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Published: February 4th 2013
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Kakulima Kids
Bringing them greetings from their dad in his PhD program in Minnesota CHURCH I mentioned church in another blog entry but it deserves its very own. Anytime a service lasts from 10:00 till 2:00 someone should write a blog entry. The Lutheran church just in back of the hotel is home to many of my friends in Kayanga so it feels good to revisit there. The entire Educate Tanzania team went and dutifully sat on the front bench. Rachel Kakulima interpreted for Jan and Ashley and Pastor interpreted for Daniel, Pedro and Jay. The music was outstanding as usual. A little electric keyboard, sychronized voices and slight dance movements. I didn't realize I was moving to the music until Rachel asked me, "You like?". Halfway through, I was reminded of the casual approach toward time as various members of the choir showed up during a song and simply walked in and joined the singing. I found myself smiling as I envisioned someone arriving 'late' for a performance in America and simply walking up to the group on stage and joining in. I can't imagine too many of my choir directors approving of that approach. I recognized the faces but did not see Rebecca as I usually do. Perhaps she was in the
Rachel
Sunday finest earlier service.
There was a baptism, more singing, the liturgy and Brighton's message. He said he wrote it the night before after being with the Educate Tanzania team all Saturday. Busy man. His message was full of energy and enthusiasm and Brighton had a commanding presence. Rachel said the message focused on unity among people; living as one. Fitting for the week. Brighton made references to the upcoming work our team would be doing and then introduced our team. We went to the front and introduced ourselves. I said it was my fourth time in Tanzania and that I remembered their church. I advocated for Agriculture and KARUCO and said how inspiring it was to be with them. Each team member said a few words - Ashley said how welcome she felt and how grateful she was; Daniel shared what a gift Agriculture is to all people; Jay said how Karagwe reminded him of his childhood in the mountains of Appalachia and how welcome he felt; and Pedro also shared how welcome he felt, how beautiful the music was, and how he wanted to bring his children to Karagwe to come experience the music at this church. People really
Rafiki
Friends liked that. We were warmly received.
Following church we experienced the auction - and I love this. People bring items for the auction, people in the congregation bid and then the money goes for the offering. I was at a service once when someone brought goats. Daniel insisted that if that happened again, he wanted one. As it were, two bidders competed for buying me a pineapple. This was fabulous and I got the pineapple. I am tempted to say that if you haven't had pineapple in Karagwe, Tanzania - you haven't had pineapple. But I will refrain since I haven't really been to all the pineapple capitals (Bucket List stuff). In any event, a beautiful pineapple came my way thanks to Pastor Katabaro. Asante sana! I knew it would be shared with Edina and the rest of the folks at the Kayanga Hotel. After the auction we stayed and chatted with Rachel Kakulima, a team of interns from the U.S.; and others who happened our way. Lovely service. Great way for me to get grounded and start the week.
Take me to the Educate Tanzania website:
www.educatetanzania.org
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