Back in Kigoma

After 5 days of travel including 20 hours in an airplane on 3 flights, 28 hours in 4 different airports, 23 hours in a car on a 2 day drive across Tanzania. We finally made it to Kigoma! We do not recommend 2 full days of driving immediately after 3 days of flying! The jet-lag is not fun to have on a road trip, but we are glad to be here :)

Our flight made a stop in Moshi to drop off and pick up passengers there. It was early morning and raining when we landed, and we did not notice mount Kilimanjaro on our dissent. When we took off on our final leg to Dar es Salam, we noticed just above the thick cloud cover was the peak of Mount Kilimanjaro!

After one night in Dar, we began our two day journey in my vehicle to Kigoma. The first day was an intense reminder of how crazy it is to drive in Tanzania. The second day we spent most of our time on dirt roads as we made our way closer to Kigoma. The buses are the bullies of the road in Tanzania, and they made their presence known on our trip!

The above picture is of a bus passing us (they drive on the left in TZ). Below is the dust cloud they leave behind which is so dangerous, and leaves the driver with zero visibility.

We were thankful when we finally made it back to the pavement! We spent one night in Dodoma where we stayed at the Emmaus compound. They have guest houses which provide a nice stopping point between Dar and Kigoma.

Our first day in Kigoma we needed a break from traveling, so we visited Lake Tanganyika for a hike and a swim. Dan and Doug got to pet a zebra, feed monkeys peanuts, and enjoy the scenery on a much needed hike.

After sitting for five days and all of the travel, it was nice to be on our feet again! After our visit to the lake and our hike, we went to visit Gerald, who has been keeping the Gospel work going in Ujiji while we have been in the US.

Gerald is doing great, and we were all so happy to finally be together again. We learned that he has added another school, and is now teaching the Bible in three schools! On Wednesday we plan to visit each of these schools and Dan, Doug and myself will each take a turn teaching in one of these schools.

After a meal and catching up with Gerald, we immediately drove to his mothers house to pay her a visit. She is 89 years old and still goes to the farm to hoe her garden, and also attends a seniors prayer meeting each day. It was such a joy to visit her and see her again! We had a word of prayer with her before we parted ways :-)

Doug made some new friends on the visit, which is easy to do here as children are so curious and interested in the Mzungu (Swahili for white man). Many times the little boys will rub my arm and say he has hair like an animal, or they will say that we smell like perfume and are so clean.

Sunday was another day filled with joy as we arrived at the chapel for the meetings and I was able to reunite with so many dear friends. The Tanzanians express their worship for the Lord through singing and dancing along with the preaching of the Word. The service lasted over three hours, and was such a joy to be a part of!

Below is a short video of the choir singing and dancing during the time when the offering is given at the front of the church.

We appreciate your prayers as we begin a very busy week of ministry. Monday we will be in Ujiji reconnecting with the many who come in regularly out there, also taking care of some other business in town such as paying rent and house maintenance. Tuesday we will be going down the lake road to look at a property which is being offered for the use of the camp we would like to build here. We also have prayer time with the missionaries (both Johnson families), something we do each week while here. Wednesday will be a very busy day which starts in Ujiji, we will teach in three schools, then join the chapel Bible study at 4 PM, then join the missionary meeting at 7 PM where Doug and Dan will both share from the Word.

The dry season is coming to an end here as the rains have already started. Everything looks dry and parched! It’s amazing how every year about this time as the rains come, everything slowly turns green again! Made the Lord use us to water the any seeds that have been planted in the hearts of so many souls who need the Savior. Thank you for holding the rope for us in prayer!

Picture of the week:

This is a common site in Tanzania, and I have actually seen five adults on a motorcycle, but could not get a picture in time!