Day Thirteen: Staff Meetings and Watching for Snow

John spent most of the day accompanying Shepherd of the Valley staff through a typical Tuesday, the day when most weekly meetings are held.  Photos and observations are provided by Trip Sullivan, and Pastor Diane Sponheim -- Thanks, Trip and Diane!

John's comments are from a couple of our Facebook chat sessions.

John had one comment about our traveler meeting last night:  "It sounds as though Swahili is a hard lesson to many of the travelers. Pole sana."

Trip: Here is John at this morning's staff meeting. This was a pretty typical staff meeting where we meet first as a large group to hear a Bible reading and then break into small groups to discuss questions from the reading.

Following Bible study, several staff shared announcements.  Pastor Chris discussed how church council is focusing on the issue of same-gender marriage and will vote at their meeting this month on the issue.  We then read through a list of names from our database (from the P's). Staff speak up if they know the person or family. If no one around the table knows the family, a phone call will be made to become better acquainted.

After this process is done, we pray for all the names on the list, and any other concerns that are lifted up.

John:  We are done with several meetings, very nice, I tried to do at Ugesa some of such kind of meetings. I failed because of the distance from one preaching point [village congregation] to another. Yes, I am enjoying but it is very cold today even inside the buildings.

John: Well, my interested point was, to have time together with the staff and discuss the sermon together, having the list of names with their joys and concerns, discussing for the past service and arranging for the future worship, that sounds good for me.

Trip: John at the weekly worship planning meeting with pastors and other assorted staff.  Each week we debrief the previous week, and go through the bulletins for the week coming up. John will speak this week after the sermon but before the offering.

John at the staff potluck.

Trip:  Pastor Randy invited John to lead us in a singing of Halle, Halle, Halle, and then he prayed in Swahili.

John seemed to enjoy the cacophony of random food that makes up our potluck. We spoke about how we all become accustomed to food from our own village (or region) and anything else, while nice, just doesn't seem the same.  We also talked about preemies and what not to say to a pregnant woman.  (I was sitting next to him, which is why the chair is empty in the photo.)

John: The Lunch was good. I enjoyed the dessert.

Pastor Diane's observations: At the staff meeting we did a short Bible study based on the readings from Amos for this Sunday, and we discussed questions about how our worship may contradict what God is actually calling us to do, specifically justice towards our neighbors.  John observed that it is a problem everywhere, that worshipers may not live lives that show their faith.

The meeting closes in prayer, as we lift up the names of all the families, as well as other concerns from the community.  Today, among other things, we prayed for John and Addy as they wait for their new baby.

At the worship meeting, John saw how detailed the planning is, noting that the 11:00 service is planned down to the minute.

John: I visited the Food Shelf to see how they prepare for those who need assistance.

I helped packing, sending out for those in need. Oh! my heart was so touched on how they take care of those people! They ask scuh good questions on whether they need some more food, if they need chicken, they are given every thing they need which is on the list and not on the list.  Kweli kabisa [certainly], the church is doing a very great thing. I am sure it is not only Tungamalenga that can see how wonderful that the SOTV can do to us, but even the people around they see God working on your church. It is my appreciation, and praying to continue to help those people, you are healing them -- mentally, physically, and spiritually. I do fail to get the good word to express how much your service has touched my heart. Mungu awabariki sana.

Then I met with Greg, the facilities manager. He gave me so nice insights concerning the supervision of projects. I believe you have a good person who will help the church to grow.

Shopping at Byerly's John noticed the corn being sold as decorative items.  Wonder what he thought of that?

This evening's dinner party was hosted by Mollie and Lyn MacLean and included friends he has met in Tanzania and others he met for the first time here.

Tomorrow:  John will be on the move again, transferring from the MacLean home to that of Richard and Joan Dornfeld.  Over the next couple days, there will be visits to a middle school and a high school, and a visit to a construction site. Tomorrow afternoon/evening will be spent at church with another two hours of Godzone and Rafiki kwa Rafiki, and pizza.

The meteorologists are forecasting snow!

We're so grateful for John's presence.