This will probably be my last post before returning to the states. I am sitting in an Internet cafe -- sort of -- in a little shopping and restaurant area in Dar es Salaam. You may recall, my original plan was to spend 7 hours on a bus today, bumping my way to the airport. You would not believe how many people said, when told I was taking the bus: "well, it's a great way to see the countryside!" (Looking for the silver lining, no doubt!)
Well, instead, I got a ride on an airplane operated by MAF - Mission Aviation Fellowship. You can find out about them by going to www.maf.org -- but here is a little paragraph from their website: Our passion is to see individuals, communities, and nations transformed by the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We promote this transformation by positioning Christ-centered staff in strategic locations worldwide utilizing aviation, communications, learning technologies, other appropriate technologies and related services. In accomplishing our mission, we collaborate with churches, subsidiaries, partners, and networks. They also transport missionaries and friends when they have an empty plane one way!
For $50US it took only 1.5 hours to sail above the beautiful landscape, all in a very small plane. For real, really small -- just a propeller in the front for the most part. And I was sitting in one of the three seats on the plane -- the back had been emptied out to load cargo in Dar. The pilot was either Dutch or German and a very nice fellow -- he did a very abbreviated "welcome and here are the sick bags and earplugs" talk -- then we prayed together and took off. The flight was really wonderful -- low enough that I could see the terrain change from the sub-desert of Dodoma, through the greener pastures of Morogoro, then to the relatively lush area of Dar es Salaam -- the Indian Ocean has a lot to do with that. The good news was that I got a flight -- when we checked last week, there were no flights scheduled on Wednesday this week -- but another flight was added on Monday. The bad news is that the flight took off at 8 AM -- which meant I had from 10 AM to 10:50 PM to kill in Dar es Salaam -- and if you could see the airport, you would know why that is bad news. So, I got picked up by Frank, who was the taxi driver that picked me up the first night I was here -- and he took me to this little resort area called The Slipway.
This little mall is right on the Indian Ocean -- the view is breathtaking, and there are restaurants and shops. I treated myself to a final African meal -- beef masala, rice, a delicious soup and Tanzanian salad -- very thinly sliced tomatoes, red onions and peppers in a vinaigrette. I am planning on having ice cream for dinner before getting on the plane tonight -- since I dreamed about it several nights ago! There is a little creamery here with a seating area that provides a wondrous view of the water.
I spent some time in the grocery store here -- comparing kinds of foods and prices. Sardines come in a can that looks like the tiny cans that tomato paste are in, in the US -- and the prices of things are horrifying. Very little is manufactured in TZ -- so all the food comes from, usually, South Africa. A very small jar of peanut butter costs $6. But, you would be very comfortable in the super market -- right down to the Deli, where you can get a salad or sandwich -- and there is also cold beer and all kinds of liquor sold as well. There was a security guard around the alcohol -- but otherwise, it looked like one of our smaller grocery stores.
Of course, I spent several hours in the book store -- but it is an English store -- from the UK, so they sell everything in pounds. Again, you would be most comfortable with the titles -- but the prices are more than double what you would find in the US for the same book -- that's the exchange rate at work.
It was both sweet and bitter to be leaving. I have told people that my stay was too short for a long visit -- and too long for a short visit. I will be glad to be home -- and have become so aware of the abundance of my life in Atlanta -- and how blessed I am to be among the people of St. Luke's parish -- and to be a priest. There was one moment this past week, as I vested with the other priests and lined up with them for the confirmations, when I said to myself in absolute incredulity -- "daggone, I'm a priest in Africa with other priests -- and we're moving to the procession like it was the most natural thing in the world." That memory gives me hope that we can come closer together - priests and people, across the world -- as long as we can march together in worship, we have a chance of being in real relationship.
I became quite fond of the people of the Diocese and Msalato -- and deeply, deeply impressed with their faith and their ability to handle hardship without blaming God. I also survived seeing a snake, being attacked by a huge bee that had settled on my laundry hanging on the line - for real, that bee looked like a small dog.... and I witnessed the giving of a goat leg to a Bishop. I am more than satisfied with my time there! HA!
I was quite honored to be asked to preach on my last day at the seminary -- had to do it with a translator, of course -- but it seemed to go over well. Despite my vast four years of ministry, it is still a bit threatening to preach in front of the teachers and fellow students -- all of whom really know how a sermon is to be done and presented! The Degree 1 students, whom I have come to know the best, told me that they could understand me, even without the translation -- now, even some of the St. Luke's people cannot always make that claim in terms of my preaching! I was also greatly honored to be told by the Principal of the seminary, both in public and in our last meeting, that I had become "one of them" -- and was welcome to return any time. In my last days, I had some incredible encounters -- breaking through that "polite guest" and "polite host" relationship. to real talking, real connecting. We have begun the process of becoming friends, colleagues -- and for that, above all, I am most extremely grateful.
So it is now, kwaheri to Africa -- "goodbye". I am far better than I was before I came -- I even know the names of five animals in Kiswahili - tembo, punda, twiga, paca and simba -- maybe six, hyena! I know how to respond when someone says hello -- in two or three different ways. I have encountered the living God here, Mungu kuu -- and my life is enriched in ways I am just beginning to understand. Asante, Bwana - asante sana (thank you Lord, thank you very much).
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
A word about teaching
Not many seminarians envision themselves teaching at a seminary just four years after graduation, but there I was teaching three sessions on spirituality to the "Degree 1 "class -- and doing two hours on the role of women in the church with the Diploma 2 and 3 classes; then offering two special sessions for women in ministry. Degree students are those working on a Bachelor's Degree in Theology -- they have already gone to several years of training in bible study, English, etc. Diploma students are those who have not finished secondary education, but are taking some basics in Bible, ecclesiology, ministry, etc. Most of all these people have been working in the church already as pastors, catechists (those who run the parish as assistants to a priest who has many congregations) and evangelists - those who move from parish to parish preaching and teaching. I enjoyed it very much -- but it was both easy and difficult.
People really respect teachers here - especially those from another country. The students were attentive, responsive -- I had some amazing conversations and spirited discussions. Although their English may not be strong in many cases, there are always translators -- which takes lots of extra time -- but is worth it. I felt so handicapped here with just an infant's grasp of Kiswahili -- you cannot imagine how stressful it is to spend hours with people and have no idea what is going on...so, okay, that's happened to me in English speaking situations, too -- so there you go.
Back to teaching, I was impressed with the knowledge of the Bible folks had -- but was also surprised at the lack of knowledge of church history -- especially since the first centuries of the church were driven by Africans (from the north, for sure). When I tried to draw some analogies with references to the Reformation, I got blank stares. So, seminary education is different in different cultures. I dare say our own people are not well-versed in these same areas -- which makes the argument, that Anglicans are rapidly growing in numbers in Africa, while not in the US -- somewhat of a specious one. For sure, the lack of understanding of our history as a reformed tradition is a major factor in our conflict with each other. What we need is knowledgeable Anglican world-wide, which is, of course, a major argument for good and basic Christian education offerings for children and adults -- and a stronger insistence on adults staying in Christian ed, even after Confirmation!
People really respect teachers here - especially those from another country. The students were attentive, responsive -- I had some amazing conversations and spirited discussions. Although their English may not be strong in many cases, there are always translators -- which takes lots of extra time -- but is worth it. I felt so handicapped here with just an infant's grasp of Kiswahili -- you cannot imagine how stressful it is to spend hours with people and have no idea what is going on...so, okay, that's happened to me in English speaking situations, too -- so there you go.
Back to teaching, I was impressed with the knowledge of the Bible folks had -- but was also surprised at the lack of knowledge of church history -- especially since the first centuries of the church were driven by Africans (from the north, for sure). When I tried to draw some analogies with references to the Reformation, I got blank stares. So, seminary education is different in different cultures. I dare say our own people are not well-versed in these same areas -- which makes the argument, that Anglicans are rapidly growing in numbers in Africa, while not in the US -- somewhat of a specious one. For sure, the lack of understanding of our history as a reformed tradition is a major factor in our conflict with each other. What we need is knowledgeable Anglican world-wide, which is, of course, a major argument for good and basic Christian education offerings for children and adults -- and a stronger insistence on adults staying in Christian ed, even after Confirmation!
Monday, September 8, 2008
Maji is life
Yesterday’s visit to the second village was sobering. The people were, as usual, friendly and full of joy. The women, full of songs and the youth did wonderful singing and dancing. Another 45 minute sermon, the reports and gifts, all the same. By the way, the goat that was tied up in the church was auctioned off for the benefit of the library at Matambulu, one of the Bible schools of the Diocese, where people go before they come to Msalato Theological College. The village is a new mission of the Diocese – not yet a parish, led by catechist named Eunice – who will most likely become a deacon then a priest in the next year or so.
This village is about 6 miles from Nagulo -- which is where, at least once everyday, the women of the village must walk to get their “maji” – water. They have to pay $200Tsh (about 20 cents) per twenty liters of water. Then they carry those 20 liters (equivalent to about 20 bottles of soda) on their heads back home. There is not enough water to do much beyond the cooking and watering of the animals – a few cattle, goats and chickens (and one dog that I saw).
To put it in very clear perspective, let me share the following experience. At the end of the service, we shook hands with every man, woman and child in the village. Many of the little children had faces that were covered with dirt – the dust of this place that we all struggle with. Their hands were caked with dirt. But this is not a case of their parents neglecting their care. Water is so precious and so hard to come by that they can’t afford to use it profligately. There is no water to spare for anything but the most essential things. Remember that priests make about $3 per month – and they are among the better paid of the community. So the rest of the people really struggle with the cost of water. The truth is that these beautiful children did not have access to enough water to wash their faces and hands –even for the visit of the Bishop. You all know how health conscious we are in the USA – and how often we are advised to wash our hands to prevent disease. Imagine the struggle with malaria, dengue fever, typhoid and cholera – without the ability to sanitize even your hands. .
