The first leg of the journey is complete! 12 of the 14 CtK travelers met up at MSP international airport (the Hesses flew through Chicago) to begin the first leg of our Tanzania journey of accompaniment. They always tell you to get there early for an international flight, but tickets, baggage and security went so well that we had plenty of time before they actually started boarding. As we waited, we shared our our excitement and anticipation--along with some snacks we had brought.
The flight from Minneapolis to Amsterdam was uneventful and passed quickly (at least it did for me). I caught up on some films; others, I understand, got some sleep or did some reading. We are now more or less about halfway to Tanzania, both in miles and hours.
Trip leader Jean Spong shared with us our prayer partners--those people who will be praying specifically for each of us, in addition to those who will certainly be praying for the entire group. I always find it to be a wonderful and wonderfully humbling experience to know that someone is praying for us by name. And now that I know their names, I'll be sure to pray for each of them by name as well.
It's 6:30 am, but my body thinks it's coming up to midnight. I really should sleep on this next flight, but something tells me that I'll be even more excited as we get closer to the African continent. It's been four years since I was last in Senegal, and more than 22 since I last left Tanzania. I am ready to rediscover the country as her people. I'm especially anxious to experience the life of the Iringa Diocese and the rest of the ELCT.
I just realized it's Sunday, and I suddenly have part of the ELCT liturgy stuck in my head:
Utukufu ni wa Mungu juu mbinguni! (Glory to God in the highest).
Pr. Peter
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