Tanzania Construction Team
Tuesday September 21, 2010
Breakfast at 7 a.m. is normal as is the steaming hot water for coffee of tea. We assemble with smiles and good mornings and are ready for the day. Shortly after eight o’clock we have 10 people: Robert & Linda, Marilene & Scott, Mike, Earl, Tonya and I in the vehicle with both first aid kits, 16 gallons of paint, a suitcase of tools, paint buckets, backpacks, and water bottles. We will first go to Lugumbo and drop off Scott, Linda and I then the rest will go back to finish the work at Muhungamkola. This latter statement is fulfilling as we had wanted to be complete and the Michael the evangelist had been out of his home for several days while the construction was being done. Being able to finish allows he and his wife to move back in before the service this Sunday.
Lugumbo is a location where Asbury assisted in building a church a few years ago. It is still in good shape and the locals have put up partial walls, kept the roof secure, and use the building for kindergarten as well as church service. Currently there is not an evangelist at Lugumbo but there is a volunteer, a young man named Simkoko, who has taken on that role. Simkoko’s wife Julia, and a handful of villagers, Pastor Mwembe, and the kindergarten students listened to a short sermon by Simkoko. The passage was the feeding of the 5,000 with a few loaves of bread and fishes. In his own words, Simkoko expressed that we coming from America are providing food to the 5,000 yet it is up to his people here in Tanzania to pick up the left-over food and share it with their brothers and sisters. I am not doing his sermon justice but the point is one of gratefulness but also one of personal responsibility. This is a pillar of evangelical outreach and many who we touch here are taking on that responsibility. We’re not just helping to build churches but we are helping to build disciples.
Gladly, I introduced our group and Robert helped me by translating a few words for the villagers. One item I stated is that it was good to see Pastor Mwembe in the group as he is like the Holy Spirit. You never know where he is or what he will be doing but he is always there when you need him.
With Robert’s continued assistance we all walked through the small three room house that had no paint on the inside and languished over the problem of putting screens on the home. The way the repairs had been done at some point in the past made it impossible to replace the rotted screens with new ones without chipping away a lot of mortar. George, a relative or Thomas whom I mentioned on Sunday, stated he would perform the work of removing the improperly applied mortar at a later date. Everyone agreed that painting and a few other chores was appropriate.
Linda, Scott and I remained and the rest of the group left for Muhungambola. It was good having Linda with us as she is well known among the villagers, speaks enough of the language to translate most items, and is just enjoyable to be around.
At the evening dinner we all recalled events of the day and many were similar experiences. Foremost we shared food with the evangelists and pastors which is a blessing in friendship as well as sustenance. We had many people wanting to help: children, elders, teenagers from nearby schools, and women who fixed the meals also helped clean paint from the floors as well as our tools. While we started performing these latter tasks, we were quickly banished from doing them and the pastors directed the children and women to complete the tasks. Again, these people are not afraid of any work and none of it is beneath their dignity. They happily learn and are willing to be instructed. They simply do not have many opportunities to be carpenters or craftsman. But from all we see, they are being successful fishers of men.
Throughout our day at Muhungambola, Scott played with kids and taught them to paint. At the end of the day there were several silly things done together. One of which was Scott and I singing the Lone Ranger song and pretending to ride on a horse together. The kids and some adults laughed but this allowed Scott to use his musical talent and make up some songs. Then he was able to coax those around, a few women and children, to sing songs for us. A wonderful exchange of kinship.
At the end of the day we pondered Scott’s observation. We see women caring for kids and men assisting basically in discipline but we don’t see parents and children engaging in games together. It could be that we just aren’t around at the right time and it could be that we do things with kids that are foreign to the thinking here. Never has it been any issue as the adults laugh at us (with us) as much as the kids. But we don’t see the type of interaction we have with our children. Perhaps it is because the adults are too busy getting a single meal onto the “table” for the children to worry about playing games with them. This is most probably the sad truth. I wonder if we will ever be close enough friends with these people to really know. However, we are close enough friends with them now to know that sharing even a little of Christ’s love with these children is a blessing.
Brett
Monday, September 27, 2010
Tanzania Construction Team, Mon., September 20, 2010
Tanzania Construction Team
Monday September 20, 2010
Monday is another divide and conquer day. Marilene and Tonya will spend the day in the Kswahili language school here at KKKT. Robert will take Mike with him to check on the water well drilling and flow inspections at Ebenezer and Misera. Earl, Scott and I will be taken to Muhungambola by Mr. Kazoka where we will meet with Pastor Steven Nehru to work on evangelist Michael’s house.
