Sunday in Tumaini
(If you don’t want to read everything, please read about Moses and the other leaders here)
I preached this morning at the parish in town at their early service. It was full, but evidently a low Sunday in attendance. Usually they have standing room only with a good share having to stand outside listening and worshipping outside – the “windows” are simply screens, no glass, so an open air sanctuary. Moses translated as I preached, so he must have made what I had to say sound better because the people were very gracious and receptive to the preaching. Leaving there we came back to the school (which is just outside of town) and went to the school’s community’s worship. The music, as you can imagine, is worth the whole trip. The kids’ worship (along with faculty and staff who are residents here) sing a cappella with a simple drum (kind of a like a djembe, or more like a cajon). Their harmonies, call and response, and a room full of kids singing at the tops of their lungs is powerful!
I spent some of the afternoon visiting with some of the faculty and staff, then had a nap, and ended the day with a walk around the neighborhood surrounding the school at sunset. I don’t know how they get use to the sunsets – they are so stunningly beautiful.
What I want to share with you today is the mot inspiring thing I’ve found – even more than their worship, the land, or even their hospitality – the story of Moses, Allen, Dennis, Frank, Duma (their leadership team), and the other faculty and staff.
Moses started as the director here 3 years ago. The Tumaini School & Seminary was in dire straights. It has been mismanaged and there was a lot of debt to the government from not paying taxes for years. The enrollment was down. There was government pressure to improve the facilities (a wall, library, laboratory, books). There was a lot of turnover with faculty and staff. Many challenges. Moses accepted the assignment with a significant cut in pay and with the daunting challenges he faced because he and his wife had worked here years before and loved the kids and the School’s mission (everywhere we went I met pastors and church workers throughout the diocese whom Moses had taught). He and his wife felt a strong calling to bring the school back to health and vitality. You can see their love for the children and the teachers and workers here.
Allen has been the Treasurer here for six years. He’s been through a lot of the hard and unhealthy times. He grew up Muslim. When he was of age he asked his parents if he could go far away to attend this school as a boy (back when it was healthy). They let him, and through the influence of teachers and living in this community he became a Christian. There were years he couldn’t afford it but received help from outsiders, including retired Pastor William Martens (who was serving in Richland at the time, and is a relative to Rich Strauch). Allen eventually went to university and got accounting training. When the need arose at Tumaini there was no question he needed to give back and work for the place that changed his life.
Here’s the thing – all of them continue to serve here knowing that from year to year there are months when they have to go without pay (on average about three months out of the year per teacher, staff, administrator, etc.). Some have had to leave, but this whole leadership team has stayed because of their commitment and calling to the children and the School’s mission – to provide a Lutheran Christian, loving education as a boarding school regardless of a family’s ability to pay (though they can’t do that for all children – they charge tuition and exist almost solely from tuitions). They are convinced better days are ahead, and committed to continue to serve. They are impressive, and it is humbling to be in their presence.
Part of what gives them hope and encouragement is the support they have received from partners in ministry like St Luke and our synod. They continuously say: Asante Sana (“thank you very much”). As I told Moses: “What we have done seems so minimal compared to the sacrifices you all have made to serve. I am truly humbled.” And I assure him, “we are grateful to have been able to help.”
