Water and women

Today I started my vacation. It will be quiet. Connecting with family in south western ontario. I didn't wake up until 715. I did things around the house but in a leisurely manner. I finally got into the shower at 930. Took a while for the hot water to come to the second floor and I didn't get in until it did. I thought about how much water had gone down the drain. Two or three buckets full? Two or three trips to a water source 16 km away for some woman or woman child in Masasi. I thought about how much a woman there would have accomplished already in the day to fend for her family. She knows no vacation. I recall saying to Joyce from the Mother's Union that I had put some of the wood carvings from our last trip as decorations in my bathroom. She looked at me strangely and said "you decorated your bathroom". I think about the disconnect. One of their homes is the size of my bathroom. And the bathroom for them is outside.
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a gift

following a tour of a PWRDF project from the 1980's at Lukula that included providing them with goats,  a cow and a tractor, we were presented with a live rooster!  The rooster is now residing at Bishop Patrick's and Mama Emmie's farm.

Slave trade--Zanzibar

In this pit is where captured victims were featured for sale

PWRDF

We have had many contact us to inquire how they might partner with Masasi in sharing resources and ministry.  Please contact your PWRDF rep or the National Office and indicate that you would like to aid in the ministry of the major development plan for Education, Health, Water and Food Sustainability through the Anglican Diocese of Masasi and Bishop Patrick.

The Primate's World Relief and Development Fund 
Le fonds du Primat pour le secours et le développement mondial

80 Hayden Street Toronto, Ontario M4Y 3G2
Phone:             416-924-9192 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            416-924-9192      end_of_the_skype_highlighting      
Toll Free:             1-866-308-7973 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            1-866-308-7973      end_of_the_skype_highlighting      
Fax: 416-924-3483
General E-mail: pwrdf[at]pwrdf.org 
Charitable Number: 8664 34640 RR0001

PWRDF/CIDA bore hole handed over to village in ceremony

We were present at Chakuma where a bore hole that was sponsored by PWRDF and CIDA was handed over to the village to manage.

confirmation of more than 80 at Nachingwea

a woman at Chakuma

Re-entry Day 2

I am at home now settling back into life in Montreal, still tired from a weekend of long hours of travel. As I sit and reflect upon the last 3 weeks I am deeply appreciative and filled with gratitude to God for having the support of the Diocese by your prayers and encouragement to make this journey to the Diocese of Masasi in Tanzania.
While traveling through the Diocese and spending time in rural villages I often felt like a child with a barrage of endless questions.
How did people survive under these circumstances, dry weather, lack of vegetation, employment, education, isolation. I recognized that my economic values and experience of life needed to be suspended so I could enter more fully into understanding the context and culture of which I was now living. My assumptions about the standard and comfort of life I live in Canada challenges me to reflect upon the stewardship, economy and ecosystem of the life I live compared with so many others in the world.
In contrast to what I saw is also the experience of hospitality, generosity and welcome we received while visiting the villages. We left with gifts of appreciation and gratitude given to us by the villagers...even a live rooster!
Despite the heat and lack of water the scenery is beautiful as we traveled, the handiwork of God shown all around us.
I found a sacred spot, holy ground in the Cathedral Compound where I said. Morning and Evening Prayer. A beautiful spot where I could look up to the mountain and see a cross in the distance. I took a picture and hope to enlarge it. As I looked up to the mountain I was reminded of the words of Psalm 121; "I look up to the hills from when cometh my help, my help cometh even from the Lord."
Each day as I said the offices of morning and evening prayer I was deeply aware of your prayer, love and support for us while we were in Masasi. I am both humbled and filled with thanksgiving for this.
I know that I will continue to share my story and experience with you as I re-integrate back into life in Montreal. For now it still feels overwhelming to make the adjustments.
+Barry
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I am remembering the trip back from Zanzibar

