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