In the Sadness there is Joy

Perhaps you have heard that yesterday about 5:00 p.m. we received word that Dr. Rev. Benjamin Ngede died after a trip by plane to Moshi.  Benjamin was taken to the hospital Wednesday evening.  He was not responding.  By Thursday it was decided to take him to Moshi to KCMC.  He arrived at the hospital, but did not survive.  Last night we went to the home of Benjamin and Anna in time to help prepare the home for the mourning.  There are no words!

So I share a few photo's of these past days that remind me that Benjamin loved life, loved God and loved to tell a GREAT story - why?  because......

A bike for Veronica but first Mama C takes it for a short ride.

carrots and potato's from Lulanzi from Sadrow the Secretary Treasure of the Parish Partnership arrive at Huruma Center.

Love comes a tumbling down at Huruma Center!

As Sadrow delivers carrots and potato's I learn that the cook on the left is from Lulanzi too - a Gavilla no less.

Blessings of the Last Two Days

This is Petro the cook at The Lutheran Center's new baby son.  He was born Monday morning at about 4:00 a.m.  and went home about 11:30 a.m. with his mom.  I was allowed to come with and be part of the celebration.  A chicken is part of it as well as Petro playing Christmas music - a child, a boy, is born.  In this photo he is only 6 hours old and already at home.

This is Veronica from the Huruma Orphanage Center.  Her sister is Lia my buddy at Huruma Center.  Veronica is now Form I and not able because of her age to stay at Huruma center much longer.  She has lived there for the last at least 6 years.  Shepherd of the Valley is sponsoring her to Form I school but she is walking 1.5 km, so I figured the least I could do for Lia's sister is purchase a bike.  I will do that tomorrow.  With me at Huruma Center today - Kirsten from Shepherd of the Valley and Sadron Hyamen the Treasure/Secretary of the partnership in Lulanzi our village.  I know he had not been to the orphanage before today and was touched.  At one point he told Mama Chilwa that next week he will bring the children potatoes and carrots from his farm in Lulanzi.  I had all I could do to keep from crying.  Mama Chilwa gave him the documents needed to accept children from Lulanzi who do not have family.  I had never even considered the concept that there are children in Lulanzi without family but Sadron explained there are many. 

My heart and eyes continue to be opened wider and wider in this country of amazing love and relationships. 

Worship today at Cathedral in Iringa town

I preached three times today at Catherdral and Msigwa interpreted.  They were having a youth seminar so the youth were in worship every service. 

This picture is from Nyanzwa yesterday.  It is out the window n the pastor's house.  Ebeneezer took it.

Be blessed.

Food Distributions

This is outside the church following introductions and prayers.  The people were asked if the food was good and one mama said yes especially if you add oil.  Another man said it is so good.  But somehow it is very strange tasting to them and they will not say.

Names were called and a member of the family came forward to pick up their box.  Many put it on their heads and began to walk home.

This shows you just a small introduction to how many came to collect food.  The people of the village were Christian, Muslim, tribal, non believing and all were welcome to receive. 

Mama invited Ebeneezer and myself to take this picture.  She is filled with joy you can tell by her face.  It is not about the food it is about her life.  She is so joy filled.

I had a great day.  I was sad only because we were given two very large meals.  I did not need to eat at all but it is the custom here that guests must be fed.

The highlight of my day was playing for about an hour with while waiting for food

Ebeneezer and Queen Msigwa.

Ebennezer took most of the pictures for me today.  Fish lips by me.

My devotions for today included scripture from Leviticus 19:34

Treat them as you would an Israelite, and love them as you love yourselves.  Remember that you were once foreigners in the land of Egypt.  I am the Lord you God.

