ELCA Summer Mission Gathering

While in the states, we had the pleasure of traveling to Chicago and then to Carthage College in Kenosha, Wisconsin to attend the ELCA’s Summer Mission Conference. 

We drove from Philadelphia to Kenosha and back in order to enjoy seeing some of the country.  We especially enjoyed the hills of Western Pennsylvania and the farm country of Indiana.  It was also a wonderful time to talk about our visit home and our plans for the upcoming year in Tanzania. 

Carthage is a Lutheran college located on the shore of Lake Michigan.  The campus is beautiful.  There we joined with 128 mission personnel, who serve all around the world, and staff of Global Missions.  We enjoyed time of worship, learning, and fellowship over five days.

We had attended the conference in 2011 before we came to Tanzania.  On our return this year, we were able to reconnect with friends from our cultural training in Toronto.   We also had time to catch up with others we met before and also new people heading out for the first time.

The SMC is a wonderful chance for people serving God in many places to refresh and recharge.  The ELCA Global Mission staff did a great job organizing and conducting this event.  I believe everyone there left with a greater sense of God’s love and why they are doing what they do.

Some of the places represented were: China, Lithuania, Tanzania, Sierra Leone, Slovakia, Argentina, Peru, Mexico, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Egypt, Uruguay, and Japan.

Our visit home

On June 24^th, we left from Kilimanjaro Airport for a visit home.  The first two parts of our trip were on Qatar Airlines by way of Doha, Qatar and Frankfurt, Germany.  The final leg was on US Air from Frankfurt to Philadelphia.  Because of our almost 13 hours in layovers, we saved half the cost of the trip.  To us, this was well worth it and also gave us a chance to see Kenya, Somalia, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain out the plane windows.  We have never seen so much sand in our lives! 

Qatar Airport is very nice, with lots of shopping and two cordoned off areas to nap in lounge chairs.  There is even a men’s mosque and a women’s mosque in it.  Most of the people working in the airport are from somewhere else…..India, Korea, the Philippines and probably many other places.  The departures board listed flights to places we never heard of. 

We were so happy to reach Philadelphia and be back on US soil.  Of course, there was still a bit of culture shock with all of the traffic, sights and sounds of Philly.

The high points of our trip were spending time with our family and friends and being home for the Fourth of July.  Anyone who has not enjoyed the down home America experience of July 4^th in Riverton, NJ just doesn’t know what they are missing!

When we came home in November, we did not get to see everyone we wanted to.  This time, we did much better.  We enjoyed many meals out with friends and family, and visits at their homes.  It was a great chance to re-connect with those we miss so much when we are here. 

We enjoyed being at our home congregation, St John’s Lutheran Church in the Mayfair section of Philadelphia.  It was wonderful to hear the Word in English and to receive Holy Communion with our brothers and sisters there. 

July 14^th we went to speak at August Lutheran Church in Trappe, PA.  Augustus was organized in 1730  and was the church of Henry Muhlenburg, first Lutheran pastor in America.  During summer months, they worship in the old building, which was built ibetween 1743 and 1745.  It was incredible to stand in the place where Muhlenburg stood so many years ago.  It was very nice meeting the people of Augustus, whose mission includes care of such a remarkable piece of history.

Another high point was a day spent at Hospitality Creek Campground in Monroe Township, NJ.   We had a trailer there before we came here and loved going there most weekends during the camping season.  We spent the day with two of our children and their spouses and four of our grandchildren.  We played in the lake, pool and the children’s activity pool.  We also had a chance to visit with friends at the campground.

Also, while we were in America, we attended the Summer Missionary Conference of the ELCA held in Kenosha, Wisconsin.  We decided to drive there in order to see some of the country (and to save some money, too).  The trip was beautiful and we also enjoyed a couple of days in Chicago before the conference.  We will write more about this in a separate blog posting.

All in all, our visit was great.  It gave us so many wonderful memories to think back on now that we are here again in Irente.  We were so warmly welcomed when we returned.  When we arrived at our house, we were greeted with bouquets of flowers and songs of welcome.  No one could ask for a better reception.

We thank God for the opportunity to be in America and for a safe return to Tanzania.

Violet and KCMC

On May 21^st we took Violet, a 10 month-old little girl, to KCMC for back surgery.  KCMC is Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Center, one of the best hospitals in Tanzania.  When we brought her there a few weeks before they did an MRI on a cyst or tumor at the base of her spine.  She had been referred to KCMC by the doctors at Lushoto Hospital.  They had x-rayed her back and said she would probably need surgery.  At KCMC the surgeon said to bring her on the 21^st and her surgery would be done on the 22^nd.  He expected that she would be released five days later.

