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
Monday, February 8, 2016
Tuesday, February 2, 2016
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
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
February 1, 2016.
We woke up before breakfast, as my grandfather used to say, to get an early start through the Dar es Salaam traffic. More or less rested, well fed and back on the bus, we headed out at 7am, but not before Kulwah asked us if we were going to pray before we began the trip. With the group politely deferring to me as mchungaji (Swahili for pastor), I offered thanksgiving for our safe arrival and prayers of blessing and protection for all of us--and Kulwah in particular--and off we went.
Almost immediately, we hit the morning rush hour traffic. Even on the far side of downtown, Dar is enough of a sprawling city that the first few kilometers went very slowly, caught in traffic jams. The first turn we made, though, was onto the University Road, and at the first seemingly-forever stoplight we caught a glimpse of the University of Dar es Salaam--Nkrumah Hall, the colorful covered amphitheater at the center of campus along with the tall dormitories like my own "Hall 6." Turning west, we got on the Morogoro road, and then settled in for the drive to Mkumi National Park.
About four hours into what turned out to be a six hour drive, we passed Morogoro, and specifically the entrance to the Lutheran Junior Seminary, where I had served my internship year in 1992-93. Even from the highway, I was able to see the row of staff houses where Sarah and I lived, along with the chapel, cemetery, and the assembly grounds. I'm looking forward to stopping in and looking around on the way back to Dar next week, and truly wonder if there's anyone there I remember, or who might remember me!
About 1 pm, we arrived at Mkumi's main gate, and waited to have our luggage transferred to the Land Rovers that would take us deeper into the park, where we'd be spending the night. A good decision not to take the bus on those roads--thanks to the light rain that was falling, even the four-wheel-drives were slipping just a little bit. We checked into our "rooms" at the tented camp (glamping, I believe this is called) had lunch and a rest, then met up for a game drive through the Park at 4. Giraffes, wildebeest, zebras, impala, elan, baboons, many different birds (including some vultures), jackals, hippos--we saw these all again and again, but no lions and an elephant only from the distance. Sadly, there are no more rhinos in Mkumi.
It's hard not to be awed by this incredible glimpse of God's creation and God's creatures in their natural habitat. Wide open spaces, animals mostly oblivious to our intrusion into their lives, skilled guides and drivers making sure we saw what we set out to see. The folks who run the tented camp, with its solar power and gently-engineered infrastructure are certainly being God stewards of this place, caring for it rather than exploiting it, using the tourist trade to preserve this habitat as best as can be done.
Still, it feels a bit surreal, too. As thrilling as our first safari has been, I'm anxious to get to the core of our trip together--walking alongside our sisters and brothers in Christ in the Nduli Parish of the Iringa Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania. This journey of accompaniment and transformation seems like it hasn't quite started yet.
Don't get me wrong, I'm grateful for the wonderful opportunity to be at Mkumi and go on a game drive--and I appreciate the great amount of organizing and effort it took to arrange for this to happen. But since this trip, and indeed our entire companion relationship with Nduli, DIRA and the ELCT has to do with relationships, I want to begin diving into those relationships, to meet Pastor Medson, the evangelists, and leaders, as well as the faithful members of the parish and its 8 preaching points. I'm ready to see and experience the church in action, in the schools, clinics, orphanages, agricultural projects, and university of the Diocese. With the short time we have here, I want to make the most of these connections--to not just pray for and about these fellow believers, but actually pray WITH them.
Patience. Let us pray for patience. And Let us pray for the open eyes, open heart, and open mind to see what God is up to in this place, among these people. To actually see it for the first time! as some among us will do. And for the rest of us--myself included, of course--to see it all over again, as if for the first time.
We woke up before breakfast, as my grandfather used to say, to get an early start through the Dar es Salaam traffic. More or less rested, well fed and back on the bus, we headed out at 7am, but not before Kulwah asked us if we were going to pray before we began the trip. With the group politely deferring to me as mchungaji (Swahili for pastor), I offered thanksgiving for our safe arrival and prayers of blessing and protection for all of us--and Kulwah in particular--and off we went.
