We arrived in Dar es Salaam after 3 good flights. We were driven to FPCT to unload our luggage and refresh ourselves. Then our driver took us on a short tour of Dar, including the Lutheran Church just letting out the morning worship in the rain. Then lunch and more touring, finally out to the wood cravers market. It was good sleeping on a bed vs plane seats that night.
Monday, 26 September
The safari to Iringa was a loooong ride due to a big problem (tatizo). Mechanics, have you ever fixed a cracked radiator with bar soap and/or superglue and sand? Our driver, Peter, just said "hakuna matata-- no problem! However it took 4-6 stops and 12 hours to arrive at The Lutheran Center. We even ate our lunch in the bus to save some time. We drove through Mikumi National Park so Richard finally saw his first Twiga ( giraffe ), tembo (elephant), swala (Impala, Punda milia (Zebra), Nyani (baboon), maybe a Nguruwe-mwitu(warthog) and a Nyati (water buffalo). The first of many photos. It was dry, few leaves on the trees, many trucks, bicycles and motorbikes and people walking along the road outside of the park. The children below decided that our first stop was a good one to see these Mzungus.
The last two hours of the trip were in the dark, so we didn't see much of Iringa except for the lights or fires. There were many switchbacks as we rode up toward the city and finally arrived at The Lutheran Center. After unloading all the luggage, we said good night-(habari za jioni), left the gift luggage with Pr. Diane, our fellow travelers from Arizona, Bo Skillman, and Pr. Yusto. Lamont drove us and Dan and Sue McIntyre out to the house we will share near Tumaini University. Feels good to be "home".
The next three days were busy with meetings, briefings, lunches in Iringa town, checking out the market to buy food, and going to Tumaini University. We, also, met Pr. Babu Israael, Pr. John Mhekwa, Dean Richard Lubawa, Bishop Mdegella and wife, Pr. Sara Mdegella; Gen. Sec. Chavalla; Diocese companion, Misigwa, and many more officials and staff. We met with The District Water Engineer, Mr. Byemerwa to discuss the Mahove water project. More meetings will be happening when we arrive out to Tungamalenga on Friday, 30 September.
All for now, to be continued.
Joan and Richard
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