Mitindo Primary School

Yesterday, we visited the Mitindo Primary School; a government school for the visually impaired located 40 km south of Mwanza.

Our purpose for going there was to begin an outreach ministry to the Albino people of Tanzania; our first focus will be on the Mitindo Primary school. There are 147 children at this particular school; since most Albino's are legally blind 99 of the children are Albino.

It takes special permission from the Regional Commissioner and a little bit of red tape to get permission to visit the school but we finally had our first visit; the privacy and safety of the children is a priority.

We spent time visiting with the staff, touring the school and meeting the children. We took some toys: soccer ball, frisbees, marbles and crayons as well as rice and sugar. Our goal is to be able to build a long-term relationship with the school and eventually earn permission to conduct Christian education classes for the children on a weekly basis. First, however, we must begin our relationship by meeting the needs of the school and the physical needs of the children.

The children wore shy smiles on their pale faces as they looked up at us through squinted eyes shaded by their hands to protect their sensitive eyes from the bright light of the sun. Most have large brown spots/blemishes on their faces, heads and arms indicating the presence of skin disorders including skin cancer. Many of them have sunburned faces and heads due to lack of sunscreen and hats.

They are just normal children underneath their pale skin; but because they are born in Tanzania with Albinism their innocence and childhood has been stolen from them. They must live in a state of uncertainty and fear, in a protected environment from those who would kill them and use their body parts in potions to bring prosperity.

Our goal is to give them the love they deserve and to share the love of Jesus with them; only His peace can take away their fears and uncertainties.

Cookers for the Bible College

Recently, thanks to some generous gifts from some inidividuals and our TZ missionary colleagues, we were able to purchase two new cookers for the Mwanza Bible College.

Our two cooks have been cooking for about 130 people over open charcoal fires; the cost of charcoal took up about 15% of the total food expenditures.

The new cookers use wood instead of charcoal and are energy efficient; they are insulated in such a way that it takes far less wood to cook the food and the food takes less time to cook.

Our cooks are thrilled with the new cookers and the Business Manager is happy to be able to put more money towards providing food for the students.

The picture above shows the old way of cooking, using the open charcoal fire. The picture below shows the new cookers that are much more cost and energy efficient.

To Drive or Not to Drive

As Assembly of God Missionaries, we are given a wonderful sturdy vehicle - a Toyota Land Cruiser - which is invaluable to us as we cover the vast western region of Tanzania. Tim has been making good use of it lately; he was away from home traveling 25 days in the month of August and every day so far in September.
The problem is, however, that I get left stranded while he is gone. I can either take a taxi everywhere I go or catch a ride with a neighbor. The problem with taxi's is that they are sometimes like a "ride on the wild side" and they don't understand an American's sense of "being on time". If you say "1:00" to them that means "before 2:00".
However, for the last week I have had the use of another missionary's car; she flew to Arusha for two weeks and graciously left me her car to use in her absence.
I forgot what a wonderful thing it is to have a car! I can go to the grocery store, the market (for fresh fruits and veggies), the Bible College to teach my classes, to the bank for more money when I have granted to many loans to workers and friends, etc.
There is something comforting in picking up a set of car keys and getting behind the wheel of a car.
I am grateful for the blessing of having my own car-even if it is only for two weeks.

Albino

The ABC show, 20/20, aired a show last week about the plight of Albinos in Tanzania. These people are hunted down and killed or mutilated so that witch doctors can use their body parts to make special potions that are believed to bring wealth and success.
The Albinos often move to the cities where they are safer than they are in the villages; about 50 were killed or maimed last year.
Joyce has been burdened for these people since the first of the year and we have began to gather information, make contacts, and had spoken to our missionary team here in Tanzania about beginning an outreach ministry to the Albinos.
We live in Mwanza and the largest population of Albinos live in this region and most of the attacks against the Albinos take place in our region.
There is a primary school just outside Mwanza where about 130 children live and are educated; most of these children are Albinos. These children have many practical needs such as clothing, personal hygiene products, school supplies and bedding. They also need, due to their Albinism, wide-brimmed hats, sunscreen, learning equipment for the blind since most are legally blind and sun glasses. They have emotional needs since many of them are separated from their families, isolated from the rest of the world and live in constant fear.
They have spiritual needs, most of them are brought up in pagan beliefs and superstition. They need to learn about a God who loves them, will provide for them and will protect them; he can set them free from their fears.
The show aired by ABC's 20/20 has brought the problems facing the Albino people of Tanzania into the homes of Americans. Many of you are responding by contacting the A/G World Missions Department to ask how you can help; they are setting up a special account to receive donations. If you want to send a donation to help minister to the needs of the children in this Primary school, you can send your donation to Tim & Joyce Jarvis c/0 AGWM 1445 Boonville Ave. Springfield MO 65802 (Account #221146) and designate it for the "Tanzania Albino Ministry".
We will keep you posted as we continue to develop this outreach ministry to the Albino people of western Tanzania.