The road to Muhungambola is a typical Tanzanian country road almost one and a half lanes wide, deep ditches on the side, red silt like dirt, rough, and with unexpected twists and turns. At one point the road straightens and goes up hill. The driver accelerates assuming the continuation but at the top of the crest there is a severe left hand curve causing immediate redirection and all of us grabbing for something stable. Also, typical is that vehicles have the right of way over any pedestrian either walking or on bicycle. When pedestrians see cars coming they normally step into the ditch or off the roadway. Some try to share the road which makes for very close quarters. However, we and everyone we pass is safe.
Pastor Nehru speaks a little English – that is a little English. When we first get on site we shake hands to greet the half dozen or so men who are digging a ditch to redirect the water that is washing away the foundation of Michael’s house. This is a good project and will pay dividends when the short rains come in the next few months and the long rains come after the third month of next year. Earl, Scott, and I continue to survey the work site and discuss options for the different projects. Since the family had moved all the furniture out of the house, we unloaded our tools and bags into the front room to provide convenient access. A few moments later Pastor Nehru asks us if we can pray before we begin.
I was a little embarrassed by this comment as it was obvious I had missed important protocol. Each day we begin by having team prayer for guidance in our efforts, safety, and most importantly to behave as Christ wishes. When onsite we do the same with the local people. Apparently, our surveying and setup appeared like we were only there to complete tasks and not to be brothers in doing the work together. We did find out later that Pastor Nehru didn’t feel any imposition as he just wanted to make sure we met the villagers and communally to praise God for bringing help and for God’s blessings on the work to be done. So, note to self, don’t get the tools out of the vehicle until after the greetings and prayers. Even though there was no problem, we discussed this as a team and have agreed to follow this guideline the rest of the week.
When Pastor Nehru did introduce us, he had the workers digging the ditch, carpenters, evangelist Michael and his wife Veroneka, the kindergarten teacher and several other women. The introduction to so many women was unique and showed respect to them. After the blessing, we visited a few more minutes and commented on how well quickly the men were progressing on the ditch. We inspected the recently completed floor and wall repairs and complimented the carpenter on the work. Steven (Nehru), Michael and Earl teamed to work on window screens while Scott and I taught a few villagers how to paint.
Within minutes, I was asked if we had some bandages as one of the men working on the ditch had been hit in the head and had a cut. Fortunately we had surgical gloves to protect our hands from the oil based paint but I had forgotten the first aid kit. Yesterday we had two at the different locations but both would up in Robert’s car and we didn’t pull one for our work today! Second note to self. Always bring the first aid kit. Fortunately the cut wasn’t terribly bad. I washed it with fresh water and another local man (both in their twenties) got a double edged, dirty, razor blade and shaved the wounded man’s head where it was injured. That alone would have hurt me but the wounded man did not wince once. Then I cleaned the wound with water, baby wipes and hand sanitizer. In my best Swahili told him it would burn but again the man didn’t wince at all during the cleaning. I used clean wipes and paper tape to cover the wound. Finally, I placed the “Brett Hat” on his head and told him to keep it there all day so it would keep the wound clean.
Two items: Later in the day we wanted to make sure the injured man was doing well and he had gone to his home and someone had completed my field triage. Second, the hat my mother-in-law gave me a few years ago now has a new life. For fun she had my name embroidered on it and I have worn it on short term mission trips with the Asbury youth into Mexico. I used it so kids would know my name and Justin Petron wonderfully and comically mocked me in a skit about it. Now I have pictures of the man with the Brett hat and have let him know we are now brothers and he has a new name – Tanzania Brett. Pastor Nehru assisted in the translation and we all shook hands and hugged.
It was a long day in Muhungambola and we were glad to meet back at KKKT with the others. Marilene and Tonya enjoyed learning proper greetings and meeting other students from Germany and the US. Both of them were lively at dinner as they interacted with the other students in the dining hall. Mike and Robert had good but not great news about the water well sites as one well had good water but not as much flow as hoped.
During our team meeting we discussed several aspects of the day including Scott’s questions as to where all the animals are. He is correct as we see more ground animals and birds in Oklahoma than there are here. We also talked about the importance of putting up new screens and painting homes. The tasks are important but the communicating, helping, and working with the locals is critical. At the end of the day we were amazed about the amount of work completed by the villagers. They are not scared of hard work. They just don’t have opportunity. Without the opportunity they don’t have the training. It is a wonderful feeling to be part of providing both to their lives. Not that we do a big thing but that we do it together through God’s grace and the Holy Spirit’s guidance.
