Second Hand Lions

Lance Whyle is from San Antonio, Texas and has been working with Living Water International in Tanzania for about 6 years. Ed met Lance's daughter and son-in-law, missionaries in Katesh, at language school. They told Ed he really needed to hook up with Lance on his next visit to Tanzania. That was nearly 3 years ago. Lance, a State Farm Insurance agent, comes to Tanzania 3-4 times a year for about 6 weeks at a time. Since 2007, each time he has come, Ed has joined him traveling all over Tanzania working on water projects. They have formed a fast friendship, with a common passion for bringing water to Tanzania.
Their personalities are dramatically different in that Lance is a talker and people person, and well...........you know Ed....just the opposite.

Tanzanians refer to them as "Mzee Lance" and "Mzee Edward", which is a respectful way of saying "old man".
They have been labeled "Second Hand Lions".
They don't always stick to a schedule.
They don't always expect their job to be easy.
They don't always expect comfortable accommodations.
They don't always expect cooperation from everyone.
They don't always follow the rules.


On the other hand............
They are always thankful for a home-cooked meal, clean clothes, and good bed after they have been traveling.
They are always thankful for strength and ability to accomplish their work.
They are always excited to go to work.........regardless of where it is.
They are always humbled that God called them....warts and all...these "Second Hand Lions".