Tanzania Partnership

A year ago, when 15 Shepherd of the Valley members visited Mpalapande for a partnership meeting, we were joined by several friends from Iringa, including Bega Kwa Bega Director, Rev. Peter Harrits, Iringa Diocese General Secretary Nayman Chavalla, and Bega Kwa Bega/Iringa Diocese Coordinator Rev. Lusungu Msigwa. At some point during or after the meeting, General Secretary Chavalla made some comments, including a statement that one of our travelers, Jenny Buckley, was the "intended" of BKB Director Peter Harrits.  Mind you, at the time, there was no formal engagement.  But General Secretary declared that the wedding should take place here in Mpalapande. Fast forward a year, Peter and Jenny were married at the end of June, and included in their wedding plans a celebration here in Mpalapande.  You can read about the elaborate preparations here . It was a beautiful day.  As preparations continued, and as our drivers brought choirs from various villages, there ...

One of the highlights of our visit took place about a month ago, when some 350 people gathered in the Maasai village of Mpalapande to celebrate the marriage of Rev. Peter Harrits and Jenny Buckley. Guests included our Minnesota contingent, a couple carloads of people from the Iringa Diocese head office and the BKB office, and people from many preaching points in both Tungamalenga and Makifu Parishes. It took a lot to prepare for the day. Women from several villages -- both Hehe and Maasai -- spent the morning cooking over open fires. Maasai men prepared a variety of meats for cooking -- goat, sheep and beef were on the menu. Chairs were brought in from neighboring village congregations.  A large tent shelter was constructed too provide shade for the worship service. Absolum Kilipamwambu spent the better part of a week constructing this modern choo [restroom].  There's a men's side and a women's side.  Two days before the big even...