Small adventures

October 31, 2011

No signs of Halloween over here, but I haven't been to the market today to see if there are any decorations. It doesn't feel like the end of October, since the temperatures are still in the high 80's by late afternoon. There are preparations for planting crops by raking and then burning the leftover stalks, canes, and grasses.  Sometimes it is very hard to breathe fresh air.

The following are some of our small adventures, in addition to, everyday activities.  Each day can be an adventure, too, like not having power or not having water to fill our holding tank for 3 days. We were fine, but our neighbors had to carry much more water. Another chance to have an adventure is visiting the market to find the same vendor to buy vegetables.  They like to see you return and sometimes give you a little extra, similarly at the grocery stores. Always a surprise awaits us.

Two weeks ago, Oct 14-16, we took a trip farther up into the mountains southeast of here to visit the village of Kising'a. The drive was about 2 hours on mostly dirt roads that twisted up and around to give us splendid views. It was so much cooler and fresher. It is the partner village of Dan and Sue McIntyre from Church of Peace in Maplewood.  The village is smaller than Tungamalenga, but the welcome was just as warm and noisy! Pastor Wihale greeted us, introduced us all around and finally we met Peweni Kikoti, who is interning with him until the end of June. She is from Bomalang'ombe and she became our interpreter, although Pr. Wihale speaks good English. We all used dictionaries to help us understand each other. Peweni wanted to keep Dan's. They will try to bring one to her on the next visit.

Dan and Pastor Wihale with mountain view

We drove to a preaching point that is beginning to build a new chapel, because they have outgrown the one they use now.(Bwana asifiwe-Praise the Lord)!.  The parish members had plotted out the foundation size, dug the trench, and were carrying the rocks to fill it in.  So we all joined them carrying rocks! When we were ready to leave, we all formed a circle and prayers were said for the construction to continue, for the help that Church of Peace gives to them, and I'm sure for our safety. It is in a beautiful location overlooking a valley and the mountain tops.

Dan, students, Sue, Joan, Peweni, Pr. Wihale & Evangelist Ahinudiwe

Next we were shown the way to their tree farms that partially fund the construction through sales of lumber and are used for the building itself.  We saw the primary school in the village, the soccer field, and later a secondary school built by Steve Vinton of Village Schools. Oh! and the well that their village uses was a very busy place. It is down a hill from almost all of the village, therefore all ages that carry water, carry it up hill and on their heads!




On Sunday the procession leading to the chapel began outside of the pastor's house with a colorful choir leading the way. District Pastor John Chengula, his son, Krispo (who will be teaching soon and was another interpreter), and a cousin, Joina Tenywa had come for the service and joined us. Much singing, speeches, welcomes, congratulations, communion and the song, "This little Light of Mine" by the four of us rounded out the service of two hours. (There is a story connected with this---!)



There was again an auction after the worship time. These items are brought by those who cannot bring Tshillings. Perhaps more is placed into the offering plate this way. The four in the front are part of the youth choir and were offering their song. The main choir in the background sang again later. Many sang as they left the chapel and auction.



Of course, throughout the week-end we had been fed with delicious food at Pr. Wihale's house. (Have you noticed the banana plants growing around the villages.) Also, we had dinner at the home of one of the primary teachers.
To top it all off, each couple was given a hen from the teacher to take home with us and we did!  But we did give them away before we reached home- one was for food (chakula) and the other kept for eggs (yai)!

The following week-end we went south to Isamila, an ancient
stone age historical site. We were led on an hour long tour starting with a display of the rock tools that were found and dated to 300,000 - 400,000 years ago! The guide led us down into a dry, long ago lake bed, up again to the top and across several fields to the edge of a riverbed.  Wow! tall pillars were scattered down in the valley and after a few photos we walked down again to wander among these giants. (They reminded Rich and I of the hoodoos in Bryce Canyon.) We continued for about 20 minutes following the dry riverbed and seeing the pillars along the walls and in the riverbed.  One group looked just like organ pipes!

The guide grew up in the area and had first seen the site with his grandfather (Babu) when he was very young. He now has been guiding for 12 years and was very proud of the area. When we came back up from the lake bed we entered a museum which showcased the tools again, plus other farming tools, baskets, three-legged stools, photos of leaders, and weapons used by local tribes. Good write-ups told us about customs of the area. It was a very excellent safari (trip).

Later that day we journeyed out to Philips Farm along the Little Ruaha River past Kilolo to watch the wazungu (white people / mzungu-one person) relax and/or play volleyball.  This is a dairy cattle farm that has been in the family for several generations. There were beautiful hedges of brilliant colors especially at sunset. The large family house was thatch-roofed. They even had several huge turkeys waiting for--Christmas dinner, British-style.

Just a quick note on Tumaini. Classes are moving along as long as there isn't a graduation and homecoming, death and funeral, holiday, staff meeting or ??? Sue and I have finished a little correcting for a former Peace Corps teacher from America now teaching a communications class. (She wished us a Happy Halloween!) We will probably help her again. It was very interesting reading the students's journals and discovering more about Tumaini University from first year students' impressions.

Wishing all of you pleasant safaris and /or adventures.   Joan and Richard