Our drive to Moshi took six hours instead of the usual five because of road construction.  Here when the road is being repaved, they construct a temporary dirt road alongside for traffic to get by.  One of the three “diversions” was 20 kilometers long! 

At admissions, the doctor said they were behind in their schedule and probably wouldn't be able to do the surgery until early the next week.  He wanted us to go home and bring her back then.  After almost 4 hours of waiting and talking, they agreed to keep Violet for her pre-surgical testing and then decided to let her stay.  Because of the cost of diesel and the wear and tear on the car and Tom, we decided it was better, safer, and cheaper to stay in Arusha while we waited.  The doctor said Violet’s surgery would be perhaps on Monday, but definitely on Tuesday.  He also said that since we have two RN’s on staff, she could leave two days afterward instead of the usual five.

We checked in to Ilboru Safari Lodge in Arusha, where we get a great rate since we were here for an ELCA Mission Conference in March. They also have wonderful food and a big pool.  We had some things to do in Arusha, including pricing out some medical equipment that a Swedish group want to donate to the home.   So it seemed like a good plan.  Of course, things here never go as planned.  We should be used to this by now.

Violet, Mama Upendo, and one of our students, Felista, stayed in the children’s surgical ward.  There are 14 beds in the ward.  Each child/baby sleeps in a regular hospital with a mama or someone responsible for their care.  The mamas cook the food for themselves and their child and bring their own linens. Whenever we felt tired of our stay at Ilboru, we thought about Upendo and Felista for a reality check.  We said we were “trapped in Paradise”.

We visited KCMC several times, to bring food and to allow Mama Upendo and Felista a break from the ward.  The time seemed to drag on forever.

Finally on Thursday, May 30^th, we had a text message from Upendo that Violet had been taken to surgery.  Later in the day, we received a text saying Violet was back in the ward and “Anaendelea vizuri.  This is the usual reply for someone's health.  "She continues well".  Thanks be to God.  

When we visited on the 31st, we were told that she would probably be released on Monday or Tuesday, two weeks after she was admitted.  We had thought that it was smarter and cheaper to stay in Arusha, but who would have thought we would be there so long.

On Monday, June 3rd, we got to the hospital and Violet was smiling and cheery as usual. The doctor came to check her at around 10 am and said she could go home after the drain and IV were removed.  The nurse came and removed them at around noon.  Mama Upendo went to the cashier's to pay the bill.  Unfortunately, they were closed for lunch so she had to wait and go back after 1 pm.  By the time the bill was paid it was too late to drive back to Lushoto in daylight.  

As we drove away from the hospital, Mama Upendo said with a bit of sarcasm in her voice, "Kwaheri KCMC".  (goodbye KCMC)  We all laughed and I asked her if she felt like she was let out of jail.  She had been there for a total of 14 days with only 4 of them since Violet's surgery, away from her own three children and husband

Violet

One of the biggest problems here is that we often lose things in translation, or just don't understand.  It turned out Violet's surgery was for spina bifida!  I was very sure that when the ultrasound was done, the doctor had said it was not spina bifida.  

Since it was so late in the day, we stayed at Uhuru Lutheran Hostel for the night.  It is only a few miles from the hospital.  We enjoyed a lunch/dinner at about 4:30 and slept soundly.  Tom asked for and got a reduced rate because of the circumstances.  

After breakfast the next morning, we traveled about six and a half hours home.  Violet was wonderful on the way, sleeping a lot of the time.  We had brought a car seat from the home with us to support her back.  For her, the trip in the car was far better than an eight-hour ride in a crowded bus. 

For those of you who knew about Violet’s surgery at the time, we thank you for your prayers and emails of concern.  The picture attached was taken after we returned to Irente.  Violet is now starting to walk with someone holding her hands or holding on to furniture.  When she sees us, we get the most wonderful smiles from her.   (but unfortunately, not in this picture)

Monica's story

The following is an English class assignment from one of our students:

“My name is Monica.  I come from a village in the Rukwa Region of Tanzania.  I am twenty-two years old.  My father’s name is Thomas and my mother’s name is Gaustensia.  In our family we are six children, three sisters and three brothers.  Our firstborn is a brother and his name is Exavery.  The lastborn is a sister.  Her name is Sarah. 

