The next couple of days Lindsey and I spent around Iringa. I took her around the usual places that I go to. We also spent a lot of time shopping. It was actually really nice to have a couple of days not doing anything because up to this point we had felt really rushed like we could not take a break and relax.
Before we knew it New Years was upon us. I got together a bunch of my friends and we all went out for kitimoto. Then when we were done we went to a small bar and hung out for just a little bit. Then we moved on to Twisters, the dance club. It wasn’t really full, but there was a nice amount of people there.
Pretty much all the Germans had decided to spend New Years in Zanzibar. So, it was Linds, Frances, Olli, Adam, Aidon, Puis, and some others. Linds, Fran and I were the only white people in town.
We spent most of the night chatting with friends and dancing. I think Linds and Fran had a really good time. Linds had even brought some champagne from the states for New Years. She brought it to Twisters with her. They really don’t care if you bring outside alcohol in to any bar or club. The only time I think they would have a problem is if you brought in a whole crate of something. When the clock struck midnight linds popped off the cork and we all had some champagne. It was a really good night. We had a lot of fun.
One of the only things that wasn’t good about that night is that Linds got her bag sliced. She was walking and felt someone touching her brand new African fabric bag. She turned and looked at it and some one had cut it. They cut the side and luckily enough they had cut the bag too high, so nothing fell out and nothing insede her bag as lost. But, what if Linds had turned in the moment that someone was cutting her bag and she got a knife in the side! Scary Huh!
For the next two days Linds and I just relaxed and did some more shopping. We would usually have dinner with friends every night or just make some food at my place and watch a movie. We spent a lot of time shopping for the best prices. It can be a really long ordeal. I also too Linds and Fran to the outdoor clothes market. It all used clothes, but they are still in pretty good condition. There must be 50 different little shops. It’s really cool to see. We didn’t stay there too long, but it is one of those places that you could easily spend half a day looking at all the different clothes.
After spending a couple days just relaxing and resting we were reenergized to go on to Wasa. I had talked to Father Msofu months in advance to set up with him where we would stay and so that he could inform Wasa Lutheran that we would be coming.
Father Msofu had arranged for a driver for us. It was two Catholic Fathers. They live in Iringa but they decided to take us to Wasa. We still had to pay for the gas which is not cheap over here. I don’t know how anyone affords to get around!
It’s about $3.70 per gallon. It’s 1,300 tsh per liter and there are about 3.79 liters/ gallon. Ya, It’s really expencive for it being such a poor country! It’s really shocking!
Well, so any ways Father Benjamin drove us and he is an insane driver. Linds was really worried. He was going about 40 miles over the speed limit, which nobody really really cares about. He was also trying to dodge potholes at that speed! It was pretty intense!! Linds was holding on to the handle above her hear for dear life. Not only was my seat belt stuck in to seat for about half the drive, but it didn’t really bother me. Because I am so used to crazy drivers, I kind of likes it. It was like being on a rollercoaster! Well, we arrived safely in Wasa. It was strange for me because when we got there, there was no one to greet us. We just went straight to the catholic compound. There really was no one. I’m so used to having people singing and dancing to welcome us, but not this time. It was kind of sad that Linds didn’t get a grand welcoming! We did get to see Father Msofu right away though.
We were shown our room in the Convent and we relaxed a little. Then we ate some dinner. Like always it was delichious! So GOOD! After dinner we sat around with Father Msofu, Father Benjamin, and another Father. It was so fun. We played dominos, and drank wine and talked for at least two hours. They we suck fun to talk to and hang out with.
That night some people came from Wasa Lutheran and greeterd us and wanted to talk about church tomorrow. They said that since they do not have a pastor anymore one comes from another village and then he takes turns going to different preaching points every Sunday. This Sunday he would be preaching at a point that was very far away. Since we didn’t have a vichel there we were not able to go to that service. What they wanted to do was go to that church and meet up with us after church around 2. Well, then Father Msofu said well, you do have 4 evangelists why don’t you have one preach here at the Wasa point and Jenni and Linds can go there for church.
I was kind of disappointed that we would not be able to have church all together like we normally do, but I guess this would do.
The next morning we got dressed for church and started to walk to the Wasa preaching point. I think Father Msofu was worried that we would get lost on the way so, he had one of the members of his congregation take us there. He was just going to take us there and go back so that he wouldn’t miss mass, but he stayed to translate for us.
We got to the church and they were just setting up the alter. We just sat out side and waited for more people to come. They did and we started church. Mrs. Nala (Mama Rachel) led the service. I though that it was actually really unique I have never been to a church here that had a women lead the whole service. I mean I knew that it does happen over here. I have theology students that are female, but I had never seen them preach.
