the michelin toddler

the michelin toddler
Originally uploaded by lindermans

It's a sad week, as we say goodbye to dear friends and mentors, the Rasmussen's. After over a decade of transforming ministry in Mwanza, the family is on the way to Nairobi, where Steve will teach at a seminary.

We had a going away party at a restaurant last Sunday night--obviously a bittersweet time. Our boys had a great time with dozens of other missionary kids. Here is Elijah swinging away!

Wabeeja Shiliwa!



This is part of the traditional Sukuma "thank you for the food" song. About 200 visitors arrived in Ndang'wasa for the beginning of the church there, and everyone ate.

I've been rumored to jump into the dance line on occasion, but this time I just took a break from eating and enjoyed the dancing and singing, as the choir passed in front of the cooking hut. Enjoy... I sure did!

John, Mbatilo, and Matayo

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Originally uploaded by lindermans

Mbatilo

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Originally uploaded by lindermans

Mbatilo's wife

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Originally uploaded by lindermans

A medical question



My friend Mbatilo has a problem. His leg has been badly swollen for five years. He was treated, but the leg remains swollen, causing much pain. Return visits to doctors have not helped, and he has tried traditional medicine with no results.


This is a culture where the "why" of illnesses is more important than the "what". Anyone want to help me understand why his leg is like this? I doubt there is any treatment available for this here, but explaining to him why his leg is like this would help him greatly.



Any ideas?

Josiah's field trip

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Originally uploaded by lindermans

Josiah's class went on a field trip... to the lakeshore. Miss Rose, Josiah's teacher, is the source of Josiah's occasional British accent. And yes, that is a SF Giant's hat on Josiah's head. Being here, Josiah has no idea how bad his dad's favorite team is!

First prayers

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Originally uploaded by lindermans

Mundane yet beautiful. I have seen many extraordinary sights in my life (one of the many perks of being a missionary), but none so beautiful as these women from Ndang'wasa praying for the first time. Especially Susanna, the old woman on the right.

(still trying to learn to take pictures secretly from inside my bag... )

Football, Mwanza style

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Originally uploaded by lindermans

By a simple process of elimination, I have become the head coach of the Isamilo School Football Developmental Club. "Kevin, you coach those little guys!"

While the older kids work on game skills, I work with Josiah, Elijah, and a handful of other kids on skills like: "dribble the ball, kick the ball, don't use your hands."

I hired a staff assistant to take pictures. Here's last week's superstar!

Road to Bariadi

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Originally uploaded by lindermans

Sometimes the dry river bed isn't so dry!

Last weeks trip to bariadi took a little longer than we hoped. A couple months ago, I passed through this river. The canoe on the shore--not such a good sign.

Eric and I gauged our chances at about 50/50... But the upside of saving two hours of driving time by not driving to the nearest bridge didn't seem to outweigh the potential downside of parking our truck in the river until dry season (June).

More importantly, the seminar went well, and the three churches that participated are really starting to make a kingdom impact. Eric and I are coming back for another seminar in April... on this side of the river!