4 February 2015
Today we went into Arusha for the last time before returning home this weekend. On our drive back to campus, I was thinking about our blog and what to write. How do we capture our experiences, our expanding/still-forming thoughts, and maybe most of all--our feelings (I am still a therapist at heart, you know!) So I decided to just write down what I was seeing outside our car window. I think that says it best.
--Cows tethered to the side of the road
--Women, assorted sizes & shapes, wrapped in colorful fabric, balancing unfathomable mass/volume on their heads
--Stuffed daladalas and reckless, life-threatening driving (It is estimated that only 50% of drivers have a license and less than that have any training.--I think driving is an extreme sport here!)
--Maasai, feet cradled in sandals made from car tires, walking with stick in hand, red shuka (blanket) draped over their shoulder.
--Countless, intimidating lorries exhaling nauseating, swirling diesel fumes and inducing carsickness that even Dramamine can't help.
--Mighty Mt. Meru, whose intriguing appearance conceals so many villagers living without electricity and clean water, and practicing traditional customs that keep people bound to the past.
--Uniform-wearing school children walking home from their class. Yesterday's paper reported on the status of education in Tz. Headline: "3000 pupils share single latrine, 250 students make 1 class" Only 1 teacher per class. Quote: "Students occupy all the spaces here (1 desk per 10 students--so most sit on the floor and others are outside looking in the window.) You can't even move and if you want to write on the board you need to send out the pupil sitting near the board," said Ms. Suzana Anthony who was teaching Standard Four (4th grade) pupils." (Quote from The Guardian 3 Feb 2015 about a school in Geita but repeated throughout the country.)
--Market Day. . .Kiswahili buzzing in the air, dust swirling, and mama's whose strong necks are transporting 40# bunches of bright green ndizi (bananas)
--A spontaneous, white toothed smile on a round little black face waving at our passing vehicle (innocent joy in those color-blind adorable eyes!)
-----Can you see them, these, our sisters and brothers?
And then our experiences this term began to replay in my mind:
--4:30 a.m. Call to Prayer (chant) by the local village Imam via loud speaker---beautiful actually...
--Immediately followed by the screeching of the rooster (who was just awakened by the Imam!)--not so beautiful.
--Paka's (the cat who "adopted" us for the past 3 years) savage death by the wild dogs that roam the grounds at night...wondering if her kittens are still surviving?
--The class discussions about how can you tell if a person has demon possession or mental illness. The students are so shocked--and sometimes relieved--that there may be another explanation for bizarre behavior. But this new thinking can be very disconcerting and challenges many basic faith beliefs and personal experiences.
--Reflecting at night inside our home, listening to the choirs practice and the amazing natural harmony of these Christian disciples. Music is in the blood of Tanzanians. As one professor recently stated at a faculty meeting, "You aren't a Tanzanian if you can't sing!" They all agreed!
--A class discussion about culture and traditions. The students became very animated regarding the role of tradition and how globalization challenges/dismisses it. One student strongly stated that "Tradition is always right." At this point, the students really took their stand as the divide widened and they struggled to identify with what they personally believe---in this culture that is so heavily laden with tradition. One mild-mannered student stood up and said, "Then if that means that killing twin babies is right ---because that is a tradition of some tribes, then I can never agree." Powerful, honest, painful, growth.
--Deception---a survival tool. . .but it hurts to be its victim. . .
--Corruption---it exists at all levels and in all aspects of society here. It keeps the country and its people on their knees with the breath blown out of them, struggling to exist while others gorge themselves.
--Our students' personal faith stories reveal their genuine desire to follow God's call. Their pure trust in God's promise to be with them and their spontaeous joy and delight in "having another day" is humbling for 2 American "muzungu" (white Westerners) to observe.
--The privilege of worship every morning with students who enter Chapel so reverently, and make music that starts deep in their soul and fills the air with seamless harmony.
Such were my thought the day before we were to leave. I was eager to get to our computer so I could capture the images and words---but the electricity was out and there was no internet connection for the rest of the day. Such is life in Tz. The next day was "countdown" meaning that every hour was filled with last minute packing/cleaning/moving all our belongings to another instructor's attic/spontaneous "kwa-heri ("good bye") visits from friends and students---then, a quick shower before leaving for the airport. I got into the shower and decided to wash my hair and added "extra" shampoo so I could empty the bottle---only to discover that scalding water was burning my toes and bountiful suds were burning my eyes---the cold water wasn't flowing---only the hot! We'd been having water issues and our last day was to be no exception. Then I realized that I had packed all the towels and only a "somewhat clean" rag was in the other room! Reality hit---Tanzania's people may have a big place in our hearts but our bodies really miss the Western world comforts!
But now we are back safe, sound, and "spoiled." It is good to be home. We can't wait to see family. They are in our hearts when we are gone, and now we can't wait to have them in our arms!
Thank-you for following our blog. We hope it has been a blessing in some way. God willing, we will return to Makumira in the Fall and continue our postings then.
Peace--
Tim & Diane
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