My friends, the Begallas, who sponsored my flight here, have their own personal mission project in Kenya – to bring water to a village they regularly visit as tourists. I have heard them speak of this need often, but until this visit I did not really get it. A great many people all over the world live, not just without running water – but without access to any clean and affordable water. Some villages have what is called an “open well” – which is just a hole in the ground where water seeps up. I have seen several of these in villages – right in the city of Dodoma. Often these wells are contaminated by human and animal wastes.
The United Nations has developed a number of important goals which, if met, can change the face of the earth by 2015. These are called the Millennium Development Goals or MDG’s. Our Diocese, as well as the whole Episcopal Church, have adopted these goals – and there is a formula requested from each parish (I believe it is less than 1 tenth of one percent) to support these goals. I am embarrassed to say that I don’t know if we make our contribution from St. Luke’s – maybe someone on the Outreach Committee can let me know. The reason I mention them, is that these goals have become enfleshed for me during this trip to Africa. And water is essential to almost every one of the goals.
The MDG’s are as follows:
- Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger – most Tanzanians eat one meal per day – and it is a kind of hard cooked porridge made of some type of grain, called ugali. Even rice, and most certainly meat, are luxuries. Kwashiorkor, a nutritional deficiency disease, which has all been eradicated in the West, is a common problem here.
- Reduce child morality (Tanzania is among the nations with the highest infant mortality rate – just last month, the new godchild (a baby) of Sandy and Martin McCann died from a case of malaria)
- Improve maternal child health
- Achieve universal primary education for all children – primary education is free in TZ, but many families do not have the money for uniforms, shoes, books, paper or transportation. The little village school in Msalato has lost nearly a third of its pupils due to the hugely inflated cost of petrol (gas).
- Promote gender equality and empower women – I will need to write separately about this issue, there is so much to tell
- Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases
- Ensure environmental sustainability
- Develop a global partnership for development
Maji, water, is life for all people in the world – and last summer we just got a little taste of what life can be like in a drought. I hope that one outcome of my trip will be to educate myself and our parish about the MDG’s and how, with just very few resources, we can be a part of making these kinds of goals reality – in Tanzania, in urban Atlanta, and other parts of the world.
This village is about 6 miles from Nagulo -- which is where, at least once everyday, the women of the village must walk to get their “maji” – water. They have to pay $200Tsh (about 20 cents) per twenty liters of water. Then they carry those 20 liters (equivalent to about 20 bottles of soda) on their heads back home. There is not enough water to do much beyond the cooking and watering of the animals – a few cattle, goats and chickens (and one dog that I saw).
To put it in very clear perspective, let me share the following experience. At the end of the service, we shook hands with every man, woman and child in the village. Many of the little children had faces that were covered with dirt – the dust of this place that we all struggle with. Their hands were caked with dirt. But this is not a case of their parents neglecting their care. Water is so precious and so hard to come by that they can’t afford to use it profligately. There is no water to spare for anything but the most essential things. Remember that priests make about $3 per month – and they are among the better paid of the community. So the rest of the people really struggle with the cost of water. The truth is that these beautiful children did not have access to enough water to wash their faces and hands –even for the visit of the Bishop. You all know how health conscious we are in the USA – and how often we are advised to wash our hands to prevent disease. Imagine the struggle with malaria, dengue fever, typhoid and cholera – without the ability to sanitize even your hands. .
My friends, the Begallas, who sponsored my flight here, have their own personal mission project in Kenya – to bring water to a village they regularly visit as tourists. I have heard them speak of this need often, but until this visit I did not really get it. A great many people all over the world live, not just without running water – but without access to any clean and affordable water. Some villages have what is called an “open well” – which is just a hole in the ground where water seeps up. I have seen several of these in villages – right in the city of Dodoma. Often these wells are contaminated by human and animal wastes.
The United Nations has developed a number of important goals which, if met, can change the face of the earth by 2015. These are called the Millennium Development Goals or MDG’s. Our Diocese, as well as the whole Episcopal Church, have adopted these goals – and there is a formula requested from each parish (I believe it is less than 1 tenth of one percent) to support these goals. I am embarrassed to say that I don’t know if we make our contribution from St. Luke’s – maybe someone on the Outreach Committee can let me know. The reason I mention them, is that these goals have become enfleshed for me during this trip to Africa. And water is essential to almost every one of the goals.
The MDG’s are as follows:
- Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger – most Tanzanians eat one meal per day – and it is a kind of hard cooked porridge made of some type of grain, called ugali. Even rice, and most certainly meat, are luxuries. Kwashiorkor, a nutritional deficiency disease, which has all been eradicated in the West, is a common problem here.
- Reduce child morality (Tanzania is among the nations with the highest infant mortality rate – just last month, the new godchild (a baby) of Sandy and Martin McCann died from a case of malaria)
- Improve maternal child health
- Achieve universal primary education for all children – primary education is free in TZ, but many families do not have the money for uniforms, shoes, books, paper or transportation. The little village school in Msalato has lost nearly a third of its pupils due to the hugely inflated cost of petrol (gas).
- Promote gender equality and empower women – I will need to write separately about this issue, there is so much to tell
- Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases
- Ensure environmental sustainability
- Develop a global partnership for development
Maji, water, is life for all people in the world – and last summer we just got a little taste of what life can be like in a drought. I hope that one outcome of my trip will be to educate myself and our parish about the MDG’s and how, with just very few resources, we can be a part of making these kinds of goals reality – in Tanzania, in urban Atlanta, and other parts of the world.
Getting the Bishop's goat ... leg
Of all the wonders I have observed here in Tanzania, yesterday – Sunday, 9-7, took the cake! But let me give you some background first. This was the day I went with the Bishop, Mdimi Mhologo, to some villages – far away (about 2 hours one way by Land Rover) – for confirmations. The Bishop met us at the first village – Nagulo – because he was on the last day of a four day journey – doing confirmations at the far end of the Diocese – about 130 kms or 78 miles away. He had stayed in a village over night.
We arrived, and of course, had “chai” – hot tea or coffee, a hardboiled egg – “still warm from the pot, not the chicken” the Bishop advised me – and that wonderful fried dough thing – which reminds me of the “fried cakes” (cake donuts fried in hot oil) that my grandmother used to make. We then got “dressed up” as one of the seven other priests who were there said. There were too many people to hold the confirmations in the church – even though this is a fairly new parish, the members had already outgrown the small structure they started with just several years ago. The head of the parish committee – kind of like a senior warden – showed me the digging around the church, which was the start of their new structure – to be built in stages, as they had the money – starting after this year’s harvest (after the rains in December- March). The confirmation was held outside, where the people had constructed a kind of verandah – covered by a tent made from cloth feed sacks sewn together to block the Bishop, we priests and the confirmandi. They had also strung rope with brightly colored strips of cloth – and set up several long tables for us to sit behind, covered with beautiful cloth – purple, for the Bishop’s table, of course!
There were over 100 young people and adults to be confirmed. Confirmation can occur here after a person is 12 years old, and has had about 6 months of instruction. The candidates are trained by the catechist of the parish and/or the youth worker (youth begins at age 18 here – and ends around 40). They are then examined by several priests – the local priest, the priest in charge of the deanery (called the coordinator) before they are declared ready for confirmation. Yeah, buddy- you can bet we are going to have some conversations about how we do confirmation when I get home!!!
It was really interesting to see the extreme similarities between our confirmation service and theirs – right down to the little pieces of paper each confirmand had so that the Bishop would know their names! (Okay, we use index cards…). There were the officious priests, fussing around to make sure that the cloths put down for the confirmands to kneel on were “just right” – and then they fussed about how each young person was holding their papers – or kneeling up straight, etc. I could hear my old 5th grade teacher, Sister Mary Cletus, and see her “look” on the faces of those priests.
The service was not a Eucharistic one – in this Diocese, they are still more familiar with Morning Prayer rather than communion each Sunday. The Bishop preached for 45 minutes…and also gave a talk about the Diocese and what happened at Lambeth – that is, I think he did – the service and all the talks were in Chigogo, the local language – so I didn’t understand much. (Ok, give me a break – I wouldn’t have understood much either if it was in Kiswahili!) A very wonderful priest, Father Erastos, translated as much as he could for me – he is the coordinator of the Diocese, the parish priest at the neighboring village – Nwikita (spelling??) and the father of two very cute kids! After the service, the head of the parish committee, the youth workers, the women’s fellowship folks and I am not really sure who else, gave the parish report – all very formal. So, the confirmation was kind of like our Sunday service but no Eucharist, a Rector’s Forum featuring the Bishop, and the annual meeting all in one. The Bishop gets to each village usually only once a year, so it is a very big deal. There are also gifts given – actually, to support the Diocese: huge sacks of peanuts and sunflower kernels, maize, and, no fooling, I saw at least one live chicken in the back of the Bishop’s land rover! We might consider asking Bishop Neil if we can pay our Diocesan-asking like that! I suggest the Vestry gets busy raising chickens immediately!
A word about the Bishop. His is a compelling presence. When you meet him, you get a sense of energy that is barely suppressed. He keeps an incredible schedule – doing four days of confirmation almost every weekend – because when it rains in December to March, many of the roads are impassible. They call him “Baba Askofu” – “Father Bishop” - -and he is a very wonderful, fatherly presence. As one person put it in the Diocese, he really knows how to work the crowd! He has a wonderful sense of humor, is strong and decisive – and he is well-versed in the canons and follows them. He is known for his strict adherence to policy and procedure – but also for his patience and kindness. He is a person that you like “right off.” We had a little time to talk – and he explained much to me – he enjoys wittiness and puns –so we got along great. When I introduced myself in English, he told the people I was “speaking in tongues” and so he had to interpret like in the epistles of Paul. Bishop Mdimi is a driving force in this Diocese – and was nominated to become the Primate of Tanzania last year. (Bishop Mokiwa of Dar es Salaam was elected). His is the only Diocese in TZ that ordains women – since 2001 – and he has taken a lot of criticism for his moderate to progressive stands.
