Tanzania Water Well & Construction Team, September 18, 2009

Wherever you go, there you are.

We’re all safe at the Catholic House in Dar Es Salaam. Three, Mary Ann Smith, Mike Mastraccio, and Alan Roark flew from Tulsa through Detroit and Robert Schaffitzel, John Greenhaw, Earl Stutzman, and Brett Tabler flew from Tulsa through Houston to meet the rest of the team in Amsterdam. Our flight had a cold cabin with John and Robert wearing their jackets most of the way to Amsterdam. Both sets of flights were long with little if any sleep. With your eyes weary and your brain tired, it is difficult to concentrate on reading so it is an opportunity to watch a movie or two.

Some of us had to confirm tickets in Amsterdam and with the help of a KLM agent we were able to use the kiosk to complete the transaction. A woman tapped Earl on the shoulder and asked questions about the process and our destination. She and her husband with another couple were stopping at Kilimanjaro on their way to Arusha to watch some exchange students graduate. The couples were from Seattle, Washington and knew Bishop Mameo and also knew Pastor Haferman. Earl took their names down on a card so he could relay the bright spot in our travels to both men.

During our flight across the African desert several of us stood in the back galley and peered out the small portal to view the vast expanse of brown sand. The desert is a desolate yet beckoning site with no houses, roads, or vegetation and void of color except a few hues of brown that highlight a rare mound or land fault. We flew directly over Nairobi which looked large from the air. I counted one bridge going east to west across the Nairobi river and four stretched from north to south as the river snaked its way east then back south past the city. The river is large, and brown, and splits into multiple channels then rejoins together a few miles to the north. In this split, there are large green areas probably for crops. A few other green areas cling tenuously to the river and except for a single green area within the city that looks like a soccer stadium there are no other colors visible from the 35,000 foot altitude.

At Dar, we only had one small problem which was with Robert’s luggage. His personal items were left in Amsterdam but the airline had already alerted the staff at Dar Es Salaam and after completing a few forms he was promised the luggage would be delivered to the Lutheran Jr. Seminary in a few days. Robert stayed in good humor and just stated that we’d be seeing him in the same clothes for a few days. He did express his new wisdom of keeping a spare set of clothes in his carry-on bag.

Robert and Linda Spitaleri were in typical form. They greeted us warmly, helped us stow the luggage into waiting vehicles and had already checked us into the rooms at the Catholic house where we’d stay the night. After spending 31 hours in airports, 24 of which were on (in) the jets, it was great to hear that we were mere minutes from a warm shower, cool ceiling fan, and mosquito netted bed.

The past hours are a blur and any pains that may have been endured along the way have slipped into blurry memories. Another short night separates us from the next meal at seven a.m. I’m not sure what tomorrow will bring – a day to rest, a day to confer with the drilling companies, or a day meet new friends are all possible. Whatever it is, we will all be glad to take our next steps in Tanzania.

We praise the Lord for our safe journey and thank you for all the prayers and help to get us here.

By Brett Tabler