Social Networking Sabatical

This summer I took a one-month sabatical from all marketing and electronic social networking. No Twitter tweets. No Facebook updates. No blog writing. No updates to the Hearts in Unity website. No newsletters. No video productions. No presentations at schools, churches and to other organizations.

I wanted to prepare my heart and mind for my upcoming return to Tanzania. I wanted to take time to think about the beginning of Hearts in Unity years ago, and where we have come so far in this mission. I wanted quiet time to contemplate the future of the Tanzanian children we support, and to consider how we might best be a part of their future.

I wasn't sure how the sabatical month would play out. Those of us who have delved into the social networking realm find it a natural and rewarding part of our daily lives. It's a wonderful way for an organization like Hearts in Unity to keep all of our supporters apprised of the wonderful progress we are making in our mission to help feed, clothe and educate the children of Tanzania, Africa. It is exciting to talk about this mission and to watch as more and more people open their hearts to the precious children of Tanzania.

It is also exhausting. Mission work is not for the weak.

During this self-imposed social networking sabatical, the world didn't come to an end. There was really no "hole" in my life. It was in fact, one of the best things I have done (or haven't done, in this case) for a long time. I feel rested and rejuvinated and ready for the return to Tanzania, Africa to continue this work.

And while I worried about the mission slipping into obscurity without these regular networking updates to our friends around the world following and supporting this mission, my worries were in vain.

Once I dipped my toe into the familiar waters of marketing and social networking for the mission of Hearts in Unity, I found that our Tanzanian children were still in the hearts of our Hearts in Unity family.

People continued to inquire about how they could help. Our mailbox continued to be filled with letters and postcards for our Tanzanian children. People continued to sew and send us the simple fabric school bags they were making for the children. Our knitters continued to knit warm hats for our kids living high on Mt. Meru and Mt. Kilimanjaro. Pen pal letters continued back and forth to kids in our villages.

It's amazing and I am encouraged.

Follow us on Twitter and Facebook as we travel back "home" to Tanzania. Our children our waiting with anticipation. Welcome to Tanzania!

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