I’ve arrived at Tumaini Lutheran School and Seminary in Malinyi
After a long and arduous journey, I’m here! My experience today is like none other I’ve ever experienced in my lifetime. From the smells, to the sights and sounds, it is unique. I can’t quite put into words what the smell is, and already, by the end of the day I’ve grown accustomed. I don’t know if it was driving through the fields of sugar cane on red dirt roads, or something else that was foreign to me, but it is distinctive. Whether it’s the rickety rickshaws, the bicyclists with heavy loads, the motorcyclists (slightly more than a moped) with even greater loads, or the pedestrians also with loads on their heads (at least the women do) whether of buckets, bundles, or other – driving through the maze is nail biting. I was somewhat used to that from mission trip experience in the Dominican Republic, but imagine that (where whatever is largest on the road has the right of way), only on dirt, potholed, rutted, bumpy, dusty roads. Once in a great while there would be a stretch of asphalt, but mostly roads that are like our version of 4-wheeling back roads in the mountains. The further south to Malinyi the worse they got. Our driver flew down these roads (trying to arrive before dark). I looked at the speedometer to see how fast he was going, but it didn’t work. The red check engine light worked though, but that didn’t seem to phase him either.
My day started with a wake up call at 4:30am, though I was wide awake at 3am anyway because my internal clock still hasn’t adjusted. I left my hotel at Dar es Salaam for the airport and boarded the puddle jumper to Kilombero where Pr. Moses and the Assistant to the bishop, Pr. Paulson (no, he’s not Scandinavian, but local/indigenous) met me along with about 4 other pastors from the area. We made our rounds visiting parishes (congregations) where we sat and visited with Church staff, got tours of their churches, and signed their guest book in each place. I honestly can’t remember how many we went to, including their dioceses offices and “cathedral.” I would guess 7-9, maybe? And at each place you’d a thought the pope or president or some dignitary was visiting them. Their hospitality was overwhelming.
But no where was it as overwhelming as when we finally arrived at the Tumaini school in Malinyi. They had been patiently awaiting and preparing for my arrival. The sun had just set 20 minutes before arriving and it was now dark. We pulled in through the gates and here where all of the students lining the drive waving palm branches and cheering, then chanting – boys on one side and girls on the other. The students are actually residents here. Talk about a welcome! Not even my deceased dog ever greeted me like that. It was quite something. I hope I’m not crucified by the end of this week, because I remember another guy who was welcomed like that only to be spit on and killed within a week.
I am so looking forward to worshipping here and in town at their parish this Sunday. They’ve invited me to preach. Lord, I hope it’s good! I’m just looking forward to experiencing their worship with them. I’m also looking forward to seeing all of the progress on their projects we’ve helped support – I’ll see it in the daylight tomorrow. Til then, Mungu akubariki – or, God bless.
A warm welcome
