Monday, April 2, 2007

Kilombero Part 2, Masai-dom and a chicken

Giraffe in Mikumi National Park
The "ecclesia" at Kilosa

Masai Village Chairman and family with Jonathan

As I mentioned last time we had arrived in Mang'ula and found only one disinterested and drunk brother, Joseph. A tiny little disheartened we went for a few days to Morogoro. On the way back the daladala broke down in Mikumi National Park, next to some giraffe and impala! Well relatively close. So I got my first and so far only pictures of wildlife. There were smiles all round.

Back at Mang'ula, three more (two bro and a sis) had been located. They live most of the year at Msalise which is about 3-4hrs into the unkown in what we term "shamba land". Ie they live there whilst cultivating rice and only return via the swampy water logged terain out of season. They had been tryng to come every Sunday to meet but did not get a good hit rate with the brother who lived permanently in Mang'ula. So Jonathon and Carl travelled through nasty squishy and soggy highways and byeways to reach the now 5 baptised who live in this area. They were grateful for the visit and were really interested to discuss the bible. We left them ecclesial fund items (biscuts, wine etc) and opened a post box so they could receive mail (SLP 111, Mang'ula, Kilombero, Tz).

Before we left Mang'ula we did a mail drop of the Mang'ula Post Office inviting people to sign up for the bible correspondance course. Out of one hundred boxes so far we have received aprox 25 requests via SMS. May God bless their search of the bible.

Now it was off to Kilosa armed with only a name and tel number, Hosea. To get to Kilosa we had to travel back to Morogoro and then on another bus to Kilosa a total of 12hrs travelling. The next day we sat down with the 7 bro and sis at Hosea's house. We had an interesting 9 days with them. Basically they were not meeting as an ecclesia and had two rather standard excuses why not (no wine and having to cultivate). The real reason came out: they were attending their own churches in the morning and meeting together in the afternoon as "Christadelphians". They werent intending to tell us this but by God's grace it came to light. We hope that our time together has promoted them to attempt to walk on the narrow way together.

Kimamba is the last on our trip. We sent 9 days here also. There are four baptised here in Kimamba and now as the result of our trip over 80 interested Masai who would like the swahili correspondance course. Yes, there is a stronghold of Masai in this area. We got to know quite a few of them (including the village chairman and a few other "big-cheese"), learn what the different robes meant and get to know them a little. Carl and Jonathon cycled to their village twice and gave some talks to those interested.

I was given a most interesting gift by the bro and sis here in Kimamba - a chicken. They knew I was cooking most of our meals (since Kidodi) so what more appropriate! Well, I sub-contracted out the death (ouch) and slicing and dicing as I am a Mzungu after all and not experienced in the art. Observation in childhood doesnt count Dad.
PS. She tasted rather good.

Another feature of Kimamba (along with Morogoro at times) is the lack of running water. You get used to it and it comes by the bucket load each day. But sometimes you just yearn for a ice cold shower and want to feel really clean. Well Carl and Jonathon had the right idea. It rained a few times and they were both out in the courtyard with the soap. This caused much mirth with the locals at the guest houses. We went through bottled water (drinking and cooking) at the rate of 5 1L bottles per day. What brightened our time here was the fridge. Yep this marvellous guest house had for 10,000/= a night (4 pounds) - bedroom, bathroom, sitting with fridge and TV and lots of sofas!

There ended (bar 5 days) our year schedule in South Tanzania. It was only off to Mbeya for the last good byes before Dar and our plane home (BA 46, 15th April).

No comments: