Life in the "interior"

                                                                     
                                               
                                                
The "interior"

One of our former students stopped by this week and
was telling us about his internship in the "interior."  The "interior" is another name for the remote area also known as "the bush."  The area is extremely
underserved for numerous reasons--its distance,
its barrenness, and the people who live there have a
lifestyle that has adapted to such sparse existence and traditional ways that they do not seek change. 
 One of the main tribes in such areas is the Maasai.  They are herders, moving their cattle from place to place, wherever vegetation can be found.  Consequently, they live in mud homes (made by the women) so that the Maasai can quickly move from one location to another when necessary.                                   Mother & daughter repairing  mud home
   The men are known for their bravery, protecting
their cattle from wild animals by use of only a spear and maybe a club.  They are often polygamous, having more than one wife, and as many children as possible.
   The Maasai's first love (almost to the point of obsession) is their cows.  They are legendary for the large numbers they own. Their wealth is solely in their cattle.  (There is a saying here that a Maasai's bank has 4 legs!) Our student said that he could go into that area with only 10,000Tsh ($5 USD) in his pocket and come back home weeks later and still have the 10,000Tsh.  There is nothing to shop for there and no place to shop, so no money is needed.
   The Maasai's diet consists of meat and milk.  The men and boys graze the animals and the women and girls gather the firewood, find a stream to collect the water, and take care of building/repairing their mud home. There are no schools and very few churches.  There aren't nearly enough pastors or evangelists to go around, so it is common for a  Christian women and children to gather outside on Sunday mornings under an Acaia tree, place an opened Bible on a tree stump (rarely can the women read but they believe that God reads it for them), and proceed to sings hymns they've been taught and say prayers from their heart. This was a sight that was very familiar to our theology student. He was warmly welcomed whenever he happened to be there, and he said the women would want to stay for such a long time that after several hours he'd have to say, "It is over. Go back to your homes now."
   He also explained to us that Maasai are afraid of dead bodies, so it is a very unfortunate person who has to drag the deceased into the woods where it is left for wild animals to consume. Consequently, when our student would see a dead body, he would dig a hole, put on his robe, have a small service and bury the person in the ground.  The people would gather out of curiosity when they would see him digging.  He said they'd stand around and watch, shake their heads, and question why he wouldn't just let the animals take care of the body.  He took that as an opportunity to talk about God to them.
  He said that they know God.  In fact, he recalled an elder in one of the bomas putting his hand on each cow as it left in the morning, and saying, "God keep you safe until you return."  In the evening when the cows returned, the mzee (old man) repeated his practice, touching each cow and saying, "Asante sana, Bwana, for the safe return of this cow."Our student said that the Maasai are a "religious" people, in that they believe in God, but most do not know Jesus, and their practices keep women in a very lowly position.
  

Maasai women bringing in charcoal & taking care of the "transport"

One day, a Christian Tanzanian woman who lived in a village on the edge of the "interior," passed by and saw again how hard life is for the Maasai. So as she walked, she prayed that God would show her a way, to help. She prayed and prayed, then thought, "If only I could read Maa (the language of the Maasai), I could read them the Bible so they could know Jesus.
   Our student had heard about this Christian lady and one day he met her, and she told him the rest of her story. She said
she prayed for many days about what she should do, and she got a Bible, opened it, and started reading it in Maa--and understood what she was reading.  Now, she is being sent to a 3 month school by our student's supervisor for leadership training and teaching techniques, so that she can  proclaim with confidence the Scripture she reads to the people.  Everyone there, including our student and his supervising pastor, agree that what happened was a miracle.
  God works like that here. . . .it's 2016. . . technology, globalization, politics fill the headlines in much of the world. . . but in a place, less than 100 km (less 60 miles) from where we are, life is still very much
Old Testament times.. .                                                                  

Maasai woman attending to the birth of a calf

A Maasai woman's wounded toe

We don't always know what to think or make of all that we see and hear (the pictures are ours that we've taken when we've been in "the interior.")  But we pray that as we share the stories with you, God will work in all of our lives and that we can witness His presence and serve his people, wherever we are.
   With hopes that you are staying warm, and safe, and having a good January!
         With our love,   Tim & Diane

Today is Thanksgiving

   Today is Thanksgiving.  I walked into the village to see if the village seamstress could sew a hem for me.  It's a dirty walk on a rocky, pitted dirt road.  When you turn off that road to go deeper into the village there are lots of burned, charcoal-fueled fire spots where dwellers have burned their trash or in one case 3 years ago, a thief was burned to earth on one of those spots.

   The  young woman who does the sewing wasn't home, and the young girl attending the home didn't speak English so we exchanged a few words in Kiswahili and I returned to campus by way of the main highway.

   It's a bit of a walk so I was thinking about different things when I heard a voice call out, "Bibi" (Grandmother).  I wasn't really paying attention and kept walking until the same voice yelled louder, "Shikamu" (A greeting of respect for an elder.)  I turned around and saw a boy about 10 years-old.  He was pretty dirty and carried a heavy black plastic bag on his shoulder.  He started speaking Kiswahili.  I explained (in Kiswahili) that I didn't speak much Swahili, but he kept talking as if I understood! (He must have understood the little I said, so that's a complement to my efforts at studying the language---or else when I thought I said I didn't speak much, I actually said I speak a lot!!!)   Anyway, we soon got to the pantomime version of communicating and he wanted to know what was in my small purse.  I acted like I didn't understand and pulled out the blouse I hoped to have hemmed that I was carrying uderneath the purse.  He must have thought that this "bibi" really didn't get it!  So in frustration and with a rough, strong voice he demanded, "Give me money!"  I looked at him kindly, smiled, and said, "Hapana (no), I have no money."  Then I asked him (via gestures) what was in his bag.  his eyes became stern.  I think he thought I wanted to take his bag, so I gently said, "Your bag is heavy, so sorry."  (At least that's what I think I said.)  So he took  down his bag from his left shoulder and opened it to show me the coal he was carrying, probably to sell.  I again said that it was very heavy and I was sorry.  We walked a bit more in silence.   I noticed his strong arms---yet still those of a boy developing muscle. . .He wasn't inn school and today is a school day here. . .
I wondered about how protective he was of his bag of coal. . .

