Youth Camp

Camp has always been a special place for Josh and I. We were both campers and counselors and cherish many memories from those times. While it has been a few years since either of us worked at camp, we were recently able to refresh our skills by helping at a youth camp here.

The three day camp was actually held at a prison not far from Morogoro. It was meant for “youth,” ages 16 – 30. In reality, there were 82 people present, ages 7 – 40. Quite a spread! The four days consisted of guest preachers, lots of music, and breakout sessions on everything from the Holy Spirit to planting trees. Josh led six breakout sessions (in Swahili!) and included the good old camp favorite, the trust fall (see picture), which brought exuberant laughter and excitement. We were also able to lead some music using our newly inherited guitar, we did a skit, and led games – all the typical camp things.

Although there were many similarities to our camps, many differences were also apparent. We didn’t have a beautiful lake to swim in, no quaint cabins, no campfires etc. There was no canteen with frozen Snickers bars and other snacks. Rather, everyone was treated to “Chakula Bora” or the Tanzanian style nutritious food that not all families can afford to serve at home (ugali or rice, beans and a little meat).

In spite of these minor differences, we re-discovered that camps everywhere are a powerful experience for those involved. The energy of the youth was inspiring as they sang spiritual songs, talked, played and prayed together in a loving and safe place. We, in turn, pray that they returned to their villages refreshed and re-energized.

Lions, giraffes and zebras…oh, my!

A couple of weeks ago we had the opportunity to go on our first safari! (our internet has been down - sorry for the delay) Students from Wartburg College in Iowa are spending the semester in Tanzania. Unfortunately, their supervisor here had to return to the States for family health issues, so we have been able to take them to villages and help them get settled. Part of their experience here is a trip to Mikumi National Park, which is only about 1 ½ hours from Morogoro. We were lucky to be able to experience this with them.

We were excited and were certainly not disappointed! The first sighting of giraffes in the distance was almost magical. I had imagined that we would see a few animals, probably far off in the bushes, but I was wrong! We saw hundreds of animals – wildebeests, giraffes, zebras, elephants, hippos, impalas, buffalo, warthogs, baboons, many types of birds, etc… , and they were close! Many were on the side of the road or on the road, and we got a little closer than planned to some elephants. At one point we counted 22 giraffes surrounding us- wow.

We stayed at a lodge in the park and sat under the stars of the southern sky late into the evening listening to the sounds surrounding us. We heard a lion in the distance, and I was glad it stayed that way. There were animals everywhere – an impala was just outside our door, and many more were on the field area in front of our room. We tried to make out shapes in the distance, but we will never know what was there.
It was a fantastic experience, and hopefully will entice some of you to visit!

Sanga Sanga

When we travel out into villages for Sunday worship, we never know what to expect. This Sunday was no exception. Our day began with a later start than usual because the congregation we were going to is one of the closest to where we live. One problem: there are no roads in an even remotely direct route to our destination. We drove and drove through windy, potholed roads through the bush, unable to distinguish many landmarks of any kind. The roads fork constantly, feeling like a maze where there are a thousand different options, and only one path leads to the destination. What began as a short journey turned into a 3 ½ hour drive to get to church. We joked about it being a lovely Sunday drive but wished we had some snacks to munch on. Finally, after winding through many kilometers of road through the bush, we spotted two people waiting on the side of the road to show us the rest of the way. What a welcomed sight! (This was a much longer commute than our walk across the parking lot to church in Sidney, MT!)

We arrived at Sanga Sanga church, which was yet another beautiful tree. A school had been built by the government and we were given a tour. The teacher in me was of course interested in the classrooms. The only book I saw was entitled, How to de-worm school-age children. Most classrooms didn’t have chalkboards, instead writing with charcoal on the smooth concrete wall. The first grade classroom had basic math facts written on the board and small rocks on the desks to use as manipulatives. Much different than a classroom in the States, but it was fun for me to see.

After the tour, we sat visiting for quite some time. The people in the village were of the Barabiag tribe as opposed to Maasai, who we are usually with. As we were talking, many young men gathered under a tree and began singing a repetitive tune with harmony, accompanied by distinctive whistling and the pounding of their sticks on the ground to create rhythm. Then, some young women came out and stood under another tree wearing beautiful beaded skirts, lots of gold jewelry, and some with bells around their ankles. The men continued singing, and then one or two at a time would jump. I’m not talking just a little hop – they jump incredibly high without using their arms or even bending their legs. It was absolutely beautiful. After a man would begin jumping, a woman on the other side would jump in sync, her bells adding to the music. We aren’t exactly sure what the significance of this is, but apparently it is some type of traditional dating ritual. One man was quite persistent that I should join the women, but I explained, as did many others, that I already have a husband.


By this time, it was late afternoon – finally time to begin church. In a way it was nice not to have church in the hot mid-day sun, but we knew we had a long return trip ahead of us, and driving at night in Tanzania isn’t a great idea. After church we had a quick meal of rice and hit the road. Just as we left, it began to rain. If you read our last post, you know this creates less than ideal road conditions. The way out was just as complex as the way in with winding roads surrounded by indistinguishable trees, and a series of forks in the road. The problem was that darkness was setting in and it was pouring. The road turned into a river, making it impassable. We drove along the edge of a shamba (field) until it was too washed out to continue. Crossing gushing creeks, a road that consisted of mini-waterfalls, and sometimes not on a road at all, it was amazing we made it home. We did, though, and in great time – we shaved 2 ½ hours off our time. What a day. Let me tell you, sometimes a shower and bed feel mighty fine at the end of the day.

Church

Over the river and through the mud...

