At Home in Dodoma

I was unprepared for the powerful emotions I felt as we walked out the door of the airport in Dar-es-Salaam late Friday, to realize I was again in Africa. We had been away long enough, I guess--two-and-a-half years--for the powerful tug of Africa to have given up somewhat. The thrill came back with amazing force once more to have set foot in this rich and rewarding setting of friendship and discovery. I am grateful in the extreme!

Glitz and glamor at Dubai's airport

Every piece of luggage alive and well in Dar-es-Salaam

Our trip went well, not a hitch in all five legs of the trip, four by air, the fifth by bus from Dar-es-Salaam yesterday (Saturday). That fifth leg was, I guess, the most difficult, a six-hour ride west to Dodoma. The bus was luxurious by the standards of what most Africans ride but without air-conditioning on a sunny day with temperatures probably near 90 degrees. Air rushed in through open windows to make the trip bearable, as did the passing scene outside the windows, a refresher on rural Africa, with beautiful scenery added. Several new friends greeted us at the Dodoma bus terminal and then took us and all of our luggage to the Missionary Aviation Fellowship lodge, where we spent the night. "All of our luggage" means every piece we had started out with: nine large trunks, suitcases, and duffel bags chock full of things to be shared with our Dodoma friends, including 990 malaria test strips. All of that had been checked through and had been, like us, on four different planes; we had carried on our personal luggage, cameras, laptops, etc.

Last night, after we had settled in at the lodge, we walked a kilometer or so, with Dan's guidance, to the home of Esther and Amos Muhagachi for dinner. Amos is pastor of Iringa Road Mennonite Church. He picked us up at a little after 9:00 a.m. this morning to take us several kilometers to his church for worship. When we came to the church, the choirs and congregation were already singing. We walked into a crowded church, with many, many children. The music continued with several choirs and much enthusiasm. During the service, we presented two banners that were a gift from Vibrant Covenant Church, with many pictures of Vibrant members. Sadly, Annette, who had spent hours and hours sewing and quilting the banners, was not present. Not feeling well, she opted out this morning. I had the privilege to preach the sermon, like all of my Africa preaching experiences, a joyful time for me.

While the Grace and Healing Choir (kids sponsored by Lahash) sings,
worshipers bring offerings forward.
Esther Muhagachi is the lady in colorful clothing at bottom right.

Lunch at church followed, with superb African food (ever taste a banana fresh off the tree?) and we brought a plate home to Annette, who was up and looking well.

Thus has begun, busily, these two weeks of relating to good friends and the work they do with orphans and other vulnerable people in and around Dodoma.