Home Sweet Home!

February 19, 2014--Wednesday

Dear Family & Friends,
   We're back---we've shifted from summer to winter, and from an 8 hour difference time zone, and yet somehow our bodies are managing to acclimate! 
   This second time around went very well for us. It helps knowing the ropes a bit, and certainly having access to a vehicle made life significantly easier (and safer.)  Our classes went well and hopefully were more targeted as we've learned more about this culture which is so complex.  On one hand, Tanzanians are dealing with 21st century issues such as traffic, cell phones, and Christian/Muslim relations.  On the other hand, they are still dealing with getting access to clean water, death from HIV/AIDS, and rampant alcoholism that is accepted as "normal." Intertwined throughout there still exists strong traditional beliefs in curses, witchcraft, demon possession, and ancestor worship. And this is all lived out in a culture of poverty, where there is never enough money or goods for one person, but somehow by everyone borrowing and sharing from each other, there is enough for the moment---one day at a time.
  It is hard to express our feelings, given how much we miss family and friends when we are there, except to say that we really believe God continues to call us to be there and to learn and to teach.  The Psychology courses that I am teaching are such a great way to introduce other ways of understanding abnormal behavior other than as the result of a curse or being demon possessed.  The theology students are so eager to know more.  They are also grateful for the Worship course Tim teaches that not only provides them with an opportunity to learn how to lead worship but is also a place for conversation to happen about the numerous issues they struggle with i.e. not providing a Christian funeral for someone who commits suicide---to----how to attract youth to a liturgical church when the "loud speaker" churches are competing with rap and promises of the rich life!
   So we look forward to returning again at the end of September, God willing.  I will be picking up a another course (Developmental Psychology) for the University.  It will be part of their new degree program for Counseling. I am looking forward to it!
  We have appreciated your interest in what we are doing, and your prayers.  We think the best way to close out the blog for this semester is with some pictures--so you can also "enjoy" Tanzania.
  Mungu Akubariki,  (God bless you)
    Tim & Diane