Almost immediately, we hit the morning rush hour traffic. Even on the far side of downtown, Dar is enough of a sprawling city that the first few kilometers went very slowly, caught in traffic jams. The first turn we made, though, was onto the University Road, and at the first seemingly-forever stoplight we caught a glimpse of the University of Dar es Salaam--Nkrumah Hall, the colorful covered amphitheater at the center of campus along with the tall dormitories like my own "Hall 6." Turning west, we got on the Morogoro road, and then settled in for the drive to Mkumi National Park.
About four hours into what turned out to be a six hour drive, we passed Morogoro, and specifically the entrance to the Lutheran Junior Seminary, where I had served my internship year in 1992-93. Even from the highway, I was able to see the row of staff houses where Sarah and I lived, along with the chapel, cemetery, and the assembly grounds. I'm looking forward to stopping in and looking around on the way back to Dar next week, and truly wonder if there's anyone there I remember, or who might remember me!
About 1 pm, we arrived at Mkumi's main gate, and waited to have our luggage transferred to the Land Rovers that would take us deeper into the park, where we'd be spending the night. A good decision not to take the bus on those roads--thanks to the light rain that was falling, even the four-wheel-drives were slipping just a little bit. We checked into our "rooms" at the tented camp (glamping, I believe this is called) had lunch and a rest, then met up for a game drive through the Park at 4. Giraffes, wildebeest, zebras, impala, elan, baboons, many different birds (including some vultures), jackals, hippos--we saw these all again and again, but no lions and an elephant only from the distance. Sadly, there are no more rhinos in Mkumi.
It's hard not to be awed by this incredible glimpse of God's creation and God's creatures in their natural habitat. Wide open spaces, animals mostly oblivious to our intrusion into their lives, skilled guides and drivers making sure we saw what we set out to see. The folks who run the tented camp, with its solar power and gently-engineered infrastructure are certainly being God stewards of this place, caring for it rather than exploiting it, using the tourist trade to preserve this habitat as best as can be done.
Still, it feels a bit surreal, too. As thrilling as our first safari has been, I'm anxious to get to the core of our trip together--walking alongside our sisters and brothers in Christ in the Nduli Parish of the Iringa Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania. This journey of accompaniment and transformation seems like it hasn't quite started yet.
Don't get me wrong, I'm grateful for the wonderful opportunity to be at Mkumi and go on a game drive--and I appreciate the great amount of organizing and effort it took to arrange for this to happen. But since this trip, and indeed our entire companion relationship with Nduli, DIRA and the ELCT has to do with relationships, I want to begin diving into those relationships, to meet Pastor Medson, the evangelists, and leaders, as well as the faithful members of the parish and its 8 preaching points. I'm ready to see and experience the church in action, in the schools, clinics, orphanages, agricultural projects, and university of the Diocese. With the short time we have here, I want to make the most of these connections--to not just pray for and about these fellow believers, but actually pray WITH them.
Patience. Let us pray for patience. And Let us pray for the open eyes, open heart, and open mind to see what God is up to in this place, among these people. To actually see it for the first time! as some among us will do. And for the rest of us--myself included, of course--to see it all over again, as if for the first time.
January 31: Arrival.
We arrived in Dar es Salaam late in the evening. By the time we cleared immigration, got our luggage and changed money, it was already after 11 pm (and more than 24 hours since most of us arrived at the airport in Minneapolis).
And while most of us were feeling some degree of travel fatigue, that sense was more then tempered by an exhilaration to be in Tanzania. For three of us, it was the reality of arriving for the first time after all the preparations, including hearing stories from the more seasoned travelers. For others, it was the thrill of being back in a place that has meant so much to them, full of people who have had an impact on these return CtK travelers' lives. For me, it was a return after near 23 years to the first place my feet ever stood on African soil.
Much had changed, of course, since the last time I was here. There was a jetway, for starters, no hot, humid descent from the airplane on an open staircase. The immigration and customs process seemed better organized, as was the luggage claim and money exchange. But the covered terrace just outside the arrival lounge seemed very familiar--and I had a rush of nostalgia like for my first arrival in Dar in 1985 as I stepped out onto that patio space.
