Day Twenty: Still waiting, and saying Kwaheri, Rafiki

Today was our last day with Pastor John in Minnesota.

We are still awaiting news of Addy and the baby.  The latest word recieved was that she was in labor, at the hospital, an ultrasound had confirmed that the baby is doing well, and the doctors are advising that Addy walk and walk to help the labor to progress.

We are still praying.

In the morning, Rich Nonini helped John with a few more details on the new computer.

John's hosts for the last few days, Rich and Nancy Nonini.

John arrived at church around 10, and lots of friends dropped in to say goodbye.

Susanne Miller taught John a little yoga.

Pastor Randy knows he will see John next August when he leads a group of Shepherd of the Valley members to Tanzania.

John and Susanne.

Ken and Birdie Olson came to say goodbye.  They are friends from St James Lutheran Church in Burnsville, who serve as coordinators in the Bega Kwa Bega office in Iringa.

Mim Campbell and other children's and youth ministry staff gather to say goodbye.

John with Bibi Mollie...

...and Babu Lyn, photographer extraordinaire.

Pastor John blessed Laurel, Katie Strand's daughter.

Sharing a laugh with Babu Richard.

At 11:45, Shepherd of the Valley staff and John's friends gathered for prayers and blessing.

Pastor John received another gift from the Pastors, a cross necklace to wear with his alb and stole.

The pastors also gave John photos from confirmation day.  In one, John is being blessed by the SOTV pastors.  In another, he is seated as an SOTV pastor with the confirmation class.

Pastor John presented gifts of his own.  These are three Maasai ceremonial sticks or kurungu. John had asked our partnership steering committee for advice on who should receive these gifts.  We asked John to honor Trip Sullivan, our communications director, and Pastors Mary and Duane.  Each of these people have contributed much support to our partnership, while they have never traveled to Tanzania, and we are grateful for what they have done in Minnesota to strengthen our partnership. 

Pastor Duane received his Kurungu.

 Trip later said that he was humbled and honored to receive his gift.

Duane, Mary and Trip lifting their kurungu.

 There were a few tears and many, many hugs as Shepherd of the Valley said goodbye to John.

Janice and Gene Austad took John to the airport.  They are volunteers at the airport who have clearance to accompany John past the security check point to the gates.  They offered to take him to the airport, accompany him, give him lunch, and wait with him until it was time to board the plane.

We are so grateful to have accompanied John on this journey.

Pastor John's flight left around 3:20 this afternoon.  It will take about 24 hours -- through Amsterdam, with a stop at Kilimanjaro -- until John lands in Dar es Salaam.  It will be almost midnight when he arrives there.  The next day he will ride a bus inland -- eight or ten hours if he goes all the way to Iringa, five or six hours if he stops in Morogoro to complete his thesis editing and publishing.

It's a long journey, whichever direction you are traveling.

We ask God's blessings on John's journey.  We ask God's blessing on Addy's labor and delivery.

And we ask God to keep us all in his care until we meet again.

Tuta onana tena, John -- until we meet again.

Mungu Akubariki -- God bless you.

Asante sana.