Oh, by the way, ask Scott about putting a Tanzanian on his head, er shoulders!
Brett
Monday September 20, 2010
Monday is another divide and conquer day. Marilene and Tonya will spend the day in the Kswahili language school here at KKKT. Robert will take Mike with him to check on the water well drilling and flow inspections at Ebenezer and Misera. Earl, Scott and I will be taken to Muhungambola by Mr. Kazoka where we will meet with Pastor Steven Nehru to work on evangelist Michael’s house.
The road to Muhungambola is a typical Tanzanian country road almost one and a half lanes wide, deep ditches on the side, red silt like dirt, rough, and with unexpected twists and turns. At one point the road straightens and goes up hill. The driver accelerates assuming the continuation but at the top of the crest there is a severe left hand curve causing immediate redirection and all of us grabbing for something stable. Also, typical is that vehicles have the right of way over any pedestrian either walking or on bicycle. When pedestrians see cars coming they normally step into the ditch or off the roadway. Some try to share the road which makes for very close quarters. However, we and everyone we pass is safe.
Pastor Nehru speaks a little English – that is a little English. When we first get on site we shake hands to greet the half dozen or so men who are digging a ditch to redirect the water that is washing away the foundation of Michael’s house. This is a good project and will pay dividends when the short rains come in the next few months and the long rains come after the third month of next year. Earl, Scott, and I continue to survey the work site and discuss options for the different projects. Since the family had moved all the furniture out of the house, we unloaded our tools and bags into the front room to provide convenient access. A few moments later Pastor Nehru asks us if we can pray before we begin.
I was a little embarrassed by this comment as it was obvious I had missed important protocol. Each day we begin by having team prayer for guidance in our efforts, safety, and most importantly to behave as Christ wishes. When onsite we do the same with the local people. Apparently, our surveying and setup appeared like we were only there to complete tasks and not to be brothers in doing the work together. We did find out later that Pastor Nehru didn’t feel any imposition as he just wanted to make sure we met the villagers and communally to praise God for bringing help and for God’s blessings on the work to be done. So, note to self, don’t get the tools out of the vehicle until after the greetings and prayers. Even though there was no problem, we discussed this as a team and have agreed to follow this guideline the rest of the week.
When Pastor Nehru did introduce us, he had the workers digging the ditch, carpenters, evangelist Michael and his wife Veroneka, the kindergarten teacher and several other women. The introduction to so many women was unique and showed respect to them. After the blessing, we visited a few more minutes and commented on how well quickly the men were progressing on the ditch. We inspected the recently completed floor and wall repairs and complimented the carpenter on the work. Steven (Nehru), Michael and Earl teamed to work on window screens while Scott and I taught a few villagers how to paint.
Within minutes, I was asked if we had some bandages as one of the men working on the ditch had been hit in the head and had a cut. Fortunately we had surgical gloves to protect our hands from the oil based paint but I had forgotten the first aid kit. Yesterday we had two at the different locations but both would up in Robert’s car and we didn’t pull one for our work today! Second note to self. Always bring the first aid kit. Fortunately the cut wasn’t terribly bad. I washed it with fresh water and another local man (both in their twenties) got a double edged, dirty, razor blade and shaved the wounded man’s head where it was injured. That alone would have hurt me but the wounded man did not wince once. Then I cleaned the wound with water, baby wipes and hand sanitizer. In my best Swahili told him it would burn but again the man didn’t wince at all during the cleaning. I used clean wipes and paper tape to cover the wound. Finally, I placed the “Brett Hat” on his head and told him to keep it there all day so it would keep the wound clean.
Two items: Later in the day we wanted to make sure the injured man was doing well and he had gone to his home and someone had completed my field triage. Second, the hat my mother-in-law gave me a few years ago now has a new life. For fun she had my name embroidered on it and I have worn it on short term mission trips with the Asbury youth into Mexico. I used it so kids would know my name and Justin Petron wonderfully and comically mocked me in a skit about it. Now I have pictures of the man with the Brett hat and have let him know we are now brothers and he has a new name – Tanzania Brett. Pastor Nehru assisted in the translation and we all shook hands and hugged.
It was a long day in Muhungambola and we were glad to meet back at KKKT with the others. Marilene and Tonya enjoyed learning proper greetings and meeting other students from Germany and the US. Both of them were lively at dinner as they interacted with the other students in the dining hall. Mike and Robert had good but not great news about the water well sites as one well had good water but not as much flow as hoped.