   After a bit he said, "Good-by."  And I said, "Kwa here. Sik njema." (Good-by. Have a good day.)  He replied, "Asante" (thank-you) and crossed the busy highway. . .

   I said a prayer for him as I continued my walk back to the campus.  He coulld  have been one of my grandchildren----how different their life is.

   Sometimes it's a bit overwhelming here. . .Our life is so abundant inn the face of their poverty. . .

Dear God, please be with this Tz. boy today and with our grandchildren so far away.  Fill all of their stomachs, keep all of them safe from harm, and help each of them grow to know You---and love You with all of their heart.

 Happy Thanksgiving to all of you

Elections African Style

Greetings from 8000 miles away!
  We are doing fine--no real excitement since our house fire.  We both have 25 students in our seminary classes and Diane has begun teaching a course in Abnormal Psychology at the University.  We have monkeys who play in our front yard and Diane is glad to report that we have seen no snakes......so far!
  Elections have been completed in Tz.  They elect a new president every 5 years and the president is limited to 2 terms.  The office of president rotates between a Christian president and a Muslim president every 10 years.
   The election drew a lot of excitement and energy.  There were party flags on every street corner, giant billboard signs, outdoor political rallies that drew thousands, and trucks with loud speakers blaring their party slogans driving up and down the roads.  We kept a low profile during election week for safety reasons.
  By African standards the election turned out to be very peaceful.  Many countries surrounding Tz. measure their election by the 100's killed, 1000's injured, and countless homes, autos and businesses burned.  Not so for Tanzania.
   Unfortunately most of our seminary and university students were not able to vote.  The government required all students to register at their universities to vote (since that is where they would be residing at the time of voting).  Then just before elections, the government delayed the start of classes until after elections.  Since the students were at home (away from their universities) at the time for elections, they weren't registered to vote in their home district so they lost their right to vote. Interestingly one of the opposition parties consisted in a large part of this youthful population.  (That party lost.)
   The other unfortunate side effect to the elections was an increase in the physical attacks on the albino people. Many politicians who were running for office would use witchcraft in hopes of improving their chances for winning.  Some of the believed-to-be most power witchcraft practices include the use of albino body parts.  Consequently, many albinos (children as well as adults) are maimed and killed for their body parts to be used in these rituals. In the classes we teach, we have the opportunity to address such issues.  The seminarians and pastors are on the front line in working with these beliefs in their villages. By educating the pastors/seminarians about mental illness, witchcraft, and superstitious practices, lives can be saved and changed in many ways. We give them knowledge and hope in helping their people deal with these destructive  customs.
   As we write this we realize that Thanksgiving is just a week away. We wish each of you a Blessed Thanksgiving.  We are grateful for your interest and your prayers.  We are deeply blessed--both here and at home---living in Tanzania makes us so much more aware of that.
  Tim & Diane

                                      
Tanzania's new President Magufuli
                                 





Flags from opposing parties everywhere. . .

. . .and on everything!!!

A Very Warm Reception!

                                 
                                                                                                         20 October 2015
Greetings from Tanzania!
  We are back at Makumira Seminary as of Monday night, October the 12th, and have the same vehicle and the same house!  We were hoping for both, but one never knows until you arrive.
   On Friday afternoon, I made the comment to Tim that even though we were exhausted (jet lag took its toll), I felt we had completed most of the cleaning and unpacking, and we were about 95% settled in!  He agreed.  Lack of electricity has been a definite issue--making everything more of a challenge, but fortunately the university turns on their generator around 6 pm so we can fix dinner and take showers, then it's off again by 10 pm.
   As I was just starting to fix dinner last Friday night, we heard a strange, loud noise that went on for quite a bit.  Then our electricity went out (oh dear, now its the generator, I thought.).  A bit later, our Tz. neighbor, Moshi,  started yelling, "Moto, moto" ("hot, hot"-- in this case meaning "Fire, Fire"), so Tim went out to see what his problem was.  It ends up that it was our problem----our house was on fire and our neighbor was trying to throw dirt up to our roof.  He did not think anyone was home since we had no lights on and everyone else did.
   There was smoke coming out of our roof from the attic area--the 2nd floor between the ceiling of the bedroom and the roof.  Tim got our fire extinguisher and went up to the attic, having to balance himself on top of the wobbly rail at the top of the steps.  Our full fire extinguisher wasn't enough so I ran over to another family and they brought over their two extinguishers. Meanwhile the men (the security guards had joined in now and some of the local workmen) were outside still digging and throwing dirt on the roof!
    Moshi called the university's electrician.  He came with his fire extinguisher.
    Four hours and 4 fire extinguishers later the fire was securely out.  The electrician wanted to know the cause before he left, and he wanted to reconnect our electricity and see if it was safe.  The large (1 1/2 " diameter) electrical cable that runs outside for our neighborhood had been brought inside our house when the house was built and the cable ran across the center beam  (This is what Tim saw in flames. )  Something must have eaten into the cable and the sparks burned along 5 ft. of the beam 2 inches deep---and the two surrounding 2x4's were also on fire when Tim first went up.
   The other problem was that the hot embers from the beam were falling on the ceiling of the bedroom and had begun smouldering.
   We don't have Fire Depts. in Tz.  We were fortunate this did not happen at 2 a.m. when no one would have noticed, and we would have been sleeping in our house with iron grates in every window and the pad locked steel grates at our front and back doors heavily secured.  There is no way we would have made it out alive.
   When our neighbor, Moshi, left, he said, "Have a blessed night."  We already had---and he and the others who came to our aid were a big part of the blessing.
   Tim didn't sleep  too well that night, but we've refilled our fire extinguisher, have figured out an escape route if ever needed, and focus on what it means to be "community," even in a country so far away.
   If you don't have a fire extinguisher in your home, we seriously encourage you to get one.  And if you do have one, check the expiration date. We live in a cement block house with a tin roof---we thought having a fire extinguisher was just a waste of money---fortunately, we were wrong----it made all the difference.
   Even though Friday evening was a scary event, we  truly felt God's protective presence---that the fire happened when we were awake and not asleep; that our neighbor spotted the fre; that we had a working fire extinguisher and that our other neighbor had 2 more extinguishers. Even if it had turned out differently, we know that God was with us.  We pray the same knowledge and peace for you,

   With our love for each of you,
       Tim & Diane
         

 

We're Off!!!

