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Published: January 11th 2013
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The Sabbath. Highlights today are: 1) Swahili Christian videos at breakfast at the hotel; 2) To the church with the Bishop, were warmly welcomed; 3) lunch at the cathedral; 4) Talked with the bishop about 'everything'; 5) Dinner at the bishop's home.
NARRATIVE: Love these services. Sat with the bishop up front on special chairs. The bishop gave time to introduce us and say a little bit. Edina II, wait staff at the hotel, had written out my greeting in Swahili for me.
Tuna wasa limu katika join a la Yesu Kukota USA.
We greet you from the USA in the Name of Jesus.
Shy of my pronounciation, the bishop turned to me and said "You got it!" People liked that. I thanked folks for including us and that we look forward to helping them with KARUCO. Steve gave a sweet intro also. People seem to really like looking at him with his unusual blue eyes and tall frame. Swahili is easy to read and pronounce so it was fun to follow along and sing from the hymnal. I can't understand the bishop's sermon in Swahili but am never bored listening to his work. I liked how
ushers serve communion to those who cannot walk and are sitting on the floor by the edges of the sanctuary. Everyone always seems to think of others. Following the service, there was the usual auction. Those who brought offering items had them auctioned off after church. The money was then donated to the church. I loved how the children felt free to come up to the bishop. This is a good sign.
Lunch was served by some diligent women and we enjoyed time together in the cathedral With Jovinary and his wife. We came back to the hotel and rested a tad. It's an easy place to feel restful with the hotel's clean rooms, smell of food, and constant flow of community. The pipes draining all water off of everything lead to the water tank that sports a satellite dish (new since my visit in 2008). The juxtaposition is an icon for the gaps in technology pointing to yet another need of the community. The General Secretary, Erasto, came to show us the suburbs but then did not take us when he learned that the bishop was having us to his home for dinner.
7:00 - The bishop
came to get us for dinner. It was a joy to see Frida again, and she made a beautiful dinner for us. We met his vibrant son and gave him rattles and toys. He was fun to hold until he got restless. He had not been feeling very well lately so the bishop took over. We gave Frida scarves and a 'skinny' wallet and promised to look for the lotion she likes. We ate really well. Frida is an excellent cook. We were home at 9:30 and watched the World Cup Championship between Spain and the Netherlands. Spain won. It was a lazy, restful Sabbath for Steve and me.
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Take me to the Educate Tanzania website. http://educatetanzania.org
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