Okay, here comes the amazing part. After the service, we had lunch. Huge plates of rice, “meat stew” (it turned out to be goat), and livers (goat, too) were served, with the usual bottles of Coke. Sprite and orange Fanta soda. A fine meal was had by all. At the end of the dinner, the head of the parish committee strode into the place of the meal, with something long and slender wrapped in a plastic bag. At first, I couldn’t see what it was. Then, he presented this item to the Bishop with some ceremony – IT WAS THE LEG OF A GOAT WITH THE HOOF STILL ON!!!!!!!
Now, I have been very cool, calm and collected the whole time I have been here – even when I saw a small snake on Saturday outside my door – even when my first meal was Chinese in this town. But apparently, the look of my face was priceless – mouth agape, etc. The Bishop took one look at me and burst out laughing, explaining that it is the custom to present the fourth leg of the goat to the guest, with the hoof on, to prove that you actually served goat – and not, like, monkey or dog or something. Kind of like those restaurants that serve you trout with the head still on, etc. I almost could not recover – but when I stopped laughing at myself – I replied – “Bishop, I have heard of people giving you a hand – but never a leg!!!” Now, it was his turn to laugh out loud!
We ventured next to a small village about 10 km (6 miles) away – and the first thing I saw was a small goat tied up inside the small church structure. Again, my face betrayed what I was thinking – the goat was bleating piteously – and when the Bishop caught my eye, I asked – “is she crying because she knows you will be taking something of herself back with you today?’ Bishop, laughing, again, said, “not today, not today…”
We arrived, and of course, had “chai” – hot tea or coffee, a hardboiled egg – “still warm from the pot, not the chicken” the Bishop advised me – and that wonderful fried dough thing – which reminds me of the “fried cakes” (cake donuts fried in hot oil) that my grandmother used to make. We then got “dressed up” as one of the seven other priests who were there said. There were too many people to hold the confirmations in the church – even though this is a fairly new parish, the members had already outgrown the small structure they started with just several years ago. The head of the parish committee – kind of like a senior warden – showed me the digging around the church, which was the start of their new structure – to be built in stages, as they had the money – starting after this year’s harvest (after the rains in December- March). The confirmation was held outside, where the people had constructed a kind of verandah – covered by a tent made from cloth feed sacks sewn together to block the Bishop, we priests and the confirmandi. They had also strung rope with brightly colored strips of cloth – and set up several long tables for us to sit behind, covered with beautiful cloth – purple, for the Bishop’s table, of course!
There were over 100 young people and adults to be confirmed. Confirmation can occur here after a person is 12 years old, and has had about 6 months of instruction. The candidates are trained by the catechist of the parish and/or the youth worker (youth begins at age 18 here – and ends around 40). They are then examined by several priests – the local priest, the priest in charge of the deanery (called the coordinator) before they are declared ready for confirmation. Yeah, buddy- you can bet we are going to have some conversations about how we do confirmation when I get home!!!
It was really interesting to see the extreme similarities between our confirmation service and theirs – right down to the little pieces of paper each confirmand had so that the Bishop would know their names! (Okay, we use index cards…). There were the officious priests, fussing around to make sure that the cloths put down for the confirmands to kneel on were “just right” – and then they fussed about how each young person was holding their papers – or kneeling up straight, etc. I could hear my old 5th grade teacher, Sister Mary Cletus, and see her “look” on the faces of those priests.
The service was not a Eucharistic one – in this Diocese, they are still more familiar with Morning Prayer rather than communion each Sunday. The Bishop preached for 45 minutes…and also gave a talk about the Diocese and what happened at Lambeth – that is, I think he did – the service and all the talks were in Chigogo, the local language – so I didn’t understand much. (Ok, give me a break – I wouldn’t have understood much either if it was in Kiswahili!) A very wonderful priest, Father Erastos, translated as much as he could for me – he is the coordinator of the Diocese, the parish priest at the neighboring village – Nwikita (spelling??) and the father of two very cute kids! After the service, the head of the parish committee, the youth workers, the women’s fellowship folks and I am not really sure who else, gave the parish report – all very formal. So, the confirmation was kind of like our Sunday service but no Eucharist, a Rector’s Forum featuring the Bishop, and the annual meeting all in one. The Bishop gets to each village usually only once a year, so it is a very big deal. There are also gifts given – actually, to support the Diocese: huge sacks of peanuts and sunflower kernels, maize, and, no fooling, I saw at least one live chicken in the back of the Bishop’s land rover! We might consider asking Bishop Neil if we can pay our Diocesan-asking like that! I suggest the Vestry gets busy raising chickens immediately!
A word about the Bishop. His is a compelling presence. When you meet him, you get a sense of energy that is barely suppressed. He keeps an incredible schedule – doing four days of confirmation almost every weekend – because when it rains in December to March, many of the roads are impassible. They call him “Baba Askofu” – “Father Bishop” - -and he is a very wonderful, fatherly presence. As one person put it in the Diocese, he really knows how to work the crowd! He has a wonderful sense of humor, is strong and decisive – and he is well-versed in the canons and follows them. He is known for his strict adherence to policy and procedure – but also for his patience and kindness. He is a person that you like “right off.” We had a little time to talk – and he explained much to me – he enjoys wittiness and puns –so we got along great. When I introduced myself in English, he told the people I was “speaking in tongues” and so he had to interpret like in the epistles of Paul. Bishop Mdimi is a driving force in this Diocese – and was nominated to become the Primate of Tanzania last year. (Bishop Mokiwa of Dar es Salaam was elected). His is the only Diocese in TZ that ordains women – since 2001 – and he has taken a lot of criticism for his moderate to progressive stands.
Okay, here comes the amazing part. After the service, we had lunch. Huge plates of rice, “meat stew” (it turned out to be goat), and livers (goat, too) were served, with the usual bottles of Coke. Sprite and orange Fanta soda. A fine meal was had by all. At the end of the dinner, the head of the parish committee strode into the place of the meal, with something long and slender wrapped in a plastic bag. At first, I couldn’t see what it was. Then, he presented this item to the Bishop with some ceremony – IT WAS THE LEG OF A GOAT WITH THE HOOF STILL ON!!!!!!!
Now, I have been very cool, calm and collected the whole time I have been here – even when I saw a small snake on Saturday outside my door – even when my first meal was Chinese in this town. But apparently, the look of my face was priceless – mouth agape, etc. The Bishop took one look at me and burst out laughing, explaining that it is the custom to present the fourth leg of the goat to the guest, with the hoof on, to prove that you actually served goat – and not, like, monkey or dog or something. Kind of like those restaurants that serve you trout with the head still on, etc. I almost could not recover – but when I stopped laughing at myself – I replied – “Bishop, I have heard of people giving you a hand – but never a leg!!!” Now, it was his turn to laugh out loud!
We ventured next to a small village about 10 km (6 miles) away – and the first thing I saw was a small goat tied up inside the small church structure. Again, my face betrayed what I was thinking – the goat was bleating piteously – and when the Bishop caught my eye, I asked – “is she crying because she knows you will be taking something of herself back with you today?’ Bishop, laughing, again, said, “not today, not today…”
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Saturday is the same
It's Saturday, 9/6 -- and it was like many of my other Saturdays. I slept in until 8 AM - no Chapel today - and had a leisurely breakfast and coffee in my PJ's -- reading and writing in my journal -- until about 11 AM. Then I started the daily routine of taking a shower. For the first week I was here, I did not have hot water -- I learned to take a "bucket bath" -- my hostess would heat some water, put it in a small bucket, add cold water -- then I would soap up, and get under the cold shower to wash my hair and rinse off. You must understand, that having indoor plumbing is very rare here -- even in the city of Dodoma and Dar es salaam. The Bishop has a home in "Dar" that has neither electricity or water. People have outhouses and women (almost 100% of the time it is women), spend a lot of hours each day walking to the well and hauling the water for the family. Each day I take a 45 minute walk with some of the faculty and staff at the College - -and the wives of the students must think we are nuts -- they get plenty of exercise, just providing the daily allotment of life-giving water to the house. My lodgings at the college are very nice -- by African standards, especially -- I have been very comfortable here. The house I am staying at has a large living room and dining room area, a great kitchen with stove, frig and running water, a large bedroom and indoor bathroom. (The square footage is actually more than my condo in Atlanta!) I have a small hot water heater in the bathroom. So, when I make coffee and breakfast in the morning, I switch on the electricity for the heater -- so by the time I am ready for a shower, the water is hot. But it is such a small unit, and water is so precious here, I don't stand under it -- yep, there goes the bucket bath again -- but it's very nice to have a hot shower to end the routine!
I am also assisted each day by a "housegirl." She is a local woman who comes in and will cook anything for me, do my laundry, and cleans the house everyday. The name of the game in Africa is DUST! She must damp mop the floors each day to make sure we are not over-run by dust...this is sub-Saharan desert, after all. At first, I was very self-conscious about the dust all over my shoes -- until I noticed that everyone else's black shoes were light brown, too! I was also very self-conscious about having a "housegirl" -- until I found out that the $3US that she is paid for a half day's work is the only income her family has - -and she is supporting several siblings and a new baby as well. I was doing my own dishes, until I learned that she was offended -- she thought I did not think her work was up to the right standard. The woman who is working for me is called Seche -- (Say-chay) -- and she is very good at English....pretty much. I asked her to boil three eggs for me, so I could make egg salad (because I coldn't figure out how to use the stove!!) When I returned from class, I found three friend eggs with onions and peppers -- they were delicious, but not boiled!
I am bringing back pictures of the washer and dryer system -- a large, round blue plastic tub and the clothesline out my front door. The laundry detergent here is very effective -- Sandy McCann says she worries about what it is doing to the environment -- but it "gets out everything!' It works especially well on my plastic clerical collars!
People here are concerned about the environment as are we -- their main concerns are the effects of deforestation. People here cook outside on charcoal, which is made from slowly burning the local trees. But there have been so many trees taken down, without replacing them, that the whole area around Dodoma and beyond is feeling the effects - trees are necessary for the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide -- and with too few trees, they are seeing major destructive changes. It is against the law to cut down trees -- but people must cook and heat water, etc -- so what are they to do. You see many men on bicycles here - with huge bundles of sticks on the back - they have gathered them or cut them to provide for their families.