Dear Family and Friends,
   It's time again to "take to the friendly skies," and head to Tanzania.  Our bags are nearly packed and I'm doing last minute checks---like how to put pictures on the blog post.  So this is actually a "test run."  Enjoy some pics from last year, and we're connect again next week once we've settled in and have internet service!
  Much love to all of you,
      Tim & Diane

Packing Up---But not the Memories

                                                                                                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

--

Celebration--Tanzanian Style

12 January 2015
 
   During our stay in Tanzania,  we have been attending the Arusha Community Church.  This is an international, interdenominational, English-speaking church that was begun about   25 years ago by American Lutheran missionaries.  Occasionally Tim preaches at this church.
   In the last year the big Lutheran Cathedral Church in Arusha has also begun English-speaking services.  This is an African congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT).  They have a Swahili service at 7 a.m. attended by over 1000 members.  They have a second Swahili service at 9 a.m. also attended by over 1000 members.  And now they have an English-speaking service with about 150 worshipers.
   A few ELCA missionary pastors have been asked to preach and help lead this service.  So besides teaching at Makumira Seminary, Tim has also been leading some services at this Cathedral Church.  The church is quite large with a pulpit that is about 10 feet tall.  The service they use is an adaptation of Setting I from the green Lutheran Book of Worship.
   Recently the Cathedral Church celebrated Confirmation at their 2nd service.  They had 150 Confirmands--the girls dressed in full length white dresses with veils, high heels and lace armlets.  The boys were in 3 piece black suits.
   The service began with a procession through the streets of downtown Arusha led by a brass band---150 Confirmands, and all their pastors an catechists in full robes!  There were no police escorts--the traffic just kind of "gave way."  Tim was the only white person ("mzungu") in the procession.  It was quite a beginning to a very special day for these African Lutheran families.  After the service, several families rent decorated cars to parade through town--also led by a brass band playing from the back of pickup trucks!
  That afternoon we attended the Confirmation party for our gardener's twin daughters.  They live about 5 miles up a dirt mountain road.  Their modest mud brick house with a tin roof is located in the middle of their banana grove.  There were 3 shaded homemade tent sites--one for extended family, one for the friends and neighbors, and one for distinguished guests including us as the only mzungu.
The twin daughters, who had just been confirmed, sat in a specially decorated booth with their attendants.
   After 20 minutes of introductions of guests, the party continued with the ceremonial feeding of the parents and distinguished guests by the confirmation sisters.  This involves each girl putting a very small piece of food into the mouth of the recipient while, at the exact same time, the guest is aiming to put a very small piece of food into the mouth of the Confirmand.  First the girls fed us a piece of the confirmation cake tentatively "secured" on a toothpick! (Of course we were simultaneously balancing a small piece of cake on a toothpick and hoping to deposit it in their mouths at approximately the same time---not such an easy feat for 6'6 Tim and the petite sister who must have drawn the short straw before the party began!) Then the servers (neighbors) carried in a big table with some object covered with a white sheet and set it down where everyone could see.
   When they pulled the sheet off, there was a whole roasted, fatted goat.  Everyone burst into applause and African cheering.  By "whole," I mean complete with attached legs, tail, head and hide, with a mouth stuffed with hay!
  The servers then carved the meat off the goat in front of the guests.  Then the twins came and served us the ceremonial pieces of the goat on tooth picks (while they also received a piece from us).  When you are attending as honorary guests you graciously receive what is presented with gratitude and smiles.  I was very brave and kept my thoughts on the kindness being extended---Tim actually went back for seconds!
   The celebration continued with a DJ, music, dancing, the traditional presenting of gifts to the girls and a huge Tanzanian feast of fresh fruits and  vegetables, stews, ugali, and pilau.
  We consider ourselves very fortunate to be included in the spiritual and celebrative life of these Tanzanian families.
   Yet, like so many things we experience in life, there is another side.  The expense of such celebrations often costs more than the parents make in several months time.  The average Tanzanian, if employed, earns less than $2 USD/day. By Western logic, it doesn't make sense.  But these are a Collectivistic people.  Their roots are firmly intertwined in their clan and with their neighbors (even including mzungu  ). Tanzanians have a saying, "I am because we are."  That saying embodies a love and respect and acknowledgment of their connectedness to one another.  So to elaborately celebrate with your whole community one of the most significant events in your child's spiritual development is an expectation and a desire here.
   We're learning to focus on understanding...and appreciating..and letting the judgments percolate until we are wiser---if even then.
   Wishing you an interesting and Blessed 2015.
      Tim & Diane
 

Christmas Gifts

19 December, 2014

Merry Christmas!
    Recently I was thinking about "how Christmas doesn't happen" in Tanzania until the 24th of December.  There are no decorations, no different, "special" foods, no Christmas music, and likewise, the weather is the same as every other day.  I realize how much I miss the Western "glitz & glitter."  I know that isn't Christmas either, but it seems that "nothing happening" isn't Christmas as well.
   As I was reflecting on this, I started thinking about the student who came over the night before to share some good news. . . and an American missionary who stopped in to talk about some problems she was having raising her 3 young boys.  Then I thought about the real needs behind the frequent requests we receive for money--the student with his family  who struggle to live on $1 USD/day  (for all 5 of them). . . and  about the Tz faculty member who appreciated and validated our teaching here. . .and the student who came asking for prayers for his younger brother who had just been in a serious car accident .  My thoughts wandered back and forth---and then it hit me---THESE are the gifts, and exchanges, and "get-togethers" of Christmas.
   THESE are the shepherds and wise men coming--because in each one of these we see the face of Jesus.  These students and missionaries make up a different looking nativity scene---but it is just as valid--for they come needy--but each one with deep love in their hearts for the Christ child.
   THESE are the people in our "live nativity" here in Tz.
  I'm so glad we didn't "miss it"---because many missed what was taking place 2000 years ago in Bethlehem.
 
