Kyela and Killer Mangos

So here we are again in Kyela area in late November. There are 5 ecclesias in this area: Kyela, Tenende, Kanga, Ipinda and Makwale. It is mango season at the moment and that means happiness on the fruit front, although wariness when walking under trees.

We were able to meet with about half of the bre and sis as we had dropped in on them unannounced. We saw bro Michael from Makwale who had been recently discharged from hospital. He has a ulcer on his heel which is causing long-term problems and has just had 2 months in Matema Beach Hospital. We stayed one night at Matema Beach where we had fresh fish (one called Sam the Samaki was very tasty!)

We we blessed to be able to get transport from Ipinda to Kanga (5km). Previously we had hired bikes. But this time the heat and hummidity would have been a bit much for us. The transport turned out to be a pikipiki with trailer (ie something like a Tuk-Tuk). We were able to view the beginnings of the ecclesial hall and gingerly cross a stream on creaking bamboo. Unfortunately Carl took a great picture of me (see right - sigh)... mobile phone cameras should be banned!

Mwatenga

We were able to spend a few hours at the Mwatenga ecclesial hall with the bre and sis. We did one of the daily bible readings, took everyone's details (for the database) and visited the wife of from Juma Paul who had just given birth to twins (the larger one had died). As the transport is daladala and bike taxis (and there were three of us) we decided to go by taxi which also saved a great deal of time. It takes about 1.5hrs to travel from Mbeya to Mwatenga. Our taxi driver (Amba) really enjoyed himself in the bible readings.

Off to School...

We were privilaged to assist (in the first instance) Musa, Eliud, Godfrey and Veronika (seen here with their mother sis Anna and Carl) in returning to School again after an absence of approx 4-5 years. They are the children of a sister and they all live at the Sumbawanga Ecclesial hall.

We give much thanks for the love of our brothers and sisters in Australia and Canada for sponsering these children to attend School in 2006/7, additional tuition, uniforms and exercise books.

The cost of Primary education in Tanzania is "free" (apart from the yearly family contribution, uniforms, books and pens). While this may not be a lot of money to us, when you are a widow and have no income it is a great deal of money.

The children require additional tuition from a teacher after school hours. This is due to the loss of so many years. They attend the teacher's house every afternoon for some personal assistance. This is also vital as many classrooms in schools have in excess of 50-100 students squeezed in - not 25!

Everyone is settling into school well, although Musa (8yrs) who has never attended before took a little longer than the others.

A Classic Image at Kasanga

This picture was taken of a little girl, the daughter of a brother. They live in Kasanga on the shore of Lake Tanganyika.

Kasanga is the last stop that the MV Liemba makes before going onwards to Mpulungu Zambia. Kasanga has an ecclesia of 4 members and we hope and pray that this is increase in the future, God willing.

Ninde Odyssey

Ninde is on the shore of Lake Tanganyika. To travel there you either take the weekly ship (MV Liemba) or hire a fishing boat. We traveled from Sumbawanga to Kirando on the lake shore (day 1). Then we traveled onwards by 4wd to Kipili and from there to another small village where we were met by a fishing boat. Then it was an hour or so until Ninde came into view (day 2). As was normal, the most isolated places cost the most to visit as you need to hire boats, rooms, get food cooked for you. Ninde and the next small village (Kasanga) are beautiful, but life is hard. People survive by fishing and a tiny little bit of cultivation (cassava). None the less, people are very friendly and very welcoming on the three days we spent there.

On the day of our onward journey we were to meet the MV Liemba on its run from Kigoma to Kasanga and then onwards to Zambia (Mpulungu). As there is no really schedule, we went to sleep and a few watched out for the ship. At midnight we were woken and we trapsed down to the shore. From there into a small boat (pitch dark) and were rowed out into the lake. Finally the ship came into view and we scrambled (somehow) from the small fishing boat up into the ship. It wasn’t elegant but we got on board. When on board Jonathon managed to find us a cabin (with a shower!) and we settled in for the rest of the night.

Happiness is a State of Mind

Happiness in Kanazi, (Rukwa region in Tanzania)

Images from Kanazi and Namanyere

Photo 1: Pius' wife sorting him out after dinner causing much mirth

Photo 2: A butcher's stall which is normally surrounded by clouds of flies - making you wish to embrace vegetarianism ASAP

Photo 3: Working hard for their lunch, well Carl isn't exactly...

Photo 4: Hamming it up for the photo whilest preparing a meal for all the workers. Poor goat, no dignity (Kanazi