On the trip to see the now retired Archbishop of Tanzania who was later Bishop of Zanzibar, we saw the cells where the slaves were left before being auctioned off.  We saw the pit where they would stand, sunken into the ground so all the potential buyers could look down and see and assess. On the two hour ferry ride back to the mainland, I wrote the following in an email to a friend who had made this journey before....I am on a ship on the Indian Ocean--a rough crossing from Zanzibar today to the mainland.  Surrounded by Africans, East Indians and a few tourists--the air is filled with the smell of vomiting and body sweat.  The sound of retching and children sobbing...we have been to the diocesan offices in Zanzibar--no shopping...not a tourist trip...the offices have been robbed in the night despite having a security guard. The sense of discrimination the Christians feel as such a minority. 
I know that it is no comparison to what those who had experienced many years ago, experienced after their capture. experienced as they were loaded into ships at the coast of the mainland and taken to Zanzibar for selling....and perhaps loaded into other ships to be taken to other countries....but as I hear the people's agony and stuggle to keep from throwing up at the very sound of the retching, I see the young ship's steward take a woman's little girl to comfort her while the mother throws up....as I see him walk the aisles amongst the people, holding the trusting little girl and handing out plastic bags, I pray that in each of those people's lives who were sold into slavery, there was at least one moment of kindness, one moment of hope, one sign that they had not been abandoned....I pray...

Little women

I remember when my sons were in highschool there was a required course. It involved family values, sex education etc. I remember those taking the class--all about 15 or 16 years old, were required to be responsible for a "doll"--a baby--for a week. They were required to lug this doll around in an attempt to teach them something about responsibility for another human. In the past three weeks, each day, I met little women--little girls aged 5 and 6 who were responsible for their mother's baby. Perhaps mom was out working at getting the day's water or wood or food. These little women would carry babies and toddlers around on their bags strapped there with a kenga--a wide swath of cotton. It wasn't a doll for a week--but a much larger responsibility for another human's welfare--babies looking after babies.
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Goodbye to Tanzania

It was hard saying goodbye to Bishop Patrick and Mama Emmie. They truly have become friends. It is hard to leave this land of giraffes and dry desert which is also a land of ocean coast and coconuts and bananas. It is a land of friendly, spirit filled people. Masasi is a diocese filled with a people who are Christian or Muslim with a stamina to live in the villages and try to overcome the challenges of gaining education, overcoming challenges in the face of drought, lack of potable water, food shortages, health issues including HIV Aids.
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Home

Forty hours after arriving at the first of four airports, we are now standing in Montreal airport. The Nairobi airport was the biggest challenge with poor check-in process that delayed us by two hours, to having to surrender our passports there in order to get our luggage that hadn't been checked through...we are very happy to be home. Sleep deprived but home. Thank you all for all of your prayers and your messages. We look forward to seeing you and sharing with you. God's blessings
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Last days

Last night we stayed again in the hostel in Dar Es Salaam. Hundreds of ants crawl on the walls in my room. The constant drone of the generator reminds me of the electricity crisis here in this huge capital city. Long power outages. The paper says that the politicians assure that they will rectify this in the next three weeks. How is that possible?
As I write this I am surrounded by my own luggage which doesn't equal the huge duffle bag of gifts that we have been given--from cashews to a bracelet of shells a woman removed from her own arm and presented to me to small and large carvings, baskets and a home made African dress. The generosity of the people we have met has been overwhelming. Those will the least are the most generous. We are told that when a person receives a visitor into their home, they must present the visitor with a chicken. Luckily we were only presented with one of those!!!! It has now taken up residence in Mama Bishop's yard with her others. I had intended to leave the duffle bag behind after we emptied the things we brought to share. Bishop Patrick laughed at me when I said early on that we were leaving it for him!! He said I wouldn't be. Mixed emotions about leaving this country. From the stark simplicity and poverty and struggle to survive in the villages to this busy noisy city. I have experienced much. It may be a struggle to reintegrate. I will remember the joy filled liturgies, the faith, the trust, the perseverence, the strength of a people who are so willing to be open and let us into their lives. I will remember the people who work for this diocese who work diligently to bring health care, education, water and sustainable food sources to Christians and non-Christians. I will pray for them that they continue to find the personal strength and the necessary resources further develop their ministry here. I pray that I and we in the Diocese of Montreal may discern God's role for us in this important ministry.
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Malaria

This trip we have encountered many people with malaria. It is hard to take the anti-malarial tablet each morning--feeling so privileged to have access to it when we are here such a short time and others who live here don't have it.
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Water and walking