Right behind Msalato College is the village of Msalato -- I will be bringing pictures back. The Wagogo people build their homes out of bricks made from the beautiful red earth of this area -- we folks from Georgia feel right at home. They then fire the bricks and use them to build homes with a large living area and perhaps several bedrooms. People who are very well-off have roofs of tin called "bati" -- others have sod or thatched roofs -- on these, the folks plant stuff, or store things -- but it is a high status symbol to have "bati." It is also especially nice to have a tin roof when the rains come -- which begin in December and end in March each year.
I am also assisted each day by a "housegirl." She is a local woman who comes in and will cook anything for me, do my laundry, and cleans the house everyday. The name of the game in Africa is DUST! She must damp mop the floors each day to make sure we are not over-run by dust...this is sub-Saharan desert, after all. At first, I was very self-conscious about the dust all over my shoes -- until I noticed that everyone else's black shoes were light brown, too! I was also very self-conscious about having a "housegirl" -- until I found out that the $3US that she is paid for a half day's work is the only income her family has - -and she is supporting several siblings and a new baby as well. I was doing my own dishes, until I learned that she was offended -- she thought I did not think her work was up to the right standard. The woman who is working for me is called Seche -- (Say-chay) -- and she is very good at English....pretty much. I asked her to boil three eggs for me, so I could make egg salad (because I coldn't figure out how to use the stove!!) When I returned from class, I found three friend eggs with onions and peppers -- they were delicious, but not boiled!
I am bringing back pictures of the washer and dryer system -- a large, round blue plastic tub and the clothesline out my front door. The laundry detergent here is very effective -- Sandy McCann says she worries about what it is doing to the environment -- but it "gets out everything!' It works especially well on my plastic clerical collars!
People here are concerned about the environment as are we -- their main concerns are the effects of deforestation. People here cook outside on charcoal, which is made from slowly burning the local trees. But there have been so many trees taken down, without replacing them, that the whole area around Dodoma and beyond is feeling the effects - trees are necessary for the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide -- and with too few trees, they are seeing major destructive changes. It is against the law to cut down trees -- but people must cook and heat water, etc -- so what are they to do. You see many men on bicycles here - with huge bundles of sticks on the back - they have gathered them or cut them to provide for their families.
Right behind Msalato College is the village of Msalato -- I will be bringing pictures back. The Wagogo people build their homes out of bricks made from the beautiful red earth of this area -- we folks from Georgia feel right at home. They then fire the bricks and use them to build homes with a large living area and perhaps several bedrooms. People who are very well-off have roofs of tin called "bati" -- others have sod or thatched roofs -- on these, the folks plant stuff, or store things -- but it is a high status symbol to have "bati." It is also especially nice to have a tin roof when the rains come -- which begin in December and end in March each year.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Msalato and dinners out
The past several days I have been at Msalato Theological College – the seminary for the Diocese of Central Tanganyika. The pace here is so similar to my time at Virginia Theological Seminary – it feels very familiar. Chapel at 7:30 AM – led by student teams; one day per week there is not Chapel but small group worship – led by students (just like VTS). Then there are classes all morning until 11:00 AM – which is time for “chai” – tea time for staff, students and faculty. Classes resume at 11:30 AM and conclude at 1:30 PM – when everyone has lunch. Then there are meetings, time in the library, chores and choir practice, time for planning liturgy, etc.
I have attended several classes which were very good – today I led a special session for women students, tomorrow I will teach the first of three classes in spirituality. Students here are either working toward a diploma in theology – because they have not yet finished high school – or a Maser’s Degree. There are also people here learning English. Classes are taught in English, for the most part – and will be totally in English beginning next year. Students here often have three languages -- the language of their villages (which is called Chigogo), Kiswahili and now English. I have made the comment that learning theology in my native language was pretty much beyond me – consider trying to learn it, by first working through two other languages!
The staff and faculty are very welcoming and professional. I am scheduled to have dinner at someone’s house each night. Last night, the principal, the Rev. Moses Matonya, and his wife Ruth were my hosts – I was escorted home by their amazing children – David and Pendo (“love “in Kiswahili) and their nephew, Amani (which means peace). Many families in Tanzania have extended family members living with them – they Matonya’s also have their niece, Rachel, living with them and another cousin. Both of these folks are taking courses in Dodoma – seamstress and welding training, and they are able to do this, because their family will provide the living space and food. Many families have grandchildren living with them. In TZ, the family is the most important thing – and they all pull together to enable the family to be successful – and sometimes, just to survive.
Tonight I had dinner at the home of Iri and Kate – they are missionaries from New Zealand. He is an Anglican priest and teaches several courses, including the practice of ministry and preaching; she is the English teacher – they are in the fourth year of a seven year commitment. They are generous and entertaining people and, having sat in on Iri’s class today, I’ll wager, excellent teachers. Stephen Day, who is a recent graduate of VTS, and here under the auspices of the Youth missionary program of the Episcopal Church, was also at the table. He teaches systematic theology, church history and is also the webmaster, technology guy. Tomorrow is “movie night” at Sandy and Martin McCann’s -- via the magic of DVD’s – and Saturday, we are planning on meeting another classmate of ours – Rev. George Okoth, (and his wife) who is a professor at St. John’s University down the road a ways. George walked into the staff lounge today and saw me – and reminded me of days when we sat in the refectory of VTS, drinking coffee and wondering if would ever get to see his country. His first words to me were: “you made it!” (as if we just left the refectory last week!)
The atmosphere of this place is very welcoming and I am truly bowled over by the level of instruction and the dedication of both the students and the teachers – against tremendous odds like no money, no electricity (we were without power most of today), learning English is very hard – there are not enough teachers (and both Kate and Carol, the other English teacher, are top notch!) The staff and faculty truly love the students and the students are very impressive – I listened to essays today about spiritual gifts and read essays about the meaning of being “called” -- I am proud to call these folks my colleagues. They will be great priests and leaders in the church.
I have attended several classes which were very good – today I led a special session for women students, tomorrow I will teach the first of three classes in spirituality. Students here are either working toward a diploma in theology – because they have not yet finished high school – or a Maser’s Degree. There are also people here learning English. Classes are taught in English, for the most part – and will be totally in English beginning next year. Students here often have three languages -- the language of their villages (which is called Chigogo), Kiswahili and now English. I have made the comment that learning theology in my native language was pretty much beyond me – consider trying to learn it, by first working through two other languages!
The staff and faculty are very welcoming and professional. I am scheduled to have dinner at someone’s house each night. Last night, the principal, the Rev. Moses Matonya, and his wife Ruth were my hosts – I was escorted home by their amazing children – David and Pendo (“love “in Kiswahili) and their nephew, Amani (which means peace). Many families in Tanzania have extended family members living with them – they Matonya’s also have their niece, Rachel, living with them and another cousin. Both of these folks are taking courses in Dodoma – seamstress and welding training, and they are able to do this, because their family will provide the living space and food. Many families have grandchildren living with them. In TZ, the family is the most important thing – and they all pull together to enable the family to be successful – and sometimes, just to survive.
Tonight I had dinner at the home of Iri and Kate – they are missionaries from New Zealand. He is an Anglican priest and teaches several courses, including the practice of ministry and preaching; she is the English teacher – they are in the fourth year of a seven year commitment. They are generous and entertaining people and, having sat in on Iri’s class today, I’ll wager, excellent teachers. Stephen Day, who is a recent graduate of VTS, and here under the auspices of the Youth missionary program of the Episcopal Church, was also at the table. He teaches systematic theology, church history and is also the webmaster, technology guy. Tomorrow is “movie night” at Sandy and Martin McCann’s -- via the magic of DVD’s – and Saturday, we are planning on meeting another classmate of ours – Rev. George Okoth, (and his wife) who is a professor at St. John’s University down the road a ways. George walked into the staff lounge today and saw me – and reminded me of days when we sat in the refectory of VTS, drinking coffee and wondering if would ever get to see his country. His first words to me were: “you made it!” (as if we just left the refectory last week!)
The atmosphere of this place is very welcoming and I am truly bowled over by the level of instruction and the dedication of both the students and the teachers – against tremendous odds like no money, no electricity (we were without power most of today), learning English is very hard – there are not enough teachers (and both Kate and Carol, the other English teacher, are top notch!) The staff and faculty truly love the students and the students are very impressive – I listened to essays today about spiritual gifts and read essays about the meaning of being “called” -- I am proud to call these folks my colleagues. They will be great priests and leaders in the church.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
I have seen the women - I have seen the heart of the church
Monday (yesterday) was a very big day. I was the "honored guest" at a meeting of the Fellowship of Ordained Clergy Women of the Diocese of Central Tanganyika -- about 13 women came, several from distances that required them to stay overnight and incur significant expense. I was, instead, the one who was honored by their presence. We spent the day sharing our stories of being called and of the ministry of clergy women in TZ. I was impressed by all of them -- so many of these women are young, young women -- many are single, and many have children to tend to. You have to truly understand the elaborate process these women (and men, too) must go through to get to become priests -- primary school is free, but there are costs for uniforms, for feeding the children, for shoes and books -- then, middle school and secondary school costs money to attend -- even the examination books that the children use cost money -- so often, they cannot take the exams and thus, cannot progress to another level. Many stop attending school at seventh grade -- because the fees and distance are too much -- and, there is still the belief that it is a waste of money to educate women after that age. These women worked for years in the church as teachers, leaders of parish programs, went to two years of Bible College -- did not actually finish high school, but made their way to Msalato Theological College for a diploma (certificate) in theology -- but cannot get a degree without finishing high school. The fees for attending Msalato are around $700 per year -- and that does not include anything beyond room, board and tuition -- and both the rooms and board are very meager. What was interesting to me was the often repeated story that their call was observed by someone else - often their parish priests -- who encouraged them to continue to study and persevere. I was also so inspired by how many of their husbands supported them leaving for years at a time -- to study -- while they stayed at home with the children (to not a little criticism and mockery by their neighbors -- there are few "Mr. Mom's" in TZ.) But even then, after being educated, you had to be invited to be ordained -- for some that meant waiting for many years -- while their families criticized and ridiculed them for spending all that time and money -- and now they were just waiting at home to be called to the ministry officially. Women were ordained here for the first time in 2001 -- one woman was ready and approved in 2000, but the Bishop asked her to wait until 2001 - because she would be "too lonely" as the only woman priest. So there were 5 ordained in 2001 -- and they went to a huge meeting of all the Anglican clergy in TZ at Dar es salaam -- the only women in 1700 men -- the other clergy could not stop taking pictures of them it was such an historic event! This Diocese (one of about 20 in the country) is the only one that ordains women.