It was a really good service. When it started there were probably 5 people and when it ended there were 20. It was funny.
I did stand up and give greetings from Fish Lake. They tough I was very funny because instead of specking English I tried my Kiswahili and they all think it’s so funny because they just expect you to speak English. I talked about our partnership with them and how we pray for them, and so on. They also send their greetings and they are so thankful to go for Fish Lake.
After the service we all walked together back to the Catholic compound. They wanted us to meet up with them when the pastor and the other s came back. SO, we relaxed a little and had luch with Father Msofu. In all fairness I warned Linds that today we would be eating lunch twice. It was guess, but a very informed guess. Low and behold I was right we ate with Father Msofu and then when we met up with everyone from Wasa they had prepared food for us also. We ate twice, but since I warned Linds she didn’t fill herself on the first lunch, so we were ok.
We sat and talked for a while. They wanted to know how I was doing at Tumaini and I wanted to know what had been going on in Wasa. They have not yet put on the roof for the Nala’s house. No one has went to Bega Kwa Bega to get the money. But they will be going soon. I wish someone would have told me that before. I could have brought the money to them, but oh well. We do not have a pastor, but we do have a decon and his wife. I forgot his name, but he is a very nice man. They were all so happy to see Lind and I. We ate with them and then just relaxed and talked while having tea (chi). It was very nice. They all seemed to be doing very well!!
After it was time for us to leave. We took some pictures of us as a group and loaded into Father Benjamin’s car. Luckily for Linds the nother Father that we had come with was now driving and he was a lot calmer driver. Linds was happy, I was bored. We got back to Iringa and once again relaxed. By the time we got back it was about 7. We went some where for dinner and them went back to my place and went to bed.
Now linds only had five days left in Tanzania. The next day we went to the Isamilia stone sight and saw where they had found all of there prehistoric aftifacts. They even let you touch them!! That would never happen in the states! It also has some really amazing rock formations. All in all it was definitely worth seeing!! We enjoyed it a lot!
Otherwise on the 6th linds went to class with me to meet my students and to really see what I have been doing here for 6 months. They were all very excited to meet her! They are a really good bunch of students!
The next day we were off to Dar to get some last min things and she left on the 9th.
It was go great to have her here!! I wasn’t getting home sick but, it would have been harder to spend Christmas without my family and her. We did a lot of thing, saw a lot of cool thing and generally had a great time together! I miss her even though we talk on the phone at least once or twice a week.
Before we knew it New Years was upon us. I got together a bunch of my friends and we all went out for kitimoto. Then when we were done we went to a small bar and hung out for just a little bit. Then we moved on to Twisters, the dance club. It wasn’t really full, but there was a nice amount of people there.
Pretty much all the Germans had decided to spend New Years in Zanzibar. So, it was Linds, Frances, Olli, Adam, Aidon, Puis, and some others. Linds, Fran and I were the only white people in town.
We spent most of the night chatting with friends and dancing. I think Linds and Fran had a really good time. Linds had even brought some champagne from the states for New Years. She brought it to Twisters with her. They really don’t care if you bring outside alcohol in to any bar or club. The only time I think they would have a problem is if you brought in a whole crate of something. When the clock struck midnight linds popped off the cork and we all had some champagne. It was a really good night. We had a lot of fun.
One of the only things that wasn’t good about that night is that Linds got her bag sliced. She was walking and felt someone touching her brand new African fabric bag. She turned and looked at it and some one had cut it. They cut the side and luckily enough they had cut the bag too high, so nothing fell out and nothing insede her bag as lost. But, what if Linds had turned in the moment that someone was cutting her bag and she got a knife in the side! Scary Huh!
For the next two days Linds and I just relaxed and did some more shopping. We would usually have dinner with friends every night or just make some food at my place and watch a movie. We spent a lot of time shopping for the best prices. It can be a really long ordeal. I also too Linds and Fran to the outdoor clothes market. It all used clothes, but they are still in pretty good condition. There must be 50 different little shops. It’s really cool to see. We didn’t stay there too long, but it is one of those places that you could easily spend half a day looking at all the different clothes.
After spending a couple days just relaxing and resting we were reenergized to go on to Wasa. I had talked to Father Msofu months in advance to set up with him where we would stay and so that he could inform Wasa Lutheran that we would be coming.
Father Msofu had arranged for a driver for us. It was two Catholic Fathers. They live in Iringa but they decided to take us to Wasa. We still had to pay for the gas which is not cheap over here. I don’t know how anyone affords to get around!
It’s about $3.70 per gallon. It’s 1,300 tsh per liter and there are about 3.79 liters/ gallon. Ya, It’s really expencive for it being such a poor country! It’s really shocking!
