Broadband at home

Garden progress

Choirs in Celebration

“Sing to the Lord, you saints of His; praise His holy name.” Psalm 30:4

The Choirs here in Tanzania are wonderful to both to hear and watch. They are in constant movement, in unison and in rhythm! Performing for the Celebration of the service of the retiring Archbishop Mtetemela where three Choirs; the choir from the parish h that meets in the Chapel at SJUT:

Two choirs from the Anglican Cathedral.

The Choir below preformed in two styles, one traditional with matching dark navy suits, men and women, very conservative. They then broke and “changed” into the traditional Gogo tribal performance costume which for women was a strapless black shift with beads and for the men a large red plaid cloth tied at the shoulder.

The Leader added feathers on the arm and danced and played the trumpet. I have a very bad picture as he was moving very fast! I am hoping one day to see a village performance. Yesterday I was invited to see another Gogo choir perform as they where being filmed on a hilltop as the sun was setting, lovely. They also preformed in a simple navy skirt/pants and blue shirt and tennis shoes. I have no pictures to share but hope to at some point as they will be joining in a celebration of an upcoming opening for a local company.

Celebrating at St. John’s University of Tanzania

“Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints.” Philemon 7

Our Multi-purpose Hall at St. John's University was the site of the recent celebration held for the retiring Archbishop of Tanzania, Rt. Rev. Dondald Mtetemela and His wife Gladys, pictured above.

The staff which worked hard to prepare was very proud of the decorations. The Purple is the traditional color for he Bishops, so everything was purple and white, chairs, balloons anf flowers are typically expressive of the theme!

The Archbishop and his wife recieved many gifts of thanks from the Diocese all over the country. Everything from a car to a cow to a kanga (fabric) and refrigerators! Wonderful celebration to watch as some sang and danced as the gifts where presented. The celebration was to start at 6:30 in the evening and went on until past midnight, with three choirs entertaining the crowds.

The SJUT chapel was the host of the recent election of the new Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Tanzania! WOW! The Retiring current Archbishop Donald Mtetemela (http://www.acn-us.org/archive/2006/04/an-acn-interview-with-the-most-rev-donald-mtetemela-province-of-tanzania.html ), head of the Anglican Church of Tanzania and a Primate of the world wide communion ( http://www.anglicancommunion.org/tour/index.cfm) , the of the Episcopal Church in the US is also a (1) primate of the World wide communion) is the Chancellor of St. John’s University. The provision of Christian Higher education for Tanzania is a passion and commitment for Archbishop Donald Mtetelmela (http://www.acn-us.org/archive/2006/04/an-acn-interview-with-the-most-rev-donald-mtetemela-province-of-tanzania.html. The process of election takes place every five years, Archbishop Mtetemela has served for the past 10 years, was very CLOSED DOOR! The entire chapel was closed off and no one heard a thing although all where watching until the decision of the bishops was reached! The Archbishop elect is the the Rt. Rev. Valentino L. Mokiwa, Bishop of Dar es Salaam in the Anglican Church of Tanzania, elected archbishop of the province Feb. 28 during a special session of the General Synod in Dodoma, at SJUT.

Bishop Mokiwa (speaking to the crowd, above) will be installed in Dodoma on May 25. He succeeds the Most Rev. Donald L. Mtetemela, whose second five-year term concludes in May. Primates in Tanzania are limited to a maximum of two five-year terms under that province’s constitution. Archbishop Mtetemela will continue as Bishop of the Diocese of Ruaha for the next five years, while also serving as chancellor of St. John’s University in Dodoma.
Needless to say bishops arrived from all over the country. A celebration of the ministry and service of the Archbishop Mtetemela followed the days events.

Neema Crafts

"...so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:17

We arrived in Iringa about mid-day Saturday and our first stop was Neema Crafts. Neema is the Swahili word for grace and nothing could be more fitting. This workshop sponsored by the Anglican Church employed the deaf and handicapped. In Africa the handicapped are either left to die as infants or they are hidden away. Neema Crafts trains and provides an opportunity for work in weaving, papermaking, textiles, a small shop staffed as well sell the wares. We enjoyed our lunch at the first deaf staffed café.

While we were there we met a group from England that comes once a year to provide medical evaluation and hearing aides for the deaf. We also met lots of students from all over Tanzania who are working with the peace corps and congregating in Iringa for the Easter break. Most are serving as teachers in secondary schools.

The workshop has outgrown its current location and is building a new building adjacent to the Anglican Cathedral. What a wonderful witness and business! Plans are also in the works for a deaf staffed hotel, I hope tot be able to stay there one day as well!

Easter Sunday

“He is not here is has risen!” Luke 24:6

Easter Sunday was spent worshiping our Lord in Iringa, Tanzania, located about 5 hours south of Dodoma by car. The Area is beautiful, mountainous and supports a host of plants and trees I have not seen in the Dodoma region.

Our hotel was located at the top of one of the hills and you could see the city below and the mountains across. It rained almost the whole time we where there but none of us minded the refreshing coolness!
On the grounds we saw avocado , guava and citrus trees loaded with fruit, hollyhocks, lots of roses and dahlias to mention a few.

We attended Easter Service as the Anglican Cathedral where Archbishop Mtetemela was delivering the sermon, in Swahili. He paired us with a lovely New Zealand couple with four children ranging from 16-5! They translated the sermon and we where along to understand the message. The youngest was so cute and spent our time at tea in the pastors house in my lap! The hospitality was wonderful.

Outside we where greeted by Gladys, the Archbishop’s wife.

Rev. Dr. Carr and his wife also enjoyed the celebration and worship.

Night Rider

“…He causes Hi s sun to rise on the evil and good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous” Matthew 5:45


I am not sure which of the category we fell into, but we definitely received the rain! As mentions in regard to the elephants… While having enjoyed a day at the game park, we where “hurrying” back to the Hotel trying to beat the DARK and approaching storm. There is no such thing as street lights once out of a city; only one road in Dodoma has lights. It is dark, very dark. The vehicle we were in was very old Land Cruiser, John guesses the 60’s, canvas covered. We watched as our diver twisted the two wires that where coming out of the “dash” together,..Volia lights-hit a bump, no lights,…oh there we go lights again. The entire instrument panel was non- functioning, no idea of speed, fuel, temperature or how much oil we where burning. But to be honest none of us cared! Then,….the wind and storm was on us! Well the canvas was keep in place in the front sides by shutting the door frames on them, the canvas there made up for no windows in the doors, I think we stopped twice in the POURING rain to catch and eventually hold the canvas down as we went along. The rain was coming in horizontally and straight over the windshield, we are all dying laughing. I look over at our travel companions and friends from St. John’s University, Dr. Neville Carr, Dean of Education and His wife Elspeth and could not resist a photo!

This is Dr. Carr, note totally cover and still wet, -wind!

His wife Elspeth!

John and I had opened an umbrella and had it in front of us deflecting most of the rain. It was so dark I could not even see what I was doing. Just pointed and shot the photos, delighted with the results! We laughed the whole way back at our “spa treatment”.

Me! Missed John!