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!