Some time has passed since the last update to all friends and supporters on the life at Karibu Nyumbani. And because there is no time like the present, we would like to take this chance to remedy that. We are two volunteers from the Czech Republic, Sabi a Erik. We arrived in Tanzania at the beginning of February and will be part of the Karibu Nyumbani community until the beginning of May

There are still 22 children at the orphanage, the youngest one being little Onesmo Kobelo, currently a year and a half old. A happy baby, he is looked after by the aunties and ourselves during the day and by his many siblings in the afternoon. Already equipped with some basic swahili words and several names, he likes to use these very much, irrespective of the situation. Other than Onesmo Kobelo, all the kids go to primary school or nursery. They visit Karibu Nyumbany's Welcome Home School and Nursery, Tumbi Primary School or St John Bosco Primary School near Tumbi. The oldest kids are in their final year of primary school and also in the middle of puberty and show their own individualities which is interesting to observe and sometimes tricky to deal with. 

During the week, the children immerse themselves in their studies, busy as bees. After they finish classes at school in the afternoon, they continue their education at Karibu Nyumbani with the help of tutors, mamas and ourselves. On Friday evenings and sometimes Saturday afternoons, they are rewarded by a movie. The biggest success so far was Disney's Lion King remake, which they have been asking to watch again ever since. Even though some continue to think the movie is called Lion God.

 In February, the children took a Saturday trip to the Roliondo market in the nearby town of Maili Moja. When they returned, their eyes were widened with excitement and new possessions pressed tightly in their little hands. There were colourful water bottles, flashlights, watches which also serve as calculators, glittery belts and beautiful earrings for the girls. They bought these items from saved up pocket money which they regularly receive and which teaches them the basics of home economy. For myself, the market was an overwhelming experience, with so many shops, noises, people and colours that I was barely following the children, let alone buying something I needed. However, the children of course offered a lot of advice as to which shoes or clothes I should purchase.

 About once a week, we try to take a walk with the children and discover Karibu Nyumbani's beautiful surroundings. This sometimes results in heated, but funny discussion because walking just for pleasure makes little sense to some of the children and suggestions why we don't take a bus come up. But in the end the children enjoy being outside just as much as we do.

  On the 16^th of February, whilst all Jane Rose's family were gathered in Devon, her Tanzanian family here at Karibu Nyumbani , had a very special service. Our Parish Priest Fr. Benno Kikudo concelebrated Mass in our Chapel, he had met Jane many times during her visits with us, and spoke beautifully during the Mass. The Choir from the sub-Parish, in the small village of Boko Temboni were present, bringing the atmosphere of heaven to all. We give thanks to God for the life of Jane Rose and know that she wears us as a crown in Heaven.

God is able to make all grace abound to you,

So that in all things, at all times,

Having all that you need,

You will abound in every good work.

2 Cor. 9v8

We continue to trust, and believe that the Lord will do as he has said. These are times for us to trust and believe. God bless you Jane and all those we love and hold in our hearts who have helped the mission and work of Welcome Home Community, our home - Karibu Nyumbani and our school – Welcome Home School.

As we are well into the sixth month of this year, I really want to give you, and our other friends of Karibu Nyumbani some news. It has been such a full-on time and I am so grateful that we seem to be slowing down a little. A small handful of close intercessors and friends have been upholding us in prayer and we want to thank you so much for that.

The next 15 picture frames will give you a little window into our family's news, starting with Onesmo who arrived in December at the age of 3 months. He is now 9 months and nearly walking. You will see some new Aunties have arrived, as well as a couple Baba and Mama Sam coming in to help each day. Our children have grown and really love life to the full. So much of their lives seems taken up with study, but we love it that they are also interested in cooking, cycling, watching videos, reading, dancing, football, gymnastics…

Thanks to Lucekelo and Eliah we have wonderful crops of fruit and vegetables enough to feed the children here and the 70 children at our school! We continue not having to buy any vegetables at all, as our men keep the farm so beautifully. Our cow stopped giving milk for a few months, but since giving birth we have an abundance of Milk and yoghurt.

On March 3^rd we had a very precious Celebration including a Thanksgiving Mass and meal with friends to say thanks to God for our 8 years as a Family here at Karibu Nyumbani. Including all who live here, 23 children and 12 adults we had 100 guests.