Again...imagine walking to get water for your family. In a bucket. Bare foot. Heat. Flies. Big buses filled with people. Rush past. Covering you with dust. Over and over. And once you find water--16 km away, you put the bucket on your head and go back again. 16 km. And then you find some food for your family. Use a broom to sweep the dirt of debris from in front of your hut. And then you look for wood for a cooking fire for kasava you have to cook. And then you make the trek for more water. 16 km there and back... Imagine... Think of this as you shower today...as you turn on the tap to brush your teeth. As you run the dishwasher or washing machine. and I ask your prayers for all to have access to clean water.
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Water

As I get going this morning I wonder what it would be like to rush to dress and head out with my bucket to fetch contaminated water 16 km away...
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The Cathedral compound and the slave trade

A powerful tour of the pit where the slaves were shown for auction. It was also very difficult to view the remaining two "pods" under the cathedral where the slaves were "stacked" 75 in one and 50 in the other before being "shown" for sale. Bishop Edwards after the slave trade was abolished began "purchasing" slaves (because the sultan continued to keep slaves until 1907) and taking them to freedom on the mainland including Masasi from 1873--from here the first Christian churches began in Masasi. The Christian population here is about 3 percent of 1.2 million people. The rest are Muslims. Here Christians feel discrimated against with regards to education and employment. The Vicar General Father Michael invites us to keep the Church in Zanzibar in our prayers. We met both the Vicar General and the former Primate of Tanzania Archbishop Jonas Traheni. The diocese will be electing a new bishop from amongst their nine clergy in this diocese. Four names will be submitted to the House of bishops and the House will return two names for an election.
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To Zanzibar

Today we came to Zanzibar to the Diocese of Zanzibar. First of all, it was overwhelming as we arrived at the port to board the ferry. Porters banging on the window demanding an opportunity to carry our baggage. Then into the terminal and finally with many people boarding the ferry, people yelling and pushing. Finally Geoffrey found us quiet seats for the 2.5 hour ride. At the port at Zanzibar, we were all ordered off the ship and then our luggage was sent down the plank when the boat was empty. We had to produce our yellow fever documents to the port authority before leaving the area. The Archbishop (retired) had a vehicle waiting for us with the Development Officer and the Mother's union worker. We went to the hotel for freshening before heading for an audience with the Archbishop. A tour of the Cathedral compound followed.
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Partnership

We have had many opportunities to meet with Bishop Patrick and other ordained and lay leaders of the diocese to discuss our partnership. It will be five years next year and is a good time for evaluation especially as we are able to do so in person. We discussed many possibilities to take back to the Partnership Committee, PWRDF and Diocesan Council. We look forward to having those discussions when we return.
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Chakuma Village

Well...I thought the roads we had travelled before were rough. Today we took the landrover over a footpath through dry fields of beans and thatch to a bore hole that was funded by PWRDF and CIDA. It was presented by Bishop Barry to the municipality. It is in the middle of seemingly nowhere. The people from many villages will now walk only several km perhaps five to 10 k for clean water. The bishop and I were presented with a live rooster as a gift!!!!
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Dar Es Salaam

How to describe Dar? Just before I got into bed tonight I heard a gun fire right below my window. Heat by day. Horns honking. Multiple buses, mini taxis, taxis and private cars. Trucks with open truck beds filled with people and produce. Buses crammed full --standing room only. Many cultures. Many clothings and skin colours and languages. Everyone rushing. By night--power shortage and this part of the city is in darkness except those with generators (which don't power the AC). Hotels and hostels have security guards with rifles. Rats running around in front of hostel.
It is so dark. And we were told not to be out in the day time because we are obviously tourists and targets for pick pockets. Lots of friendly people in the day time though. But everyone warns us. Taxi driver, shop keeper around the corner where I bought diet pepsi. The one security guard wouldn't let us off of the property without Geoffrey or Joyce. Literally followed us to edge of property and scooted us back on. Taxi driver said thieves have been reaching into stopped taxis and stealing purses.
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Mothers Union

Today the Mothers Union opens a new pharmacy to make it easier for the villagers to access meds when they receive a prescription from the clinic. It is a great distance otherwise. Joyce, the mothers union worker and Bishop Patrick's wife Mamma Emmie purchased medicines when we were in Dar Es Salaam last week and had them sent by bus to Masasi. The Mothers Union is an important and powerful change agent here for health, education and water.
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Mothers Union