The writer writes:  We should not be afraid to let our light shine for fear of how doing so might affect our lives.  Let us have the faith to trust God in all circumstances and the courage to do our part as we become co-workers with God.  (by Elaine Richardson Western Cape, South Africa)

Loading up for a food distribution of Feed My Starving Children food from MN

Today three trucks loaded food in boxes that came in containers from the US from Feed My Starving Children.  This was the second container that was shipped to Dar and the last to arrive about three weeks ago.  The boxes say packed on Dec 12, 2009.  I am told the container arrived in Dar marked food and had to return to the US to be remarked Medical Supplies.  Pole Sana (so sorry).  It is a lesson that it is better to send the money to buy maze here in TZ in the areas that are having good crops then to send a container.  Haiti needs FMSC food!  (soap box sorry)

Tomorrow we leave between 8:30 and 9:00 for Nyanzwa (more than 100 km away) where the food will be distributed.  I will take pictures.  I will drive the BKB car and go with Dennis, Chavalla, Msigwa, Ebenezer, Queen and Greg.  Others will join us but I don't know who yet.

This is Sarah the worker at BKB apt's new daughter, Gladness.  She would not sit with me but we played baby games together and she can say a few words in Swahili and English.  I had a great supper at Sarah's - rice, cabbage, peas and soda - fanta I must be sick (ask the CLC group).

This little boy is Danny.  He lives at Sarah's and this is outside her store at her home.  He is telling me to get in my car because he wants to see a white person get in the car.  He did cry when I was leaving because he wanted me to stay and tickle him.  The simple things here mean so much and make us peculiar. 

The guys shirts arrived from the village

When we were in Lulanzi the last Sunday we were gifted with clothing.  However, we were told the sewing machine was broken and the men's garments were not finished.

Here they are!  They arrived today via the treasure/secretary of the village.  They are wonderful and the guys will enjoy.

Blessings!

Travel

Jenna and Hannah will be home in two hours.  They did a great job of traveling to Dar in difficult conditions, public bus, a drunk man and too much contact.  We ate at slip way and got to the airport in time to have plenty of time to get to the next right place.

A new group arrived from Christus Victor in Apple Valley.  The four will do well here in Iringa.  I miss the CLC group!!!  They were amazing and a blessing.  If I never come back here I am grateful for the CLC group and for the fact that my daughter has traveled to the place of her roots, Africa, two  times.  I love you Jen now get ready for college!  And Nate way to go with the job.

Petro and his family

Petro and his niece, two daughters and wife.  We enjoyed them very much!  Blessed we were.

Ilula

Two service, breakfast and lunch at Ilula today. 

We were at the Evangelist home.  He is from Mlowa and speaks very good English, however we met his wife just before he told us he was single.  As it turns out his last name sounds like single but he is indeed married.

The Lutheran Centre become a recording studio today for the Cathedral Choir.  They were busy making a video this afternoon.

Supper will be served with Petro and his family shortly.  Jenna and Hannah are packed.  All three of us will go to Dar in the morning on a public bus.  Will be another adventure.

Jenna and Hannah leave tomorrow night for Amsterdam and will arrive home on Tuesday.

They have been a blessing to be with this past week cooking, shopping, hosting and caring for others.  Thank you Jenna and Hannah.  MOM

More Hasty Tasty

It was a big day of breakfast for the Shepherd of the Valley group, kitchen full of dishes from last night and this morning, baking cinnamon rolls, picking up Msigwa for a trip to the village, stopping downtown for soda, painting and food supplies for supper with Petro tomorrow night, picking up Reid's Masai carving, a packing party and a one shoe and one shoe off trip through Iringa following this foot stop at Hasty Tasty.  Our feet look better with Henna.

Tomorrow we worship at Ilula not Cathedral as first expected.  Monday the three of us will take the bus - Surly to Dar also a change of plans, where one of Dennis drivers will pick us up.  We hope to make it Slip Way for supper before Jenna and Hannah board the plane.  Julie will spend the night at FPCT with the group from Christus Victor and travel with them back to Iringa on Tuesday.

We are all doing well and plan a trip to Sai Villa for supper with Greg from Thrivent.

