Last Few days.

Hello everyone. Just thought we'd write with an update on the last few days. We are settling into our new life more and more each day. Of course the ministry is the highlight of each day and our great experiences just keep adding up. We are managing to stay healthy with nothing more than a few stomach cramps so far, probably due to the change in diet. We are getting into the routine of boiling water, washing all our veg' and fruit in detol, and keeping the tap water out of our mouths in the shower and when brushing teeth! We truly appreciate why Jesus and his disciples needed their feet washing! The roads are so dusty and when we get home after service our feet are black.
A little info about our congregation. It's called 'Arusha Central'. We have 31 publishers, 9 elders, 7 pioneers, and 2 missionaries! That doesn't include the need greaters who come for a short time to help out but don't move their cards. We also have 11 children that aren't yet publishers so there is lots of potential within the congregation also. Our territory is big as we cover all the English speakers.
Nate has just been appointed the territory servant. The maps are quite interesting as none of the streets have names! Most are named by a landmark within the territory. As you can imagine taking NH's is a nightmare. We are starting to imitate our missionary sister in the hall and draw maps of the streets and write the NH's on there. Otherwise it gets too confusing.
The missionary couple in our hall are from Whales and England. Martin and Anita Muxlow. They are very down to earth and have made us feel very welcome. They have been serving in Tanzania for 10 years now.
Here the public transport system is as many other third world countries. The little vans are crammed full until people are literally hanging out of the windows! The most we have counted so far in one is 24! When you stand waiting by the side of the road for one to come by, they still pull up overflowing and try to squeeze you in. We have already had some very close encounters! The other day some of the sisters serving here were waiting for one, it arrived packed and the guy shouted, "You can sit on an African!"
This was the setting for a good experience i had the other day though. I was just about sat on the lady's knee, so i apologised to her and she started to talk to me and ask what i was here for. I explained and she asked how she could learn. I explained the bible study program and she took out her phone and took my number. We made contact the next day and arranged to meet in town and had a great study. She is a single parent with 2 girls and no other family here. She works a lot so meetings may be hard for her but we'll see what happens.
Nate and Sam (a brother visiting from England) had a good call last week. They met Jonas on the street. He was raised as a Muslim but about a year ago changed to be a Christian He was worried about losing Gods favor due to smoking marijuana. He got emotional and said how much he wanted to gain God's approval again. They started the study on the first call in the Bible Teach book and returned this week to study again.
We hope that you all enjoy reading of our adventures here. Please leave a comment or send us a private email to negrindstaff@hotmail.com It really is so nice to hear from our friends. We miss you all very much and keep you in our prayers.