How it started…
2003 - God Planted A Seed
While traveling to Namibia in 2003 through a study abroad program with Pacific Lutheran University Dan visited a local AIDS orphanage and got to know the kids and their situation. He learned that they were all HIV positive and would not be living much longer than 10 years old. Dan felt the call of God to return to Africa and share Jesus’ love and freedom with these children. He wasn't sure exactly what that would look like but he was positive this is one of the things he was created to do. A couple of years later, Lindy went on the same study abroad trip but did was not ready to return there quite yet.
January 2015
Dan and Lindy had three small children at the time - ages 1, 3, and 4 - and Lindy began to feel peace through the Holy Spirit about moving their family to Africa. While the thought of moving across the world with such young kids was daunting, Dan and Lindy were sure of their call and wanted to go with everything they had. Dan was hired as a volunteer missionary teacher for Haven of Peace Academy in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The plan was for him to teach and as we learned about the country and their needs we would try to help the orphan kids as God lead.
August 2015
We never dreamed of being missionaries…never say never! Packed all of our possessions in 14 suitcases and moved our family of five to Tanzania. One of the reasons we didn't want to be missionaries was raising support seemed like a thing that would be so difficult and something that we could never do. As we submitted our hearts and plans to Jesus, He provided us amazing partners and were fully funded in 6 months. We sold our house and car but kept a few special items - thanks to some family members who stored them for us. We were able to stay with some special friends those last few days, us and all of our suitcases!
October 2015
Settling in and making friends is not easy to do cross-culturally, but our kids handled it well. Some of the first people we met were the gardener and house keeper, Hilbert and Mama Dori. They played with our kids, taught us swahili, and were so gracious as we learned to live in Dar es Salaam. Every day while Lucy and Jack napped, Peter would go outside and eat the local food ugali with Hilbert and Mama Dori. We were also very blessed to live two gates down from another American family who had kids and the husband taught at the school where Dan was teaching. He loved the school and settled in very nicely. The students loved him and he really enjoyed working in such a diverse environment. HOPAC had 20 countries represented in the staff and 60 in the student body grades k-12. This was a very special, unique place and Dan never took it for granted.
Early Summer 2016
The Lord lead us to a small home model in order to care for these children – we knew we wanted orphans in a home, with parents, lots of food, their own bed, education, health care, and a sense of belonging to a family. So we prayed, we worked, we fundraised, we prepared and got to do exactly that.
Late Summer 2016
Alongside Tanzanians, Hilbert and Neema with their two children, we made final preparations for starting the orphan home.
October 2016
We officially started the orphan home. We welcomed three beautiful girls into the home where they were provided with education, healthcare, support, a home, and love from caring Tanzanian adults. Most importantly they were provided a chance to hear the Gospel about their heavenly father who loves them unconditionally and gave His life so He could be with them forever.
2019
Through much prayer and seeking guidance from the Holy Spirit, our family made the decision to relocate back to the Pacific Northwest where Lindy and I both got teaching jobs at The Bear Creek School in Redmond, Washington. We felt the orphan home was at a place of stability where we did not need to be in Tanzania full time anymore. Thankfully with advances in technology, we are easily able to communicate and send funds for continued support of the ministry. Hilbert and Neema have worked very hard and are completely reliable and trustworthy. Through partnership with them, often communication, and the unity through Jesus we know the kids are being cared for and the vision is being moved forward.
2022
We knew since moving back to the U.S. that we would be making annual visits to the orphan home for continued to connection and support for Hilbert, Neema, and the kids. What the Lord Jesus also allowed for us to partner with Him in was bringing students from The Bear Creek School on these visits. This year we had the opportunity of taking four Bear Creek students to Tanzania with us and show them how Jesus has been working in and through this ministry.
2023
This year we had the privilege of taking eight Bear Creek students to Tanzania. To again introduce them to Hilbert, Neema, and the kids. So exciting for the students to experience in person how Jesus has miraculously provided and sustained the orphan home through several years. We have also begun construction on a new home for Hilbert and Neema so we no longer have to be in a renting situation.
2023 - Present Day
Over the years kids have moved into the orphan home while others have moved out through reunification with family members. We currently have six orphan children living at the home and have hired a Tanzanian social worker to try and locate family members in hopes of reunification. Hilbert and Neema have recently been attending classes provided by the government to learn how to best care for vulnerable children, get fully certified as a children’s home in accordance with Tanzanian law, and stay up-to-date on any policy changes that the office of social welfare happen to make in regards to child care.