We are coming to the end of a busy season and I feel we are entering a prayerful time to allow the Lord to enlarge the vision in our hearts. This morning, I was reminded that God sent an angel to Mary to tell her that she was going to have a child. He could have gone himself, but he chose to use an Angel. God ordains that we be partners with Him in his work. When Ester and I share our testimony about our life here, we stress the point that it was God who gave us the dream, or vision, and all he wanted of us was to step out. He says "Dare to dream big, so that my kingdom can come, ask, and I will give you the nations."

Ester and I and the community here, know that as we continue to walk in what God has called us to do, our weakness and need is His doorway to blessing. He continues to ask us to TRUST. This is not only a word for us, but for all who know HIM to be FATHER, all he wants is our TRUST. HE cannot fail those who ask with CHILD-LIKE TRUST.

Please pray for us, that we continue to dare to dream, and we continue to pray for you and all who are God's instruments of blessing to us.

We are grateful that the door will be open soon for volunteers to come again. Please come and see us!

God bless you all.

Fiona, Ester, Ludmila and all the family.

"God sent His Son into the world that whoever believed in him would have life everlasting."

The wonderful life we have here is only a shadow of the eternal joy we will have with our Heavenly Father.

Thank you, Jesus, for making a way for us to OUR FATHER.

When we finished school, we immediately took a day's journey to Mbeya, and we will be here for 3 weeks. What we like about being here is having a Bibi (Grand) and Babu (Grandpa)
Mama Ester's parents really love us. We just relax and have fun, but we are missing Mama Pipi and Mama Ester who had to stay at home.

 On behalf of us all we want to wish you a very happy Christmas- Queenie.

Devota says," Yesterday we had our confirmation day, it was so wonderful. The best thing for me was the quiz that Archbishop Jude Thaddeus Ruwa'ichi asked all of us. I received the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Queenie says, "Yesterday was my day for Confirmation, I was so happy to receive the Holy Spirit and his gifts. It was so special to have the Archbishop with us, and I had a chance to talk to him. I was also very happy to have Mama Edina as my God Mother. I have felt different as I believe so much that the Holy Spirit has filled me, and he has promised to walk with me for the whole of my life

 Advent says, "After a very long and blessed Mass with the Archbishop we came home to many friends who came to see us. We had food and gave thanks. We danced until the evening. Thank you Holy Spirit.

Isaya says; "After 11 months of learning I will miss the lessons, but I pray that I continue to grow in my faith from reading the bible. I don't particularly feel any different today, but I know that the Holy Spirit lives in me.

Sabina says, "The Holy Spirit came on me and my faith has changed." Thank you, Bibi Bonita, for bringing us the cakes.

Daflosa says, "We were prayed over and anointed with oil. I am happy to be a brave soldier of Jesus." I want to thank all who made the day so special.

Emmanuel says," I am so happy to receive the Holy Spirit. I also was given a Rosary. I want to thank Monica from England who sent a gift to help us to celebrate our day. God bless you.

Dear Friends,

We greet you all with love and thank our Heavenly Father each day for you.

On many fronts it has been a challenging time for us and as I read messages from friends and family, I believe it is the same for many of us. I heard such an inspiring talk this week that encourages me to see every situation as a prompting from the Lord to come closer to him and call upon Him more. The Scripture inspiring the talk was 1 Sam 1- about Hannah at the end of herself, tired of being irritated by Penina her husband's second wife, she longed for a child. Verse 10 reads" deeply distressed she wept and prayed to Yahweh". Perhaps if she had not reached this place of desperation, she would not have relinquished her child to the Lord. God had a plan, in the delay, Hannah's heart was being changed and prepared.

I pray our hearts will be prepared for the fruit that He wants to be born through us.

I thank God for the small Community that has grown here, the Mamas and long term "Mama Madogo" "small mothers" and teacher Madam Kat, Aunties and Uncles. (In the picture below we were celebrating my father's wedding anniversary.)

As you might know we haven't had volunteers and friends come and visit since February, which we miss so much. However, we have had the blessing of Ester's Nephews, Aliko and Andrew (Andrew came for a few days) and niece, Huruma. Also, a young man the children call "G" and Asa. G and Asa will be leaving us at the end of the year to follow different careers, but they chose to give 6 months to us here at Karibu Nyumbani and have been a great support. Huruma has been a second mum to David, and helping in the kitchen, doing homework with the children and helping in many other ways. She will be off this month to study in India. Aliko is studying to be a teacher and has recently done his field work nearby. Now he is on his break with us, continuing to teach the children whilst doing odd jobs around the place. We have 2 new aunties who have quickly settled into the family life here and the children love them.