Shopping at the Massai Shop in Iringa

Sam here it is!  See it and weep!

Jenna and Hannah

are

coming home

to Graduate with A's

from

St Olaf and Concordia!

Go

ELCA Colleges!

Options at Hasty Tasty

Community

Tonight Jenna, Hannah, Julie and Greg from Thrivent entertained 17 including Msigwa and his family and Shepherd of the Valley folks who arrived yesterday.  In the first picture Msigwa is telling a story about the young man living with him because he was walking 15KM to and from school everyday, late!  In the second picture Pastor Randy from SOTV is playing guitar with Msigwa's son.  It was a pasta night and so wonderful to be together.  On Sunday night we will enjoy time with Petro, the head cook at TLC and his family.  I think we will laugh alot.  If you know Petro you will agree.

Dispensary at Lulanzi

Today Pastor Julie went back to Lulanzi with the General Secretary of DIRA, Doctor Saga and Msigwa who is the DIRA side of BKB.  They wanted to see how things were coming along.  They are pleased with what they saw even though there is a small problem that will be solved easily.

It took only 45 minutes to get there as I was not in a bus or driving myself. I  have always thought that Lulanzi while 40 KM from Iringa was at least an hour and 15 minutes from town.

Sad Good-bye

In this picture:  Juma (bus driver), Paul, Terry, Reid, Emson (former pastor of Lulanzi), Nora, Hannah, Jenna, Petro (cook at The Lutheran Centre) and Sam.

Most of our group left Monday morning for Dar.  It was a sad and tearful goodbye.  We lived well together processing each day, sharing our thoughts and feelings about what we are seeing and experiencing and caring for one another.  Our down time we decided was only when we were sleeping.  Not bad for a group that is introverted.

Jenna, Hannah and Pastor Julie remained behind and all day expected everyone to appear again.  Instead a phone call let us know that they had found their way to Dar safely and that they were having a great meal at Sea Cliff on the Indian Ocean.

It is much more quiet now at apt 3.  Hannah and Jenna have done some shopping and spending time at Neema.  Pastor Julie has had two full days of catch up work in the office.  A bank run, a meeting at DIRA the head office for the Diocese of the ELCT, looking at all the work that piled up and sorting it with Msigwa and a trip to Lulanzi to look at the dispensary.

Soon the group will land in Minneapolis.  We miss you but know that we will remain in each others hearts changed "some how" by our common experience in this beautiful country called Africa.

"I Once Was Lost But Now Am Found"

Today was just another day with another journey here in Tanzania. The plan for the day was to go to a place called The Bridge of God. The area is a naturally occurring rock structure that has made a bridge over a rushing river. Starting the day a little later than planned, we ventured out on our own in the Bega Kwa Bega vehicle to discover the wonder that was contained in this bridge. A slight detour at a museum was added to our journey as we learned about Chief Mwkawa and his involvement in Tanzania’s warring with Germany. We were still unsure of the exact route to our intended destination. Like Dennis had said earlier in the day, the tour guide at the museum told us to get to God’s Bridge we had to go over the bump and then turn right. Those slightly vague directions seemed to satisfy our navigators and we went on our way. The way, however, consisted of many wrong turns, wrong directions, and slight doubt that we would indeed actually find this place. After hours on the road, we came upon a man with a machete. Sensing that we had no idea where to go and were about to give up on our journey, the man asked us where we were headed. Like a light in the dark, this man not only spoke relatively perfect English but also knew exactly how to get us to where we were going. He asked if he could come along to show us the way, but only after ensuring us that we should not be frightened by the large knife he was carrying because he was only using it to do his work. Israel, our new navigator, guided us to our desired destination and proceeded to pose as our tour guide throughout this astounding attraction. This kindhearted and gentle man saved the day! Asking, looking, wondering, doubting, asking, looking, wondering, doubting. That had been our theme for the day. When met with a kind stranger we were the lost that had been found.

