The days are packed
We're back in Iringa after an eventful week in Tungamalenga. Each day was filled with so many experiences that it feels as though we were there at least three weeks, not just one.
We worshipped with our brothers and sisters, sometimes in chapels and sometimes beneath the shade of beautiful trees. We saw three new babies born at the Tungamalenga Dispensary, and we gave our condolences to at least three families who have experienced death in recent weeks. We prayed with those who are sick, we visited schools and dispensaries, and we learned much about the challenges and joys of living in the rural areas of Tanzania. We are always so grateful for the ways our partners open their homes and their lives to include us on our visits.
We also sat together in meetings--meetings at the diocese head office, a partnership meeting, a meeting with all evangelists, a meeting with leaders of the SACCOs (microfinance cooperative), a meeting with the elders of a remote congregation and their local government leaders to discuss bringing water to the village of Mahove. We heard many proposals, asked many questions, gathered information, and will continue discussions here in Iringa with diocese officials in the coming week.
Pastor Randy, Mark, Stephen and Brandon went on safari, taking guests Absalum and Hosea for their first experiences in a national park. God's creation is amazing!
While they were on safari, Kirsten remained in the village with an interpreter. One day was spent at Idodi Secondary School to commemorate the twelve girls who died in a dorm fire one year ago. At the time of the fire, the girls' bodies were burned beyond identification, so they were buried on the school grounds while DNA samples were sent to Dar es Salaam. Now the remains have been identified, and Thursday was a day set aside to construct cement graves and place markers on each grave, with the name of each student.
Half of the girls who died came from our partner congregation, and three of the girls were from families that we know well. There was time for worship and for dedication, time for consolation, and time to watch as the builders took great care to place the bricks, add the mortar, place the crosses and ensure they were level. For some of the families, the grief seems as fresh and raw as it must have been one year ago.
The school has nearly completed the reconstruction of the dormitory that was destroyed. The girls who had been living there were moved to the boys' dorm in the interim, while the boys camped in nearly completed classroom buildings. Now the boys have moved into the new dorm, which was rebuilt with safety measures in mind---more doors providing access to the exterior, windows that allow a means to escape, smoke detectors in the hallways. Across campus, the girls' dorm was similarly reconfigured to some extent.
While worshipping at Idodi preaching point a week ago, we also met one of the girls who had burned in the fire but survived. She recounted the experience of that night, hearing shouting but turning over to go back to sleep, then realizing that the fire was across the hall. She tried to get out of the building, but fell and was injured further as terrified girls stepped on her and others in their own hurry to get out. By the time she was able to go toward the exit, she had to run across fire to get through the door. The back of her heel and leg were burned badly, and she spent five months in the hospital. She continues to get treatment for her injury at the Tungamalenga Dispensary, and she needs continued physical therapy to regain the full use of her leg. The muscles in her calf and foot have contracted so that she cannot place her whole foot on the ground as she walks; instead she walks on tiptoe with her heel in the air.
She is finally back to school and is of course struggling to keep up after such a long absence. She and the other families who were touched by this fire all expressed their thanks for the prayers of Shepherd of the Valley and for the gifts that were given to help rebuild.
Finally, we have had a very positive response to the prayer cards we have been distributing as we go from each village congregation to the next.
Please check back in the coming days and weeks--we will continue to post stories from this amazing visit, and we will be able to add photos once we are home. We are grateful for your prayers and for your support of this partnership. Asante sana!
We worshipped with our brothers and sisters, sometimes in chapels and sometimes beneath the shade of beautiful trees. We saw three new babies born at the Tungamalenga Dispensary, and we gave our condolences to at least three families who have experienced death in recent weeks. We prayed with those who are sick, we visited schools and dispensaries, and we learned much about the challenges and joys of living in the rural areas of Tanzania. We are always so grateful for the ways our partners open their homes and their lives to include us on our visits.
We also sat together in meetings--meetings at the diocese head office, a partnership meeting, a meeting with all evangelists, a meeting with leaders of the SACCOs (microfinance cooperative), a meeting with the elders of a remote congregation and their local government leaders to discuss bringing water to the village of Mahove. We heard many proposals, asked many questions, gathered information, and will continue discussions here in Iringa with diocese officials in the coming week.
Pastor Randy, Mark, Stephen and Brandon went on safari, taking guests Absalum and Hosea for their first experiences in a national park. God's creation is amazing!
While they were on safari, Kirsten remained in the village with an interpreter. One day was spent at Idodi Secondary School to commemorate the twelve girls who died in a dorm fire one year ago. At the time of the fire, the girls' bodies were burned beyond identification, so they were buried on the school grounds while DNA samples were sent to Dar es Salaam. Now the remains have been identified, and Thursday was a day set aside to construct cement graves and place markers on each grave, with the name of each student.
Half of the girls who died came from our partner congregation, and three of the girls were from families that we know well. There was time for worship and for dedication, time for consolation, and time to watch as the builders took great care to place the bricks, add the mortar, place the crosses and ensure they were level. For some of the families, the grief seems as fresh and raw as it must have been one year ago.
The school has nearly completed the reconstruction of the dormitory that was destroyed. The girls who had been living there were moved to the boys' dorm in the interim, while the boys camped in nearly completed classroom buildings. Now the boys have moved into the new dorm, which was rebuilt with safety measures in mind---more doors providing access to the exterior, windows that allow a means to escape, smoke detectors in the hallways. Across campus, the girls' dorm was similarly reconfigured to some extent.
While worshipping at Idodi preaching point a week ago, we also met one of the girls who had burned in the fire but survived. She recounted the experience of that night, hearing shouting but turning over to go back to sleep, then realizing that the fire was across the hall. She tried to get out of the building, but fell and was injured further as terrified girls stepped on her and others in their own hurry to get out. By the time she was able to go toward the exit, she had to run across fire to get through the door. The back of her heel and leg were burned badly, and she spent five months in the hospital. She continues to get treatment for her injury at the Tungamalenga Dispensary, and she needs continued physical therapy to regain the full use of her leg. The muscles in her calf and foot have contracted so that she cannot place her whole foot on the ground as she walks; instead she walks on tiptoe with her heel in the air.
She is finally back to school and is of course struggling to keep up after such a long absence. She and the other families who were touched by this fire all expressed their thanks for the prayers of Shepherd of the Valley and for the gifts that were given to help rebuild.
Finally, we have had a very positive response to the prayer cards we have been distributing as we go from each village congregation to the next.
Please check back in the coming days and weeks--we will continue to post stories from this amazing visit, and we will be able to add photos once we are home. We are grateful for your prayers and for your support of this partnership. Asante sana!
Oh, Mama Kirsten/Christian/Kristen! It is good to get this update. I'm glad to hear that all is going well, that you are having good communication and continued mutual consolation with the saints. What a gift this partnership is. Love and prayers to all as you continue your journeys.
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