"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????