During our team meeting we discussed several aspects of the day including Scott’s questions as to where all the animals are. He is correct as we see more ground animals and birds in Oklahoma than there are here. We also talked about the importance of putting up new screens and painting homes. The tasks are important but the communicating, helping, and working with the locals is critical. At the end of the day we were amazed about the amount of work completed by the villagers. They are not scared of hard work. They just don’t have opportunity. Without the opportunity they don’t have the training. It is a wonderful feeling to be part of providing both to their lives. Not that we do a big thing but that we do it together through God’s grace and the Holy Spirit’s guidance.
Oh, by the way, ask Scott about putting a Tanzanian on his head, er shoulders!
Brett
Tanzania Construction Team, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2010
Tanzania Construction Team
Sunday September 19
A new day and a chance for another meal. This has been an inside joke for each of the three times I have been here. We are fed breakfast at KKKT and typically get to our first worship or work location by morning tea time which has tea and usually a fried bread or fruit or both. Then after a few hours it is lunch time. Although we don’t often return in time, there is evening tea followed at six by dinner. At evening team meetings someone will break out snacks and we’ll ingest more calories. All-in-all, we eat more here than at home. So, you may read about food quite a bit but just know it is part of the overall experience of being served by loving people in Tanzania. Specifically, in the villages it is how they show their appreciation for our efforts and provides an opportunity for close community – a small group session!
The plan for the day is to attend church at Maseyu with Pastor Mwembe a wonderful man and friend to many of us. I could write many pages about his depth of character, friendly ways, and patience with our lack of language skills, so our going to Maseyu is a treat. At breakfast we learn that Robert will not be able to take us to Maseyu as he must go west and meet with a water well crew. We decide together this is the critical link as the drilling has been in discussion for almost a year and there have been some difficulties in finalizing items. Together we decide Robert, Mike, and Earl will stay at KKKT for service then drive to Ebenezer to discuss the technical details.
God’s plans are always better than our own, especially mine, and today is no exception. Pastor Hafermann tells us his plans have changed for the day also. Instead of his preaching at another village, he has been asked to go to Maseyu. This not only provides the rest of us a ride, but also allows us to have some personal time with Herb. It also relieves us of language worries. So, after breakfast we split up, have two language school students and a young local man join Marilene, Scott, Tonya and me in Herb’s vehicle.
Upon arrival at Maseyu, we receive warm welcomes from Pastor Leonard Mwembe and then his wife Katherine. We are invited into Leonard’s home and visit for a while. We are served tea and Krispi Kreme doughnuts – actually a sweat bread fried biscuit – and talk. It is only at this time I recognize the young man who rode with us. His name is Thomas and has worked on many churches with Asbury and other teams. He was part of Luka’s crew that helped us at Tukamiasasa (Tuka) last year. He is now married, has filled out, muscle not fat, and is changing appearance from boy to man. He laughs as Herb translates how I didn’t recognize him and Herb helps us retell some stories from last year. This sets a good tone as Leonard invites others into his home. Some sit and stay. Some shake our hands and exit. A few are familiar and their faces brighten as they recognize Marilene or me.
The custom of shaking hands may be universal but here, to show honor and respect, the locals will have a slight curtsey or hold their forearm with their left hand as they shake with their right. This is very pleasant and indeed an honor to receive. With a room full of people it takes a few minutes for the elders to shake the hands of all the pastors and visitors. During one exchange, Scott is the last person to be introduced. The elder shakes Scott’s hand but Scott doesn’t let go. He continues to shake the hand then more vigorously then makes his whole body shake. At first the elder is dismayed but somehow Scott has the ability to disarm anyone’s defense mechanisms and the elder catches onto the joke and laughs vigorously. I don’t know what he says to Leonard and Herb but they all laugh cheerfully. This is a sign of things to come as through the week Scott reaches out in humor, song, teaching, and a true loving nature to all with whom he meets.
The service is in an open brick building with tin roof that Asbury helped build. This week it is full and includes 4 choirs from different villages. Two of which are at least an hour’s walk. There are 163 people total, 69 taking communion. This service is also special as there are 3 baptisms one of whom is an adult. All show signs of rejoicing at the baptisms.
The choirs are wonderful and they sing and have some footwork. All their singing is without songbook. We are somewhat prepared as we had practiced two hymns the previous night. We use small songbooks that Scott had prepared and with the two additional students, Michael and Morgan, delivered and underwhelming performance. However, the church members were excited that we participated and encouraged us with their shrill sounds of enjoyment as we sang.
