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.