   On a different note, we wanted to share an experience that shows why we still shake our heads and are amazed at how God works in Tanzania.
   There are many large, and radically charismatic churches in this part of Tz.  They are often led by self-taught, self-proclaimed prophets or pastors.  The churches go by names like Miracle Gospel Church, Winner's Chapel, Glory Land Church, and The Christian Miracle Center.   Their services, usually, 4-6 hours long, include faith healing, demon exorcisms, miracle promising and some even promising to raise people from the dead.  There may be as many as 5 or 6 offerings during the service--each promising God's material or medical blessings.  And while the Lutheran Church in Tz. is experiencing tremendous growth there is the strong temptation for Lutheran members to leave the Lutheran Church and go to one of these miracle and success-promising churches.
   So one of the assignments Tim gives in Worship Class is for each student to attend a worship service of a church that is not Lutheran. Then each student writes a paper and gives an oral report to the class regarding specific questions/observations/reflections. (This assignment was given after the students had studied the history and biblical basis for Lutheran worship.)
   The following is a portion of one students visitation experiences:
  " When the great Prophet arrived to the church; every one stand up and almost all of the members run forward throwing money on the altar.  The great prophet entered to the church through the corner of an altar.  There were bodyguards with the black glasses.  I also saw the different countries flags on the side of an altar.  One flag was for the kingdom of God which the great prophet is representative. It stands back near his seat.
  There was no sign of cross on the altar.  But there were prophet's healing pictures with many crowds of people.  The glass pulpit was there at the altar.  There were many loud speakers all over the tent.  They all wore their suit.  No one have any kind of a robe.
   The great prophet Dr. GeorDavie did not preached but he stood and give us the word of prophecy that was from Isa. 43:26 says, "Put me in remembrance, let us argue together;set forth your case, that you may proved right." Then he invited Pastor Elizabeth for testimony.  Pastor Elizabeth went to the prophet first and kneeled under his feet saying now I am kneeling under my father feet so that I might come with his full spirit.
   She stood at the pulpit and glorifying the prophet in a lot of words she said, "...this is the University of the Prophets.  A university is for adults. Other denominations are like kid's schools. 
Whoever comes here must stay here learning from the great prophet. Do not go back to pastors.
Pastors are Sunday School teachers.  They have nothing.  But here we have a man of God.  He is God's representative.  He has power and he is able than pastors and apostles that you can found anywhere.  He is only great prophet. Like Elijah he is miracle prophet."
   These reports gave great opportunity to discuss Lutheran liturgy---why we do what we do.  The Lutheran service in Tz. is very similar to a traditional service in America.  One Bible verse that kept coming back to us was the story of the Last Super when Jesus washed his disciples feet
 (John 13:12-16).  That model for ministry is radically different than the way many churches and pastors operate in Tz.
 A very interesting outcome materialized from this church visitation assignment.  One of our class students is a newly elected Bishop from another area of Tz.  For his visitation he chose a congregation that had separated itself from the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania (ELCT) because of a conflict.  The following is a portion of his report:
   "The congregants are local and from the neighborhood so  for them is very easy to recognize if there is new face.  Such thing happened to me since from the introduction of the Service they knew that I'm a guest. Even though I didn't want to get a special chance to greet them, still they asked that I could say even few words.  I did so by introducing who am I.  They were very happy that in the life of that church they have never been visited by leader of the Church. They prepared tea for me.
   After having heard this Church, I understand that conflict within the Church pushed this group of Christians to establish their own Church, but in the image of Mother Church.  I advise those two sides to find a solution by the grace of Almighty Father so that in the near future reconciliation would be found. This led myself to realize the situation of the unity of the Church is in a hard moment and we should remain praying that God protect the unity of the Church."
  After the service he met with the church leaders for tea and he talked to them about the importance for unity in the Church.  They indicated an openness to enter into conversation again with the ELCT. He then had a conversation with the local Bishop who also expressed an openness.  They have now scheduled a meeting for possible reconciliation.  It is amazing how God can use a simple classroom assignment to accomplish God's purpose.
   There is a richness for doing Christian teaching in the context of Tanzania culture.  We're never quite sure what the outcome will be.  But with the Holy Spirit's movement and the students' undoubting sense of call, amazing things happen.  We are truly blessed to be in this setting--sharing...as well as receiving..
   This has been a very long post, but we wanted to share the gifts we're receiving with you as well.
        Praying God's peace and blessings for each of you at Christmas and throughout 2015.
           Merry Christmas,
             Tim & Diane




   

