Hungry Hearts and Mouths

God has been busy in Iringa! We visited Ilula Lutheran Church two weeks ago. As always the worship was Spirit-filled. The old-timers choir sang two songs, one in HeHe and one in Bena, two languages familiar to nearly all in attendance. It is common in Tanzania for the people to speak three languages; Swahili, English and a native language like HeHe. It was a treat to witness. As the worship service continued, there were two baptisms. An old man, obviously in pain, slowly came forward, barely able to walk, they brought him a chair to sit on during the baptismal ceremony. The other was a young Muslim, who was converting to Christianity. No doubt that meant alienation from his family and friends. Two so different, yet, both seeking new life in the risen Lord. It was a powerful expression of God's transforming love. The Spirit was so present as the water and Word sealed the promise of the resurrected Christ.

Yesterday we traveled to the village of Nyanzwa. The Spirit led us! It was our second trip in 10 days. There has been a drought in Nyanzwa and in other areas of Iringa. The crops have failed for the third time in five years. Together with Nayman Chavala, the General Secretary of the Iringa Diocese and Dennis Ngede, Lead Coordinator and our colleague at Bega kwa Bega, Beth and I arrived, unannounced at Nyanzwa. Our task was to hand-out food sign-up sheets to the pastor of the main church and the evangelists who served the 5 preaching points (small churches in outlying areas) associated with the Nyanzwa parish. Together with local leaders, the pastors and evangelists would list those in their churches and in their communities who needed food. Church membership is not prerequisite to receiving food. The sign-up process is to be completed by this Thursday (12-3-09), and the food sign-up sheets delivered to the Iringa Diocese office in Iringa. From the food sign-up information we collect we will be able to determine the amount of food needed. The plan is to purchase maize and truck it to Nyanzwa for distribution by next Monday (12-7-09). The food will be purchased using money donated to the St. Paul Area Synod for famine relief. No doubt we will not have enough money to purchase all the food needed for all the villages affected by the drought. The need is critical. The truly amazing thing about our journey to Nyanzwa was that when we arrived there, totally unannounced, (the church is out of cell range), the evangelists were sitting in the church having their once monthly meeting. It was as if, they were meant to be there waiting for us. It was the work of the Holy Spirit for sure. For if they had not been at the church together when we arrived, it would have taken days to gather the evangelists and explain and distribute the food sign-up sheets.

While at Nyanzwa we were invited to meet a family of five. The parents and their three children, all under 7 years of age, have been surviving on one meal per day for months. Often both parents get up each morning hoping to earn enough money for food for the meal. Earlier this year they had planted, one acre of maize, one acre of beans and one acre of onions. The maize and beans were for their own consumption, the onions would be sold to earn money for other things. All three crops had failed! We talked with the family. The children smiled as we "wuzungo" (white folks) entered their modest clay home. The small living area was decorated with pictures of Jesus, Bible stories and verses. As we heard their story, we were moved to tears. I hugged the father of the family upon leaving, I could feel the bones in his back. He smiled a tired smile. I could hear him saying a hushed; "asante sana Jesu" (thank you very much Jesus) as I prayed
As we walked to the truck we were followed by a parade of beautiful little children, many showing signs of malnutrition, but smiling and playing none-the-less. The problem is huge and the resources are limited. We ask for you help and prayers. Checks can be sent to the St. Paul Area Synod; ELCA ;with the notation "Tanzania Food Relief". Blessings and Peace in Christ, Tom and Beth

A Shower for All

After reading Shari's post on the blog I am a little hesitant as following a writer puts me on shaky ground. But, it has been far too long since we have updated you and there are many stories just waiting to be told. First of all having our sisters and friends here for two weeks was absolutely incredible. We shared some wonderful times and experiences that will never be forgotten. They jumped right in and didn't miss a thing. We feel truly blessed to have had them choose to come to Tanzania to learn about the culture and the Bega Kwa Bega relationship with the Tanzanians. We know that they have been changed by their time here and the Spirit is working as they return home to share their stories.
Now on to the shower story. A few weeks ago, two young people from Minnesota stopped at the apartment to get a hot shower. They are working at a secondary school where they have no running water or electricity so they treat themselves to a day in Iringa town each Saturday and we are usually their first stop. The sisters and friends were finishing breakfast when we heard a scream from Rachel. We ran to look and both faucets had fallen off the wall and water was spraying from both holes. I tried to push the faucets back on but there was no way. Then I tried plugging the holes but had nothing that worked. By now water was all over the floor and out in the hall. Everyone jumped in with mops and buckets grabbing the throw rugs and tossing them out of the way. My sister Kathy went to the balcony and called "Help! We have a flood!" Immediately people appeared with more buckets and Jacob the woodcarver ran in with two sticks that he whittled to fit the holes. In short order, the water on the floor was mopped up, the water had been stopped with the sticks and Tom was on the phone to a plumber that Karen and Don of the Agricultural Project had stopped by to give us before they left to go back to Minnesota. Within three hours the plumber had replaced the faucets and everything was working. The labor cost was $10.00! Only in Tanzania!!

Asante sana Jesu!

Asante sana Jesu! "Thank you, Jesus" is the blessing song we language-challenged Americans sing with joy here in Tanzania.

Every day brings new blessings and unimagined experiences. We have had so many "God moments" that our heads are hearts are overcome and our brains are spinning. It will take us months to absorb all we have seen and done; the photographs will help, but many of the messages are engraved solely on our hearts.

Showers here may be a little shorter (due to the drought), but we are well-bathed daily in the sunny smiles of strangers. Tanzanians reach out to us happily and unconditionally. The children--toddlers to teens--flock to us, delighted with the prospect of having their pictures captured on our digital cameras. They love to see their faces; some of the kids do amazing Power Ranger imitations! As we walk about, adults also greet us, frequently eager to try out their English or just to be friendly. Everyone returns our greetings--some smiling shyly and others changing their paths to walk along with us and share the day.

People put their hands out to us, not to beg for money, but to affirm friendship. One Tanzanian told us that when people come to visit from the United States, the people here view it as a blessing from God...quite a contrast from the Western world; we have never felt so loved. I feel like the welcome in heaven could not possibly be any better than the welcome we have received here in Tanzania.

The warmth of the African people rivals the heat of the African sun. Our weather here has been perfect...warm but usually with a welcome breeze.

In our few days here we have learned that nothing quells the African spirit. Entrepreneurs load bikes with bags of bread and crates of coca cola. Handcarts overflow with green bananas, bags of charcoal for cooking, or just about anything else you can image.

The students in our schools have charmed us with the magic of their music. The DIRA schools house and educate hundreds of happy, singing children, with limited electricity and without running water. Five-gallon pails are everywhere..students must carry water for the schools use when they aren't in class...everyone pitches in. Even little kids at the schools wash their own clothes in buckets outside then hang them on the line.

The record number of people seen riding on one bicycle is currently four and we saw two Masaai men in full regalia astride a motorcycle, sitting behind the driver.

Every day we are blessed--with this amazing experience of sharing our faith, with good health, and with our amazing friends, Tom and Beth, who, with the help of God, made this journey possible.

Asante sana Jesu!