Day Two: SOTV, Nature and Friends

John went to bed very, very tired last night at 8 PM, slept for eleven hours, and woke this morning with his usual energy and beaming smile!

We had a few errands to run first -- getting some cash at the bank, picking up a few groceries at Cub, and we drove around Rosemount to set a few landmarks.  We drove past the elementary school, the middle school, and then when he saw the high school he said, "Is it the university?"

We arrived at Shepherd of the Valley right when people were arriving to attend Pastor Mary's Friday morning Bible Study.  Here, Pastor John met Pastor Paul Edstrom, a retired missionary who served many years in Kenya and (then) Tanganyika.  They shared some words in Swahili.

We had stopped at Shepherd the day before, on our way from the airport, and had greeted a few people.  Today we met a few more staff members and became more comfortable with the layout of the building.  Kristen Holien, Shepherd's Welcome Center staffer, was so helpful.  

John observed that there are "Soooo many offices" here.  

We met Mim Campbell, director of children's ministry, and discussed a few of the plans for next week, when John will help lead Godzone (Faith Under Construction) as the children celebrate Rafiki kwa Rafiki (Friend to Friend).  The children of Shepherd of the Valley have been raising funds for a piki piki (motorcycle) for the new pastor at Makifu Parish.  John grew up in Mahuninga, a village within the parish, and will accept the gift on behalf of the parish and Pastor Madembo.

John got to hold Mim's six week old granddaughter, and prayed a blessing for her.

The we searched the sacristy and found a no longer used acolyte's robe that fit John and will serve as his alb while he is here.

We checked email and Facebook so John could send a message to his wife Addy.  After lunch, Joan and Richard Dornfeld picked us up for an outing at Dodge Nature Center.

Today was one of the warmer days we've had this past week, but John is still adjusting to our weather.  We advised him to wear long underwear, he layered a fleece jacket over his shirt, and then a warm winter coat.  He seemed to like the warm University of Minnesota hat.

It was a great afternoon for a walk, and Joan shared lots of information about plants and animals native to Minnesota.

Our days usually end with guests for dinner.  Tonight we were blessed to have new friends and old with us.

Trip and Rebecca Sullivan brought the delightful seven month old Jack.

Susanne and Brad Miller, sons Sam and Seth were also able to join us.

Nancy and Rich Nonini were recent TZ travelers, while Johnna Klein drove all the way from Spooner, Wisconsin to reconnect with John, whom she met in 2004.

There is such a blessing in breaking bread --or drinking Fanta-- with friends. We are so grateful for the gifts that each brings to our days.

Some of our experiences are still rather overwhelming, I think.  As we left Shepherd of the Valley this morning, John said, "the whole building is bigger than all the offices of the Iringa Diocese head office."

As he meets various staff members and hears what their responsibilities are, he marvels at the many things we do in our community.  He expressed interest in our Food Shelf, and he was so interested in the work of our Project Manager for the Vision that we set up an appointment for an extended conversation about her important work.

So far when we have been at Shepherd of the Valley, it has been relatively quiet -- a room full of people in Bible study, offices half full of staff members.  Tomorrow, things will be a little different.

On the schedule tomorrow:  Beginning at 9 AM, John will participate with all the SOTV pastors in the preparation and worship services of the Rite of Confirmation.  Services are at noon and 2:15.  Then, he will attend worship at 5 PM, followed by Pizza and Pipes at 6 PM.

Trying to explain American customs around Halloween has been interesting.

These days with our Tanzanian friend are such a blessing.