Car Troubles

Our Toyota Noah is a blessing. Most families in Tanzania do not have their own transportation. Taking the public busses (daladalas), three-wheeled bjajis or motorcycle taxis (pikipikis) can prove to be incredibly time-consuming and dangerous. Our van gives us opportunities we would not otherwise have: we can transport all the music equipment to church each Sunday; we offer rides to our life group (small group) members on Wednesday nights; we transport many worship team members back and forth for practice each Thursday night; we take co-workers without cars to run errands; we pick up kids walking to school in the rain; we are able to bring other church members when we visit the orphanage about 30 minutes away. We recognize the blessing of this vehicle and we intend to use it as a blessing for others.

Today, we learned that it will cost $850 to repair all that is wrong with our van.

The mechanic has said we cannot/should not drive it in it's current condition, as it will only lead to more expensive repairs down the line and that they need the money upfront to begin work. With a group coming in two days from Western Michigan Christian High School, an orphanage visit scheduled for Saturday, church equipment to move on Sunday and much on our plate next week with our group here, we had hoped for simpler and less expensive solutions to the issues. 

If anyone feels led to help us with a special financial gift for these unexpected car repairs, please send us an email and let us know (gretchendriesenga@gmail.com). As always, we appreciate your prayers for the new and faith-building situations we find ourselves in here in Tanzania!

Please let us know how we can be praying for you and your families as well.

With love,
The Driesengas