Well, so any ways Father Benjamin drove us and he is an insane driver. Linds was really worried. He was going about 40 miles over the speed limit, which nobody really really cares about. He was also trying to dodge potholes at that speed! It was pretty intense!! Linds was holding on to the handle above her hear for dear life. Not only was my seat belt stuck in to seat for about half the drive, but it didn’t really bother me. Because I am so used to crazy drivers, I kind of likes it. It was like being on a rollercoaster! Well, we arrived safely in Wasa. It was strange for me because when we got there, there was no one to greet us. We just went straight to the catholic compound. There really was no one. I’m so used to having people singing and dancing to welcome us, but not this time. It was kind of sad that Linds didn’t get a grand welcoming! We did get to see Father Msofu right away though.
We were shown our room in the Convent and we relaxed a little. Then we ate some dinner. Like always it was delichious! So GOOD! After dinner we sat around with Father Msofu, Father Benjamin, and another Father. It was so fun. We played dominos, and drank wine and talked for at least two hours. They we suck fun to talk to and hang out with.
That night some people came from Wasa Lutheran and greeterd us and wanted to talk about church tomorrow. They said that since they do not have a pastor anymore one comes from another village and then he takes turns going to different preaching points every Sunday. This Sunday he would be preaching at a point that was very far away. Since we didn’t have a vichel there we were not able to go to that service. What they wanted to do was go to that church and meet up with us after church around 2. Well, then Father Msofu said well, you do have 4 evangelists why don’t you have one preach here at the Wasa point and Jenni and Linds can go there for church.
I was kind of disappointed that we would not be able to have church all together like we normally do, but I guess this would do.
The next morning we got dressed for church and started to walk to the Wasa preaching point. I think Father Msofu was worried that we would get lost on the way so, he had one of the members of his congregation take us there. He was just going to take us there and go back so that he wouldn’t miss mass, but he stayed to translate for us.
We got to the church and they were just setting up the alter. We just sat out side and waited for more people to come. They did and we started church. Mrs. Nala (Mama Rachel) led the service. I though that it was actually really unique I have never been to a church here that had a women lead the whole service. I mean I knew that it does happen over here. I have theology students that are female, but I had never seen them preach.
It was a really good service. When it started there were probably 5 people and when it ended there were 20. It was funny.
I did stand up and give greetings from Fish Lake. They tough I was very funny because instead of specking English I tried my Kiswahili and they all think it’s so funny because they just expect you to speak English. I talked about our partnership with them and how we pray for them, and so on. They also send their greetings and they are so thankful to go for Fish Lake.
After the service we all walked together back to the Catholic compound. They wanted us to meet up with them when the pastor and the other s came back. SO, we relaxed a little and had luch with Father Msofu. In all fairness I warned Linds that today we would be eating lunch twice. It was guess, but a very informed guess. Low and behold I was right we ate with Father Msofu and then when we met up with everyone from Wasa they had prepared food for us also. We ate twice, but since I warned Linds she didn’t fill herself on the first lunch, so we were ok.
We sat and talked for a while. They wanted to know how I was doing at Tumaini and I wanted to know what had been going on in Wasa. They have not yet put on the roof for the Nala’s house. No one has went to Bega Kwa Bega to get the money. But they will be going soon. I wish someone would have told me that before. I could have brought the money to them, but oh well. We do not have a pastor, but we do have a decon and his wife. I forgot his name, but he is a very nice man. They were all so happy to see Lind and I. We ate with them and then just relaxed and talked while having tea (chi). It was very nice. They all seemed to be doing very well!!
After it was time for us to leave. We took some pictures of us as a group and loaded into Father Benjamin’s car. Luckily for Linds the nother Father that we had come with was now driving and he was a lot calmer driver. Linds was happy, I was bored. We got back to Iringa and once again relaxed. By the time we got back it was about 7. We went some where for dinner and them went back to my place and went to bed.
Now linds only had five days left in Tanzania. The next day we went to the Isamilia stone sight and saw where they had found all of there prehistoric aftifacts. They even let you touch them!! That would never happen in the states! It also has some really amazing rock formations. All in all it was definitely worth seeing!! We enjoyed it a lot!
Otherwise on the 6th linds went to class with me to meet my students and to really see what I have been doing here for 6 months. They were all very excited to meet her! They are a really good bunch of students!
The next day we were off to Dar to get some last min things and she left on the 9th.
It was go great to have her here!! I wasn’t getting home sick but, it would have been harder to spend Christmas without my family and her. We did a lot of thing, saw a lot of cool thing and generally had a great time together! I miss her even though we talk on the phone at least once or twice a week.
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