planning to work at the new hotel on many Kulea things.

I organized my bags, found everything, set up the computer, cooled down the room and was ready to work by 10:00am. Sat down feeling numb and couldn’t keep my eyes open. I decided to lie down for 45 minutes and then work. I awoke at 1:30pm after a very deep sleep and felt completely rested for the first time in three weeks. It was amazing! I was never more grateful for air conditioning.

So, after a very hot night, I was able to move to air conditioning and had the time to really rest. That was the start of this great day!

After lunch I was able to go with Patrick, our Kulea driver, to pick up the Kulea children from school. One of them is boarding at Honest Primary for several months only – Amos. I had time with him to ask how he was. I said, “Do you need anything?” He seemed completely confused at that question, like ‘why would I need anything?’ Finally, he just said he would really appreciate some books on Geography, World History, Physical Science and Civics. Check! He looked great and I was thrilled to have a little time with him. Then I rode home with the rest of the Kulea children and some of them joined me in the church around the keyboard singing “God is so Good” and learning about playing the piano. A good day was getting better with every minute I spent with those kids.

Matthias Learns to Stand with Habiba Assisting!

In the evening I went to dinner with close friends, Lekope and Grace. They had a beautiful new baby, Esupat, and well….need I say anything more? Yep, just holding a newborn baby is a taste of Heaven. My mother-in-law always says that looking at a newborn baby is the closest we get to seeing heaven on earth. She’s right! After dinner, we visited, I shared scripture with Grace and Lekope and finally, he prayed, giving thanks for the blessings of friendship and for all God’s goodness to us.

When I returned to the hotel, I made a quick call to my friend and Kulea board member, Kelly Lacourse, to share my day.

I hope you can put yourself in my place for a minute. I’m back at the hotel – with A/C!! – and reflecting on this amazing day, sharing it with a friend. I changed hotels, really rested, saw ALL our Kulea children and spent some quality time with them making music, and enjoyed the fellowship of Christian friends. Could it get any better?  No.

Actually, Yes! God is the God of the impossible We often say He loves to make the impossible possible!

As I was literally sitting in bed and praying, thanking God for the many undeserved blessings of this day, my USA phone began ringing. Hmm, Colorado?  Only my sister-in-law lives in Colorado and my friend Carolyn and this number was not either of their numbers. I thought, “Who is disturbing my time with God?….Should I answer this?……Maybe it’s a salesperson.” Knowing that my cell number is listed in many places as the primary USA Kulea contact, I decided to answer.

 Hello?

On the other end, a man introduced himself and told me he was calling from EMI. The minute he said “EMI” I sucked in my breath and began holding it….silently waiting for the next words. Hoping, and they came:

 “WE’VE DECIDED TO APPROVE YOUR KULEA PROJECT.”

After that, as he went over a few details, I could barely focus. I wanted to jump up and down and wake up everyone here in Chalinze to tell them. Instead I called one of my best friends (and Kulea Board member) Kelly Lacourse. As soon as I heard her voice, I suddenly couldn’t speak as the enormity of the news gripped my heart. Tears began flowing as Kelly was saying, “What is wrong, Deborah? Talk to me.” Finally, I managed to say, “EMI just called to say we are approved and I can’t stop crying because God is bigger than all my dreams!”

We had applied to EMI, Engineering Ministries International, in December for an engineering project to include a topographical study of our land, a detailed development plan (many pages), a site plan map and finally fundraising brochures. Basically we were applying for over $80,000 worth of engineering and surveying at an estimated cost to Kulea of about $12,000. Before we can build on our land and rescue many orphans, these engineering plans must be completed. Please visit EMI’s website – there is also an EMI East Africa website.

Now, it’s nearing midnight in Tanzania at the close of a great day. A beautiful day! As I close, I have a song in my head that has been on replay since I began typing this, “Beautiful Day” by Jamie Grace.  Maybe you can listen to it. A few of my favorite lines:

“Lord you are the refuge that I can’t wait to get to…”

“Cause I can’t let a day go by without thanking You for the joy that you bring to my life.”

“You’re showing me, in You, I’m free.”

“Ooo, There’s something about the way, your love shines on my face, I could never get enough of You”

"This feeling can’t be wrong, I’m about to get my worship on. Take me away,

It’s a beautiful day!  Yeah, It’s a beautiful day!"

I’m grateful beyond words tonight to our amazing God who truly has made what seemed impossible possible!