A Young man called Elias heads up the men's work and Jackson still drives and looks after our vehicles.

Our children who are growing up as you can see in the following pictures. Birthdays are still enjoyed by opening up the presents sent by Mama Hilary in England ( if they don't quite reach us on time, I have to be creative!) and these days the children have the joy of making their own cake to share with the family here and any visitors.

Last weekend two of our children were asked to be page boy and bridesmaid for one of our former uncles – Philbert, It was a wonderful celebration for our small village parish. Philbert now lives in the village with his wife and is our church choir master and keyboard player.

Relationships with our neighbours are growing. Baba Winnie has 2 shops and Mama Winnie helps Mama Mia sewing. Baba Jacky on the Motor bike is doing well in his new business, and the family are grateful for the donor who helped him to start, he is now able to pay school fees as well as help his wife buy food for the family. The Mama making the chapatis, works so hard to manage to send her girl to our school too. Madam Kat is a star in the village for all the children. she can't walk anywhere without being surrounded children. 

Madam Kat will help me get a school blog out soon, we are now preparing for our top year of Nursery to graduate up to first year of primary school!! Please pray for them. Graduation day is the 12^th of December.

This weekend 7 of our older children are receiving Confirmation, so please hold, Advent, Queenie, Daflosa, Isaya, Emmanuel, Devota and Sabina in your prayers. It will be a special day with the children's Godparents and other friends will be coming, we are expecting to be 80 in all!

We are very aware that our friends in England, Czech, Germany and other places around the world are in lock down. We pray for you all that the Lord sustains you with Joy in His presence and ask you please to pray for us in Tanzania that we remain safe.

God bless you all.

For the last 3 months in "lock down" as well as our normal life together it has been a time of drawing very near to the Lord, to allow him to shine His love to cleanse and heal our hearts.

If anyone has been following the news concerning The Corona Virus in Tanzania, Magofuli our President has had a lot of criticism from inside and outside the country, encouraging us as a country to TRUST IN GOD, PRAY, AND NOT FEAR. It has not been clear at times exactly what state the Country has been in, but I believe now we can be sure to say that we are thankful to God that the prophecies made by WHO have not come to pass. God has been merciful to Tanzania.

We remain in prayer for those who have suffered greatly around the world, especially in my home country, including personal friends of mine, but for all those we don't know who have lost loved ones.

Lord Jesus, I pray that we give you our undivided hearts at this time so that we can rise up to be your perfect Bride through that same power of your Holy Spirit who raised up Jesus from the dead.

A WEEKS RETREAT 

It had been on Ester's heart for many years to lead our children in a time of inner healing. What a better time than now! We invited Hotensia from Agape Community to come to stay with us and lead us for a week.

It was a full on time for us all, with teaching morning and afternoon and individual ministry for any who wanted. I know that the children found time to chat to Hotensia about things on their heart, and the Aunties and Uncles all expressed great joy after times of individual prayer.

The little ones over this time were having fun with Dada Kat and on the last day they had a morning of singing and dancing with a special time of prayer.

Shares with us that "From my heart, I see the Corona Virus has been a desert time, not only for us in Tanzania, but all over the world people have suffered. We have been praying for all the Nations every day. I see that the place here where I live is beautiful and we have not been effected here by Corona, and I thank God for that. I also thank God that we were able to have school lessons at home here during this time. We also had a very blessed week of teaching on inner healing and it was very MEANINGFUL TO ME. THANK YOU GOD, AND THANK YOU TO OUR FRIENDS WHO HAVE BEEN PRAYING FOR US TOO."

Hi, my name is Daflosa, Whist we have been home, I have been so happy to learn how to sew with a sewing machine. I have been helping Mama Mia mending cloths and even making new cloths for other children. I continue to pray for our nation of Tanzania along with other nations that God takes away this sickness.

I want to thank all our friends for praying for us and loving us. If you were here we would share our biscuits with you.

  Dear Friends, all over the world, we want you to know that we are praying for you.

Since the middle of March when all schools in Tanzania were told to close because of the Corona Virus, we also decided to stay at home and draw closer to the Lord. We have sensed the Lord say as he said to the Israelites, before the Passover, that they were to stay at home and wipe the blood of a lamb on their door posts and beam.

