Dear Friends,
We are on the countdown to leave for Tanzania tomorrow. It has been a wonderful time at home but we are also looking forward to returning to Makumira. We hope to start the blog some time later next week after we settle in. We ask for your prayers for the students as well as for us as we begin another chapter of this journey.
Looking forward to sharing our experiences with you,
Tim & Diane
Sunday, September 29
Tuesday, February 12
Back On U.S. Soil!
12 February, 2013
Dear Family & Friends--
We arrived safely home Sunday evening, and now I find myself sitting at the kitchen table, bundled up from Ohio's brisk chill outside, and reflecting---"What was it really all about---that Tanzania experience?" I suspect it's one of those questions that will take time to work through. But here are a few "first thoughts."
It was about surprises. From the time we arrived at Makumira until the time we left, we found ourselves being constantly "surprised!" We were surprised to discover that communication can be very complicated even when the participants are speaking the same English language (Tanzanian English vs. American English).
We were even told by our students when we first arrived that Tim & I "didn't have very good English!" (By the time we left last week, we were all thrilled with how well we had all managed to communicate and better yet--to understand each other!)
We were also surprised to learn that we had expectations that we didn't even realize we had...
---subtle things like expecting cars to use headlights when they're driven at night
---we didn't realize that we expected to eat rice without grit and tiny stones in it
---we did not expect so many absences from class due to family deaths
---we didn't expect to hear so much singing--from birds and students. Both were beautiful!
---we didn't expect so much genuine respect from the students. Nor did we ever expect to hear of such enormous sacrifices they make to become pastors.
---we didn't expect to be so much out of our comfort zone at times
--- we didn't expect to be so "stretched" in our thinking and understanding
---We didn't expect to fall in love--
with the students so much---people whose lives are vastly different from our own.
with each other--as we grew and shared the challenges, hardships, and rewards of following God's call,
and with God --whose creation and love far exceed our limited expectations.
So now, as we reconnect with precious family and friends, we find ourselves very grateful for God's protection and care. And we are also very grateful for your prayers and interest. We plan to return to Makumira in October and teach another semester. But until then, we are excited about getting together with you and getting "caught up."
As they say in Tanzania, " Mungu Akubarike"
God bless you,
Tim & Diane
Dear Family & Friends--
We arrived safely home Sunday evening, and now I find myself sitting at the kitchen table, bundled up from Ohio's brisk chill outside, and reflecting---"What was it really all about---that Tanzania experience?" I suspect it's one of those questions that will take time to work through. But here are a few "first thoughts."
It was about surprises. From the time we arrived at Makumira until the time we left, we found ourselves being constantly "surprised!" We were surprised to discover that communication can be very complicated even when the participants are speaking the same English language (Tanzanian English vs. American English).
We were even told by our students when we first arrived that Tim & I "didn't have very good English!" (By the time we left last week, we were all thrilled with how well we had all managed to communicate and better yet--to understand each other!)
We were also surprised to learn that we had expectations that we didn't even realize we had...
---subtle things like expecting cars to use headlights when they're driven at night
---we didn't realize that we expected to eat rice without grit and tiny stones in it
---we did not expect so many absences from class due to family deaths
---we didn't expect to hear so much singing--from birds and students. Both were beautiful!
---we didn't expect so much genuine respect from the students. Nor did we ever expect to hear of such enormous sacrifices they make to become pastors.
---we didn't expect to be so much out of our comfort zone at times
--- we didn't expect to be so "stretched" in our thinking and understanding
---We didn't expect to fall in love--
with the students so much---people whose lives are vastly different from our own.
with each other--as we grew and shared the challenges, hardships, and rewards of following God's call,
and with God --whose creation and love far exceed our limited expectations.
So now, as we reconnect with precious family and friends, we find ourselves very grateful for God's protection and care. And we are also very grateful for your prayers and interest. We plan to return to Makumira in October and teach another semester. But until then, we are excited about getting together with you and getting "caught up."
