On The Go

There's been a bit of a gap since I last wrote a blog entry. Well, Julie arrived a week ago Thursday. I could probably leave it at that. But, not knowing how you will fill in the blanks, I will continue by telling you how we've spent our time.

Julie flew into the Kilimanjaro Airport in the north of Tanzania near the city of Arusha. Don, Eunice, Gary and I drove the twelve hours from Iringa to Arusha on Thursday to meet her there. We then spent three days in the north, visiting some very special sights. Among them was a visit to the not-quite-finished Selian Hospital. Dr. Mark Jacobson from Stillwater is building a state-of-the-art hospital in Arusha. I was stunned by how good it is. I've seen three other hospitals in Tanzania. None compare. It will set the standard for health care in Tanzania. It was to have been dedicated while we were there, but was not ready. Dedication will take place later in the year.

We also visited the head office for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania, located in Arusha. We stayed one night in the Uhuru Lutheran Center in Moshi, about 80 kilometers from Arusha. Out our window we could see Mt. Kilimanjaro. Because of cloud cover, we could only catch glimpses from time to time, but what a sight! It's the only mountain on the equator with a snow cap. But the snow is melting and the cap isn't very big anymore.

From there we drove eight hours to Dar es Salaam. Early on Monday morning, we were invited to join a group from Bethel Lutheran Church in Hudson, WI, in a private visit with U.S. Ambassador Mark Green. He is a Wisconsin native and happy to visit with people from his home area. He just finished hosting President Bush for four days in Tanzania, a monumental event for the Tanzanian people. He was very supportive of the work being done by the Lutheran church in Tanzania and very grateful for the care with which Minnesota and Wisconsin parishes carry out their partnerships.

Immediately following this visit, we drove the eight hours from Dar es Salaam to Iringa, spent one day in Iringa, and then Julie and I left for a three day safari in the Ruaha National Park. There we stayed in splendid accommodations, took three game drives and saw all the animals we wanted to see. That included abundant elephant, giraffe, zebra, birds galore, a leopard and two lions. It was a thrill.

We are now back in Iringa for the remainder of our stay in Tanzania. It felt like I was coming home after an extended vacation. That's how much my time in Iringa has affected me. It feels more like home than anywhere else in Tanzania. I know many of the people. I know the places. There is a rhythm to life here. It feels good.

So, now we will finish strong. On Sunday, Julie and I will travel to the Mwatasi parish, the partner parish to our home church of Trinity Lutheran in Stillwater. I will preach. Julie will bring official greetings to our partners. We will enjoy the hospitality of village people in Tanzania one more time. It will provide a marvelous exclamation point to this entire experience.

We leave for home next Tuesday, flying out of Dar es Salaam on Wednesday night and arriving back in Minnesota in time to enjoy the Easter weekend.

So, we remain on the go for the duration. See you soon.