Every afternoon we gather to pray with the children, Aunties and Uncles. One of the first bible sharings we had from Ester was about Adam and Eve, when they hid from God in the garden of Eden. Up until that point, they were hidden in, or covered by, the Glory of God. Suddenly because of their sin, the Glory was taken away and they saw their nakedness.

This is a time for us to "stay", "in the Lord", to "trust" His very Precious Blood that was shed for us. To allow the Holy Spirit, to pour in and over us, the Beautiful Glory, where he says that if we dwell, we need have no fear. (Psalm 91) Jesus is calling us to return to our First Love, "Do you want me? "he says, "If any man hears my voice and opens to me, I will come to Him and feast with him."

The Lord is leading us individually and together into repentance and intercession for our families and countries. Let's join in prayer together, believing that the Lord will save His people. We are also praying for wisdom to know how we can call the leaders of our village to create a support system for the poor in our village.

 Please pray for Tanzania that the spread of the virus will not increase as it has done in so many countries, as the poverty in the villages and small towns would make it impossible for shut down and distancing. We have found in our village that people have not understood why we have isolated ourselves, even after the President said that we needed to stay at home and not make any unnecessary trips, many do not understand its importance.

  There are 40 of us in the house, and the children are having tuition every day with Ester's Niece and Nephew, and the 12 small children are having lessons with Kat from England. We have been harvesting our cassava and drying it in the sun. Our driver has joined forces with our farmers, and they are working hard. We thank God for our milk and meat from home and for the simple menu of Beans, Rice and Ugali! Our bananas are helping, and the oranges will soon be ready to eat!

THE LORD KEEP YOU ALL UNDER THE SHADOW OF HIS WINGS, HIDDEN IN HIS GLORY.

WE PRAY FOR A BLESSED AND PEACEFUL PASSOVER AND EASTER

WE CONTINUE TO HOLD YOU IN PRAYER.

FROM FIONA, ESTER, LUDMILA AND ALL HERE AT KARIBU NYUMBANI

 January 2020
What a wonderful way to kick off a new year and especially the year of 2020. Amazingly special to be greeted once again by the Mamas and children as Clare and I arrived from the airport to Karibu Nyumbani orphanage. I had quite forgotten what a very special loving place it is. My 3 week stay was spent plugging into the daily routine with lots of family time but also visiting the new school. Not to mention the most enjoyable worship time with the children, aunties and uncles. I returned to the UK full of blessings received from my KN family and look forward to being with them again in the summer of 2020. My Swaheli is not great yet but it was strange being back in my home parish and hearing the Mass in English so my ear is definitely getting used to the language.
What a sad world bearing the Covid 19 virus – KN and the world are in my prayers with utter trust in the Lord.

​We pray that all our friends and regular readers of our blog are encouraged at the start of this New year and New Decade.
Here as usual we prayed-in the New Year with dancing and singing. Rejoicing and giving Glory to God for all that he did for us in 2019. At the beginning of last year, we had a promise from the Lord that doors that had been difficult to open would open with ease. The Lord was faithful to His word and we are looking forward to seeing all His promises fulfilled for this year and the Decade to come.
Faithful is He who has called you and He will do it.
We pray that the Lord will fill your hearts with a great knowledge of His Father- Love.

  NEW YEAR EXAM RESULTS.

Our older children- "Akina Advent", Daflosa, Queenie and Isaya have all passed with A"s and B's to go up into P5.
We are very grateful to our Tutor -Flaviana, she is greatly loved by our children. We were proud mothers when we heard a few weeks ago that Daflosa had come top of her year group and Patrick 3rd of his year group. ALL have done very well, please pray for them for this year.
Isa started school this year too, - looking very smart and grown up. Now, only David is at home in the mornings!

  PLEASE PRAY FOR US!

Our oldest 10 are now studying for their Confirmation that will be taking place later in the year.
Please pray that they can all pass their exam, and have a deep understanding in their heart of the wonderful gift of the Holy Spirit and the wonders He can work in their lives.

SCHOOL NEWS.

PLEASE READ the School News update-you will find it under the "Welcome Home School" on the website

  OUR LITTLE GIRL IS WELL!