During the meeting, I met Bishop Mdimi Mhogolo -- who came to greet me and the women priests. I found him to be a very impressive person -- you can feel the energy within him -- you can sense his deep love for his work and his people. The Bishop is called "baba askofu" -- father, bishop -- and he is indeed, a very fatherly (in the sense of loving and protecting) presence. The Bishop is known throughout the Communion to be extremely intelligent and insightful -- and he has made a huge impact in this Diocese and TZ. He is progressive -- and suffers because of it, being criticized by other Anglican bishops and those of other faiths as well. He is totally supportive of women priests -- he observed that they will bring a new kind of leadership to the church, which is much needed. He was quite frank with me about their needs -- the most significant need is financial support so that these women can finish their education and proceed with their ministry. During my conversation with him, I felt a strong call to myself to be a part of finding that kind of support back when I get back to Atlanta.
The problems the women face are not, to some extent, unlike those that American clergy women face -- and the problems are not unlike the problems priests who are lone practitioners, or in small and poor parishes face. The elders do not want to listen to these new priests, especially the younger women --older men try to manipulate them into situations that are not safe or healthy (this is also an experience that women in America face regularly), and their parishes do not want to give them the 30% of the collection - which is what they are supposed to receive as their pay -- clergy people make about $3000Tsh per month if they are lucky -- that's about $3 US -- and there are no funds for continuing education or pension. They are lonely, unsure of what to do in a lot of pastoral situations (not unlike many of us new clergy) -- and they are very few in number, separated geographically -- it is a lonely life for most of the clergy here, in terms of colleagues -- but especially for these young single women.
What is also impressive, however, and what we all seemed to share, was an experience of God working in our lives -- when times were toughest, when our ministry was threatened or challenged, when we were most discouraged or afraid -- all of us told of miraculous experiences that changed our lives and gave us the will and the strength to go on. We all could say, "Bwana asifiwe" -- praise the Lord, for the direct working out of God's plans in our lives.
Speaking of pensions, our Diocese is participating in a priest pension program -- by buying a cow for a retiring priest. Many priests have "shambas" - farms - which have been in their family for generations, or which they are slowly purchasing over time. The provision of a cow means that they will have milk in their retirement -- which they can use or sell -- buy some chickens, then, etc. (By the way, I have been awakened both here an in the city by roosters that seem to crow all day -- and a lovely moo cow, that sings me to sleep each night....right in the city, as well as here in the country at Mslato).
Now I am at Msalato Theological College -- a beautiful campus outside of Dodoma. I have already attended a wonderful welcoming meal with staff and students, have sat in on two classes, attended chapel and will eat with some of the professors and others tonight. Tomorrow I take a group for a field visit to the psychiatric hospital in town -- the priest from Atlanta who was teaching this course has to leave tomorrow because he has had a death in the family-- so I am "pinch hitting" as the instructor. Thanks be to God for my degree in psychology so long ago and my time working as a volunteer in a state hospital in college! God places us where we might be helpful -- I keep praying that I will just get out of the way and let God do it!
Mungu akubariki, nduga yangu (God bless you, my brothers and sisters)
Pat
During the meeting, I met Bishop Mdimi Mhogolo -- who came to greet me and the women priests. I found him to be a very impressive person -- you can feel the energy within him -- you can sense his deep love for his work and his people. The Bishop is called "baba askofu" -- father, bishop -- and he is indeed, a very fatherly (in the sense of loving and protecting) presence. The Bishop is known throughout the Communion to be extremely intelligent and insightful -- and he has made a huge impact in this Diocese and TZ. He is progressive -- and suffers because of it, being criticized by other Anglican bishops and those of other faiths as well. He is totally supportive of women priests -- he observed that they will bring a new kind of leadership to the church, which is much needed. He was quite frank with me about their needs -- the most significant need is financial support so that these women can finish their education and proceed with their ministry. During my conversation with him, I felt a strong call to myself to be a part of finding that kind of support back when I get back to Atlanta.
The problems the women face are not, to some extent, unlike those that American clergy women face -- and the problems are not unlike the problems priests who are lone practitioners, or in small and poor parishes face. The elders do not want to listen to these new priests, especially the younger women --older men try to manipulate them into situations that are not safe or healthy (this is also an experience that women in America face regularly), and their parishes do not want to give them the 30% of the collection - which is what they are supposed to receive as their pay -- clergy people make about $3000Tsh per month if they are lucky -- that's about $3 US -- and there are no funds for continuing education or pension. They are lonely, unsure of what to do in a lot of pastoral situations (not unlike many of us new clergy) -- and they are very few in number, separated geographically -- it is a lonely life for most of the clergy here, in terms of colleagues -- but especially for these young single women.
What is also impressive, however, and what we all seemed to share, was an experience of God working in our lives -- when times were toughest, when our ministry was threatened or challenged, when we were most discouraged or afraid -- all of us told of miraculous experiences that changed our lives and gave us the will and the strength to go on. We all could say, "Bwana asifiwe" -- praise the Lord, for the direct working out of God's plans in our lives.
Speaking of pensions, our Diocese is participating in a priest pension program -- by buying a cow for a retiring priest. Many priests have "shambas" - farms - which have been in their family for generations, or which they are slowly purchasing over time. The provision of a cow means that they will have milk in their retirement -- which they can use or sell -- buy some chickens, then, etc. (By the way, I have been awakened both here an in the city by roosters that seem to crow all day -- and a lovely moo cow, that sings me to sleep each night....right in the city, as well as here in the country at Mslato).
Now I am at Msalato Theological College -- a beautiful campus outside of Dodoma. I have already attended a wonderful welcoming meal with staff and students, have sat in on two classes, attended chapel and will eat with some of the professors and others tonight. Tomorrow I take a group for a field visit to the psychiatric hospital in town -- the priest from Atlanta who was teaching this course has to leave tomorrow because he has had a death in the family-- so I am "pinch hitting" as the instructor. Thanks be to God for my degree in psychology so long ago and my time working as a volunteer in a state hospital in college! God places us where we might be helpful -- I keep praying that I will just get out of the way and let God do it!
Mungu akubariki, nduga yangu (God bless you, my brothers and sisters)
Pat
Sunday, August 31, 2008
I know that when my Christ is present, human barriers are being broken down
Well, my fellow Episcopalians, I never want to hear any further complaints about the service taking too long -- this morning's first service began at the Ipagala parish at 7 AM -- and we were walking out the door to shake hands at 10 AM. The second service, at a sub-parish called Good Samaritan, started at 11 AM and ended around 1:15 PM or so -- and this was a baptism.
What a day! I was the preacher at both services - I preached in English, but stopped at every sentence or two, to have my words translated into Kiswahili. Again, I provided some comic relief when I tried out a few words on my own. I also got to do something very special-- I got to baptize two baby boys and one toddler (boy) -- amazing. The sub-parish is very small and poor -- the baptismal font was a stool with a tin pot full of water on it -- but the babies were the cutest and the parents so proud and happy -- one of the babies was dressed in a tiny black suit with tiny black wing tip shoes -- he slept even as we transferred him from mama to me, but when the cold water hit his head -- you got it -- just like at home!
The most amazing part of the day was meeting the pastor of these churches -- Mama Mary Kanyamala. She is a robust woman, but not very tall -- but she exudes a mighty sense of love and wisdom -- warmth and energy. She began our time together with a prayer that included all the folks in the altar party -- me, Sandy, my translator, Emmanuel (who is also a priest), the chatechists, Agnes and Barack, and another young woman priest, Violet. She reassured me that although I could not understand her words, God understood them on my behalf - she made me feel instantly calm and peaceful -- at first I thought my stomach was upset for the obvious
reasons -- but after that, I realized I was just nervous -- and all was well. The words of the title of this blog entry come from a prayer that she wrote - which I quoted in my sermon -- she is a living, breathing example of human barriers being broken down -- she is the first woman to be ordained in Tanzania -- in 2000. There are now about 20 women priests in TZ -- and I am going to meet most of them tomorrow, for a day of fellowship and discussion -- and, of course, tea.
The services today followed our same service order -- it was wonderful to be able to participate, even though my pronunciation of the words was horrible! It is very difficult to be in a place where you routinely don't know what is being said -- but the incredible hospitality of the people comes through -- and someone begins to translate for you. The people know all the prayers by heart -- few have prayer books. Sandy McCann was the celebrant -- and did the whole thing in Kiswaili! I got to serve communion -- but had to say the words in English-- too much to commit to memory in a short time to do otherwise. After the service we had refreshments with one of the elders of the parish, then went to a wonderful lunch at Mama Kanyamala's house.