We were met not only by the bus driver, Kulwah, who will be with us for the week in Iringa, but also by two young people who had been scholarship students sponsored by the Chapmans. Our luggage loaded in the back, we headed out towards our hotel for the night, as I struggled to see any familiar sites on the dark highway. Beyond the general "look" of Dar by night, there weren't that many; of course my fondest memories of Tanzania are not usually found in the industrial zone near the airport!
Early takeaways:
Appropriate technology: while the electronic key cards at our hotel were slick, we weary travelers may have appreciated an old-fashioned skeleton key to get us to our beds a half hour or so earlier.
My Swahili is rusty, dormant, and buried under a few other languages. But it is fun to test that muscle memory and see to what degree it might return.
I am mostly ready to be in Iringa and with our ELCT companions. I might have even put up with a long bus ride through the night to be there already today.
The Tanzanian Schilling has changed incredibly in value since my first trip. The official exchange rate in 1985 was 17 Schillings to 1 US Dollar. Tonight we got more than 2100.
Azam bread, whose bakery we passed last night, no longer has the motto "fortified with extra fat and sugar."
These ten days a going to fly by...
Neema na Amani (grace and peace)
Peter
We arrived in Dar es Salaam late in the evening. By the time we cleared immigration, got our luggage and changed money, it was already after 11 pm (and more than 24 hours since most of us arrived at the airport in Minneapolis).
And while most of us were feeling some degree of travel fatigue, that sense was more then tempered by an exhilaration to be in Tanzania. For three of us, it was the reality of arriving for the first time after all the preparations, including hearing stories from the more seasoned travelers. For others, it was the thrill of being back in a place that has meant so much to them, full of people who have had an impact on these return CtK travelers' lives. For me, it was a return after near 23 years to the first place my feet ever stood on African soil.
Much had changed, of course, since the last time I was here. There was a jetway, for starters, no hot, humid descent from the airplane on an open staircase. The immigration and customs process seemed better organized, as was the luggage claim and money exchange. But the covered terrace just outside the arrival lounge seemed very familiar--and I had a rush of nostalgia like for my first arrival in Dar in 1985 as I stepped out onto that patio space.
We were met not only by the bus driver, Kulwah, who will be with us for the week in Iringa, but also by two young people who had been scholarship students sponsored by the Chapmans. Our luggage loaded in the back, we headed out towards our hotel for the night, as I struggled to see any familiar sites on the dark highway. Beyond the general "look" of Dar by night, there weren't that many; of course my fondest memories of Tanzania are not usually found in the industrial zone near the airport!
Early takeaways:
Appropriate technology: while the electronic key cards at our hotel were slick, we weary travelers may have appreciated an old-fashioned skeleton key to get us to our beds a half hour or so earlier.
My Swahili is rusty, dormant, and buried under a few other languages. But it is fun to test that muscle memory and see to what degree it might return.
I am mostly ready to be in Iringa and with our ELCT companions. I might have even put up with a long bus ride through the night to be there already today.
The Tanzanian Schilling has changed incredibly in value since my first trip. The official exchange rate in 1985 was 17 Schillings to 1 US Dollar. Tonight we got more than 2100.
Azam bread, whose bakery we passed last night, no longer has the motto "fortified with extra fat and sugar."
These ten days a going to fly by...
Neema na Amani (grace and peace)
Peter
Saturday, January 30, 2016
Day one: In transit
January 31, 2016
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
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
Tanzania Travelers Embark on Their Journey
Last Sunday, this group of 13 people (plus one not pictured) were commissioned for their travel to Tanzania, to visit both our Sister Parish in Nduli, Tanzania, as well as schools and health ministries CtK supports in Arusha, Tanzania. We leave this afternoon, arriving in Dar es Salaam, TZ, tomorrow night. Part of the group will return on Feb. 9, the rest on Feb. 20.
Please pray for these folks as they embark on this journey of accompaniment and transformation:
(front row, left to right) Marlys Melius, Jean Spong, Becky Anderson, Ann Bollmeier, Arlene Kringle, Dorothy Chapman. (Back row, left to right) Neil Hess, Robert Melius, Pastor Peter Hanson, Wayne Anderson, Dave Bollmeier, Scott Kringle, and Doug Chapman. Not Pictured: Courtney Hess.
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