Later we were able to address the congregation and shared how thrilled we were to be with them in their service and how much we appreciate their hospitality. We provide many pictures of Asbury community to them and state that we take pictures here so we can share them with our friends, and pray together for those we have met. We state that it is not important for them to remember us but hope they remember a whole community of Christian brothers and sisters at Asbury love them and pray for them. We asked for their prayers in this spirit. As the pictures are passed out it is obvious they feel the same.
It is a big Sunday. Not only are the pews filled, souls saved, and friends remembered, but there is also an auction. All auctions are fun but those here are memorable for several reasons. First is the items auctioned are provided as offerings to the church. Second as it provides a method to share goods between groups. Third, it is somewhat outrageous as people bait others into bidding higher and literally fan the flames of a bidder. With such a large crowd there are many items to auction and many bidders. We bid on a goat and a local is bidding against us. As the price raises, we’re being fanned to continue bidding. At an appropriate time, Herb who is doing the actual bidding, raises the bid a single thousand shillings which designates we know he was raising the price arbitrarily and we were now finished with our good will bidding. At this sign, there were no more bids and we took ownership of the goat. There is a pig which sells for a high rate and purchased by a Massai woman. Chickens, corn, millet, soap, congas all sell well. We wind up purchasing a chicken and some corn for Luka’s widow. The goat, corn, and some other items we donate back to Pastor Mwembe, and sugar cane which we divide between the choirs. Everyone leaves with a good feeling and many shake our hands and thank us personally as the event comes to a close.
Again we enter Leonard’s home and are served lunch. As we eat we see many people chewing on sugar cane. A bit later we see most of the people being served rice and beans and possibly some fruit. It is an important feast and shows how a few gifts of grain to the church are quickly and joyfully spread among the community.
Even with all this, we return to the KKKT seminary in time for evening tea. The team regroups and Robert tells of the success in discussions with the water drilling crew. He is very pleased with Mike and Earl’s accompaniment as the three were able to ensure all questions were fully addressed and enables Robert to continue the efforts.
After dinner, we have one more event. The team has arranged dessert at the Spitaleri’s home to celebrate my birthday. This is a pleasant surprise and another example of how these short term mission trips turn different groups into strongly bound friends.
A day that started with some confusion and concern closes with rejoicing in being even a small part of sharing God’s grace. How could a day end any better?
Blessings, Brett
Sunday September 19
A new day and a chance for another meal. This has been an inside joke for each of the three times I have been here. We are fed breakfast at KKKT and typically get to our first worship or work location by morning tea time which has tea and usually a fried bread or fruit or both. Then after a few hours it is lunch time. Although we don’t often return in time, there is evening tea followed at six by dinner. At evening team meetings someone will break out snacks and we’ll ingest more calories. All-in-all, we eat more here than at home. So, you may read about food quite a bit but just know it is part of the overall experience of being served by loving people in Tanzania. Specifically, in the villages it is how they show their appreciation for our efforts and provides an opportunity for close community – a small group session!
The plan for the day is to attend church at Maseyu with Pastor Mwembe a wonderful man and friend to many of us. I could write many pages about his depth of character, friendly ways, and patience with our lack of language skills, so our going to Maseyu is a treat. At breakfast we learn that Robert will not be able to take us to Maseyu as he must go west and meet with a water well crew. We decide together this is the critical link as the drilling has been in discussion for almost a year and there have been some difficulties in finalizing items. Together we decide Robert, Mike, and Earl will stay at KKKT for service then drive to Ebenezer to discuss the technical details.
God’s plans are always better than our own, especially mine, and today is no exception. Pastor Hafermann tells us his plans have changed for the day also. Instead of his preaching at another village, he has been asked to go to Maseyu. This not only provides the rest of us a ride, but also allows us to have some personal time with Herb. It also relieves us of language worries. So, after breakfast we split up, have two language school students and a young local man join Marilene, Scott, Tonya and me in Herb’s vehicle.
Upon arrival at Maseyu, we receive warm welcomes from Pastor Leonard Mwembe and then his wife Katherine. We are invited into Leonard’s home and visit for a while. We are served tea and Krispi Kreme doughnuts – actually a sweat bread fried biscuit – and talk. It is only at this time I recognize the young man who rode with us. His name is Thomas and has worked on many churches with Asbury and other teams. He was part of Luka’s crew that helped us at Tukamiasasa (Tuka) last year. He is now married, has filled out, muscle not fat, and is changing appearance from boy to man. He laughs as Herb translates how I didn’t recognize him and Herb helps us retell some stories from last year. This sets a good tone as Leonard invites others into his home. Some sit and stay. Some shake our hands and exit. A few are familiar and their faces brighten as they recognize Marilene or me.