Kate Kennedy wrote to tell me that her kids are reading the blog and enjoy hearing about what I have been eating. So here goes .... I may have already mentioned it, but whenever you go into someone's home to eat, the first order of business is to wash your hands. Warm water is poured over your hands and often there is a kind of soap that feels like dishwasher soap powder. There are often no towels, but it is so dry here, your hands dry quickly. There are also often not any utensils -- Mama said, "in Rome you do what the Romans do -- in this parish, there are no knives or forks, so you do what we do - use your hands!" (This was easy today, but yesterday, with a rice dish with sauce -- very interesting! ) Today for tea, or "chai" as it is called, we had a wonderful ginger tea, bread and butter and hard boiled eggs -- just the right thing (protein) for in between the services on our marathon day. For lunch, we had a feast -- a kind of stew made from beef and bananas and potatoes, green peas in a really wonderful sauce, roasted goat, a chicken dish which I have had several times (in a broth that is made with spices and oil and tomatoes) and rice, rice, rice -- a kind of fried bread called chapati, and fresh grape juice from Mama's farm -- fabulous! Tonight we went to the Dodoma Hotel, and could have our choice of Chinese food, a "bites menu" that looked a lot like what we might get at an Appleby's (sandwiches, burgers, and a cheese omelet burger -- a fried egg with cheese in a hamburger bun), or an Indian restaurant menu -- I had a quesadilla of chicken, cheese and sauteed peppers with a side order of my new favorite, sambusas -- which is a kind of small meat and spice pie, shaped like a triangle, put in fried dough. Also, a nice beer called "Killy beer" ( for Kilimanjaro). You might be surprised to hear that last night we had egg salad sandwiches for dinner - with a little curry powder sprinkled in.
The most wonderful thing about today was to see the deep faith of the people and to hear the songs of the women -- you would not believe the size of the drums these women were using -- huge! One of their songs was about how there are two cars in the world - one driven by Jesus, the other driven by Satan -- and it's our work to choose to get into the right car - the one that will drive us to heaven! Another of the songs was about the strength of women -- "we can preach, we can teach, we can sing, we can pray -- and so we are strong! " This was accompanied by lots of dancing -- but it is not polite for the people in church to join in with the dancing -- they sat like stones, in rapt attention. So I had to be content with just tapping my feet!! At the early service, the music was more contemporary -- but based on scripture -- the 23rd Psalm and the Gospel of John -- and the dancing was energetic - and fast, fast, fast -- like jazzercise!!!
Mama lost her mother this past July -- so the people did a wonderful ritual with her-- they have not seen her since her mother passed (she does not attend the sub-parish very often) -- they put her in a chair and processed forward, all hugging her and kissing her --"giving her a hand of comfort" to let her know they gave their sympathy. She responded with some stories about her mother - and then led them in her mother's favorite hymn. (By the way, I knew two of the songs today!)
I had a bit of homesickness today --thinking about my parish gathered for Mass on the Grass -- but it was a day of such spiritual inspiration and love - I got over it soon!
What a day! I was the preacher at both services - I preached in English, but stopped at every sentence or two, to have my words translated into Kiswahili. Again, I provided some comic relief when I tried out a few words on my own. I also got to do something very special-- I got to baptize two baby boys and one toddler (boy) -- amazing. The sub-parish is very small and poor -- the baptismal font was a stool with a tin pot full of water on it -- but the babies were the cutest and the parents so proud and happy -- one of the babies was dressed in a tiny black suit with tiny black wing tip shoes -- he slept even as we transferred him from mama to me, but when the cold water hit his head -- you got it -- just like at home!
The most amazing part of the day was meeting the pastor of these churches -- Mama Mary Kanyamala. She is a robust woman, but not very tall -- but she exudes a mighty sense of love and wisdom -- warmth and energy. She began our time together with a prayer that included all the folks in the altar party -- me, Sandy, my translator, Emmanuel (who is also a priest), the chatechists, Agnes and Barack, and another young woman priest, Violet. She reassured me that although I could not understand her words, God understood them on my behalf - she made me feel instantly calm and peaceful -- at first I thought my stomach was upset for the obvious
reasons -- but after that, I realized I was just nervous -- and all was well. The words of the title of this blog entry come from a prayer that she wrote - which I quoted in my sermon -- she is a living, breathing example of human barriers being broken down -- she is the first woman to be ordained in Tanzania -- in 2000. There are now about 20 women priests in TZ -- and I am going to meet most of them tomorrow, for a day of fellowship and discussion -- and, of course, tea.
The services today followed our same service order -- it was wonderful to be able to participate, even though my pronunciation of the words was horrible! It is very difficult to be in a place where you routinely don't know what is being said -- but the incredible hospitality of the people comes through -- and someone begins to translate for you. The people know all the prayers by heart -- few have prayer books. Sandy McCann was the celebrant -- and did the whole thing in Kiswaili! I got to serve communion -- but had to say the words in English-- too much to commit to memory in a short time to do otherwise. After the service we had refreshments with one of the elders of the parish, then went to a wonderful lunch at Mama Kanyamala's house.
Kate Kennedy wrote to tell me that her kids are reading the blog and enjoy hearing about what I have been eating. So here goes .... I may have already mentioned it, but whenever you go into someone's home to eat, the first order of business is to wash your hands. Warm water is poured over your hands and often there is a kind of soap that feels like dishwasher soap powder. There are often no towels, but it is so dry here, your hands dry quickly. There are also often not any utensils -- Mama said, "in Rome you do what the Romans do -- in this parish, there are no knives or forks, so you do what we do - use your hands!" (This was easy today, but yesterday, with a rice dish with sauce -- very interesting! ) Today for tea, or "chai" as it is called, we had a wonderful ginger tea, bread and butter and hard boiled eggs -- just the right thing (protein) for in between the services on our marathon day. For lunch, we had a feast -- a kind of stew made from beef and bananas and potatoes, green peas in a really wonderful sauce, roasted goat, a chicken dish which I have had several times (in a broth that is made with spices and oil and tomatoes) and rice, rice, rice -- a kind of fried bread called chapati, and fresh grape juice from Mama's farm -- fabulous! Tonight we went to the Dodoma Hotel, and could have our choice of Chinese food, a "bites menu" that looked a lot like what we might get at an Appleby's (sandwiches, burgers, and a cheese omelet burger -- a fried egg with cheese in a hamburger bun), or an Indian restaurant menu -- I had a quesadilla of chicken, cheese and sauteed peppers with a side order of my new favorite, sambusas -- which is a kind of small meat and spice pie, shaped like a triangle, put in fried dough. Also, a nice beer called "Killy beer" ( for Kilimanjaro). You might be surprised to hear that last night we had egg salad sandwiches for dinner - with a little curry powder sprinkled in.
The most wonderful thing about today was to see the deep faith of the people and to hear the songs of the women -- you would not believe the size of the drums these women were using -- huge! One of their songs was about how there are two cars in the world - one driven by Jesus, the other driven by Satan -- and it's our work to choose to get into the right car - the one that will drive us to heaven! Another of the songs was about the strength of women -- "we can preach, we can teach, we can sing, we can pray -- and so we are strong! " This was accompanied by lots of dancing -- but it is not polite for the people in church to join in with the dancing -- they sat like stones, in rapt attention. So I had to be content with just tapping my feet!! At the early service, the music was more contemporary -- but based on scripture -- the 23rd Psalm and the Gospel of John -- and the dancing was energetic - and fast, fast, fast -- like jazzercise!!!
Mama lost her mother this past July -- so the people did a wonderful ritual with her-- they have not seen her since her mother passed (she does not attend the sub-parish very often) -- they put her in a chair and processed forward, all hugging her and kissing her --"giving her a hand of comfort" to let her know they gave their sympathy. She responded with some stories about her mother - and then led them in her mother's favorite hymn. (By the way, I knew two of the songs today!)
I had a bit of homesickness today --thinking about my parish gathered for Mass on the Grass -- but it was a day of such spiritual inspiration and love - I got over it soon!
Saturday, August 30, 2008
When you see the women, you see the heart of the church
These are the words of Canon Sudayi, the pastor of Chamwino parish on the day I met with his UWAKI group -- similar to our ECW in the Episcopal Church. The women truly are amazing - full of joy and faith -- yet live lives of great hardship. I met a doctor last night that told me that it costs $2000Tsh (Tanzanian shillings) to have a baby in a hospital -- about $1.80US -- but this is often way too expensive for TZ moms -- so many women die in childbirth and TZ ranks about 13th in infant mortality. Babies who are deformed or born with other defects (like a cleft palate) are often killed at birth. Women must walk hours to get water and tote it back -- all with a baby on the back and little ones at their feet. It seems to me that the women of TZ are among the most beautiful I have seen -- and their children as well. From the tall and elegant Masai people, and the more sturdy Wagogo people -- and a host of other tribes that have found there way here -- the people are good looking and so friendly and hospitable.
Today I spent time in two villages - way out of town. We drove for about three hours and ran out of paved road about twenty minutes into the trip. Bone jarring -- and my teeth just unclenched an hour ago. I attended two distributions of gifts for the Carpenter's Kids -- children who have been orphaned (mostly due to AIDS) who do not go to school, because their guardians cannot afford uniforms, books, shoes or a daily breakfast. The Diocese of New York USA spearheads this program -- and provides these things for 50 kids per village -- but there are lots more that need the help. The kids receive their supplies, go and change into their uniforms and return for a prayer and singing. It was very cool -- and I shook every one of their little hands -- some of them curtseyed -- some just gave me a very shy smile. Today they also got huge mosquiot nets and a lesson on how and why to use them. Some of the kids are orphans due to untreated malaria...
At UWAKI and during the meetings today, when I was introduced as a woman priest - "Mama Kasisi" -- the women burst into a beautiful song -- "mama barikia, mama barikia, mama barikia, mama! " they sang -- "bless you, mother" ... it was a song of blessing, a prayer -- truly inpiring and touching. Some of you know that I have a hard time with being called "Mother" -- but the sincerity, love and respect of these women in their song, somehow made it really special to be called "mama." The other words I heard over and over again, are "Bwana aisfiwe" --Praise the Lord. They use this like we say "the Lord be with you" -- to signal the start of a prayer or a sentence -- and everyone in the place responds "Amen!"
We ate lunch in both vilages -- chicken and goat and rice -- and the ubiquitous soda pop...you Atlantans will all be glad to hear that things go better with Coke in TZ, too.... these villlages are very very poor -- and hardly anyone speaks English -- and they are really far from anything -- but the portions were generous and filling -- and seemingly unending -- such amazing hospitality -- it is a blessing to be here.
