Advertisement
Published: January 23rd 2007
Edit Blog Post
Almost Tennessee!
I was surprised at how much this area reminded me of Tennesse. The types of trees are different, but still very "in the Country" don't you think? A Family Affair
I stop on a regular basis and think to myself, “We are in Africa.” I mean we are really in Africa, you know that Dark Continent you study about in History and Geography. And you know the things that draw my attention the most, are the simplest of things. I got excited today when I opened a pack of cheese and it was good. Cherish your swisses, goudas, colby’s, mozzarella’s, and cheddars ‘cause cheese is NOT the same everywhere in the world!!! I bought fresh milk the other day too! NOPE, milk here does not come in a yellow jug! It comes in a cardboard treated box that stays in the cabinet until you open it.
And then there are things like the following two families that make me excited to be here and I can do without the cheese and the milk and the other dozens of things we don’t have here, or at least not like we are accustomed to.
You have read of Momma Eva. She is a new Christian who lives in Monduli. She is taking seriously the importance of telling her family about Christ. She goes with us to Bible studies, even
Over the River ...
This is the view heading towards Mama Eva's homeplace. We had already been walking for about 10 - 15 minutes. when she does not know the people we are studying with, and brings family members with her. She lives in a mud house, she has dirt floors, and we are always welcome. She asked if I would study with her mother and father in Arusha. That was an easy question! She got on a dala dala (small bus) with a relative of hers, Paul, I think a cousin, and Innocent, the preacher from Monduli. We met here in Arusha and I took over the driving. They told me where to turn, but I have no idea where we were. I do, however, know it was the most beautiful place here in Arusha I have seen! Rolling hills, green pastures and lots of crops, it really reminded me of Tennessee!! We did have to turn around at least once due to mud holes, and eventually when we got to the GENERAL area where her parents’ home was, we had to park the car and go the rest of the way on foot. Over the river and through the woods took on a whole new meaning. It was a beautiful day - I didn’t mind the walk. We were barely 30 min
Parking Lot?
As you can see we were about as far as we could go with the car. The running muddy water sort of took over the "road" just ahead of the car. This was next to the fields where we were walking .. I think I saw 2 people, other than us the entire time! Saw more cows than that. from where we started and it looked like a different country! As I walked behind them and took pictures, I could not help but think yet once again, I am in Africa! I think we walked for 20 - 30 minutes and actually did walk through a freshly plowed corn field, around a stand of trees, and up the path to their home. We were greeted loudly by a baying donkey. A good watch dog I thought to myself!
We were greeted by her father. A very old man, grey headed, long beard, and a smile. Which disappears on most African’s faces when having their portrait taken. Not sure why that is, but I have noticed in a lot of my pictures that they are not smiling, yet I remember them vividly being such a friendly and happy people. It reminds me of the olden days when everything was black and white and everyone sat so solemn due to the fact that they had to sit so still for a period of time for the film to develop because of early camera processes. That was a side note, sorry
The house was immaculate, as immaculate as a dirt house
Eva's Family
Eva, Her Dad, Her Mother, Innocent, Paul could be. I was so taken back by just how clean it was. The courtyard was swept, not a leaf or twig anywhere. The animals were in their designated places, and there was not a smell about the place at all, other than the breeze blowing in from the fresh dirt in the field. This is where she grew up, and this is where she brought me, to tell her parents about being a Christian. On our way home, we drove through fields of snapdragons and zinnias, with conversations of becoming a Christian with Paul. He was baptized that afternoon. Eva is narrowing down her family members that are not Christians. As I write this, I was told today that Eva’s grandmother died, please keep her in your prayers.
The next family lives in a town called Karatu. Anthony, Brent Richardson, 2 local preachers, and 2 preacher training students began a project this past weekend in Karatu. It is a town 128 kilometers (85 miles) from Arusha, with 3 Christians. We left the house at 7 am, drove 1 ½ hours having to slow at one point to allow zebras to cross the road! We met David and Michael on
Mamma Eva's Momma
One of the prettiest smiles I have yet to see in Africa, Eva has her mother's smile. the side of the road where the Octagon Lodge sign was, took a left, then a right at the next sign, then another left at the Bushman Camp site sign, then another left onto a cow path, parked, and walked up a path next to the cornfield, into the backyard of Josaphat’s family.
As we came around the corner of the house they were bringing all of their furniture from their house for us to sit on. Two loveseats, two armchairs, two stools, 3 buckets, and several rocks, bricks and logs became our pews. They brought a small table for the Lord’s Supper and placed a piece of lacy clothe over the banged up table.
The weather cooperated and it was a picture perfect day! Cool wind blowing through the backyard the entire time, roosters and chickens moving among us as if services were always held there, and a group of birds, noisily at times, in the tree above us building their nests. There was a clothes line that ran from one tree to the outhouse and above one set of stools. Clothes were left on the line to dry in the breeze.
This week David Bayi taught the Bible
Field of Zinnias
On our way home after studying and setting a time for another study, Eva said she knew a short cut - NOW .. I have very little luck with short cuts, and knowing the places we had to turn around due to mud I was hesitant; however, this one WAS a short cut (by about 30 mins!) and what a view!! class and taught on baptism, and Brent presented the lesson on “What is Worship?” Next week will be Gasper and Anthony doing the lessons. Bible studies have already been going on here and after the lesson there were 3 that wanted to be baptized. Father, mother, and daughter.
Problem presented - no water. The town of Karatu turns off the public water on Sunday’s at 12 to help conserve it. We did not know this until about 1:30. SOOOO, we head out to find water, finding it eventually in the form of a stream on the side of the road. We parked the cars on the side of the road, went to the water, and cleared rocks from a small grassy area. The work here has been presented with 4 portable baptisteries, and today they were put to use! Anthony, Brent and Kelly set it up in about 5 minutes and then they began the bucket brigade to fill it with enough water to immerse the three wanting to put on Christ in baptism.
Within just a few minutes they were all three baptized.
The family who worships together, stays together. I have heard this most of my life, but
Thru the Corn Fields
After a few turns, we took to foot again and went through the garden and emerged in their backyard. here without family you may not survive. They depend on one another more here than I have ever seen, and it is obvious to me that these two families take it seriously!
Yes, we are in Africa .. and these kinds of things happen all the time! Want to join us for a few weeks and experience it yourselves? Let us know .. we can help get you the information you need to come - you WILL NOT be the same, and neither will the congregation you attend!
Advertisement
Tot: 0.216s; Tpl: 0.013s; cc: 11; qc: 73; dbt: 0.0895s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.3mb
Julie
non-member comment
It was a great weekend....
I am so glad we got to share it with you guys! Hope you know how much we love and appriciate you both!