Greetings from Iringa, Tanzania!
13/05/09 08:07
Greetings from Iringa, Tanzania! We have had a
wonderful safari to
date with no major problems. We are all well and looking forward to
our final days in Africa which will include time in Iringa thru
Thursday, and then on to Dar Es Salaam, Zanzibar Island, and home on
Tuesday.
After leaveing Kenya we met Dave and Fran in Arusha, TZ. We stayed
overnight and then visited the Mwangaza office, where we learned more
about the programs currently being offered. This is an educational
program that trains teachers throughout the country.
From there we travelled to the beautiful Ngorongoro Crater in Northern
Tanzania and saw some beautiful African wildlife. We stayed in two
lovely hotels, as this area is geared towards American and European
tourists.
After leaving this area, we had a very long, 10 hour drive to Dodoma,
TZ, which is the city north of where our partner congregation is in
Mtera. The road is a dirt road all the way, rough and bumpy, but we
endured to Dodoma. From there we went the remaining distance to Mtera
where we spent four nights visiting our partner parish. Our time
included some rest at the Tanesco guest house, a very nice place to
stay. We visited Mtera school and met 8 of the ten students we are
sponsoring this year. One student attends a different school, and one
has dropped out. We gave the students we saw gifts from the
congregation and tok pictuires of each one. At each preaching point
we saw we were greeted with kindness, and everyone appreciates our
partnership very much.
On Sunday we worshipped at the Mtera church, I spoke about the value
of partnership, and we all received very nice gifts at the end. They
had a moment of silence for Rose Kasma, in thanks for all the home
made gifts she has shared. We also gave many of her things to the
parish, as well as travel bags for the three from their congregation
we hope to have visit us in Septmeber.
Later that afternoon, we had a meeting with their partnership
committee about our partnership and also with the three who will be
visiting in September. We had an excellent transaltor, but even with
him, the partnership meeting got very interesting. Much of it we
could not understand, but much like our churches at home, there were
clearly issues of communication and other problems they were trying to
work out. We were able to renew our partnership with a new covenant,
and we are bringing this back with us. The 3 travellers all now have
their passports and arrangements are being made for their visas. God
willing they will arrive in MPLS on Sept. 10th.
The next day we travelled up to the Chamsisili preaching point, where
our congregaton has provided a well thru the St. Paul Partners well
program. Unfortunately, the well water is high in salt and cannot
currently be used. They are working on possible solutions. We did
meet with village leaders and discussed these issues. We also spent
time at Pastor Lufyagila's house.
The next day we travelled to Iringa and today we are doing some
shopping and hoping to meet with the Diocese leaders with some
questions about our partnership.
We've had a great time, we are all healthy, and we're doing well.
Thanks for your continued prayers. Pardon my typing as I am in a
hurry at an internet cafe in Iringa.
We look forward to giving a more complete report of our journey when
we return. So, for Melissa, Allison, Dave, and Fran, we all say good
bye for now and we look forward to returning soon. God bless!
--
Pastor Jeff Beebe
date with no major problems. We are all well and looking forward to
our final days in Africa which will include time in Iringa thru
Thursday, and then on to Dar Es Salaam, Zanzibar Island, and home on
Tuesday.
After leaveing Kenya we met Dave and Fran in Arusha, TZ. We stayed
overnight and then visited the Mwangaza office, where we learned more
about the programs currently being offered. This is an educational
program that trains teachers throughout the country.
From there we travelled to the beautiful Ngorongoro Crater in Northern
Tanzania and saw some beautiful African wildlife. We stayed in two
lovely hotels, as this area is geared towards American and European
tourists.
After leaving this area, we had a very long, 10 hour drive to Dodoma,
TZ, which is the city north of where our partner congregation is in
Mtera. The road is a dirt road all the way, rough and bumpy, but we
endured to Dodoma. From there we went the remaining distance to Mtera
where we spent four nights visiting our partner parish. Our time
included some rest at the Tanesco guest house, a very nice place to
stay. We visited Mtera school and met 8 of the ten students we are
sponsoring this year. One student attends a different school, and one
has dropped out. We gave the students we saw gifts from the
congregation and tok pictuires of each one. At each preaching point
we saw we were greeted with kindness, and everyone appreciates our
partnership very much.
On Sunday we worshipped at the Mtera church, I spoke about the value
of partnership, and we all received very nice gifts at the end. They
had a moment of silence for Rose Kasma, in thanks for all the home
made gifts she has shared. We also gave many of her things to the
parish, as well as travel bags for the three from their congregation
we hope to have visit us in Septmeber.
Later that afternoon, we had a meeting with their partnership
committee about our partnership and also with the three who will be
visiting in September. We had an excellent transaltor, but even with
him, the partnership meeting got very interesting. Much of it we
could not understand, but much like our churches at home, there were
clearly issues of communication and other problems they were trying to
work out. We were able to renew our partnership with a new covenant,
and we are bringing this back with us. The 3 travellers all now have
their passports and arrangements are being made for their visas. God
willing they will arrive in MPLS on Sept. 10th.