Last Sunday we were planning on attending church in a village. No problem, right? We’ve done this many times by now. While every village visit is a unique experience, this one proved there is sometimes more adventure in the journey than planned.

Our journey began quite uneventfully as we set out on the highway. The car was filled with pleasant conversation and the mood was light. When we turned off the highway, the roads were no longer smooth sailing. We made it through a few muddy patches when some women tried warning us that there was water ahead. We took note of their warning, glad that we had 4-wheel drive, and continued on for a very short distance. At this point, it was hard to tell where the road was, so Luka (the driver and evangelist) and Heri, a pastor we had picked up along the way, got out to see if there was any way we could get through the mud. There was no way, so we decided to try the other road. Not far into our journey on the other road we encountered the same problem and were soon stuck. Luckily, many villagers came to our rescue and helped us push the car out.

The road was impassable, so if we were going to make it to church, we were going to walk. This is when the true journey began. While the distance wasn’t far (maybe 1-2 miles?) the fellowship was great. What a bonding experience literally walking with these people.

When we arrived at the village, we were welcomed with great enthusiasm (and, of course, tea!) Church was under a tree, and a beautiful one at that.

While we were enjoying tea, we could see rain far in the distance. Knowing that it was going to hit during the service, we switched to a different tree and began. What happens when it rains during a service under a tree, you might ask? Everyone gets wet. Drenched, actually. The spirit of this congregation wasn’t dampened (pun intended) though. The singing was as vibrant at the end of the service as at the beginning. It all continued – even though the offering was sopping wet, it was still given. Communion wafers a bit soggy? No problem. It was a memorable occasion indeed.

If we thought it was muddy on our way to church, it was nothing compared to our walk home! The small stream we crossed on the way seemed like a raging river on the return trip. Our new friends walked us the entire way back to the car – giving a helping hand through the especially slippery or challenging parts, laughing together and enjoying the experience.

At the end of the day, we were drenched, muddy, and left thinking wow, life is great.

Giving and Goats

In all this I have given you an example that by such work we must support the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, for he himself said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” - Acts 20:35

A few Sundays ago, at a church service in one of the villages, Sue and I became the proud owners of our very own goat! While for Sue, having been raised up on a farm, this was not her first time to own goats, it was definitely the first time for either of us to get one on the way out of church.

Here in rural Tanzania, in the worship services of pastoralist peoples (like the Maasai) there is one particularly striking difference from what we have been accustomed to in the States. Here in Tanzania, just like in America, it is very natural for the people to bring their offerings in the form of their common currency. The thing is that the common currency for many happens to be chickens and goats and cows.

For these people who do business among themselves each day by trading with chickens and sheep and goats, why not bring this “currency” (as strange or humorous as it may seem to us when a cow comes down the center aisle)? And they do bring them up to the altar-- not as a sacrifice of atonement as in ancient times, but as an offering of thanksgiving to God. In fact, chickens and goats and sometimes even cows are quite generous offerings which can support a lot of good work among the people.

After the offering is blessed and dedicated to God and worship is concluded, this is when the congregation gathers outside the Church for the auction (which is how Sue and I came to have our goat). This, if you follow the steps of this process, is a fascinating way for these communal-minded people to give an offering to God, not as individuals, but as a community and in community.

First, somebody brings a goat to worship as an offering. Then, after worship at the auction, somebody else buys the animal from the Church (and not just at market value, we noticed). Here, the people have a jubilant time as the bidding ensues. Songs are sung in celebration as the offering gets larger and larger. People circle around the bidding members, singing and fanning them (lest they get too hot in the sun). Finally, after the bid is closed at an agreeable price, the one who won the bid commonly donates the animal again, this time to someone else at the auction (often times items will go to someone who has need, but also apparently visitors are targeted to be recipients of gracious generosity).

And so this is how we came to have our little goat; a goat which we, in turn, gave to the family of the pastor of the village, who certainly has made good use of the animal by feeding his family and/or the people of his village with it.

From the life that God gave to the people in the form of livestock, the people bless God in return, and then are blessed again. Wow, what a marvelous and striking image for offering? May we all inherit such a joy in giving what God has first given us so that our blessings may multiply in such a way!

An Update at the New Year

As December, 2009 came to a close, so did our time in language study—at least the formal coursework part… for now. Although we still have much to learn in order to become fluent at speaking Swahili, the next step is to immerse ourselves in the Tanzanian culture by speaking with native Swahili speakers as much as possible.

We, for the time being, are going to accompany some of the other missionaries based in Morogoro as they go about their work in the region. This will enable us to practice our Swahili and get a better picture of what is going on in the Morogoro Diocese. The eventual plan is that I will work as an educator/mentor for indigenous parish evangelists, teaching theology and Bible (among other things). A much more fluent tongue will first be necessary for this.

Learning a second language is a humbling experience. Some days we can see how far we’ve progressed. Other days it still feels like we do not understand anything of the conversations around us. It is a challenging process for sure; one that unfortunately can’t be rushed.

After language classes, we celebrated Christmas here in Morogoro, attending worship at a prison-congregation on Christmas Day, and attending a wedding the day after Christmas. For New Years we went to a beach south of Dar es Salaam for a little R&R—a necessary rest.

We hope to have more time for updates now that classes are finished, although internet access has been a continual problem. We will do our best! Thanks for checking in with us here at our blog. Keep checking in as we hope to soon post highlights from our last month.

We also hope that the promise of God’s presence (Emmanuel) touched you this Christmas Season, and that you will experience many new blessings in 2010. Heri ya Mwaka Mpya (New Year’s Blessings).