Friday in Tanzania, May 30, 2008

Friday was a day of preparation and travel. Grant took Mike and I into Morogoro to find a spark plug for the generator and an RCA cable to connect the small TV and VCR. The purpose is to show some Christian movies to the kids during VBS which starts today (Friday).

Entering Morogoro for the second time, there is direct relation on the comings and goings of people as compared to any large city. Many of the shops are storefronts of 3 story buildings. The buildings are either a single structure or a row of structures that are immediately adjacent to each other. The bottom floor is subdivided into shops and the grocery store we entered is approximately 12' x 20'. Many of the brands are familiar to us and packaged in the same way we would see them. Pepsi, Coke, Kellogs, Gillette, toiletries - all common to us. The eggs are brown shelled and sold individually. Meat is packaged in a plastic bag and wrapped closed at the top. It is labeled Pork or Beef and sold in 1-kilo packages. The merchant rang up the products and did not ask whether Grant wanted paper or plastic. It is assumed that you will bring your own packaging - which Grant does.

It is interesting to remember the first day we arrived as I saw men on bicycles carrying tens of dozens of eggs in small containers. They were obviously the transportation system from producer to merchant.

Back on the street, people were walking briskly, some carrying goods, some walking to work, and some just hanging out. After a few moments of thought Grant decided to walk a few blocks in one direction hoping to fine the items we needed for VBS. As we started our short journey, Mike and I were able to take in some of the sights. The buildings are the typical, historical; three story structures with the shops on the ground floor, the private business section on the second and the family dwellings on the third. Almost all buildings we saw were of this type which may be due to history, inability to raise them larger due to lack of steel underpinnings, or because there is a lack of high rise equipment like cranes. As I stated earlier it is typical of a bustling city where there are a multitude of different types of shops right next to each other.

As we walked it was interesting to note that the marketing is similar to ours with signage out front, large open windows (no glass just open spaces) with signs and goods for sale. You may expect that seeing a sewing machine on the front of the store may mean that the vendor sales the equipment but in reality he or she is advertising sewing services including making material, hemming, making pants, suits or repairing an item as you wait.

Cafes have several styles of food which you can smell as you walk by. The difference between here and home is the lack of rotting food behind the building. There is extremely low waste as it comes to food - for obvious reasons.

As we entered a shop with Grant we saw washing machines, refrigerators, cooking supplies, watches, generators and a variety of other items. Grant was "making business" with one man and another of eastern heritage started talking to Mike and I. After going through a few languages he says "English" and we say yes, then he begins his conversation in English and welcomes us to the shop and to the town.

One of the two items is purchased and we set off to another store. We get to view a bit more of town and inspect the "flood water drainage system" which are two to three feed deep tunnels on each side of the street. They have concrete block covers, which have iterations of cross section and open slot for water to drain into. While you can see directly into the bottom of the pit (even though neither one of us has a good nose), there is no discernable odor. Grant walks quickly and Mike and I trail behind, I gander a bit much and almost walk in front of two men on a single bicycle. The driver simply smiles, waves me across, and states that I am welcome to go first. This is typical of the people's hospitality as they expect to serve guests. If nothing else, it would be good for us to bring this quality back and have it a lasting part of our lifestyle.

We quickly find the other store and Grant is able to get the remaining item. Again the storekeepers are friendly and helpful. As we start the return to the Lutheran seminary, we realize that we've missed morning tea so to make up for our loss Mike buys us some ice cream.

Later in the day we travel to Mkyuni where we painted on Tuesday and where the VBS will be held today through Sunday. Grant's vehicle is the typical / required 4-wheel drive jeep style with bucket seats in the front, a small back seat, and two folding seats in the rear compartment. We have two suitcases of toys and crafts for the kids, the small TV, a VCR, the three of us and our backpacks. We pick up Luka's brother Solomon, Pastors Leonard and Jacob, Ezekial and Anna who are teachers, and another suitcase and backpacks. As is typical in Tanzania, we are given the most comfortable seats while the others "stretch the vehicle to fit" and pack the items around them. Again, a great tradition of service.

I don't have time to relate the trip out but would like to do so. The road is long, narrow, and has more ruts and holes that it does flat ground. Many times we fly off the seats yet no one complains and we are happy to be riding instead of bicycling or walking as we see so many people along side the road doing. This again is another story I wish to relate as there are groups, dozens, of people walking, carrying, vending items along the roadside. This is truly amazing and a sight that I cannot quite figure out.

We arrive at Mkyuni and about 50 children greet us as well as several adults. The pastors formally begin the VBS with scripture and prayer then Jacob tells a wonderful story about the power of God. Although we can't understand the language, we are captivated by his style, excitement, and entertaining hand movements. On the way home Grant recalls the story for us and it is one we can easily pass on.

The children are typical with the girls being more obedient and the boys a bit more antsy. Mike and I sit in the second row interspersed with boys who want to hold our hands and smile at us. I am sure it is handholding and attention they are seeking and not just looking at my watch. We visit a while and are introduced to the group then asked to join the family for afternoon meal, which we enjoy with several people. Before it got too late we had to start the return journey while the pastors and teachers stayed the night with Jacob.

There is much more to relate but those stories will have to come later. Thank you for your prayers and support. Mike and I feel deeply blessed to be here and receive much more than we deserve.
Brett