The custom of shaking hands may be universal but here, to show honor and respect, the locals will have a slight curtsey or hold their forearm with their left hand as they shake with their right. This is very pleasant and indeed an honor to receive. With a room full of people it takes a few minutes for the elders to shake the hands of all the pastors and visitors. During one exchange, Scott is the last person to be introduced. The elder shakes Scott’s hand but Scott doesn’t let go. He continues to shake the hand then more vigorously then makes his whole body shake. At first the elder is dismayed but somehow Scott has the ability to disarm anyone’s defense mechanisms and the elder catches onto the joke and laughs vigorously. I don’t know what he says to Leonard and Herb but they all laugh cheerfully. This is a sign of things to come as through the week Scott reaches out in humor, song, teaching, and a true loving nature to all with whom he meets.
The service is in an open brick building with tin roof that Asbury helped build. This week it is full and includes 4 choirs from different villages. Two of which are at least an hour’s walk. There are 163 people total, 69 taking communion. This service is also special as there are 3 baptisms one of whom is an adult. All show signs of rejoicing at the baptisms.
The choirs are wonderful and they sing and have some footwork. All their singing is without songbook. We are somewhat prepared as we had practiced two hymns the previous night. We use small songbooks that Scott had prepared and with the two additional students, Michael and Morgan, delivered and underwhelming performance. However, the church members were excited that we participated and encouraged us with their shrill sounds of enjoyment as we sang.
Later we were able to address the congregation and shared how thrilled we were to be with them in their service and how much we appreciate their hospitality. We provide many pictures of Asbury community to them and state that we take pictures here so we can share them with our friends, and pray together for those we have met. We state that it is not important for them to remember us but hope they remember a whole community of Christian brothers and sisters at Asbury love them and pray for them. We asked for their prayers in this spirit. As the pictures are passed out it is obvious they feel the same.
It is a big Sunday. Not only are the pews filled, souls saved, and friends remembered, but there is also an auction. All auctions are fun but those here are memorable for several reasons. First is the items auctioned are provided as offerings to the church. Second as it provides a method to share goods between groups. Third, it is somewhat outrageous as people bait others into bidding higher and literally fan the flames of a bidder. With such a large crowd there are many items to auction and many bidders. We bid on a goat and a local is bidding against us. As the price raises, we’re being fanned to continue bidding. At an appropriate time, Herb who is doing the actual bidding, raises the bid a single thousand shillings which designates we know he was raising the price arbitrarily and we were now finished with our good will bidding. At this sign, there were no more bids and we took ownership of the goat. There is a pig which sells for a high rate and purchased by a Massai woman. Chickens, corn, millet, soap, congas all sell well. We wind up purchasing a chicken and some corn for Luka’s widow. The goat, corn, and some other items we donate back to Pastor Mwembe, and sugar cane which we divide between the choirs. Everyone leaves with a good feeling and many shake our hands and thank us personally as the event comes to a close.
Again we enter Leonard’s home and are served lunch. As we eat we see many people chewing on sugar cane. A bit later we see most of the people being served rice and beans and possibly some fruit. It is an important feast and shows how a few gifts of grain to the church are quickly and joyfully spread among the community.
Even with all this, we return to the KKKT seminary in time for evening tea. The team regroups and Robert tells of the success in discussions with the water drilling crew. He is very pleased with Mike and Earl’s accompaniment as the three were able to ensure all questions were fully addressed and enables Robert to continue the efforts.
After dinner, we have one more event. The team has arranged dessert at the Spitaleri’s home to celebrate my birthday. This is a pleasant surprise and another example of how these short term mission trips turn different groups into strongly bound friends.
A day that started with some confusion and concern closes with rejoicing in being even a small part of sharing God’s grace. How could a day end any better?
Blessings, Brett
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Tanzania Construction Team Update, September 18, 2010
Tanzania Construction Team
Saturday September 18, 2010
It is always a pleasure to wake at the Catholic guest house and especially after arriving in Dar at night as the grounds are a beautiful, peaceful respite as compared to the large sometimes cacophonous city. While we didn’t rush; we also didn’t waste any time in getting to breakfast and exiting our temporary sanctuary. Mr. Kazoka and his assistant loaded all but our day packs into the large van and left for the Lutheran Junior Seminary where we would be staying. The eight of us, Linda & Robert, Marilene & Scott, Mike, Earl, Tonya & I scrunched into the utility vehicle and headed into town.
