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The 2018 travelers answered a few questions before their journey and now they're sharing some thoughts since their departure from Tanzania.

Anna with Pastor Petro

Who did you meet on this journey that you will never forget?

Petro. He is a Maasai pastor. I  will never forget him because he tried really hard to make me feel welcome.

What surprised you in Tanzania?

Everything, but one thing in particular was how happy everyone was that we came to visit them.

Did the trip live up to your expectations?

Yes. It was so interesting to see how everything is so different than how we live.

How did things go with the things you worried about before the trip?

I wasn't worried about anything, so I guess it was okay!

Where did you see Jesus in Tanzania?

Seeing all the donations of food that went to Huruma Center.

Pastor Wendy & Pastor/Doctor Barnabas

Who did you meet on this journey that you will never forget?

So many people! Barnabas, Petro, Pastor Helen.... if I had to pick one, I'd say Dr. Barnabas. He was our translator on the trip and it seems that everywhere we went in the villages, people were stopping him for medical help or advice. He has a tremendous servant's heart.

What surprised you in Tanzania?

I have heard many stories, so I had a pretty good idea of what to expect. But, there is nothing like being there to really experience it! Probably the biggest surprise was the warmth and joy of the people there, and the overall lack of what we call "stress."

Did the trip live up to your expectations?

Absolutely! It was an incredible experience of a lifetime.

How did things go with the things you worried about before the trip?

I was worried about missing my family, but Anna was with me, which was great. And we were so busy there wasn't much time to miss home. I was also worried about missing the comforts of home, which I did.  But it also gave me a new perspective of gratitude for the many things we take for granted. It's a good life lesson. 

Where did you see Jesus in Tanzania?

The Lutheran Church in Tanzania is growing fast, and I can see Jesus alive and well in the faith, joy, and generosity of the people who make up the church in Tanzania.

Who did you meet on this journey that you will never forget?

It's such a blessing to return each year and renew relationships with those I've met before - Barnabas and Alice, Pastors Mkini, Mgeveke, Chaulla, Shangalima, Hudson, and Massinga; friends from the diocese like Pastor Msigwa, Bishop Gaville, General Secretary Chavalla, Frank and many others; and to meet other Americans on their own journeys. But for someone I met or got to know better for the first time this year, I'd have to mention Mr. Mbossa, the second headmaster at Mtera Secondary School.  He has a kindness that shines through everything he does. When they introduced us to a group of blind students, he sang with the two girls, adding a beautiful tenor harmony line. At lunch, he told us how important our congregation's support of scholarships is, citing his own story of having started secondary school as a twenty-something young man, taking advantage of his first opportunity at an education. 

What surprised you in Tanzania?

I loved the "projects day" that Usolanga planned for us.  We had gotten an overview of their parish the year before by visiting seven preaching points (village congregations) in just two hours. This year, they wanted us to see and experience the projects that they use to support growth initiatives in the parish.  So we walked to the farm/garden, saw the pump for getting water from an (almost) dry river bed, watched the kindergarten class at work, helped pile bricks to be fired, watched bricks being made, saw women making traditional baskets, and even picked cotton. This parish showed us not only their challenges, but their capacity.

Did the trip live up to your expectations?

Always. The strength of this partnership is the relationships we share, and this trip (like all trips) gave us the chance to spend time together, know each other better, understand one another better, and grow in faith and love together through the grace we have in Jesus Christ.

How did things go with the things you worried about before the trip?

The telescope got through security with just a little explanation and a few odd looks. I'm grateful we had Pastor Chris with us the day we delivered it to the school, because he was able to oversee its assembly, and give the teachers a lesson in how to use it (and a caution - never, ever, use it to look at the sun). I always worry about family at home - how can you not? - but they are used to this routine and do well. It was nice to arrange a few phone calls/Facetime sessions with them.

Where did you see Jesus in Tanzania?

So many places. In the faces of the children at Mpalapande who brought their bags of maize to share with children at Huruma Center. In the hugs received from the children at Huruma. In the warm welcome every place we went. In the many ways our hosts set aside their schedules and daily routines to welcome us, make us comfortable, make us feel at home. 

kindergartners at Mpalapande

kindergarteners at Usolanga