Day Twelve: A Bishop, 27 Travelers, and a request for no more gifts

John's schedule began with a visit to the Saint Paul Area Synod offices this Monday morning.  While waiting, he read the article introducing Rev. Peter Harrits as the new Bega Kwa Bega Director.  Peter was part of the first SOTV trip to Tanzania and Tungamalenga, and credits those partnership experiences with calling him to ministry.  In Peter's own words:

My initial call to ministry, as well as my vocational interest in global mission, was formed through the Bega Kwa Bega program and the companion relationship between my home congregation in Apple Valley and its partner in Tungamalenga, Tanzania.  In 2004, while serving as Director of Youth Ministry at Shepherd of the Valley, I led a group of youth and young adults to visit their peers in Tungamalenga.  After two weeks of living together and sharing stories of our hopes and fears, loves and losses, and the God who abides with us through it all, we gathered together in closing worship.  There, along the communion rail, I observed men and women, Americans and Tanzanians, Maasai and Hehe all kneeling shoulder to shoulder, breaking bread and sharing wine. In that scene I wirnessed a picture of what the church could be, of what the church should be, of what the church is -- a diverse multitude made one in Christ.  In that moment I felt a stirring in my heart and began to discern a call to go and do likewise -- to build connections across cultures and continents and to be part of knitting together the worldwide body of Christ.

John spent an hour in conversation with Saint Paul Area Synod's Bishop Peter Rogness.

Bishop Rogness asked John to point out his home village and the location of his current congregation on the large Tanzania map. Bishop Rogness asked John's impressions and John spoke of something he has mentioned before -- the self motivated American workers. The people he has observed at church, the volunteers and staff all seem to be self motivated and taking initiative.  John said that it might take very hard work from a Tanzanian manager to push, push, push workers to stay on task.

Bishop Rogness prayed a blessing for John's time here and for Addy and the baby.

After his time with Bishop Rogness, John took a tour of Christ Church, and Daily Work, a ministry housed in the same church as the synod office.  Above,  John is with (from left) Daily Work staff Julie Hoff and AJ Anderson, along with Rev. Tom Nielsen.

Tom Nielsen is one of several coordinators who staff the Bega Kwa Bega office in Iringa and so knows John well.  Tom is part of the group coordinating the BKB Fall Festival on Saturday, and met John for lunch at Fabulous Ferns to discuss John's role during worship at the Festival.

At the restaurant, John ordered a chicken sandwich and fries, which he would call chips in Tanzania. 

A safe choice.

Next, an awe inspiring visit to St Paul Cathedral.

Next, the Minnesota State Capitol building.

Mollie said that John didn't really think they should be taking photos inside the Capitol.

In Tanzania, taking photos of a government building is not a good idea.

Finally, John visited Historic Fort Snelling and the Minnesota River Valley.

John and Lyn overlooking the river.

There was time in the day for rest before John met most of the 27 travelers who will journey to Tungamalenga and Makifu Parishes next July and August.  Our travelers meet every two months for the year prior to their trip, in order to get to know one another and prepare for the journey as ambassadors to our partner congregations.

John helped the travelers with some basic Swahili greetings, Bwana Yesu Asifiwe! and words of introduction. He also helped explain Tanzanian customs and the way Tanzanians view our visits. He cautioned the women to dress modestly and he affirmed our advice to always, always, always direct requests for assistance to the partnership committee.

John went home with Lyn and I came home to start this blog post.  While I was posting photos to Facebook, John messaged me and asked me to share with you all the fact that he has received too many gifts to carry home!  He is grateful for every gift.

Through experiences with our previous travelers, we know that sometimes Tanzanians re-entering their country with a suitcase full of shiny new things will be charged customs fees. To avoid that situation, we may send some gift items with another American traveler in January.

John has expressed his deep gratitude for the gifts that are being offered and knows that the gifts are signs of your great love for him.  But he has also said that the gift of this journey is all he needs.

If you want to give something, please consider a donation to the piki piki fund or the scholarship fund in John's honor.  The piki piki is a motorcycle for the new pastor at Makifu Parish, John's home parish.  SOTV's children have raised about $3500 for that gift, and the total cost will be about $5000 so your gifts are appreciated and necessary. John will be honored that your contributions in his honor will enable the purchase of this gift.

Tomorrow:  We are still praying for Addy and the baby and for a healthy delivery soon.  Tomorrow John will be spending the day at Shepherd of the Valley, shadowing staff for a day of meetings.  There is a general staff meeting, a worship planning meeting, a congregational care meeting, a youth staff meeting, a potluck lunch with staff, perhaps some time with facilities manager Greg Nonweiler, and some time in the Food Shelf.  In the evening, a meal with a number of old and new friends.

The days are packed!