February 3, 2016
I'm not sure we could have had a fuller day.
We began with breakfast at the Lutheran center, which is clean, well-appointed, and very well run with a friendly and competent staff. We shared devotions on Psalm 133, in which Nate Crary and beard oil may or may not have been mentioned. And then off to a very charged day.
First, we visited the Head Office of the Diocese of Iringa (DIRA) where we received both a warm welcome and a helpful introduction from the General Secretary of the Diocese, Mr Nayman Chavalla (think of him as the assistant to the bishop for administration). He reminded us of the three main pillars of the BegaKwaBega partnership, valid on among both the Tanzania and USAmerican partners: prayers, presence, and projects.
For prayers, he said that this is not optional for congregations in DIRA, and that Tanzanian parishes pray for their USAmerican companions every Sunday, and some every day. Speaking of presence, he stressed the importance of visitation in both sides, too. Simply being in one another’s space helps understand the daily life of the other. Projects, he said, are I moorland, too, as we are able to participate in the economic development of our partners, leading to them being sustainably self-reliant in the future. Mr Chavalla also reminded us of the importance of relationships over time, noting that we started llate, he still gave us our fully allotted time and more (meaning someone else may have been waiting for him) because our relationship trumps his schedule.
From there, we drove to the University of Iringa, and received both a great tour and history of the founding of the University (founded as Tumaini University) by BKB Coordinator Emeritus, Pr Gary Langness. Despite its current financial problems, we could still see—and in many ways feel—the hope for the future reflected in the name Tumaini. As the plaque at the obelisk at the center of campus rightly states, that university is itself a tribute to the tenacity and vision of Bishop Mdagella and Arne and Mary Blomquist.
From there we went to Neema crafts, a workshop and café that employs deaf people and people living with different disabilities. A social ministry of the Anglican Church (with support coming from the Episcopal Diocese of Minnesota) Neema has a great café and guest house, and makes all sort of craft products—clothing, jewelry, hand bags, notebooks, even neckties and boxer shorts! Most of the waiters in the café are deaf, so orders ar completed using sign language (a few simple gestures are included in the menu) or submitted in written form. It was amazing how easy it turned out to be. And great food, too!
From there we drove out to Huruma orphanage. Huruma—compassion in Swahili, apropos of our annual CtK theme—was founded in 1994, at the height of the HIV/AIDS crisis in Tanzania. Before decent treatment like anti-retrovirals (ARVs) became widely available, being HIV positive was pretty much a death sentence. Hundreds of children were living on the streets in Iringa, and would pass in groups by the diocese office. A task force was put together, including Mama Chilewa, and eventually an orphanage was established under her direction. They have maintained a ministry for orphans and other vulnerable children since those days. Today, they have 30 children who live there, plus another 30 or so who remain under their surveillance while living “off campus.” Mama Chilewa is a tireless advocate and consummate “mama” to many children—now even a second generation. She is certainly clothed not only with compassion, but also with humility, meekness, kindness and patience. God is continuing to bless her to be a blessing to so many throughout this region. As fitting as the name Huruma is for this orphanage, it could just as easily be called “Tumaini” (hope), “Imani” (faith), or even “Mama Chilewa’s extended family.”
We finished the evening at Mama Iringa pizza, which, as it turns out is part of an non-governmental organization connected with an Italian Roman Catholic order. Great pizza, great pasta, and another ministry of empowerment for young people.
Tomorrow, we begin our more formal visits to the Nduli parish and its seven preaching points. I can’t wait…
Mungu awenanyi (may God go with you all),
Peter
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