My favorite memory of today - a very old woman came up to one of the young people on the staff at Carpenter's Kids -- a fair haired young woman, who was standing in the sun. This grandmother - bibi- took off her bandana - and offered it to the young woman all the while she was chattering in kiswahili. When we got a translation, it seems she was concerned that the young woman would get sunburned, so she was giving her a hat to wear.... everyone needs a grandma like that!
Tomorrow, I preach at the church of the first woman ordained in Tanzania - Mama Mary Kanyamala -- it will be a whole day affair. Monday, I spend with all the ordained women of TZ -- for a roundtable, tea and lunch. Then this portion of my trip will be over-- and I go to Msalato College of Theology to teach and to learn more, for sure.
New word for today: shikamoo -- which, losely translated is a greeting of great respect, it means something like, "I kiss your feet" -- and the response is "marahaba" -- which I think means, "back at ya" -- losely translated, of course!
Mungu akubariki! (God bless you)
P.S Another favorite memory -- Canon Sudayi encouraged me to dance with the women of the parish when I was invited to do so, in order to be "emptifying my stomach" so that I could eat more when the luncheon was served. Right on!
Today I spent time in two villages - way out of town. We drove for about three hours and ran out of paved road about twenty minutes into the trip. Bone jarring -- and my teeth just unclenched an hour ago. I attended two distributions of gifts for the Carpenter's Kids -- children who have been orphaned (mostly due to AIDS) who do not go to school, because their guardians cannot afford uniforms, books, shoes or a daily breakfast. The Diocese of New York USA spearheads this program -- and provides these things for 50 kids per village -- but there are lots more that need the help. The kids receive their supplies, go and change into their uniforms and return for a prayer and singing. It was very cool -- and I shook every one of their little hands -- some of them curtseyed -- some just gave me a very shy smile. Today they also got huge mosquiot nets and a lesson on how and why to use them. Some of the kids are orphans due to untreated malaria...
At UWAKI and during the meetings today, when I was introduced as a woman priest - "Mama Kasisi" -- the women burst into a beautiful song -- "mama barikia, mama barikia, mama barikia, mama! " they sang -- "bless you, mother" ... it was a song of blessing, a prayer -- truly inpiring and touching. Some of you know that I have a hard time with being called "Mother" -- but the sincerity, love and respect of these women in their song, somehow made it really special to be called "mama." The other words I heard over and over again, are "Bwana aisfiwe" --Praise the Lord. They use this like we say "the Lord be with you" -- to signal the start of a prayer or a sentence -- and everyone in the place responds "Amen!"
We ate lunch in both vilages -- chicken and goat and rice -- and the ubiquitous soda pop...you Atlantans will all be glad to hear that things go better with Coke in TZ, too.... these villlages are very very poor -- and hardly anyone speaks English -- and they are really far from anything -- but the portions were generous and filling -- and seemingly unending -- such amazing hospitality -- it is a blessing to be here.
My favorite memory of today - a very old woman came up to one of the young people on the staff at Carpenter's Kids -- a fair haired young woman, who was standing in the sun. This grandmother - bibi- took off her bandana - and offered it to the young woman all the while she was chattering in kiswahili. When we got a translation, it seems she was concerned that the young woman would get sunburned, so she was giving her a hat to wear.... everyone needs a grandma like that!
Tomorrow, I preach at the church of the first woman ordained in Tanzania - Mama Mary Kanyamala -- it will be a whole day affair. Monday, I spend with all the ordained women of TZ -- for a roundtable, tea and lunch. Then this portion of my trip will be over-- and I go to Msalato College of Theology to teach and to learn more, for sure.
New word for today: shikamoo -- which, losely translated is a greeting of great respect, it means something like, "I kiss your feet" -- and the response is "marahaba" -- which I think means, "back at ya" -- losely translated, of course!
Mungu akubariki! (God bless you)
P.S Another favorite memory -- Canon Sudayi encouraged me to dance with the women of the parish when I was invited to do so, in order to be "emptifying my stomach" so that I could eat more when the luncheon was served. Right on!
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Mnara we kangele
That's bell tower in Kiswahili - one of my abiding images from the last two days. Yesterday, we visited Meriba, the sight of the dream of Irene Mhogolo- the wife of the Bishop of Central Tanganyika. This is to be a training center for women - a residential facility for 32 women who will learn about health care, child rearing, and gender equity. The bell tower is an old structure -- as are the many buildings on this former mission site -- but as Magi Griffin suggests, it would make a good logo for the project -- a bell calling out to folks to be a part of this very ambitious project, a bell that will call to women to come and find ways to change their lives. When I get to the seminary next week, I will post the pictures of the site and explain more about the project --seeing is better than being told. We then went to visit with Mr. Hosea, who runs the Buigiri School for the blind -- which ranks 1st-3rd in local primary schools and 56th in the nation, out of 13,000 primary schools. (All schools, not just schools for children who are visually impaired). The bell tower was again, a symbol for me -- as the children sang, in beautiful harmonies -- and not a note out of place -- their voices were clear as bells -- and their joy and enthusiasm, a clarion call to me as well. There is too much to tell about the program and how they manage to educate kids under extremely tough circumstances, with few resources - including water and electrical power most of the time -- but what is most telling is the amazing dedication and faith of the teachers and the mwalimu kuu -- the head teacher, Mr. Hosea. When I begin to complain about obstacles in the future -- you need only remind me of his successes and his attitude --inspiring!
Lunch was chicken curry at a wonderful little place in Dodoma --dinner, rice and beans and home grown tomatoes -- and homemade rolls - made by the beautiful Naomi, Magi's house keeper and laundress and cook! (She only comes once a week, but it is a wonderful experience!)
Lunch was chicken curry at a wonderful little place in Dodoma --dinner, rice and beans and home grown tomatoes -- and homemade rolls - made by the beautiful Naomi, Magi's house keeper and laundress and cook! (She only comes once a week, but it is a wonderful experience!)
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
I'm here
Tuesday, August 26th
I arrived safely last night and was met by missionary Magi Griffin and Martin McCann. We stayed at a hostel of the Free Pentecostal Church of Tanzania -- in sight of the Indian Ocean. Today was spent on the road to Dodoma -- long trip but full of wondrous sights and smells - fires burning and food cooking, lovely, tall Masai people tending their cattle, breathtaking Uruguru Moutains -- death defying bicyclists on the edge of the highway... an overturned bus (thanks, Martin for pikcing me up!) -- huge banana palms and unfamiliar and ever changing vegetaton, as we went from sea level to mountains to valleys. Dodoma has only one rainy season per year - and that is not enough to sustain good agriculture, so there is also a lot of dust!
Best memories, so far? Our cab driver, Frank, giving me a little wooden statue of a monkey with a hat on.... sitting next to newlyweds on the 9 hour trip to Dar es salaam ... breakfast in Amsterdam, lunch over Addis Ababa and dinner in Kilimanjaro and it is truly karibuni (welcome) everywhere. The biggest surprise was to eat dinner at a Chinese restaurant!!!
Magi tells me an African proverb is "seeing is far better than being told" - already I have learned so much about this new place and the amazing work of the Diocese of Central Tanganyika (DCT).
Bed time is calling -- and I don't think I will need Ambien tonight!
I arrived safely last night and was met by missionary Magi Griffin and Martin McCann. We stayed at a hostel of the Free Pentecostal Church of Tanzania -- in sight of the Indian Ocean. Today was spent on the road to Dodoma -- long trip but full of wondrous sights and smells - fires burning and food cooking, lovely, tall Masai people tending their cattle, breathtaking Uruguru Moutains -- death defying bicyclists on the edge of the highway... an overturned bus (thanks, Martin for pikcing me up!) -- huge banana palms and unfamiliar and ever changing vegetaton, as we went from sea level to mountains to valleys. Dodoma has only one rainy season per year - and that is not enough to sustain good agriculture, so there is also a lot of dust!
Best memories, so far? Our cab driver, Frank, giving me a little wooden statue of a monkey with a hat on.... sitting next to newlyweds on the 9 hour trip to Dar es salaam ... breakfast in Amsterdam, lunch over Addis Ababa and dinner in Kilimanjaro and it is truly karibuni (welcome) everywhere. The biggest surprise was to eat dinner at a Chinese restaurant!!!
Magi tells me an African proverb is "seeing is far better than being told" - already I have learned so much about this new place and the amazing work of the Diocese of Central Tanganyika (DCT).
Bed time is calling -- and I don't think I will need Ambien tonight!
Sunday, August 24, 2008
This is the day
The day of departure has finally arrived - hard to believe I have been thinking and talking about this trip since Dan Matthews returned last July- 2007. My neighbor left a sweet note -- thanking me for being so willing to go so far to spread the Good News. One of my parishioners sent me off with the words, do good unto others! It dawned on me this morning, that, while I am certainly going to be all about spreading the Good News, and will try to do good unto others, that that I will also be in the receiving of Good News position, and that I have already received good done unto me by so many - in preparation for this trip, and throughout my whole life. One of the authors I have been reading, Phil Cousineau, says that one of the many gifts of pilgrimage is the sensation, again and again, of gratitude for the mysterious and numinous in our lives. If so, then my pilgrimage is already a success -- as I sat Asante sana (thank you very much) to all of you who have made this trip possible - through gifts of money, advice, time, prayer - and being willing to shoulder the reins while I am gone - asante sana again and again to Dan and Gene Paradise, the clergy who will hold down the fort; to Katherine, Heather and Andrew; to Beth McDonald, who is Christian ed director for the day on Sept. 7th! As St. Paul says, I cannot give enough thanks for all of you -- I am thanking God for you continuously!
Pray for me and that God will continue to be in this trip! Mungu akubariki! (God bless you)
Pat
Pray for me and that God will continue to be in this trip! Mungu akubariki! (God bless you)
Pat
Friday, August 22, 2008
The moment of truth is near!