Today the Mothers Union opens a new dispensary to make it easier for the villagers to access meds when they receive a prescription from the clinic. It is a great distance otherwise. Joyce, the mothers union worker and Bishop Patrick's wife Mamma Emmie purchased medicines when we were in Dar Es Salaam last week and had them sent by bus to Masasi. The Mothers Union is an important and powerful change agent here for health, education and water.
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Sunday morning

It is cold on the mountain at night. I get up and put an extra shirt on and wrap my feet in a skirt. I hear drums and singing and celebrating down the mountain. I am told in the morning that it is a celebration following the circumcision of some baby boys. I am sleeping on a piece of foam and have a pillow filled with beans or something small like lentils. When it is time to rise for church I have a juice jug full of water with which to wash. My feet are dirty still and hair feels gummy. Yet when we all gather for worship on this beautiful mountain, and participate in the confirmation of 22 of the students.
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Night time at Rondo

As the sun went down it became cold quickly. Dinner was served at a long table with two lanterns. Outside, it is so dark on the mountaintop without all the lights of a city as we have at home. The moon is full and bright. The stars are a wonder to behold. A little way down the path a small cooking fire can be seen and people are gathered around it eating. I hear someone speaking in Swahili. The crickets are singing loudly. It is time to pull the mosquito net down around my sleeping mattress.
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Masasi Friday july 15 from Bishop Barry

Good day, it is 4:40pm in Masasi. I hope you can place this on the blog.

Today we visited the village of Chakuma, about an hours drive from the compound. We went to hand over the PWRDF project to the villagers. A well had been established with the support of PWRDF and CIDA. Today with the Diocese of Masasi we gave ownership to the villagers. A moving and animated presentation with African Dance and music surrounded this momentous occasion. We were presented with gifts...a large rooster, a dozen eggs and a weaved basket. Well I can tell you that neither the rooster nor the eggs will accompany us home. The rooster has found a new home among the other 2 roosters and hens in Mama's farm on the compound.

We returned to the Cathedral Compound where Bishop Patrick and I met to discuss the companions partnership. After we met the Standing Committee of the Diocese met with Janet and me. We continued looking at ways in which this partnership might be enriched. We talked about linking up parishes in Montreal with Masasi, a common Lenten study on mission and a possible exchange of young people from one parish to the other.

After our meeting we had lunch together in the Diocesan Centre, a full lunch of rice, chips, vegetables and chicken, fresh bananas.

Bishop Patrick spoke in appreciation of not only our partnership but also the friendship and love that is growing among.

I was given a beautiful, a wood carving of the stations of the cross. Janet received a beautiful carving of the Last Supper.

We also received cashew nuts.

Tonight we will have supper with Geoffrey and his family.

Tomorrow morning we leave early for Rondeau, the junior seminary and theological college where we will spend the weekend.

A Confirmation Service on Sunday at which I will preside and preach.

The generosity and kindness at times can be overwhelming and humbling.

Daily I remember you in my prayers with gratitude.

Peace and Joy from Masasi!

+Barry


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Rondo

We are at Rondo Seminary and Theological School. There are 170 students--160 in secondary school and 7 ordinands. Have I said it is hot? On top of this mountain where the school has 150 acres and where we not allowed out at night because of lions, water is a critical problem. They depend on rainfall into large containers in order to provide water. There is a generator to run the office for a few hours per day. As we explored the school buildings and moved from one area to another, we could feel the heat rising from the earth under our feet and coming from the sun. This school is an important private school run by the church. The students are isolated up here and although there are challenges, their education is training future doctors, lawyers, civil engineers and priests for Tanzania. One of they areas they would like to improve is a computer centre but they would need computers and solar energy to power them. As well, they would like to increase the opportunity to more children, but there is a need for more cisterns before this can happen. There is a good spirit here amongst the boys and young men who are the students at this particular school. The boys are provided with one of a wooden bunk bed in the dorm but must bring their own mattress, covers and mosquito net. Few have nets that I can see. We met two teachers from Vermont. One here for the beginning of three months. The other, also from Vermont, here for two years starting last November--he is on placement from the Peace Corps and is teaching math and physics. The school has a small new building for use as a laboratory for physics and biology.
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This afternoon....