Robert took us to the fish market which is across the ship harbor from the guest house. We traveled around the circumference and saw parts of open ocean, control towers, stacks of shipping containers, and finally ran into the smell of fresh fish. Robert guided us into a parking lot with rows of shops on the far side. By shops, I mean open air vendors packed tightly together like booths at the county fair selling sea shells, trinkets, smoked fish and assortments of other foods and beverages.
Across the street is the real action with covered halls of fresh fish, buckets of other catch, and down at the shoreline, boats with people unloading fish, crayfish, octopus and assortments of other sea creatures. There are no tools but hands, no carrying containers other than five gallon buckets. The amount of work being done is enormous. The number of people participating in both the work and purchasing is easily in the hundreds. All walking through shallow streams of dirty, bloodied water. The sight was dizzying and the smells almost overwhelming but we were too busy studying the multi colored catch, puzzling over the strange methods, and listening to the jovial, friendly locals to be deterred from enjoying each moment.
We began our journey to Lutheran Junior Seminary in earnest after returning to the car and “washing” our feet. The eight of us wedged our way into the van and talked and gawked at the sights as Robert drove. The town is crowded and the highway packed with vehicles. Last year, at this same time, I mentioned to Robert and Mike how much more traffic was on the road than 16 months earlier on my first visit. Now, the traffic has increased even more. Part of this is good news as it means that more goods and services are being moved from the seaport capital city of Dar to inner regions of Tanzania. Part of this is bad news as it comes with a price such as numerous overloaded vehicles playing cat and mouse down a two lane “highway.”
What used to take less than an hour, now takes almost two hours to get to Chalinze which can be thought of as the halfway point. Since we exited Dar later than normal our stop includes a lunch buffet of beans, rice, greens, French-fries, a tomato dish, cooked bananas, and soda. We enjoyed our meal and walked through the “mall” which consists of a half dozen people selling wood carvings, knives, signs, jewelry and other must haves.
About another half hour down the road we stopped at a very small village where our friend Luka Ramadhani is buried. He started working for Herb Hafermann and other missionaries as a helper, then as carpenter, and saw the love of Christians. He became a Christian and even became an evangelist helping in many church services and baptism ceremonies. Luka had a big heart and was always a joy to be with. Sadly, a liver disease took him from this world and left his widow with one child and another on the way. Additionally, Luka and his widow Emi had taken in four nieces and nephews from Luka’s brother Solomon as Solomon died two years ago. At another time I hope to pass on the encouraging parts of this story and how Robert and Linda bravely assisted in the final hours and the funeral services. The set of events are sadly beautiful as Emi, who was raised Catholic, was surrounded by dozens and dozens of family and friends before and after the funeral. Luka had a second ceremony of Muslim tradition as his family was of that religion. But the burial was fully Christian and his grave marked by a lovely white cross. The cemetery is unorganized, and a statement to the frailty of man, and temporary nature of our human lives. It is also a great statement of faith and courage as it marks the site of a young man who fought through tradition and found Jesus through the outreach of missionaries. Missionaries who are close to us and to the services of our church. If the only thing we could say at this sight was “another soul for Jesus” it would be enough, but we can say much more about Luka, how he came to know Christ, and how he is our brother.
The next few miles were a little quieter and we slowly began seeing evidence of the Uluguru mountains. After hurdling speed bumps at the next few townships we came to our temporary home. Fortunately we had just enough time to unpack before afternoon tea. We gathered in one quadrant of the dining hall and enjoyed a small snack and hot tea. This, of course, was followed an hour and a half later by dinner. Believe it or not, there were rice and beans with other items :). Though tired from our long few days, we were happy to gather and give praise to our wonderful God who provides us safety, comfort, and fellowship.
I am inspired by the team members and thrilled to be here with them. It is in great joy and thanksgiving that we pray to be part of God’s wonderful plan.
Saturday September 18, 2010
It is always a pleasure to wake at the Catholic guest house and especially after arriving in Dar at night as the grounds are a beautiful, peaceful respite as compared to the large sometimes cacophonous city. While we didn’t rush; we also didn’t waste any time in getting to breakfast and exiting our temporary sanctuary. Mr. Kazoka and his assistant loaded all but our day packs into the large van and left for the Lutheran Junior Seminary where we would be staying. The eight of us, Linda & Robert, Marilene & Scott, Mike, Earl, Tonya & I scrunched into the utility vehicle and headed into town.
