Tanzania Trip Day 3 - June 20th

June 20, 2008

Greetings from the Churches in Tanzania to the People of Faith Lutheran in Moline,

Jesu yu hai! (Jesus lives!) Still four days later, and only about 7 hours of sleep I am exhausted but blest. I wish you were here. There is so much to take in. Perhaps with no surprise to you, we are trying to get the electronics end working. The power is 220 here, and when a circuit pops, it pops! We figured out my adapter is okay, my power strip kept popping out. I need the power strip for multiple items. I have taken many pictures and am trying to send them, but my computer does not want to read my SD card, where is Mike Timler when you need him, I believe he needs to travel with me.

I will share some things from my journal. June 19th, what a day. I arrived in Kilimanjaro around 1:00 p.m. their time (they are 8 hours ahead). It is a beautiful little airport and well kept. The scenery from the sky was majestic as we saw the tall standing Mt. Kilimanjaro from the air and ground. I came off the plane and went through customs. I then began to look for a small greeting committee, as Pastor Mushi said they would be there to pick me up. No one there, a taxi driver was willing to take me wherever I needed to go. I politely told him no as I was to be picked up. Others from the plane were finding their parties, not me. So I decided to step outside and look around. There was a bit of a commotion on the far end of the parking lot, a bus load of people.

Then a small delegation approached me, Pastor Mushi and others greeted me with smiles. Immediately they apologized for being late and asked for my forgiveness. I was just glad to see someone, and I really didn’t wait long. Evangelist Matero spoke for the group as we walked, then all of a sudden a brass band began to play and a choir started to sing. I looked around for some dignitary or someone important like Barak Obama. There was none, it was for me, I couldn’t believe it. I was welcomed by a brass band and choir! Imagine how you feel when someone sings Happy Birthday to you (a bit embarrassed), well, this was ten times worse. I didn’t deserve it, I didn’t know where to look or what to do. A member of the congregation was filming the whole event, and me with I am sure a silly grin. A little girl from the school presented me with two packages of roses. Then they sang and danced around me some more, it felt like a very long time. While I felt unworthy, I too felt blest to receive the love and welcome of the Tanzanians. Lack of sleep was no longer an issue, I felt revived by this warm and unforgettable welcome.

We left the airport in a caravan, darting 45 klm back to Arusha. Darting I believe is accurate as we drive down the wrong side of the road. They gave me the front seat to see the scenery and asked a few questions, pointing out things as we went. As we came into town they pointed out the new hospital and the church tower. The hospital is right near the church. A lot has changed in Arusha in eight years, improved roads, high rise hotels, new businesses, traffic, and lots of people.

Once we arrived at Engarenarok Lutheran Parish, the band and choirs got off the bus and began to play and sing all over again. Children from the school also started to gather and dance. They are very proud of their brass band and asked if we had one. While the instruments did not look as nice as our high school bands, they used them to their fullest. They too played the familiar song, “Shall We Gather at the River.” As we went inside the band and choirs continued in the background as we had refreshments. Before we ate, the practice of “washing of hands” took place, which brought back memories from my first trip and Jesus practice of washing his disciples feet.

Calling it a day they took me to my lodging at Pizza Point, a restaurant with a few rooms. On the way we made a stop. The mobile phone industry is huge and has changed the culture immensely. They wanted to get a chip for my phone, but had to settle on getting me a new phone for my use over the next four weeks. They use them continually. It truly has connected people in a new way. At Pizza Point I was fed and watered and then I crashed.

Around 11:00 p.m. I awoke and met Peter, the nephew of the manager. He and I spoke into the wee hours of the night. He was raised in Britain, mother from Uganda and father from Tanzania. He speaks Swahili with a British accent. He is into IT and combining it with agricultural business adventures. We retired around 2 a.m.

In His service and yours,

Pastor Mark