This afternoon we had an important meeting with the Bishops and Vicar Generals and lay and clergy representatives to discuss our Partnership.  Many interesting thoughts arose from this meeting which we hope to share as soon as we return.  Tomorrow we leave for two days in Rondo--the seminary and theological college...I recall from last time it is about 3.5 hours of rough ride up a dirt road to the top of Rondo.  I also believe there is no water there and the people must go down the mountain to bring water up...but this may have changed. The latrine was stationed at the edge of the mountain.  I am not sure when I will be able to blog again.  This is a private Anglican school where the children's families pay fees for a better education.  The children are boarded in an old barn where there were many missing boards in the roof and walls the last time. As well, those who are raised up to be priests or nuns live here as well as they received their theological education.  Please keep all of us in your prayers as we journey.  Keep our brothers and sisters here in your prayers as they do such good ministry of attempting to bring good water, education, health care and women's rights to the people in the communities--for all--Christians and non-Christians.  After two days in Rondo we head to Mtwara.  God be with you. Janet+

From Bishop Barry last Saturday

Bishop is having trouble with the mobile access to the blog....here he writes...
Greetings to you from Masasi, Tanzania.  Today, July 9th we let Dar Es Salaam to journey towards Kilwa, a travel period of about six hours.  We travelled along a stretch of 60 km of unpaved dusty highway meandering through traffic, cyclists and pedestrians.  We had to stop and repair a flat tire.  Our driver, Edmond is an experience mechanic and it took little time to change the flat.  We arrived in Kilwa and the parish of All Saints to be greeted by song, dance, and the waving of palm branches.  We had a short visit of welcome and then went for lunch at the hotel we are staying at for the night.  We went to visit the Kilwa Ancient Port City on the East African Coast.  This island has been inhabited since the 9th century AD.  Today it seems isolated and remote but in the past it was the location of a powerful and wealthy settlement ruled by a powerful and prosperous Arab sultan.Following our return to the island we went back to the parish of All Saints, Kilwa.  We joined the priest, Fr. Michael and his parishioners for a wonderful evening of food, dance, and song.  A short history of the parish was read to us.All Saints is celebrating their 50th anniversary this year.  However celebrations need to be delayed.  The department of transportation is building a new highway through their property and they need to find new land to relocate and rebuilding.  Durint he evening I was presented with a shirt made from cloth with the symbols of the Diocese of Masasi.  I was also given the gift of a crosier made from Tanzanian hardwood.  janet reeive an outfit of a blouse and skirt in the Diocese of Masasi centennial material. Janet is always introduced as the Vicar General.  Bishop Patrick and Mama Eskofou, his wife are wonderful and gracious hosts.  Tomorrow, July 10th we leave Kilwa early and travel to Lundi Parish.  The service is one of Confirmation and Eucharist.  I will assist Bishop Patrick and preach at this celebration.  Peace, joy, and blessings for a great Sunday. +Barry

Friday and PWRDF well

Well....I thought the roads we had travelled before were rough!!!!  Today we took the landroer over a footpath through dry fields of beansand thatch to a bore hole that was funded by PWRDF and CIDA.  It was presented by the bishop to the municipality who will now be responsible for it.  They plan to charge a small amount to each person who uses the well that is surrounded by chain link and barbed wire in order to have money to maintain it.  I ask what happens if someone isn't able to come up with that little money? 
The well is in what seems like the middle of nowhere.  However it will serve people from many villages who will now walk only up to 5 km for clean water. Only 5 km.  to carry a bucket filled with water twice each day on one's head to and from a thatched hut. How many people will miss a meal because of the beans we rolled over with the landrover? 
The elders and village officials hold a reception for us afterwards with many speeches and signing of documents.  And we are presented with.... a live rooster!!!! we take it and the basket in which it is placed.  I wish I could send you a picture of us holding the rooster (which I thought was a chicken!!!).  We have given it to Mama Emmie for her farm.  I have asked her to promise not to kill it....or at least not to tell me about it!  What did it cost this village to give us livestock?

thoughts....

Landrover small.  Hot with windows closed to keep the dust out.  Hotter as we cram together to fit in.  Something has taken up as a hitchhiker between two of my toes.  I will need to take tweezers to it. I have had great difficulties trying to send you messages.  My phone has quick working.  How to describe for you the poverty here but the strength of spirit? The Bishop hasn't been able to send any but is able to use his phone to call home.Last night I had a spider that was the size of a third of the palm of my hand in my room!

