Reverend Bartholomew and the kids

We just hosted our friend, Reverend Bartholomew from Tanzania for the weekend.  He was here for our fundraiser, and to meet the people who have supported Asante Mariamu.  It was an amazing experience, from listening to stories about his childhood, hearing his mother sing on YouTube, to learning that he and his beautiful wife Mary are adopting a little girl with albinism.

Rev. Barth has gone from living hand to mouth in a small house with a grass roof, to earning a master's degree with honors from a university in Pennsylvania.  He heads back to Tanzania this week to help prepare for our upcoming trip and to assume his new role in his Anglican diocese in Western Tanzania.

He is a very warm and engaging person, and has an infectious laugh.  I am so grateful that he is fluent in English, because I would hate to miss all of his good advice and keen observations on working in Africa.  Without his help, we would not be able to be effective and accountable in Tanzania.  He has truly made our work possible, and I am confident that together we will make positive changes!

I hope he enjoyed his stay here, and that he feels a part of the Asante Mariamu family - and a part of our family.  It was wonderful to have him at our fundraiser, and I am looking forward to seeing him again in a few weeks!