On the day after Christmas we had a family come and visit us who wanted to give thanks for the healing of their little girl Harness. When she was born she had complications with her heart and it did not look as if she was going to survive. Through the prayers of many, their little one, is now completely healed. Her parents shared their testimony with our children, and all their friends and family cooked a meal for us - the day was filled with Joy and thanks to God for the life of little Harness.

VISITORS IN JANUARY 

We have been blessed to have with us this month Gloria who is an Ambassador for Karibu Nyumbani in England and Clare who often helps me with my accounts.
Clare spent a lot of her week setting up an Excel file for Mr. Evans the Head Teacher of our School – He will now be able to receive of the school fees which is a big load off my shoulders! Halleluiah! -Thank you, Clare. Gloria has only just returned, and I believe she would like to blog herself later. It was so lovely to see her just relax and be so at home with us all and create her own little garden!

As I write this I am sitting in very hot room in Royston House. There is no sign of Christmas in our little town and there won't be right up to Christmas. Only 2 weeks ago I had the joy of being with my Father in Falmouth, the first time I have been back in England during November for 9 years! It was very special! I love the cold winters. But I was shocked to see all the Christmas decorations and I have to say I was tempted to buy some for the children. I didn't as it was much better to carry some Duplex bricks!! Tomorrow though I will be making a Christmas wreath for our Chapel and I am looking forward to the 4 weeks of lighting candles with them during our evening worship. I pray it will be a time of blessing for them as together we thank our Father for the gift of His Son. The Grace poured out to us through His Redemptive Love. The Grace of freedom of Sin, New life. A gift He planned for our children, for you and me since before all-time began. Lord, enlarge us, to receive all you have to give us.

God bless you all.

Fiona, Ester, Ludmila and all our wonderful children, Aunties and Uncles.

 "We had such a lovely, blessed, eventful and memorable time at Karibu Nyumbani that we will cherish in our hearts forever. During our 2,5 weeks there we could bring in our various gifts – from cleaning, to repair work, sowing, office jobs, designing leaflets and digitalizing exams for the school project.

After the morning jobs such as sweeping and mopping, we enjoyed being in Jesus presence during our worship and prayers times at the chapel. We also used this time to interceed for the children and the village. During one of these precious sessions, I had a prophetic picture of the children bearing torches that were lit. They lit them at a huge fireplace in the midst of the compound at Karibu Nyumbani and went out into the village with them from there. As they walked, the huts in the village emptied, one by one, and the neighbors joined the kids on their walk through the village. The further they walked, the brighter the light shined and the more change was brought to the village. The light and love of God was transforming the village. The fire of God was blazing. This showed me once again how God is using the children to further his kingdom in the village of Boko Timiza.

​We visited the school project and were stunned by how well it is going and how quickly it is growing. Being there you could sense the blessing of God on it and see how much the children enjoy going there. While the children were at school, we worked on various projects, such as sowing school uniforms, helping Fiona in the office and maintance work. We enjoyed the conversations we had with the mamas, aunties and neighbors while we were working. Our afternoons and evenings were spent with the children. We enjoyed making necklaces, drawing, playing football, going on walks, doing homework and simply being with them. In the evenings we all came together for worship and prayer. These times were so sweet and spezial! One of our highlights was when Ema stepped up to share the Word with us. We were touched and amazed as he stood there with so much confidence and authority and read a long passage fluently. Ema, whom I had gotten to know as quite a frightened young boy years before, has grown so much simply by being accepted into a loving family and finding a home. We loved the children leading us in songs of praise and worshipping Jesus together.

  There is nothing like having a little one to keep you busy, and now Mama Mia finds herself carrying two. Little David is the same age as Mama Winnie's baby. (Mama Winnie lives next door and she come in every day to sew!) Mama Mia finds her energy increasing- Thank God!!

Thank you for your prayers. David is eating and crawling well now.

  I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mary from Falmouth and all your family for filling up our baskets again with Duplex bricks. As you can see, it gives so much joy.

​ He was one of the first children we had coming to be part of our family when he was only 2 years old. Quite a fearful child, now asking if he can read his Bible and share a thought during our evening worship time. All present were amazed by his courage.

Preparation to receive communion is a lot of work. For about 7 months the children attend a lesson with our village Catechist 3 times a week. During which time they take exams, and finally if they have passed they are able to join the 100 or more children who normally receive their first holy Communion each year.

As from this week these lovely four will join the 6 who received their first Communion last year to start preparations for their Confirmation next year.