Nachingwea Parish--Wednesday

It is hot!!!! a cement building with a corrugated roof--large enough to hold 280.  Roosters are crowing outside in the cemetery.  Bottom of our albs are covered in the red dust of Masasi.  Church packed. People standing around the door and windows to hear and see.  Profound time of Pentecost this day as 80 candidates and their parents surged forward eagerly to be recognized and confirmed.  Their joy and love and faith--Holy Spirit filled the church.  Filled us.  Our Bishop preached a moving sermon.  I was invited to con-celebrate with the Bishops--an unexpected invitation at Eucharist--an invitation for the first woman to be at the altar in this diocese.  i believe I will not be the last.  A service of 4.5 hours followed by lunch and a meeting with parish officials.  Overwhelming.  Humbling.  Exhaustion.  Nothing to drink from 7:30-3:00.  Many don't drink though and many drink unhealthy water.  Thank you God for this opportunity to be blessed by the people and their ministry here as they work to provide food, water, education and health care.

Returned from Mozambique

Hot. Overwhelming. Can't comprehend how poor people are and how little opportunity to change it. Went into Mozambique today. Weren't allowed to go far. Every time we move to a new district in Tanzania we have to register with the officials in case we disappear so they know where we were last. Twice a day we eat rice and a green spinach like vegetable. But others don't eat once. Some might find a Kasava for their family. At Lukula today we saw a PWRDF project of the 1980's. The entire village still has four goats and two cows. The cows are used for pulling a tiny wagon and there is a very old tractor. The people are very thin.
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Wednesday

8 of us are loaded into the landrover at 730 am. Heading towards Nachingwea where 80 people will be confirmed. Confirmation is celebrated here as an important right of passage. Parties that compare with Canada's wedding receptions are held by families for friends and neighbours. Bishop Barry will preach, celebrate and confirm half of the candidates. I will administer at communion again today--an important statement as they prepare to discuss again at their next synod the possibility of ordination of women. Bishop Patrick's son Peter is with us--he is recovering from malaria. The vendors are already out and about in the first village we pass through. The women already walking with the day's first load of water or wood on their heads.
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july 12

another long day...
power went out last night.... but on again this morning... we had water for showers....
we made the appropriate stops at all of the government officials and showed our passports and received permission to be here.  then we reported to other government officials to discuss the various PWRDF projects and to hear of their expectations and hopes. 
Afterwards we went to the Benedictine Abbey and Hospital and Vocational schools one hour away.  we were warmly greeted by the Abbot who spent many hours escorting us around and showing us the ministry there.
it is dinner time and we have a quiet evening....
tomorrow we drive several hours to another village where 80 will be confirmed!!!!!
I hope that I will be able to post to the blog again soon after today.... gaining access to internet has been difficult on this journey and my phone isnt connecting properly.  we are well.... please continue to pray for us and our partnership with Masasi.

July 11

As we approached Masasi, we stopped at the road into the Cathedral compound....there was a parade waiting to escort us the 1.5 km into the compound!!!!  in the brutal noon hour heat the people had waited for us....dancers and singers and musicians....in school uniforms or colourful Tanzanian clothing or clerical suits.... they waved palm branches and we all walked together to the Cathedral....gathering more and more people.... and then at the cathedral we worshipped together.... a joyous return to our partner diocese....

you are all warmly prayed for.....

At Lindi

almost 40 people were confirmed today at St. Edward's church Lindi--named after the Anglican bishop who rescued almost 90 slaves from Zanzibar and brought them over to the mainland where they began their new life in 1887.  a wonderful service.  we were supposed to have started the service at 9:30 am. but the roads were so bad we didn't get to the church until 11 a.m.  but the people waited!!!!! and the service was three hours long.  our bishop preached and both bishops confirmed.  I was humbled afterwards when two women approached the bishop of Masasi and asked about a woman priest and asked to be considered by him for ordination.  our 6 oclock dinner meeting began at 9 pm but I met a wonderful woman named Jennifer who is a parishioner and works for Save the Children.  She is one of the two women offering themselves up for ordination.  She discussed the difficulty of the lives of the village women here.  their day consists of two long journeys to a water source, finding food, taking care of children, keeping house, carrying wood on their heads long distances. I am humbled by the hardship of their lives and their joyous faith.
Makes it hard for me to complain about the inconveniences and the multiple ant bites and hives!!!!!!  by 3 oclock we were definitely feeling dehydrated from the lack of fluids and heat--we weren't able to drink after 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 pm as there are no bathrooms here and the service is long!