Hello Kitty - Lions and Monkeys and Impala Oh My!

What a time we had on safari at Ruaha - Mwgusi!  I don't know that we have ever seen so many animals at one time before.  It is winter here and the grass and riverbeds near dry.  This morning on our game drive out of the park I think we saw every Impala in the park - it was so beautiful to enjoy Gods creation all under the acacia trees (including these two lions and four others with them).

This continues to be a group that enjoys one another, taking the good with the interesting (Paul in a pink mini skirt dancing on the riverbed at Mwgusi one night - the animals complained).  Tomorrow we are off to Bridge of God, more shopping and packing.  Sunday we will worship at Lulanzi and bring them lunch thanks to Petro and his take away meals.  Most of the group leaves on Monday morning for Dar and home.

We continue to process what it means for us to be here in this land of emotional and spiritual wealth and what it means for us to return home somehow changed by the rhythm and pace of life in this time and place.

I will miss this group when they leave as we have done well living so close to each other for near three weeks sharing colds, oils, malerone, odd stories, games, devotions, faith, life and more...

More soon to appear!

Back in Iringa

Today was a day to rest, relax and recharge.  After breakfast we walked to Dira and met with Pastor Msigwa, who showed us around.  We viewed a shipment of food that had just arrived from the U.S., saw people planting tree seeds in containers, and visited the children at the school.  The children were adorable, they greeted us in English and sang us songs.  We then met with Pastor Chavalla who gave us an interesting talk on the Iringa Diocese. 

After leaving Dira we walked down to Neema, a shop where all the goods are made by people who are handicapped, and took a tour of the workshop there.  While waiting for the tour to begin, we were joined by Pastor Sandagila. It was very interesting to watch the people weaving the fabric for shawls, making jewelry and photo albums.  We completed our visit by going upstairs to have lunch.

The rest of the day was spent shopping downtown and resting and relaxing.

Back to Iringa

Back to our home away from home in Iringa, the group reflected on our time in Lulanzi-- where once again we found a home away from home. The three days in the village were filled with joy, celebration, and song. The Holy Spirit was present everywhere, from the dust on the dirt floor of Kheise to the smiling faces of the children, from the overwhelming welcomes to the quiet evening discussions. God was in that place! Some spent the days playing with children, while others got to experience village traditions being performed. Where there was poverty of possession there was a wealth of spirit amd grace as together we worked Bega Kwa Bega!

Visiting Preaching Points

Saturday we visited all five preaching points.  This is a beautiful new one near heaven.

We are bega kwa bega with our family at Lulanzi.  Pastor Julie is back in Iringa to do some work and the group will return tomorrow late morning.  We will visit at Lulanzi next Sunday as well. 

Today following worship Paul, Reid, Terry and Pastor Julie attended a funeral while Jenna, Hannah, Nora and Sam played with the kids near the pastors home.

Group is at Lulanzi

Our group is in Lulanzi right now.  This is Pastor Julie.  I am back in Iringa until later this morning.  We have had two visiting professors from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN here visiting.  I have been their guide.  One will leave this morning and the other Linda Scott will travel with me to the village to join our group.

It is so amazing that I can be sitting in Iringa Tanzania update a blog so you in Minnesota will know about the group and the group has called me from Lulanzi Village to say they are doing very well. 

May your day be filled with wonder and awe!  We are thinking of you and keeping you in our prayers.  Blessings!

Thursday 22 - 7 - 2010

Today was a living in Iringa day as the group put up with office hours at BKB and shopping on their own.  They found wonderful shopping options at the MOA (Mall of Africa).

The afternoon was filled with greeting new friends from Concordia College in Moorhead, visiting a local hospital the former pastor of Lulanzi (in the picture) now serves and spending time at Tumaini University.

Supper was delightful.  Singing amazing and processing the day meaningful as we continue to behold God's presence in our lives and in the lives of our brothers and sisters.

