February 2, 2016

We have arrived in Iringa!

Most of us slept quite well to the sound of gentle rain on the thatched roofs over our tented room sites. With a later start time than yesterday, we ambled up to breakfast, shared in some devotions, and then left Mikumi park around 9--destination Iringa.

Kulwah proved himself once again as a very skilled driver, negotiating the tight turns, steep climbs and (seemingly) steeper descents on the way to Iringa town. Though perhaps not as thrilling as a game drive through the park, the vibrant and lush scenery, as well as the distinct contrasts to what we had seen both in Dar and Mikumi did seem to keep our attention during the drive. We arrived in Iringa for a late lunch: and as Pr Peter Harrits (Assistant to the Bishop and Director of Bega Kwa Bega for the St Paul Area Synod) spotted our bus arrive in town, he met us at one restaurant in order to recommend a different one, based on both the hour and the input he had received from the owner of the understaffed first place. After lunch we made our way to the very comfortable Lutheran Centre, found our rooms, and settled in for week.

I took the opportunity to go and see Peter in the BKB office across the street, where I also met up with BKB program coordinator, Julia Hubbard, and short-term volunteer, Birdie Olson. After two years on the Iringa Committee, it was great to finally see the nerve center of our Synod's companion work in Tanzania. It was fun to connect with Peter, Julia, and Birdie, too.

We had the afternoon free, during which time some of us rested, others shopped, others explored Iringa, others planned our visits with Nduli Parish pastor Medson; I connected with the LC's wi-if and posted the blogs from the past few days. The evening ended with some great conversations with our BKB leadership, plus the unveiling of our visit schedule for the next few days. Tomorrow, we're off to the Diocese office, plus Neema crafts (a workshop for handicapped adults), the University of Iringa, plus Huruma orphanage. A full day, to be sure, and also one of great relationship-building and discovery of some of the great work we have the privilege of accompanying.

I'm torn between wanting to have a broader experience of the many wonderful things to take in within the Iringa Diocese and wanting to have a deeper experience of a few of them.To be sure it will be good to see the breadth of ministry being done here. At the same time, I crave the opportunity to get to know some of the people doing this ministry a little bit better. At least, I want to lay the groundwork of some of these relationships that could then develop over time, bridging the great distance between Nduli and New Brighton, between Tanzania and the USA.

Mostly, though, I want to be sure that I don't enter into the next few days of visits with the same attitude one has on a safari game drive: going from here to there, observing from a safe distance, checking things off my list.

I want to begin to know who these brothers and sisters are. What are their joys and their struggles? How can I best pray for them? What might I truly learn from them? How might the practice of my faith in Jesus Christ be deepened and broadened for having shared with them in the practice of their faith? What road might we make by walking together?

Neema na Amani,
Mchungaji Peter