This morning I began assembling the items I want to take to Tanzania -- all my stuff plus the many little things I have been asked to bring for several people -- the moment of truth has indeed arrived! I am a notorious over packer -- taking enough for a weekend just in case the borders between Georgia and the other states are closed and I might need supplies for a long siege! So the first thing this trip is teaching me, among other things, is to assess what is enough. The irony of me taking too much to a place where people have too little has not escaped me -- in fact, it strikes me as somewhat obscene. So the process of shopping, choosing, culling -- determining how much I really need (when I can have my laundry hand done each day if I need to...wow!) has been more of a spiritual practice than a logistical one. Part of this process has also brought home how fortunate we are in America -- the things I have been asked to bring, for the most part, are things that are so readily available, we hardly notice them -- stand up tubes of toothpaste, Parmesan cheese in a can, over the counter medicines for someone who suffers from a chronic congestion problem - a solution for dry mouth. As Dan, my Rector said, we often go away, thinking, "if I forget something, I can easily find it when I get there..." not so, with Africa, for the most part. So another thing this trip has impressed upon me is gratitude -- for the abundance of life here in these United States. Finally, it is so clear to me how much the community of ministers in Tanzania rely on one another -- and on us here back home. Because things are hard, different, foreign -- and stuff is really hard to get, they hang together -- and I have been introduced to a whole new community of folks that support life in TZ for these wonderful folks -- a friend of Sandy's in North Carolina, who owns a clothing shop and sends, not only things for Sandy, but donates beautiful things to the women in Dodoma; a doctor in Columbus, GA, who gathers samples of nasal spray for one of the folks there; people at the Diocese and at St. Thomas Church who handle the complicated finances of the mission - making sure that those of us here who want to donate can send the money locally, rather than through wires or snail mail. It truly does take a whole village -- and it has been a surprising and wonderful aspect of this junket to meet (mostly over the phone and Internet), so many kindred spirits!
Okay, time to sit on my suitcase and see if it will close.....
Okay, time to sit on my suitcase and see if it will close.....
Monday, August 18, 2008
"Who's on first?"
Today seems right to introduce some of the cast of characters I will be meeting in TZ. My hosts for the journey will be the Rev. Sandra McCann and her husband, Martin. Sandy is a classmate of mine - graduated from Virginia Seminary in 2003. She is a physician, as is Martin -- and they have been missionaries since her graduation: one year in Kenya, then four in TZ. Sandy is the communications officer of Msalato Theological Seminary -- in addition to her duties as priest, pastor and teacher. Martin is a pathologist and works in Dodoma. Both are deeply committed, fun to be with, and seem to be filled with limitless energy and optimism! From all reports, they keep a very full schedule -- so I am excited to just come along with them and learn all I can about their work and the needs of the folks in the Diocese of Central Tanganyika.
The first week I will be there, I will be the guest of Magi Griffin, who is a missionary of the Episcopal Church -- her official title is Partnership and Project Advisor to the Bishop: MDG focus. MDG's are the Millenium Development Goals -- goals proposed by the UN to improve the lives of people worldwide -- many have to do with ending global poverty -- but Magi is specifically focusing on the betterment of life for women and children. Many Episcopal Dioceses have made official commitments to address the MDG's -- and our work in TZ and in South America reflects that commitment. Magi has put together a wonderful itinerary for the time I will be with her -- plus she is meeting me at the airport and getting me to what sounds to be truly wonderful accommodations that night in Dar es Salaam. We'll be traveling to Dodoma together the next day -- with Sandy and Martin -- an incredibly wonderful alternative to the six hour bus ride I was planning on taking (via the "luxury" bus -- $11 US and has air conditioning!)
Perhaps the most exciting thing for me is that I have been invited to preach and worship with Rev. Mary Kanyamala, the first woman ordained in the Diocese of Central Tanganyika. They call their women priests "Mama" over there -- some of you who know me know that I will struggle with that -- but, as it often is here, the title is a sign of respect and affection -- so I will be taking it that way! Beth Palmer, another of Sandy's classmates from VTS '03, just returned from TZ last Friday. She called today to share information and suggestions -- and just casually noted, that Sunday church services routinely take up to 3 hours --- I wonder how our St. Lukers would go for that????
The first week I will be there, I will be the guest of Magi Griffin, who is a missionary of the Episcopal Church -- her official title is Partnership and Project Advisor to the Bishop: MDG focus. MDG's are the Millenium Development Goals -- goals proposed by the UN to improve the lives of people worldwide -- many have to do with ending global poverty -- but Magi is specifically focusing on the betterment of life for women and children. Many Episcopal Dioceses have made official commitments to address the MDG's -- and our work in TZ and in South America reflects that commitment. Magi has put together a wonderful itinerary for the time I will be with her -- plus she is meeting me at the airport and getting me to what sounds to be truly wonderful accommodations that night in Dar es Salaam. We'll be traveling to Dodoma together the next day -- with Sandy and Martin -- an incredibly wonderful alternative to the six hour bus ride I was planning on taking (via the "luxury" bus -- $11 US and has air conditioning!)
Perhaps the most exciting thing for me is that I have been invited to preach and worship with Rev. Mary Kanyamala, the first woman ordained in the Diocese of Central Tanganyika. They call their women priests "Mama" over there -- some of you who know me know that I will struggle with that -- but, as it often is here, the title is a sign of respect and affection -- so I will be taking it that way! Beth Palmer, another of Sandy's classmates from VTS '03, just returned from TZ last Friday. She called today to share information and suggestions -- and just casually noted, that Sunday church services routinely take up to 3 hours --- I wonder how our St. Lukers would go for that????
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Getting ready
It's now ten days until I board the airplane to Tanzania. Preparations are more than underway -- I've gotten my shots (Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, polio, yellow fever and Hepatitis A), filled my prescriptions for Cipro (antibiotic in case of Montezuma's revenge), typhoid and malaria vaccines (I have to remember, typhoid, on an empty stomach, malaria, with food...). I've got enough Ambien to sleep for two weeks - and have figured out my sleep schedule for the trip over and back. My passport is up to date, I have the required number of US bills, dated after 2000 to purchase a visa when I get to TZ -- and I've borrowed a phone from one of our parishioners -- that gets activated with something called a SIM card - to be purchased in the Dar es salaam airport on my arrival. Deacon, my dog, gets transferred to my sister's care at Exit 90 on Route 85 - we figured out Gaffney, SC is about half way for us both. Whew! I still have some adapters to buy -- a few gifts for the folks I'll be staying with, and some items requested by Rev. Sandy McCann, my classmate, who is one of the priests working at Msalato Seminary. Did you know, for example - that it's hard to get Parmesan cheese in TZ?
I budgeted some time today to have a little panic attack - just had to get that out of my system, followed by a brief prayer that I will get done everything I have to do before I leave -- so now I have lots of room for excitement and joy!
One of the really cool things that has been happening, is that I am being contacted by many of the folks working in Dodoma -- the main reason is to request that I bring some stuff along - so far, some t-shirts, a bottle of shampoo, a laptop for the computer "fundi" (instructor) at the Seminary -- and some gifts for Sandy and Martin McCann from Rev. Eddie Ard - who just returned from 30 days there, on his sabbatical. I already have a wonderful sense of "karibuni" -- which means welcome -- and a small idea of who and what I will be interacting with! More on that later!
What has also been very wonderful is the interest of St. Luke's people in the trip and the many offers of help and support I have received. There's a group working on getting a laptop for me to take, which will be donated on my leaving -- the VBS kids raised $150 for carepnter's Kids -- and I have an additional $200 from some other donors -- $50 per year will buy clothes, shoes, books and breakfast each day for a kid who has been orphaned by the AIDS epidemic. MANY of our folks have already expressed an interest in developing a mission trip for next year. I feel blessed and excited about this venture --which God seems to be in, at every step!
I budgeted some time today to have a little panic attack - just had to get that out of my system, followed by a brief prayer that I will get done everything I have to do before I leave -- so now I have lots of room for excitement and joy!
One of the really cool things that has been happening, is that I am being contacted by many of the folks working in Dodoma -- the main reason is to request that I bring some stuff along - so far, some t-shirts, a bottle of shampoo, a laptop for the computer "fundi" (instructor) at the Seminary -- and some gifts for Sandy and Martin McCann from Rev. Eddie Ard - who just returned from 30 days there, on his sabbatical. I already have a wonderful sense of "karibuni" -- which means welcome -- and a small idea of who and what I will be interacting with! More on that later!
What has also been very wonderful is the interest of St. Luke's people in the trip and the many offers of help and support I have received. There's a group working on getting a laptop for me to take, which will be donated on my leaving -- the VBS kids raised $150 for carepnter's Kids -- and I have an additional $200 from some other donors -- $50 per year will buy clothes, shoes, books and breakfast each day for a kid who has been orphaned by the AIDS epidemic. MANY of our folks have already expressed an interest in developing a mission trip for next year. I feel blessed and excited about this venture --which God seems to be in, at every step!
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
As some of you know, I will be journeying to Dodoma in Tanzania at the end of August, 2008 (8-24 to 9-11) The purpose of my trip is a combination of pilgrimage, mission and learning - I'm hpiong to learn more about what the Diocese of Central Tanganyika is doing for women and for health care, and to teach a little bit at the Msalato Seminary. As many ofyou also know, the Diocese of Atlanta has an ongoing relationship with this Diocese. My classmate, the Rev. Dr. Sandy McCann and her husband, Dr. Martin McCann are missionaries working in that Diocese -- so that's the way I got connected. I anticipate learning a lot and will be bringing back ideas for future pilgrimages and mission work for folks at St. Luke's. So, your comments and thoughts will be very important as we go along. Watch this space for some information prior to the trip -- and if the Internet works like it should, while I am gone as well.Here are some needs I have identified that someone may want to assist with: I need a laptop computer that I can use on the trip -- and perhaps even leave for the folks at Msalato. The clergy there are also in need of everything clerical - shirts, tab collars and those little pins we use to keep the collars in place; albs and other priestly supplies. If you wish to donate these things - just let me know and I will transport them or get them to the container the Cathedral is putting together.Kwaheri for now! (that's good by in Kiswahili!)
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