Tomorrow we are off to the village.  More later.....until then peace and blessings!

Tuesday at Abiding Savior's sister village

Our days are full and wonderful.  Can you imagine spending three weeks with four youth who are asking faith, justice, love and God questions.  We see poverty everywhere and we see love and joy everywhere. 

We spent time at Image school yesterday, the head master for the day said "let me show you what Image is and what it is not".  It is an easy statement to add to - let me show you what poverty is and what it is not.  We are discovering poverty is not small houses or ugali but perhaps large bank accounts and expensive toys.

We are blessed to be here. 

Monday in Iringa

Monday, July 19, 2010


We started off the day today viewing some sites located around Iringa, and quickly made our way to what was the highlight of many people’s day: Huruma Centre and Orphanage. Huruma, which means mercy, is run by Mama Chilewa, who currently has 31 students at the orphanage who attend school, 2 new Maasai children who don’t attend school (as they do not speak Swahili), and 18 students who attend a boarding school. After hearing about the orphanage and how it works, we went out to play with the kids. Sam, Reid, and Jenna played football (soccer) while Hannah, Nora, Julie, and Terry played with the kids and spoke with Mama Chilewa, as Paul took pictures and documented the interactions that were occurring. Games abounded in this wonderful afternoon, as the kids played jump rope with us, and some taught us new games that most closely resembled Ring around the Rosy, Tug of War, and London Bridge is Falling Down. Despite the language barriers, information was exchanged primarily through the smiles and bonds of friendship formed this afternoon. After this, we returned to the apartments, where we met some friends from previous trips, including speaking more with Emson Sandigila, the previous pastor at Lulanzi who now is a pastor at Cathedral Lutheran in Iringa, and we spent an evening with John Mhekwa and Jeffrey, both of whom were previous students of Pastor Julie’s. This was another great day in Iringa, and tomorrow we are filled with more busy activities. Lala fofofo. (Sleep like a log)

Iringa - our new home away from home

Jambo! We are here just now! We arrived in Dar late Monday night, and spent a day there, visiting the church of Pastor Paul, one of Pastor Julie's former students, where we spent a few hours in good fellowship. We proceeded to travel to Iringa, after many delays including a broken-down bus late at night. However, we arrived safely and moved into the Lutheran Centre. We are becoming acquainted with Iringa and what it has to offer, and attended church at Cathedral (Lutheran) church early this morning (7:00 am TZ time). It was a short service, lasting only two hours. The two main pastors at church were both prior friends of ours, one being Huruma, another former student of Julie's, and the other Emson Sandigila, who was the pastor at Lulanzi when we first visited there five or six years ago. We are now residing in the apartments, where there will soon be a flurry of activity as new groups come back from their respective villages and move into the Lutheran Centre. On Friday we will be going up to Lulanzi, after which we will have more updates.

Hello CLC, this is Liz McNaughton who is right now helping the tech challenged people who are going to Africa. Oh, doesn't that sound frightening! All the way across the globe and no idea how to update the blog. Well, I'm giving them a crash course so it's all good.

Any who, this lovely group here in the video above (which I also helped put up) are responding to an African blessing. The deep voice in the video is our very own Reid Gilbertson (the older one) and a good chunk of the people from CLC are in the pews.

Thursday Night Packing

Shout 4 Joy 2 the Lord all the earth

Paul, Sam, Terry, Hannah, Jenna, Julie, Nora and Reid set out for Tanzania on Sunday afternoon. When possible we will post a new blog for you to follow us along our way.

Our safari includes:
July 12 arrives in Dar
July 13 explore Dar
July 14 travel to Tan Swiss at Mikumi National Park
July 15 visit Udzungwa Mountains (hiking) and on to Iringa
July 16 - 22 Iringa Region
July 23 - 26 Lulanzi
July 27 - 29 Mwagusi at Ruaha National Park
July 30 - 31 Iringa Region
August 1 - Lulanzi
August 2 - most of the group flies home