Saturday afternoon and evening

once we arrived in Kilwa--via a temporary road under construction==filled with huge holes, the warm welcome of the people of All Saints Kilwa was overwhelmingly wonderful and generous. This parish at the Indian Ocean is different from those we have seen before--because it has the fishin indu\stry and some have employment.  After the welcome and service at the church, we went by boat to Kilwa ruins to see the Arab buildings left behind from the time of the slave trade.  some buildings 1000 years old.    Bishop was presented with an ebony crozier and we both received clothing in the anniversary cloth of the diocese of mMasasi.  We have been humbled yet again by the hospitality of the faith of the people.  God's blessings.

Saturday morning and early afternoon

have been driving in the landrover,  windows shut for a harrowing 5 hours and now stopped to change a flat tire.  head has hit the roof multiple times, have had a major nose bleed,  heat overwhelming.  not sure how much further before we stop for a break.  flat tired changed. villagers walking by interested.

Friday and the hostel

The hostel was clean.  Basic.  Window airconditioner but someone takes the knob to save on energy  you can’t run it  there was a 13 inch tv where I learned of the uprising in Egypt.  Tv doesn’t turn off.  Finally at 330 I unplugged it.  Imam call to prayer at 5 am with two power failures in between.  Cold shower a shock to overheated body.  But all is good and we are well.

Friday morning July 8

Jambo!!! Bwana Asifiwe!!! After a long flight and not much sleep, we have arrived safely in Dar and were warmly greeted by Bishop Patrick and Mama Emmie.  Today we stay at a hostel in Dar.  It is hot but there is a breeze off of the Indian Ocean.  We just stopped at a street vendor and watched as he prepared a coconut for each of us to drink.  Then he loosened the inside fruit for us to eat.  BishopPatrick tells us the coconut is good for hydration and for the heart.  There has been rain in Dar which will be a stark contrast to what we will seen in the days ahead.  The rush hour traffic in this port and airport city of some 4 million people certainly vies with the traffic of the Montreal highway 20.  Again a contrast—for tomorrow onwards motor vehicles will be rare and those with money will have a bicycle.  Tomorrow is a long day which begins with a five hour drive to the port city of Kilwa. We are tired but well.  Bishop Patrick sends his regards and has fond memories of the welcome he received in the Diocese of Masasi.

waiting for connecting flight from UK to Tanzania

We are on layover in UK. Our flight out to Dar Es Salaam is scheduled for 7:20 pm UK time. The first piece of the trip was non-eventful other than my feet swelling. We have a lot of luggage to tote around but half will stay in Masasi. We look forward to seeing Bishop Patrick at 7 am Dar time tomorrow after a further 10 hour flight. After a day in Dar we are heading for the Kilwa Church and the Kilwa ruins. There will be a reception at the Kilwa Masoka Church. From there on to the Lindi rest house. The itinerary in the days ahead include visiting Chakama village supported by PWRDF and CIDA; handing over a church sponsored bore hole to the district government; several confirmation services including at Rondo (the church sponsored school-seminary); and visiting peoples and areas to gain an understanding of how the church played an important part in ending the slave trade in the area.

Preparing for travelling to Masasi

Today, we take a Cholera medicine booster.  Accumulation of items needed for this trip include sleeping bags, travel pillows and self-inflating mattresses along with solar/windup flashlights that have a jack to allow us to recharge our telephones.  We have been amazed at the generosity from individuals and congregations in the Diocese of Montreal that have provided us with funds for the "Sandals for Service" program.  These monies will be used to buy shoes for some clergy in Masasi who walk from village to village--many without shoes.  Bishop Patrick of Masasi has indicated that he will pick us up in Dar es Salaam and we will journey each day by land rover from there to the south of the diocese towards the Mozambique border, meeting the people in the villages and joining them for worship, baptisms, confirmations, and ordinations. Bishop Patrick has indicated that some villages are without water and other amenities to which we are accustomed. We will sleep on the dirt floors of village church buildings.  We are looking forward to seeing old friends and meeting new.  We know that we will again be enriched by the faith and hospitality of the people we will encounter.