As they say in Tanzania, " Mungu Akubarike"
God bless you,
Tim & Diane
Monday, January 14
Life in the Bush
Dear Family and Friends,
Our time at Makumira is quickly winding down, but fortunately we were able to experience more of the unique culture once again before we return home. Makumira is hosting a Glomus Seminar (an international consortium for music education) and we are housing some of the participants. Yesterday, along with the seminar participants, we attended a Maasai lunch out in the bush at the Oldonyou Sambu bomas. Hard to believe that people today in 2013 actually live in these structures made out of sticks, mud, and cow dung. They hang their clothes to dry on the nearby bush, and cook over stones. Their bathroom is the great outdoors, and they share their space with the livestock they care for daily. They are one with the land and nature in every sense of the word. It's easy to romaticize the Maasai, but in truth, their way of life that they struggle to maintain still practices male and female circumcision, polygamy, limited education for most of the children, high rates of infant mortality, ancestor worship, and the list goes on. Having said that, the Maasai still have a culture rich in traditions of looking to nature for healing remedies, a rich and creative oral passing on of their history, a oneness with Nature that we can all learn from, and a deep respect for the elderly and for God as they know Him thru nature.
I've included pictures that Tim took,as well as a short video of a Maasai choir (Loruvani Choir) from a Maasai Lutheran Church. They help to maintain their culture and share that culture with others through their singing and dancing. Our delightful houseguest, Inhwa So from South Korea, took the video.
Enjoy!
Tim & Diane
Our time at Makumira is quickly winding down, but fortunately we were able to experience more of the unique culture once again before we return home. Makumira is hosting a Glomus Seminar (an international consortium for music education) and we are housing some of the participants. Yesterday, along with the seminar participants, we attended a Maasai lunch out in the bush at the Oldonyou Sambu bomas. Hard to believe that people today in 2013 actually live in these structures made out of sticks, mud, and cow dung. They hang their clothes to dry on the nearby bush, and cook over stones. Their bathroom is the great outdoors, and they share their space with the livestock they care for daily. They are one with the land and nature in every sense of the word. It's easy to romaticize the Maasai, but in truth, their way of life that they struggle to maintain still practices male and female circumcision, polygamy, limited education for most of the children, high rates of infant mortality, ancestor worship, and the list goes on. Having said that, the Maasai still have a culture rich in traditions of looking to nature for healing remedies, a rich and creative oral passing on of their history, a oneness with Nature that we can all learn from, and a deep respect for the elderly and for God as they know Him thru nature.
I've included pictures that Tim took,as well as a short video of a Maasai choir (Loruvani Choir) from a Maasai Lutheran Church. They help to maintain their culture and share that culture with others through their singing and dancing. Our delightful houseguest, Inhwa So from South Korea, took the video.
Enjoy!
Tim & Diane
Pictures of the Maasai Boma
Maasai Boma--You can see the structure made from tree limbs, and the thatched roof. The women build the bomas (each wife has her own), and does all the repairs when the heavy rains reek havoc!
Goats are used for their milk and meat.Children who call this boma " home".
A Maasai in his daily clothes.
This is a typical Maasai "kitchen."
Just to give you a perspective of the size--I fit, but Tim wouldn't!
The setting is breath-taking!
Tim and his new BFF's
The graceful acacia trees give shade to the bomas
Wednesday, January 2
Furaha Mwaka Mypa--a.k.a. Happy New Years!
Happy New Years, 2013!
Like with everything else, New Years Eve in Tanzania was unique! Since the students are still on vacation, the campus was very quiet and it was actually a boring day as we thought about the football games and parades that we were missing! (Not very "missionary-like" thoughts, but, doggone it, we really miss some things and football is one of them!!!)
But the evening made up for the day as we went to worship on campus at 10 pm. The service of course was in Swahili (which we still don't usually understand ), but at 11:55 pm when the church sang "How Great Thou Art"---it was very, very touching. Suddenly, the Swahili words seemed to express my heart's feelings exactly and the disconnect of the language seemed to be insignificant. This was followed by the traditional ringing of the chapel bells at midnight (and accompanied by a whole lot of hootin' and hollerin' from some very happy Tanzanians!). At this point, Tim and I were back at home and in bed. Our house is only a couple of houses away from the chapel and our windows are open 24/7 because of the mild temperatures, so we are in earshot of most everything. It amazed me as we laid in bed and listened to all the simple celebrations--no firecrackers or sirens or loud explosions--just the jubilation of peoples' voices--people from the villages surrounding the campus--people who live in shanties, on rutted, dirt roads, lined with trash, wandering chickens, tethered goats, and kids in filthy clothes rolling a bicycle tire for their entertainment, and women selling their papayas, tomatoes, and bananas for meager Tz. shillings. These people, whose only focus is to get through the day---to scrape together enough money, to get enough milk from their goat and eggs from their chicken to be able to feed their kids---the ones running around without shoes, and with snotty noses and flies at their eyes. These are the very people, happily, excitedly celebrating the beginning of another year. How can it be, I wondered, as I laid in a bed (not on the floor) with clean sheets, and a mosquito net, having taken a shower, and with a full stomach...How can it be?
