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So a little bit of background on Trinity's link to Tanzania:

Last year Trinity Western was helping a Tanzanian grassroots organization build a community library and roads to an Eco Village project they had undertaken. At the close of the missions trip with most of the roads done and the library almost finished - the local organization did not express a need for further help. Jamie and Dan (our wonderful team leaders) were approached and encouraged to organize and lead a community development program somewhere else for the next year (this year). They had a connection with a youth worker and local church in Tanga, Tanzania; they requested TWU's partnership. Since we have not partnered with this community before and we are unsure of their needs it is very important to establish a foundational partnership and do a community assessment to find out what the felt needs of their community are.

In Luke 18: 35-43 a blind man cried out to Jesus and caught his attention. The first thing Jesus did was ask the blind man, "How can I help you?" The blind man replied, "Lord, I want to see." Jesus then proceeded to meet the need of the suffering man, he healed him. After the man's felt need was met he and all those around him praised God.

Essentially, this is our vision of development. We want to go into the community of Tanga listening. We believe this is the most effective way to address the needs and sufferings that they may be experiencing. Once the needs are understood and the people communicate a desire for our partnership, together we will target the specified issue and implement a development project. Ultimately our aim is to soften hearts towards hearing the saving gospel of Jesus Christ our Lord. Similar to the miracle story, praise and worship to God will be the fruit of our labour.

Six Trinity Western students have united together to go and serve. We are passionate about the long-term vision of this missions trip. Each team member is fund raising for a Tanzanian student ("counterpart") to join our team once we get there. Canadians and Tanzanians will pair up together. Each partner pair will stay in a separate host family for an entire month of the 6 week program. Essentially this counterpart bond will form the basis of our partnership and will produce experienced Tanzanian agents of change in the community when we depart. Each pair will have a volunteer placement within the different sectors of the community: health care system (hospice) [Arend will probably end up here], education system (teaching English) [this one is for Sarah], social services (home for victims of HIV/Aids [myself]; Street kid shelter) [and Ollie!] etc. Each of the pairs have the task of researching and discovering everything we can about our designated sector (especially through talking with locals). Each week one of the pairs will give a formal presentation to the rest of our team and local church officials. At the close of the missions trip our team will enter into dialogue with the local church about implementing a development project for the following year - based on our community assessment. We intend to make a long-term investment in the community. We believe this strategy is effective, efficient and ethical. Our team is centered in Chirst, and continually commit our service for His kingdom building purposes!