What Thanksgiving Means in Tanzania

                                                                                                              25 November 2014
Dear Family and Friends,
   I'm not sure if it's the weather (constantly low 80's) or the culture (nothing like America), but it is very hard to believe it is Thanksgiving this week back home. We have classes on Thursday since it is a normal day here, but in the evening we will be enjoying the company of many ELCA missionaries from the Arusha area along with "as-close-as-we-can-get" traditional Thanksgiving meal!
   We have had some fascinating and thought provoking experiences since the last blog--Tim and I spent one day with Bob Lange, a physicist who has developed a stove and a solar system that can be used by Maasai women in their mud huts with the thatched roofs.  Currently, the women burn wood inside their small, unventilated and unlit home. Between the heavy dark smoke and the lack of light (no windows or openings), the family often suffers from pulmonary illnesses as well as general discomfort from red, sore eyes.  After working alongside the women for 1 1/2 years to develop an efficient and affordable stove, Bob needed to convince the polygamous Maasai husband to purchase one for each of his wives.  The women loved them but the man was never interested, until Bob developed a way that the boma could be set up with a small solar system, providing light inside each hut, plus a light on each animal kraal, thus keeping the hyena away during the night.  The man was extremely eager to obtain the solar system, so Bob said the man could buy the solar system only after he purchased a stove for each wife.  Instantly, the man agreed!! So we were there the day the women were setting up their new brick stoves (and remodeling their roofs to accommodate their unique chimney--we watched as the women climbed up on their roofs and disassembled their thatch, cut the supporting wood frame of the roof and then later reconstructed it!).  We also watched as the women dug the trench to lay the line for the solar system to connect the houses and kraals.
   Probably more fascinating than even this experience, however, continues to be the discussions we have with our predominantly male class.  Recently when we were discussing psycho-social development in our Psychology class, I responded to a student's statement by commenting that polygamy is not allowed in the U.S.  They were shocked!  And they quickly asked, "Who will protect the women?"  (This seems to me to be an odd question since the women here do so much of the work and the money is controlled by the men yet somehow the women still survive--but the question of protection came up).  Then another student stated, "Don't they (people in US) realize that there are more women in the world than men so the only way for them all to be married is to allow polygamy?"
   The concept of a woman not needing to be married to have worth and value was just as shocking as the idea of outlawing polygamy!  So this conversation was almost heretical and more than they could digest.
   It is true, however, that women in this culture do need a husband to protect them--which means that they have validity thru him.  He represents her and gives her value as she produces children and works to help all subsist.  A woman's legal rights  come thru being married. This is technically changing but, in reality, a woman's rights are not recognized whether she's married or not. But to be unmarried is the greatest disgrace for a woman here --just above being married without having children---the is definitely the bottom of he barrel.
  Yesterday I had a small incident in which I arrived at our classroom only to find that it was already occupied by a Masters Degree class that didn't want to vacate.  The head student from that class came to where my class was standing and approached the men not me the teacher!  My male students, since they were underclassmen, were shaking their heads yes--we would relocate.  I had previously gone to significant lengths to secure this room for the semester so I wanted to explain to the man that I had followed the procedure and wanted to continue having my class there.  As soon as I started to talk, our male students began apologizing to this male student!  (I couldn't believe it--the fact that I was truly the elder of all of them, in a culture where age is most respected, meant NOTHING ----because I am a woman.)  This is such a minor incident but, for me, it was sooooo telling of the underlying dynamic regarding the role/value/rights of a woman.
  They get that we are all children of God, but for many of them that does not equate with being equal.  Unfortunately, many women here have only known the lot of having little status--little worth so they pass that cultural belief onto their children--males and females.
   Yet, these very students truly want to learn.  They are very attentive and inquiring, but in so many ways we are speaking a foreign language to them--not just because it is English and not Kiswahili, but because the concepts and practices seem so absurd---it is a lot for them to take in.
   But there is hope. The men and the women truly do love God and they are genuinely caring about those they live in community with---and that even includes us.
   Every morning at Chapel, we hear their words of thanksgiving--that God has brought them safely through the night and has provided for them salvation.
   So, in fact, it is Thanksgiving here in Tanzania too--everyday---
 as I close with the words we and the students say each morning in worship:
   " Bwana, (Lord) open my lips and my mouth, so I will speak your praise.  Remind me that you have come for  me with your salvation. We praise you, Baba (Father) na Mwana (and Son) na Roho Mtakatifu (and Holy Spirit) like it was in beginning and is now and all day until forever and forever."
  Amen.
   May you have a blessed and beautiful Thanksgiving,
     Tim & Diane

Tanzanian Stress

                                                                                                                                           5 Nov 2014

Dear Family and Friends,
   We are in our third week of classes since we last wrote, and all is going well.  We have a smaller class at the seminary--14 students, 1 female and 12 males.  At first we thought this may be more of a challenge to engage the students in class discussion---but this group is very alert, interactive, and full of questions when they don't understand or disagree! Last week I gave an assignment in which the students were to compare an individualistic culture with a collectivistic one (such as theirs).  One student wrote regarding an individualistic culture that it is like the Tz culture, a man can force a woman to do things. I wrote back on his paper that is not true in America because of equal rights.  At break time the student came up to me and said, "How can this be? I don't understand!" As I tried to gently explain this major difference in our cultures, his face became more shocked with disbelief.  Finally, I think out of despair, he looked at Tim and desperately said, "Pastor, is this true?  What about what the Bible says?"  I have a feeling that this is a topic that will be revisited many times this semester!

As always there's some confusion and some amusement  especially during the first class.  Some of the students' names catch our attention, either because they are soooooooooooo long or because of their meaning.  This year we have a record breaker with one student's first name being 14 letters long---and of course that's the name he wants to be called by--not by his last name which only has 5 letters!

Another student has a name that seemed curious, so I asked him what it meant.  He said it means "Pharisee," and the class all looked downward and said nothing.  He meekly added that he didn't know why he was named that-- obviously I didn't pursue it any further---nor did I ask anyone else the meaning of their name!

We also have a Bishop in our class.  He is an ordained pastor and just became a Bishop in January for a new diocese.  His plate is extremely full combining studies for a Bachelor's Degree in Divinity with his numerous duties as Bishop.  He's a humble, insightful man, and we are fortunate to have him in our class.

   Tim has had his first flat tire in Tz!  Fortunately for us, it happened on campus! So the campus fundi (repairman) was able to take care of it, and Tim learned what to do if/when it happens again! It is a 3/4 ton, 4 wheel drive "bush vehicle" and the jack was broke, so he was grateful to have some help.  The roads are unbelieveably pot-holed here and the tires (as well as people's spinal cords ) take the brunt of it!

   Since the last posting, I was asked to lead a women's retreat on dealing with stress. The kind of stress and/or the sources of stress are somewhat different here than in the States.

   I had to stop writing this post so that I could go to the Dispensary.  I have had an extremely itchy and draining eye for the past week and it's getting worse.  So I entered our new Dispensary and was greeted with a nod by the nurse who had a really ugly knife in her hand, and she pointed with the knife for me to take a seat while she proceeded to hand the grotesque instrument to the doctor who was waiting at the end of the hall.  I quickly obeyed and thought, oh my gosh---what am I doing here?  I'm feeling better--maybe I should just leave.  I sat a bit trembly, waiting to hear a piercing scream---only to see the doctor return to the hallway, using the knife to cut open a box!
   I was eventually motioned to go into the doctor's office and I explained my situation, emphasizing how I was feeling better already!  After hearing my account (no looking at my eye), he left then returned with some eye drops.  He stated that I have a bacterial eye infection and I must shake the bottle each time I use it--then proceeded to show me how to shake the very small bottle.  Then he removed the bottle cap and squirted some of the contents right onto the floor next to his desk.  "Fine," he said.  "It works!"  Then he looked at me to see if I understood.  I think I do.
   So on my walk back from the Dispensary, I read the label on the package.  It simply says, "Eye/Ear Drops."  I need to close now so I can use my multipurpose drops.  I will shake it, then poor some on the floor, then put 3 drops in each eye---I don't think I'm suppose to put it into my ears since he didn't demonstrate that!
   Hoping this finds you healthy, stress-free, and with a good sense of humor,
Much love from both of us,
    Tim & Diane

Things Are Changing

Dear Family & Friends,
   It's 3 a.m.  I was awakened by the barking of the guard dogs.  Nothing to worry about.  They were just "talking" to each other, but we sleep with our windows open so we hear all the night sounds of Africa---now there's a dark silence interrupted only by the cooing chirp of some unidentified birds.  They seem to be "talking" to each other too.  So after lying awake for a while, I decided I'd get up and "talk" to you was well.

