A Whirlwind Trip

Eight days is not very long for a journey in Tanzania. From Sunday, September 25 to Sunday, October 2, we virtually ran from one experience to the next. Here's a recap of the faces, places and experiences we had.

Our group from SOTV included Joan and Richard Dornfeld and me, Pastor Diane Sponheim. We were fortunate to travel with seasoned Tanzania travelers, Dan and Sue McIntyre, who made everything easier to navigate because of their deep understanding of the culture. We also connected with two couples from Arizona who are new to partnering with their congregation north of Iringa, so we all enjoyed sharing experiences.

I wish everyone reading this could experience what we do when we go to Tanzania. Words and pictures only begin to describe the experience of being there. Visiting with these beloved friends, hearing their songs, seeing their dances, and being warmly welcomed by them is truly a foretaste of heaven.

Our first day in Dar es Salam and the journey from there to Iringa are detailed a bit in earlier posts, so I will start with our time in Iringa. First stop is the Diocese office to check in with the staff there and be briefed on what is currently happening with companion congregations throughout the area. It's good to get the broader perspective of what is happening between the 70+ congregations of the St. Paul Area Synod and their partners in the Iringa Diocese.

I was pleased to find that Dr. Saga was at his Diocese office, and was willing to rearrange his schedule so we could make the trip to Acacia Pharmacy to buy medicines for our dispensary as well as several other dispensaries in the diocese. Dr. Saga is such an amazingly committed man. He spent several hours with us, purchasing the medicines, and then making sure they were properly distributed and packaged for each of the dispensaries. He will personally ensure that each box is delivered to its dispensary.

While in Iringa, we also had a few meetings about our project to bring water to Mahove. We have had a few different proposals from local and regional water experts, and we are still working on discerning which proposal will be the best in terms of effectiveness, sustainability and value. Stay tuned ... It will truly be a joy when all of the decisions are made, and our beloved friends in Mahove have access to clean water!

The other major task in Iringa was a fun one: purchasing seven bikes using the funds from bikes sold at SOTV's garage sale. Again, it was challenging to shop Tanzanian style... It is expected that we will barter, and it is also expected that we will "window shop," walking all over town to different shops to find the best deal. I was glad to have Pastor Naftal and our friend Pastor John Mhekwa with me to do the bartering work. They played off of each other with wonderful facial expressions and spirited conversation while I, the lady with the money, just stood and watched them do their magic. In the end, we did get a good deal, spending 1,000 shillings less than we had budgeted. (That is approximately 60 cents!) It was a joy to deliver the first two bikes to the children at the Huruma Orphanage in Iringa.

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Then, after 4 days in Iringa it was finally time to make the dusty journey to Tungamalenga, our hearts filled with excitement to see our brothers and sisters!

First stop was the eastern-most preaching point of the parish, Idodi. There we met with Evangelist Nicholas, and we also met Pastor Karimu Mukini, the newest addition to the pastoral staff of the Tungamalenga Parish. Pastor Karimu and his wife Mariam will live in Idodi, and he will serve the whole parish as a youth director. We also were very privileged to meet the elderly Evangelist Martin, who is quite ill. We prayed for him and blessed him, thanking him for all the work he has done for the Lord.

Evangelist Nicholas has had good success raising goats to supplement his income and to help the wider community. His enterprise with goats began with a gift of a goat from SOTV some years ago. He now has four adult goats and three kids, all of which will be shared in Idodi. I love that SOTV sponsors this wonderful ministry with the villages around Tungamalenga. Because of generous gifts at SOTV, nine more goats will be purchased and given to other evangelists so they, too can become more self-sufficient and help their neighbors.

Joan Dornfeld greets the goats at Idodi.

After our first preaching point visit, we continued to Tungamalenga, the center of our parish. There we enjoyed a wonderful welcome and a delicious lunch. We delivered pharmaceuticals to the dispensary and enjoyed a wonderful reunion with Dr. Barnabas Kahwage and his wife, Alice. We were also surprised by a visit from our dear friend Mfaume Kisakanike and his new wife Jenita. Mfaume was sponsored by members from SOTV from Secondary school through university and he is now working as a Community Organizer, helping women in a rural community become self sufficient.

Our afternoon continued with a visit to Kisilwa parish, where the foundation for a new chapel has been completed. We are realizing that all of the congregations are taking ownership and initiative in building and improving their chapels. Near Kisilwa, we saw the water tank that may be the answer to our hope to bring water to the people of Mahove. One possible solution is to divert the water that leaks from this tank to Mahove. There are other possibilities on the table as well. More meetings and decisions need to be made.

