Tanzania Update May 27, 2008

Fri., May 23: We made it to Dar. The flights were uneventful and our luggage made it fine. The visa process went well for Brett and my visa from last time worked this time as well. Grant and Raymond picked us up.

Sat., May 24: We got out of Dar just fine. Brett did not have a signal for his phone in Dar, but when we got to the seminary he did. He may also be able to get messages out. He did receive a text message from his daughter. I am currently using the seminary's computer and it seems fine, you never know.

We got to the seminary and this was a day of catch up for us. We unpacked, had lunch and then rested. Grant then took us to the orphanage. We walked there (about 30 min walk at most) and then played with the kids for over an hour. The kids were really receptive and most of them came to us right away. We had pork pockets for supper. They are kinda like a hot pocket with pork in them. They were good. We also had pineapple which is always really good here. After supper, Shadreck found us and told us the mall was open. Brett and I decided that shopping may be the hardest part of the trip, it is for me anyway. We are just catching up. Both of us are tired. I am trying to delay going to bed too early so perhaps I'll sleep later.

While Raymond was in Dar he went to see his nephew in the hospital. He had some kind of stomach surgery, so put him in your prayers.

Tomorrow we go to Masayeu for worship. That is right along the highway, so it is relatively easy to travel.

Sun., May 25: We went to Masayu on Sunday. Leonard is the pastor there. He was ordained last January, and I had previously met him at Gazeolile. We met his wife and three kids over tea. The tea was served with chipati and corn on the cob. This was between nine and ten in the morning. There youngest child is Rebecca and they let us hold her all during the church service which drew a few strange looks. Anyway they held an auction after the service which included a live pig, ram and some produce, oranges and fabric. It was again quite an interesting experience. If someone was bidding, they would come over and fan them (helping to get air) so they could continue to bid. We came back to the seminary mid afternoon and went to tea here.

We took a walk around the seminary to Grant’s place. I was a little confused getting there but got there eventually. We are both doing well. Brett has good service on his phone and has received text messages from home.

Mike