   I attended a Women's Bible Study in Arusha last week--the one I've been a part of every year.  It's an interesting mix of women from various countries in Africa as well as Europe and the U.S.  There were about 15 of us and they were wrapping up their study of Ephesians.  This particular lesson ended with each woman telling what she has been struggling with lately and then the session ended with a time in which we all prayed for each other.  Similar to all the previous Bible Studies----except this time the tone was different.  In the past two years, the format has been the same but the struggles were random---someone was sick from Malaria or Typhoid, or someone was unsure of how God was leading them, or we prayed for the family of someone who had died, etc.  But not yesterday....in fact, ever since we arrived in Tanzania, Tim and I have felt a palpable tension in the air---not at Makumira where we teach and live, but in Arusha, the main city 14 miles away where we attend church and do errands....where the Bible Study was.

   There seems to be 3 causes:  the Ebola epidemic in West Africa, an increase in terrorism and personal violence in Arusha, and the consequential effect of both of these on the Tanzanian economy.  Because of the Ebola fear and increased safety risks, tourism is drastically reduced.  Basically Arusha is the Safari Hub for Tanzania and much of East Africa, so when tourists stop coming, everyone feels the trickle down impact----and such is the case right now.

   The husband of one woman in the Bible Study is a tour guide who has his own small tour company.  She said there are not enough tourists for the big, established tour operators, much less for the small ones.

  Another woman said her 2 adult sons are university graduates but they sit at home day after day because there is no work to be found.  She and her husband sacrificed for their sons' education and now she questions if it was worth the sacrifice. (Others are also starting to abandon their hope that education is the way out of poverty.)

   At the market place we reconnected with a street hawker who wanted us to buy another copy of the same batik picture he sold us last year---he said that because of the fear of Ebola, and the current attack on women by piki piki (motorcycle) drivers with guns, people are staying away.  Some businesses have been randomly bombed.  And yesterday the news headlines were about the kidnapping of a 6 year old  girl named Glory who was found butchered in a field near the coast.  (This last incident was 8 hours from our place, but the fear it evokes seems contagious here.)

   Another Bible Study participant said that she just wakes with a feeling of anxiety everyday that she didn't use to have.  She's started having boils all over her body and she said that only happens when her immune system is low.  She feels that the anxiety and boils are related.

   The women all agreed that they feel an uneasiness that's different from the past.

   The book of Ephesians encouraged us to equip ourselves with the whole armor of God.  We recommitted to doing that, and in addition we are planning to have a Women's Retreat on Saturday, October 25th.  I will be leading some sessions on how to use self-talk to decrease anxiety, and a session on relaxation skills.

   These are dedicated, Christian women who live in a very challenging environment.  Their personal safety and that of their loved ones is threatened by things they can't control. The same situation occurs in the U.S. too, except that here there is no reliable infrastructure or systems in place to depend on.  The things that help and give us hope back in the States  don't exist here---there is no welfare system, or organized preventative health outreach, or effective, responsive police protection.  The people truly are vulnerable and last week, 15 women spilled out those fears.

   So as we wait for the students to return and classes to begin at Makumira, we ask for your prayers for the people of Tanzania, and for the upcoming Women's Retreat.

   I hear the rooster "talking" now.  It's not dawn yet, but this is the same rooster from last year that is a bit confused and stirs things up beginning at 4 a.m.  (Tim thinks it needs some Melatonin!)

   I am trying to post some pictures along with this---it's giving me directions in Swahili so no guarantee they will post!
        
   God's peace be with you,
       Tim & Diane

Packing Our Bags!

                                                                                                                    September 26, 2014
Greetings as we "dust off our blog" and send out a trial run to see if there are any bugs while we still have access to reliable technical support!
   In 3 days we're on our own technically speaking and that's a scary thing!
   This is our 3rd time to Makumira and it's been interesting to us in what's different this time and what's still the same in terms of leaving home.
   Compared to our first year, we have some phone numbers with us in case we arrive at the airport and no one is there to pick us up.   However, like the other years, we won't have a working phone with us when we arrive so the phone numbers won't really be of any help!
   Compared to our first year, now we know what the campus and housing looks like, yet like in the past we still don't know where we will be living.   We heard that someone was living in the house we had been in. Recently we heard the person moved due to problems with the house. Hmmmmm. . .
   Last year, we found out a few days before we were to leave the States that the beginning of the school term had been moved back 2 weeks (and then they added yet another week delay.)  Last night we found out that the opening of the semester has been moved back 2 weeks --but airplane tickets are bought so we'll head out on Sunday as planned and see what unfolds when we get there!
   Compared to the other years, the saying good-by to family is still a killer---but surely God understands since His son left home on a journey farther than ours.
   So I guess overall we haven't made much progress compared to the past---but on the other hand, that means that like the past two years, this year promises to be very meaningful and a great opportunity to serve and grow in our faith.
   Thank-you for your interest, love, and prayers.  We'll touch base again once we've settled in!
       Tim & Diane

 

Pictures of Daily Life in Tanzania

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

An interesting New Year's Eve!