Finally, we reached the village of Mahove. There we received such a joyous greeting, with loud singing, and a dancing processional into the newly roofed chapel. A throng of congregants, community folks and government officials greeted us. We were swept into the sounds, sights and energy of a community that is completely enthralled that we are working so hard to bring them access to water.

The children of Mahove sing a beautiful song

The evening ended with an auction for a goat. I won it! Then I returned it to the community so they could either sell it again or continue to keep it for its milk. But for about 2 minutes, I was the proud owner of a goat! Before we boarded our Land Rover bound for Tungamalenga Camp, the young men of the congregation spontaneously burst into their distinctive hum-in-the-throat singing, accompanied by giant leaps into the air... it was thrilling beyond anything I can explain, and I feel honored that they would share such a culturally unique expression with us.

On Saturday, we started the day with a meeting of the Partnership Committee. There we learned about the current projects going on all over the parish, and sought to understand more deeply how we can all continue to work together. Beyond the completion of the Mahove water project, several priorities were named, including the continuation of some construction projects, a new attempt at some agricultural projects, and the continuation of the scholarship program. We learned from Bishop Mdegella who also serves on the World Council of Churches and with Lutheran World Federation, that SOTV is the world-wide leader in providing scholarships to students who would not otherwise be able to go to school. Wow! Way to Go, SOTV!

Our day continued with more preaching point visits, the first at Mapogoro. Once again we were greeted with songs, and soon found ourselves touring the evangelist's home, where a large addition is under construction. We prayed over the foundation, as we did at several other preaching point visits.

A quick break for some Fanta and ground nuts under a huge mango tree, and we were on our way to bless another foundation at the Masai preaching point of Kibaoni. Next we went to the first of two chapel dedications, this one at Mpalapande. I must say, that had I not seen Pastor Paulo and his family there for reference, I would not have recognized this beautiful, light, freshly plastered, smooth-floored chapel as same the one I visited 2 years ago.

A temporary version of the plaque that will hang at Mpalapande.

An identical one will be hung at Makambalala.

Pastor Naftal, Pastor Diane and Richard Dornfeld share the

greetings of SOTV folks with our friends at Mpalapande.

Once again, we are the humble recipients of lavish gifts:

necklaces, bracelets, and bottles of Pepsi!

It is astounding to see the commitment and generosity of our faithful partners. I am reminded once again of how much we can do when we partner together. The hope and light in the eyes of our friends at Mpalapande is contagious and fills us with hope and joy, too.

If you are still reading this post, let me commend you! I know that shorter is better when it comes to blogging, but it is difficult to edit these experiences. The days were so incredibly full, I truly am only giving you the highlights.

After the dedication of the chapel at Mpalapande, we made another short visit to a preaching point called Namelok. The people had waited for us for hours, and when we finally reached them, only 3 elders remained. They welcomed us warmly and proudly showed us that they had built walls up on the foundation, and were continuing to work on raising funds for roofing.

After our visit to Namelok, my camera met its untimely death, so that's it for photos!

The final visit of our day was to dedicate the chapel at Makambalala. The new cement altar was still drying in its form. Workers were on the roof, completing some masonry. The stucco was still forming as children brought buckets of water to the workers who splashed it on and worked on curing the stucco. It was amazing to see all of the brand-new, still forming parts of this chapel. And what a joyous greeting! Again, songs, dancing and energy like nothing else I've ever experienced! We again shared the beautiful banners, greetings and gifts from SOTV. I wish you could have heard the enthusiasm of the children as we pulled a soccer ball out of the bag for them to enjoy. Squeals of delight and lots of jumping and clapping!

By the end of the day, we are all emotionally spent and ready for a quick sleep before tomorrow's celebratory worship.

On Sunday, we worship in Tungamlenga with guests from most of the preaching points present. Even Bishop Mdegella, his family, and the district pastor come to help celebrate all that is happening at Tungamalenga. By the time we process in, hear from each choir, hear the word of God, celebrate communion, and share greetings and gifts, we've spent over four hours together! Then it is time for the customary auction/offering in the church yard, featuring eggs, produce and chickens. I scored a nice bag of ground corn, but I gave it up since it wouldn't fit in my suitcase, and probably wouldn't make it through customs!

We have another fantastic meal, prepared by loving hands from the Tungamalenga congregation, we say our final Asantes and Karibus, and soon we are back in the Land Rover, headed down the dusty road away from Tungamalenga. Joan and Richard will return some time in the next few months as they are staying in Iringa until February while Richard teaches at Tumaini University. I will not be back for at least a couple of years, so it is with a lump in my throat that I say good-bye to these dear ones, and I look forward to the next Safari to Tungamalenga.

~~~Pastor Diane Sponheim