The next day we travelled up to the Chamsisili preaching point, where
our congregaton has provided a well thru the St. Paul Partners well
program. Unfortunately, the well water is high in salt and cannot
currently be used. They are working on possible solutions. We did
meet with village leaders and discussed these issues. We also spent
time at Pastor Lufyagila's house.
The next day we travelled to Iringa and today we are doing some
shopping and hoping to meet with the Diocese leaders with some
questions about our partnership.
We've had a great time, we are all healthy, and we're doing well.
Thanks for your continued prayers. Pardon my typing as I am in a
hurry at an internet cafe in Iringa.
We look forward to giving a more complete report of our journey when
we return. So, for Melissa, Allison, Dave, and Fran, we all say good
bye for now and we look forward to returning soon. God bless!
--
Pastor Jeff Beebe
Greeting from the cyber cafe in Mtwapa, Kenya!
02/05/09 02:26
Greeting from the cyber cafe in Mtwapa, Kenya! We
arrived safely Thursday night after flying first to
Amsterdam, then to Nairobi, and finally to Mombasa,
Kenya. We had a grand reunion with Allison when
we arrived. Allison has been doing her rural
internship in Mtwapa, which is about 30 minutes outside
Mombasa.
We've already had some amazing experiences and met some incredible people. Allison had us meet her host family here, with whom we had lunch yesterday. Later that day her host sister and cousin took us somewhere you definitely don't see in Minnesota- a crocodile farm! Got to see "Big Daddy," a 100 year old 5 meter long croc. They raise crocs there like we raise chickens, pretty amazing. Got to ride on two "matatus," volkswagon type buses that take you places. It rivals any thrill ride you'd pay money for at Valli Fair! Totally crazy the way they drive!
First night we stayed in a nice beach type motel, and got to take a walk along the beach of the Indian Ocean. Hot and humid here! We're definitely not used to it! (they think it has cooled off!) One thing that is very different is that every guy looking to make a little money approaches you trying to sell something or get you to go on their boat or whatever. Takes a little getting used to- that's just the way business is done here.
Reminds me much of Tanzania, lots of small shops and businesses. Last night we stayed in the Hippo Guest House, a small motel in Mtwapa. Met a Kenyan guy, Clement, who has attended New York University and is now prusuing Kenyan politics. Very interesting to talk to him. They're all so glad we have come for a visit! Didn't sleep much, noisy and hot, but we managed.
We're glad Allison is here, she knows the local customs and costs, not to mention can speak the language! Today we're going to visit another friend of hers, go back to Mombasa, and then fly to Nairobi tomorrow morning. That's it for now. We're looking forward to welcoming the Nordhausen's in Arusha on Monday. Peace be with you!
Pastor Jeff, Melissa, and Allison
We've already had some amazing experiences and met some incredible people. Allison had us meet her host family here, with whom we had lunch yesterday. Later that day her host sister and cousin took us somewhere you definitely don't see in Minnesota- a crocodile farm! Got to see "Big Daddy," a 100 year old 5 meter long croc. They raise crocs there like we raise chickens, pretty amazing. Got to ride on two "matatus," volkswagon type buses that take you places. It rivals any thrill ride you'd pay money for at Valli Fair! Totally crazy the way they drive!
First night we stayed in a nice beach type motel, and got to take a walk along the beach of the Indian Ocean. Hot and humid here! We're definitely not used to it! (they think it has cooled off!) One thing that is very different is that every guy looking to make a little money approaches you trying to sell something or get you to go on their boat or whatever. Takes a little getting used to- that's just the way business is done here.
Reminds me much of Tanzania, lots of small shops and businesses. Last night we stayed in the Hippo Guest House, a small motel in Mtwapa. Met a Kenyan guy, Clement, who has attended New York University and is now prusuing Kenyan politics. Very interesting to talk to him. They're all so glad we have come for a visit! Didn't sleep much, noisy and hot, but we managed.
We're glad Allison is here, she knows the local customs and costs, not to mention can speak the language! Today we're going to visit another friend of hers, go back to Mombasa, and then fly to Nairobi tomorrow morning. That's it for now. We're looking forward to welcoming the Nordhausen's in Arusha on Monday. Peace be with you!
Pastor Jeff, Melissa, and Allison
Getting Packed
29/04/09 18:44
Hi everyone. I've been busy getting everything
ready for the Africa trip, and thought I'd take a break
from packing. We'll be gone April 29th - May
19th, travelling to Kenya to meet up with Allison, and
then to Tanzania, where we'll meet Dave and Fran
Nordhausen and visit our sister congregation.
We're very excited to get going! I'll be trying
to post a blog on our website whenever I can get to a
computer, so keep checking here for updates.