                                                                                                                 10 January 2014
Greetings for 2014 from Tanzania!
  We were very concerned to hear about the brutal weather that overtook much of America last week.  We hope (and prayed) that each of you stayed safe and that your homes/vehicles survived the assault.
Maybe we're having "sympathy pains," because I woke up this morning to find our bathroom flooded!  Not sure what the problem is but of course it is Saturday so I don't know if we'll be able to get things fixed this weekend or not. (Ladd and 3 women from his church are arriving at 2 a.m. Monday!)
  Since our last blog, we visited the island of Zanzibar for a few days over New Years Eve.  It sounded like such a great idea and we thought it might help to distract ourselves from our homesickness of not being with family over Christmas by thinking of this exotic-sounding, spice island off the coast of Tanzania.  It helped a bit ----until we got to the airport.  There, to my enormous surprise, were hundreds of very happy, early-celebrating , "20-somethings" going to "Z-bar" (as I later found out it is called--for an obvious reason!) to bring in the New Year!!!  I had to really work on my self-talk so as to not be negative about how crowded and raucous (and hot/humid) it would be.  Somehow I instantly became very self-conscious of the age difference between us and our "plane-mates."  I felt like we were on the boat going over to Put-in-Bay for a 4th of July weekend!  Not exactly what I had in mind ....We were going to stay in Stone Town in one of the historic buildings--- at the Dhow Palace Hotel, built in 1559 A.D. (and of course, remodeled since then!)  It was in the heart of Stone Town.  When our 50 minute flight from Mt. Kilimanjaro Airport arrived at Zanzibar, the party-goers quickly retrieved their luggage and disappeared.  I mean really disappeared!  Zanzibar is 95% Muslim so there is no drinking allowed (at least in the city).  Along the beaches, however, we later heard about the beach parties of 1000 "happy" people ushering out Old Man 2013 and welcoming the Little Baby 2014!
   But, let me tell you that at the Dhow Palace Hotel, there were 2 occupants in the restaurant that night, and those same 2 had no clue when the New Year officially arrived because the Muslims use a different calendar based on the moon---so it was just another regular night for them!  It was a very charming place and we really enjoyed the historical walking tour we took the next morning.  Our guide was a well-read historian, and he made it all come alive!
   While shopping in one of the stores, I noticed that it must have been nearly time for the Muslims required prayers that they pray 5 times a day.  In a small closet-sized room, a black clad woman was conscientiously rolling out her mat and smoothing it with her hands as she began to kneel...and the Muslim call to prayer was issued from the nearby mosque for all in Stone Town to obey.
   I couldn't help but wonder, how many time has she gone thru this?  She looked as if she were probably 45 years old.  Our guide said that they (the Muslims) start training their children during their pre-school years to pray 5 times/day. So, by my calculations, this woman has intentionally stopped what she's doing and "talked with God"  1,825 times a year or 73,000 times by the age of 45 years. And that doesn't include weekly services or special holiday worships!
   I'm not trying to idealize this, but just think how much they are keeping God (and their relationship to God) in their mind even if it is a required practice.   What would the world be like if we Christians thought of and talked with Christ that frequently?  I think it'd make a difference.   Hmmmm..........sounds like a New Year's Resolution in the making....
   God's peace---and prayers for a "gentler" rest of January for each of you,
      Tim & Diane
P.S.  We ended our time in Zanzibar by going on a very interesting Spice Tour.  That was 5 days ago...and for the past 5 days I have been covered with an extremely itchy allergic reaction to something I either touched, tasted, or inhaled there!!!! The doctor at the dispensary here said I should stop itching in 5-14 days!!!!
  

Views of life in Tz.

 Meet my newest friend!  This is an eland that is one of many animals on the grounds of a nearby safari lodge.







Keep scrolling to next picture!











 A beautiful glimpse of Mt. Meru behind Makumira Campus.











A typical sight on the back of a taxi bus!














Tim holding a clump of bananas from a banana tree in our backyard!











Visiting at Upendo (Love) Leprosy Home. A very touching experience.












Diane working with a discussion group for a project assignment.













We were invited to the Confimation of our housekeeper's daughter.  The celebrations are very special.  Here she is seated with her escort.   Next picture is of the village children who have little to eat and are invited at the end to come and enjoy what food is left.                                                                                                               

Tanzanian images of Christmas

          

                                                                                                                21 December, 2013
Merry Christmas!
   Most of the students have left the campus by now, so the holiday has officially begun.  However, Tim & I have to keep reminding ourselves of that because the tropical weather, and the lack of Christmas decorations make this time seem like any other day.  So, in order to get into the Christmas spirit, I volunteered to lead the December meeting of a women's Bible study that I'm involved with.  We appropriately chose to revisit the story of Christ's birth.
   It's interesting, living in this country that still looks and continues many behaviors found in Old Testament times, to study and reflect on the Christmas story.  Women in the villages still go to the well for the daily water.  Goats, cattle, and sheep are staked to the side of the roads grazing on whatever they can find to eat while women pass by carrying  over-sized bundles on their heads.  Children can be seen collecting twigs for the cooking fire, and men are making bricks or doing carpentry work outside their small dukas.
   Even the daily wear for village women is still to wrap themselves in fabric, printed with distinct patterns representing their tribe or marked with a wise saying.   Cloth is valued here and used for everything from wrapping one's body, to transporting uncooperative loads of vegetables to market, to creating privacy in a one-room home, to giving protection from malaria laden mosquitoes while sleeping, to draping a deceased body before burial. . . . . to swaddling a newborn baby.
   Many of the women in the group have lived in Tanzania for 20-30 years.  Some have been here all their life, and others are relatively new, like me.  So, together, we started the journey to Bethlehem---and took the long route there.
   We began our journey at the beginning---and I literally mean the beginning ---with John as our guide (Jn. 1:1-5).  So we knew from the start that we would be encountering God, the Word that became flesh and lived among us.
   Then Matthew took over and expounded on the genealogy of Jesus.  The women readily spotted the 4 women mentioned in this patriarchal lineage, and we realized the shock Matthew caused as we too live in a heavily male-privileged society.  The insigificane of these women in the genealogy led us to have no doubt that God was at work.
   Then Luke took over as our guide, and we women enjoyed the "knitty-gritty" inside story he shared.  We trekked over to peak in on Elizabeth and Zechariah and we saw Elizabeth's tears of relief and joy as her long-endured disgrace was removed.  Still today in Tanzania, childless, married women are a humiliation to their clan.  The infertility is always considered hers, and the shame leaves deep, emotional scars as she is abused and shunned, often times even by her husband.
  We'll never forget as we watched Mary deliver the Almighty Son of God.  She swaddled him in bands of cloth like she had seen other women do countless times before...then she placed him ever so gently in that unsanitary manger!  Honestly, we were so appalled!  But that's how it is here in Tanzania as well.  In the villages, it is the job of a mid-wife to help deliver the newborn---in the dirt-floored, mud-brick home. . .or. . .even in the middle of the banana tree filled plot---without sanitation, or instruments to prevent ripping, and without privacy.  All the focus is on the newborn, expectantly waiting to see if the child is a boy.
   Then no sooner had we caught our breath and the shepherds showed up!  They looked and acted so much like the Maasai here that we almost thought we recognized one by name!  Did you know they jumped high and let out their whooping, shrill noise when the first saw the baby?  They did! (According to the New Testament RSV--Revised Sonnenberg Version).  They were so excited that their Savior was one of them---born, not in a luxurious palace--but just like the shepherds---with the animals---one with creation.  But quickly they became uncharacteristically quiet.  I think the sight of their mighty Savior might have been too touching and tender---even for them, the brave and fearless shepherds.
   And we were still around when the Wise Men showed up.  Oh, the scent of those exotic fragrances and spices!  The Wise Men seemed quite moved by this little king.  We watched at how alert he was when they approached him.  He held their gaze and he didn't blink.   It was kind of a knowing kind of look he gave---one that went deep inside, past their eyes....almost as if he could see into their heart.
   And then came the surprise. . . .it was our turn!  We realized that we are in this story too. . .we are the Wise Women.  (A Wise Woman is any woman who knows Jesus and loves Him with all her heart.)  And like the Wise Men, we all came from different backgrounds, representing all parts of the earth.  So what gift would each of us bring?  What is most precious to us to offer to Him?
  Well, that's where our journey ended.  I told you we took the long route (and thus such a long blog entry!)  But don't think you get off without being included too!  You've also heard the story, and that adorable little one sees you as well.  So what will you offer Him, our long-awaited Messiah?
   Tim and I pray that all of us will be renewed with the same sense of curiosity and joy that the shepherds must have experienced on that ordinary night when the angels broke open the sky with their presence.  We pray that we will be wrapped in the swaddling cloths of each other's love.  And that our hearts will be moved like those of the Wise Men to go great lengths to learn more about Jesus---and then be empowered to go and tell others the Good News!
   Wishing each of you, a truly Blessed Christmas,                                                                                 
        Tim & Diane

