Gerry, Barb, Emily, and you

But this needs to be made known to our sisters and brothers. They need to know who Emily is, what lineage of love called her here. Emily needs to receive the love of her Kirangare sisters and brothers that will surely pour forth all the more when they know her in light of this story: a love to touch the grief, which is itself love. The resurrection has happened here and all that's left is for the stone to be rolled away and the truth to be told.

On Sunday during worship at Kirangare, we will tell the story.

And of course, many of you gave to the Kirangare Thank Offering too. And Donna Rome designated memorials for her husband, Gene, too, because Gene had been so changed by his visit to Kirangare in 2004. (About a third of the Thank Offering provided financial aid for Julie, Mary, and Wendy to visit Kirangare last year. Also Gene's gift on action.)

Emily's presence and Barb and Gerry's generosity may be honored in a special way by our brothers and sisters here. But already simply in being together in Kirangare on this day, quietly and powerfully they have already been honored. And you and your generosity were honored too.

When we return, I will share a 25 minute video from our time at the Vocational Training Center. Then you will see and hear students' gratitude for yourself.

For now a few updates from both of these projects.

The start of classes for the Vocational Training Center was unfortunately long delayed. The original plan was to house the center in a building owned by the Idaru Catholic parish. Photos from last year's visit showed the sewing machines installed in this building. But then the Catholic bishop changed his mind and decided to put the building to another use. So the machines were moved to the "Pastor's House," basically the parsonage, currently empty because Pastor Fue stays with his mother. So classes began only two months ago.

There are five students, all women, and others wish to become students. There are no fixed terms. Instead training is tailored to the individual, on their schedule and to their learning needs. For example, at least one student comes to the Center only on weekends or other days only when her other work is finished.

The Center is currently committed to make uniforms for local schools. This will generate income for the Center as tuition is kept intentionally low so it is accessible to as many students as possible. Tuition goes toward covering costs: purchasing fabric and thread and, as Pastor Fue said, "motivating the instructor."

The instructor is named Margaret. She was hired from Mosi, near the Kilimanjaro International Airport. She teaches sewing, batique, and making liquid soap.

Three more specialty sewing machines would allow students to fully finish clothing. As it is, they must pay others for use of machines to embroider, do overlocking (edge seams), and fix fasteners.

The foundation, cornerstone, and one thousand bricks have been laid for the Zion Daycare building. Nine thousand more bricks must be made and laid before the project is done. Many are paid for their construction labor. Many others volunteer their labor. With additional funding, it can be finished.

Then the daycare will accommodate more students, begin serving lunch, and expand the school day into the afternoon. The little ones come from Kirangare's poor families. They learn English and more to prepare them to succeed in primary school.