Well, we've been here 12 weeks---and I think I have more questions than before I came. I don't know how these very poor, very basic people could muster so much enthusiasm and joy---but I know it touched my heart---and I suspect, it touched God's too.
So, on that note, Tim and I wish each of you a most Blessed 2013. And I suspect it can be for each of us, as we grow to realize that our happiness is obviously not found in our possessions.
With much love for each of you,
Tim & Diane
Like with everything else, New Years Eve in Tanzania was unique! Since the students are still on vacation, the campus was very quiet and it was actually a boring day as we thought about the football games and parades that we were missing! (Not very "missionary-like" thoughts, but, doggone it, we really miss some things and football is one of them!!!)
But the evening made up for the day as we went to worship on campus at 10 pm. The service of course was in Swahili (which we still don't usually understand ), but at 11:55 pm when the church sang "How Great Thou Art"---it was very, very touching. Suddenly, the Swahili words seemed to express my heart's feelings exactly and the disconnect of the language seemed to be insignificant. This was followed by the traditional ringing of the chapel bells at midnight (and accompanied by a whole lot of hootin' and hollerin' from some very happy Tanzanians!). At this point, Tim and I were back at home and in bed. Our house is only a couple of houses away from the chapel and our windows are open 24/7 because of the mild temperatures, so we are in earshot of most everything. It amazed me as we laid in bed and listened to all the simple celebrations--no firecrackers or sirens or loud explosions--just the jubilation of peoples' voices--people from the villages surrounding the campus--people who live in shanties, on rutted, dirt roads, lined with trash, wandering chickens, tethered goats, and kids in filthy clothes rolling a bicycle tire for their entertainment, and women selling their papayas, tomatoes, and bananas for meager Tz. shillings. These people, whose only focus is to get through the day---to scrape together enough money, to get enough milk from their goat and eggs from their chicken to be able to feed their kids---the ones running around without shoes, and with snotty noses and flies at their eyes. These are the very people, happily, excitedly celebrating the beginning of another year. How can it be, I wondered, as I laid in a bed (not on the floor) with clean sheets, and a mosquito net, having taken a shower, and with a full stomach...How can it be?
Well, we've been here 12 weeks---and I think I have more questions than before I came. I don't know how these very poor, very basic people could muster so much enthusiasm and joy---but I know it touched my heart---and I suspect, it touched God's too.
So, on that note, Tim and I wish each of you a most Blessed 2013. And I suspect it can be for each of us, as we grow to realize that our happiness is obviously not found in our possessions.
With much love for each of you,
Tim & Diane
Wednesday, December 26
A Tanzanian Christmas
26 Dec. 2012
Dear Family and Friends-
It's the day after Christmas and everything in Tz. is very much back to normal. It seems as if Christmas is a one day event here. The chapel is decorated on Christmas Eve, Christmas carols are sung during Christmas Eve and Christmas Day worship, and families who are able get together for a meal---and for some, a small gift is exchanged---all very low keyed and short-lived.
At first, I didn't know what to make of this. I thought that the simplicity of the season would make it more powerful spiritually for me. I remember when we were in the states last year for Christmas thinking that the commercialism of the season obliterated the precious message. So now I'm experiencing the total opposite and feeling that this extreme also has its drawbacks--it comes and goes before you can savor the richness and depth of the season.
So, after much pondering, I've concluded that there is beauty and meaning in both cultures' expressions, and that the real Christmas happens internally in one's own soul. Christ's birth is not about location, but rather it's about openness--- to receiving God's Son, everyday, wherever we are.
Tim had the Christmas Eve. Service in English and a childrens choir sang beautifully. The musical talent here is generational--everyone seems to have such natural harmony.
It's been wonderful having our daugher,Jill, with us for 2 weeks. We enjoyed an amazing safari to the Serengetti, and Ngorongoro Crater. We had a "tenting" experience the first two nights and could hear worthogs snorting and rooting right outside our doorflap. We could hear the hyenas howling throughout the night--it just added to the excitement and suspense of the darkness. The last night we were in Tarangire and stayed in a bungalow. We were delighted that evening when a pack of baboons paraded 3 feet in front of our tent---keeping their eyes glued to us, as if we were the ones on show!
Well, I want to get this sent before our internet connection is lost. We truly miss all of you and are keeping you in our prayers for a wonderful coming year.
God's peace and blessings be with you.
Tim & Diane
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