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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