In 2005, I was 14 years old.  My father died.  I was so sad and so crying, but it was a big challenge in our family because in everything, we depended on our father, for example: for food, shelter, clothes and school fees.  Every one was so sad.

After one month, we all came together to decide what can we do in order to continue with our studies and to have basic needs.  It was so difficult to conclude what we can do, because every one did not understand what he/she could do in order to get money, especially for school fees.  After a long time, we concluded that all brothers must go to town to find any kind of job, which could help him to get 10,000 shillings per day.  (about $6.35)  All of the sisters must have a garden of fruits and vegetables.  Every day we must go to the market to sell fruits and vegetables and come back home with 5,000 shillings per day.  Every one was bold and earnest for his or her job.  It helped us so much.  At the end of the day, every one continued to study. 

When I finished secondary school, I wanted to continue my education.  I went to my oldest brother, who was working in a regular job and gets money every month.  I asked him to support me with school fees.  He said he would not, because I am a girl.  I was so sad and went home to tell my mother.  She told me not to give up and that I should try again.  I talked with my friend Namsemba and she told me about Irente Children’s Home, where she was going to study.  It sounded like something I would like to do.  So, I went back to my brother and this time he said “yes”. 

Now I am a first year student at Irente Children’s Home.  I am here to learn how to care for the children.  I believe that after my two years here, I will get employment and I will get money every month.  I would like to conclude that after I am working, I shall help my mother so much and all people who have problems like I had.  Thank you.”

Monica’s story is not unlike that of our other students, with the exception of her father’s death.  Many people here live from day to day, earning what they need for each day’s existence.  Education here is not cheap.  Money is needed for uniforms and school expenses even at the “free” government schools.  But education here is called “the key of life” and the “golden opportunity” to advance yourself and your family. 

Please pray for all students and their families who struggle to pay the fees due each term.

Our Saturday

     

A vegetable duka

     We woke up at 8:30 am Saturday morning.  We both couldn’t believe it.  We had slept for 11 hours.  The first time here in Tanzania, and first time in many years! Susan cooked a wonderful breakfast of pancakes.  We normally have them on Saturday and she cooks enough so there will be some for Sunday, since we must rise at 6:30 am for church.

     We both got ready to go to town and walked up the road to our truck.  I put the key in the ignition and, low and behold, the battery was dead.  I asked some students to help push the truck so I could jump-start it, but no luck.  We had been at the home all week and were really looking forward to our trip to town.  So we decided to walk to Lushoto.

     It only took an hour to get down to Lushoto.  The walk was actually very enjoyable.  We met so many people.  They would stop and talk with us, asking us how the children at the home were.  I would guess we probably talked with twelve people on our trek.  This is the custom here in Tanzania.

Sandals for sale

    When we arrived in town we stopped to get a soda and to rest.  After resting we walked to the post office in the northern part of town to see if any mail or packages had arrived.  Nothing for us this trip, so we decided to walk to the bakery in the southern part of town.  At the bakery we purchased fresh bread from the oven and pound cake.  The pound cake is the only form of pastry that is available here.  It is such a treat.  Most Tanzanian meals don’t include desert.  As a child growing up, our family would have pound cake and chocolate syrup for desert.  Yes, that’s right, Hershey’s Chocolate Syrup, imported from South Africa.

   As we were walking back from the bakery on the side of the road, I heard people behind me so I told Susan to move to the side but keep walking.  As the people started to pass us we realized they were prisoners from the jail in town on their way to a work area.  They were walking three abreast five rows deep.  The first prisoner was carrying a machete and the one next to him had an ax.  There were two guards carrying WWII rifles on theirs shoulders.  Here we were walking with the prisoners and the only thing I could think to say to Susan was “try to blend in”, mind you they were all in orange jump suits with the word jail on their backs.  We started laughing and we couldn’t stop.  We spoke to many of the prisoners, sharing greetings.  One of the prisoners stopped and talked with a guard and ran across the road and down to a duka (outside store).  The guard kept on looking back for the prisoner, but the group was now a quarter mile away.  A few minutes later we saw the prisoner running to catch up with the group.  He had purchased vegetables for their evening meal.

   We started our trip back up the mountain, meeting people as we walked.  We had people walk with us that we had never met before and as they did, they carried our packages.  This is  also a custom here, to help the “older” people when needed.  Could you imagine allowing someone in your neighborhood to carry your packages not knowing who they were?  We arrived home safe and sound knowing that not only our neighbors are caring for us, but most of all God walks with us each and every day of our lives.