Daily Life in Tanzania

                                                                                                                  7 December, 2013
Dear Family & Friends,
   Even having been in Tz. several times, we continue to learn what it means to be community.
   In the space of less than one week, Makumira campus experienced both extremes on the emotions continuum--from the unexpected death of one of the students, in which literally the "whole body" grieved,--to the other end of total, unbounded joy and cheers 5 days later, as everyone joined to celebrate the 5 hour graduation of last year's class!
   These same students and faculty came together willingly despite being from different tribes and religions, to support each other in sorrow and in joy---for the simple reason that they are "community."
   The female student who was hit and killed by a car near campus, was in her last year of Education
studies.  Her death had a profound impact on the students. A hush descended across the whole campus as students walked slowly, talking in whispered voices, if at all.  That evening there was a Memorial Service on campus before sending her body 14 hours south to her home village.  Her father and brothers were able to arrive just in time for the service so that they could escort their precious loved one home.
   The chapel was packed beyond capacity as an additional hundreds of students (probably around 2000) sat on the ground outside surrounding the chapel--Christians and Muslims alike. Everyone did not know this student, but everyone shared in the tragedy her family and friends were experiencing---and out of respect, they came.
   During the service, the casket was brought in and opened.  Her father was introduced and seeing the large crowd, and bearing the shock of his daughter's passing, all he could do was lift his arm and bow his head.  Sometimes there are no words--in any language.
   At the end of the service, the students began to walk past the open casket, paying their respects while hymns were being sung in the deep voices and natural harmony so typical of Tz.
  It was sweltering inside the chapel, and at times the students' processional became very emotional as many female students began screaming/wailing and passing out as they saw their friend for the first time since her death---and the last time in this life.  Those who collapsed were carried out (almost like a corpse themselves) and laid on the ground outside the chapel.  It was pitch black when we left the chapel, nearly stepping on bodies ourselves, as girls lay moaning, and students stood silent in small groups.  And in their cultural expression of grief, they all gave and received support--and demonstrated what it means to be community---despite their many tribal/religious differences.
   Then on Saturday, Graduation, the most festive day of the school calendar, occurred.  The campus was spruced up, large white tents with colorful streamers were erected, chairs for students and faculty put in place, and huge bouquets of flowers were arranged.  The participants were robed (note picture of "yours truly" trying to look dignified in robes that were too long / too short, and mortar boards that slipped off with each turn of the head!), and a ceremonial brass band warmed up as relatives and friends streamed in thru the campus gates.  Actually it reminded Tim and me of being at an OSU football game (minus the delicious tailgating food.)  (Go Bucks!)
  That week was a lot for the students to handle.  Unfortunately, death is too common of an occurrence here.  The average lifespan in Tz. is 50 years...compared to 79 years in the U.S.  During one class when we were studying Erikson's Developmental Stages, some students commented that "Our tribe doesn't go up to Stage 6 because we don't live that long."  How does such a stark reality make these students feel?
   Just one more experience to share--ironically on a happy note.  Yesterday we decided to go on an adventure and try to find a place without directions--we only had the name of the village.  The place is Upendo (Love) Leprosy Home operated by Sisters of the Precious Blood.
   After several unsuccessful attempts, we were able to find a working phone number from an out-dated brochure.  A welcoming voice (in English even) answered and gave clear directions up the mountain.  We didn't know much about leprosy, or even the prevalence but thought maybe we should learn in case the seminarians also need accurate information.  Sr. Feliciana, a young, selfless woman was waiting to greet us and show us around.  While leprosy is not common in our area, it is still a major problem and is increasing in the rest of the country because people in the effected villages treat it by going to the witch doctor.  By the time they realize the witch doctor is not helping, they have started losing fingers, their nose falls off, and their eyes are scaled over and blindness results.  All this could have been avoided by seeing a medical doctor since medicines are available to treat and arrest leprosy.
  Some families come to stay at Upendo so they can be with their children.  But many come alone, rejected because of their stench, and frightening appearance.  The nuns minister to them lovingly, cleaning their wounds, applying medicine, and nurturing them back to health with food from the garden and safe water to drink---and we saw the results--The blind responded to our voices and stuck out their handless limb for us to shake.  If they could see, they would stand on footless legs and warmly greet us and thank us for coming.  They come from regions throughout Tz where leprosy occurs--but here they live as a community brought together out of the darkness of disease and witchcraft into the healing light of Christ's saving love.
   I think we just witnessed Advent. . . Tanzania style!
  Well, dear family and friends, I apologize this is so long, but much was on my mind.  Thank-you for being "our community."
  May God's peace and wonder fill you as we light the 2nd candle on the Advent wreath.
    Tim & Diane