Tungamalenga Christmas Eve

Spending Christmas away from family and friends at home is hard enough. Spending it in another country taxed our imaginations.  Well, we do have family here, many brothers and sisters in Christ, why not be with them for the holiday? A few weeks before Christmas we asked Pastor Naftal if we could visit Tungamalenga on Dec. 24 and 25.  He thought a minute and responded "Yes, and Richard, you will be Father Christmas!" How could we refuse? We found out about a costume that could be used as a model and ordered one for Richard. Next to decide what zawadi (gifts) to bring.

Mariam, Baby Helen, Joan, Pastor Karimu Mukini

Renting a car from Tumaini enabled us to drive pastor's family- Anjelina, Aida, and Anette, and Chef Petro from the Lutheran Center out to the village. After loading we set off about 10am on the 24th and made good time on the road since the rains had not been as heavy or caused too many washouts.  We stopped in Idodi to visit Pastor Karimu and wife Mariam and almost-2 month-old Helen. What a sweetie! And she didn't even cry when I held her! We saw Pastor Paulo there, also, because his wife, Leah, was in the Health Center after giving birth to a baby girl 4 days earlier. She has some complications and may be moved to Iringa hospital. Please pray for her recovery and for Pr. Paulo and family.

Alice, Joan, Aida, Annette

From there we followed Pastor Naftal on his pikipiki (motorcycle - Men's group!) into Tungamalenga to unload our luggage at T. Camp, and then continued on to the chapel and pastor's house. Barnabas' wife, Alice had prepared a late lunch for us. She had made some pork and some of the best chapati I have had to eat. It was a nice time to relax and visit. During the previous week Sue and I had made coffeecakes to take with us to our villages. (Dan and Sue drove to Kising'a, their village.) This was a good time to give those gifts. We found out that Barnabas was on a three week leave in Dar es Salaam with his father. His father will be having surgery some time.  More prayers are needed.

We drove back to the lodge to unpack, rest and prepare for the Christmas Eve service after dinner. As we returned to the chapel in the dark, we could see the watoto arriving from all directions. It was to be a 9pm children's service with youth and adult choirs. Richard changed into his suit and prepared to enter before the service began in case the children became too tired later. Some of the teachers organized the route--out one door and in another. Both of us handed out the candy (pipi) and cookies. Next they lined up in class sections to receive an educational packet of tablet, pen, and pencil. The 96 children who shook Father Christmas's hand were now a little more prepared for school. With many big smiles on their faces, they were not afraid of the man in red!

















After a good night's rest and breakfast, we drove Petro and 4 relatives out to a mission church south of Mapogoro on a very small path. We picked up his "wedding mama" with baby on the way making it 9 in the front and back seats. We had a daladala (bus)! Had to stop before one bridge and turn around and they walked a little way. Now we had to hurry back for chapel service at 10am, arriving at 2 minutes after!  This service was a little atypical in that there were 4 new members accepted first and then baptisms for 3 babies followed. Of course, there were many songs, choirs and some dancing that occurred in celebration of Jesus' birth.  Mungu akubariki!( God bless you.)     We have videos of this when we return!

After short greetings we were ushered out a little before 11am and found out that we were on our way to Mahove for their Maasai Krismasi Leo service. Next blog!

Pardon ( pole sana ) for the delay from the holidays.  Richard has been writing finals!