Robert took us to the fish market which is across the ship harbor from the guest house. We traveled around the circumference and saw parts of open ocean, control towers, stacks of shipping containers, and finally ran into the smell of fresh fish. Robert guided us into a parking lot with rows of shops on the far side. By shops, I mean open air vendors packed tightly together like booths at the county fair selling sea shells, trinkets, smoked fish and assortments of other foods and beverages.
Across the street is the real action with covered halls of fresh fish, buckets of other catch, and down at the shoreline, boats with people unloading fish, crayfish, octopus and assortments of other sea creatures. There are no tools but hands, no carrying containers other than five gallon buckets. The amount of work being done is enormous. The number of people participating in both the work and purchasing is easily in the hundreds. All walking through shallow streams of dirty, bloodied water. The sight was dizzying and the smells almost overwhelming but we were too busy studying the multi colored catch, puzzling over the strange methods, and listening to the jovial, friendly locals to be deterred from enjoying each moment.
We began our journey to Lutheran Junior Seminary in earnest after returning to the car and “washing” our feet. The eight of us wedged our way into the van and talked and gawked at the sights as Robert drove. The town is crowded and the highway packed with vehicles. Last year, at this same time, I mentioned to Robert and Mike how much more traffic was on the road than 16 months earlier on my first visit. Now, the traffic has increased even more. Part of this is good news as it means that more goods and services are being moved from the seaport capital city of Dar to inner regions of Tanzania. Part of this is bad news as it comes with a price such as numerous overloaded vehicles playing cat and mouse down a two lane “highway.”
What used to take less than an hour, now takes almost two hours to get to Chalinze which can be thought of as the halfway point. Since we exited Dar later than normal our stop includes a lunch buffet of beans, rice, greens, French-fries, a tomato dish, cooked bananas, and soda. We enjoyed our meal and walked through the “mall” which consists of a half dozen people selling wood carvings, knives, signs, jewelry and other must haves.
About another half hour down the road we stopped at a very small village where our friend Luka Ramadhani is buried. He started working for Herb Hafermann and other missionaries as a helper, then as carpenter, and saw the love of Christians. He became a Christian and even became an evangelist helping in many church services and baptism ceremonies. Luka had a big heart and was always a joy to be with. Sadly, a liver disease took him from this world and left his widow with one child and another on the way. Additionally, Luka and his widow Emi had taken in four nieces and nephews from Luka’s brother Solomon as Solomon died two years ago. At another time I hope to pass on the encouraging parts of this story and how Robert and Linda bravely assisted in the final hours and the funeral services. The set of events are sadly beautiful as Emi, who was raised Catholic, was surrounded by dozens and dozens of family and friends before and after the funeral. Luka had a second ceremony of Muslim tradition as his family was of that religion. But the burial was fully Christian and his grave marked by a lovely white cross. The cemetery is unorganized, and a statement to the frailty of man, and temporary nature of our human lives. It is also a great statement of faith and courage as it marks the site of a young man who fought through tradition and found Jesus through the outreach of missionaries. Missionaries who are close to us and to the services of our church. If the only thing we could say at this sight was “another soul for Jesus” it would be enough, but we can say much more about Luka, how he came to know Christ, and how he is our brother.
The next few miles were a little quieter and we slowly began seeing evidence of the Uluguru mountains. After hurdling speed bumps at the next few townships we came to our temporary home. Fortunately we had just enough time to unpack before afternoon tea. We gathered in one quadrant of the dining hall and enjoyed a small snack and hot tea. This, of course, was followed an hour and a half later by dinner. Believe it or not, there were rice and beans with other items :). Though tired from our long few days, we were happy to gather and give praise to our wonderful God who provides us safety, comfort, and fellowship.
I am inspired by the team members and thrilled to be here with them. It is in great joy and thanksgiving that we pray to be part of God’s wonderful plan.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Tanzania Construction Team Update, Sunday, September 19, 2010
Greetings! We arrived on time, tired, weary but all in good spirits. The flights were good and everything went well. Robert, Linda, and Mr. K met us at the airport and after the typical exchanges made our way to the guest house.
Things are moving quickly here with very little down time. Everyone’s spirits are high and rest is a little low. We are off for three separate activities. Marilene and Tonya are going to school. Robert and Mike are tending to water wells. Earl, Scott and I are doing light construction. Will send more at our first chance.
Brett
Things are moving quickly here with very little down time. Everyone’s spirits are high and rest is a little low. We are off for three separate activities. Marilene and Tonya are going to school. Robert and Mike are tending to water wells. Earl, Scott and I are doing light construction. Will send more at our first chance.
Brett
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