Safari is a Swahili word for Journey

Around the Neighborhood

Tue, 3 May 2011 17:18:58 +0300

Our “neighborhood” is Mtuvila. In Tanzania people ask you what village you live in. This would be the same as someone asking you what neighborhood do you live in. They also might ask, “Where do you stay?”
It it just on the outskirts of town, it is quiet and peaceful. The road getting to our house is rough and bumpy. Lets just say that we have had to stop and adjust the kids car seats more than once because they fell over sideways, due the the bumps.

Around Town

Tue, 3 May 2011 16:53:44 +0300

I thought I would share with you some pictures from around town. We live in a “smaller town” of Tanzania. It is more rural but not exactly out in the bush. There are paved roads through town, and it has many stores with various items. There are hardware stores, hair places (for Tanzanian type hair), soda shops, pharmacies, cloth stores and a few restaurants. There are two main part to town, on top of the hill and down the hill. There is one main road that goes through town. Here is a few pictures to give you an idea what it is like.
Many people use kerosene for oil lamps and for kerosene cookers. Here are some people lined up at the gas station to buy the kerosene. They will often put it in some sort of recycled plastic container to take home. From water bottles to milk plastic jugs.

Baby Stuff

Thu, 31 Mar 2011 22:08:34 +0300

Several people have asked me if there is something that they can do for us or send us since we are having the baby here in Tanzania. To be honest there are just a few things that I am truly needing.
A big need is a baby scale. I have done some reviews and one of the best and most reasonably priced ones that I have found is actually at Wal-Mart. It cost around $60. Unfortunately the shipping may also be around this cost.
The other things that I am needing are birthing supplies. For example, cord clamp, scissors, suction, etc. I have already ordered these things and just need to get them shipped here to us. Shipping can be costly and a medium sized box can be about $100. So really My Need Is the Shipping Cost to get the needed supplies to us.
I would also Love to have a pulse oximeter machine or a blood iron testing machine to check the oxygen level of the baby or to check for anemia on myself or the baby, but these things run around $200 each. So they may have to wait.
I know that these things are not nearly as fun to give to someone as a fuzzy blanket or cute baby clothes, but really it is what we are needing. If you are one of the ones that wanted to help in some way then you can send funds with a check made out to Bear Valley church of Christ, note attached for - Carey Samford, baby stuff.
Even $10 would help towards shipping cost.
Bear Valley church of Christ
For Carey Samford
2707 S. Lamar St.
Denver, CO 80227

Our address here in Iringa, Tanzania, Africa is :

Carey Samford
P.O. Box 613
Iringa, Tanzania

(no zip code) short and sweet address

And the thing that would be most beneficial above all else is Prayers !!!
With Lots of Love,
Bonnie and Family

The Recent Seminar

Thu, 31 Mar 2011 17:16:47 +0300

We recently had a seminar with the church. It was to help encourage and build up its members. Attendance was great and it was a really encouraging day. We had a break at lunch and we went to one of the members homes. We had bananas, rice, meat and sauce, bottled water and even sodas - which usually signifies a special occasion among the Tanzanians because sodas are seen more as a special treat. The Tanzanian people provided the location and all of the food. The only thing that they asked for was for Charles, George, and Carey to teach. This was encouraging because it means that the missionary doesn’t have to provide everything. These members would not be considered as being wealthy or “well-off.” One is a carpenter, another has a french fry stand, and another is a widow. Simple people bringing together what they have for the benefit of the church.
Having lunch in one of the members homes was nice because it gave more of a personal feel of fellowship among us. I believe this is the same principle applies in Africa as it does in America, just being in someone’s home just makes you feel closer. I suppose that is why the Bible tells us that we are suppose to be hospitable.
The video above is just before the Seminar began. The kids were sitting and singing, ready to go, before it was time to start. They were so cute. George and Joy are also in the video getting ready for things to start.
The picture below is of Carey teaching.

Until Next Time,
Bonnie

Firetruck Comes to Our House

Thu, 31 Mar 2011 17:04:53 +0300

No we didn’t actually have a fire and the kids didn’t accidentally dial 911 (which we don’t have here) we just needed water. The city water had not come for a while, so we ran out of water in our water storage tank. A man that helps us around the house (Caude) told us that sometimes the fire department can bring you water. Sooo... here came the fire truck. I was actually surprised that the town of Iringa had a fire truck, but they did. It was interesting to see them pump the water from the truck up into our 3,00 Liter tank. The water tank is built up pretty high so that the water pressure will be better in the house, because it is gravity fed through the pipes.
Until Next Time,
Bonnie