Currently we are enjoying a few days in Zanzibar before heading to Mbeya.
Have taken many pictures, enjoyed the local hospitality, and coped with the humidity.
Stone Town is a fascinating place, but to stay in the place will mean you miss out on the 'real life' of most citizens that surround the historic centre.
The most interesting aspect so far was our dallah dallah - observing and talking with Eddie who used the opportunity to improve his English skills and we we able to learn a little more as we talked and observed.
A fascinating place - and we can learn from them about welcome, about independence and intiative and about community.
More to come...and some pics later, I hope.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Flight in Africa
Tuesday was a fairly slow day. A hearty breakfast at the Emerald Guest House and a shuttle to the airport at 10.00 am. Our plane flew out at 2.55 pm.
Tambo airport is being expanded in preparation for the World Cup in 2010. The building will be ready, but I wonder how their systems will cope with the many thousands who will be travelling to this four year event. Tambo airport will be the major transport hub.
Much reading and wandering preceeded our departure as we explored the excellent facilities already in use. About forty minutes before we were to depart a thunderstorm hit - and the rained poured down. Fortunately, by the time we had waited in or shuttle bus for twenty minutes it has eased a little, so the dash across the tarmac from bus to plane just got us a little wet. Twenty minutes earlier and it would have been a different story.
South Africa Airlines 188 was uneventful and we shared that journey with a well traveller engineer and project manager who is based not far from Mbeya. We learned a great deal about Africa on the journey, not to mention picking up bits an pieces about life in other parts of the world.
At Tanzania International Airport we were warmly greeted. From the relatively temperature climate of Joburg the humidity of Dar Es Salaam, even at 8 pm was noticeable. It didn't take all that long to get through customs/passport control and enter Tanzania.
There we were welcomed by Benjamin and Grace (aka Chief Secretary Benjamin Mnyampi and TSWO G Mnyampi) and taken to The Salvation Army compound where we were greeted by Joy.
Our accommodation in Dar is excellent, far more than we expected, and we look forward to sharing, even briefly, with those who live and work on this compound. They include those at Territorial Headquarters, a nursery school and a primary school for disabled children. Our stay here will be brief, as we depart today and will return for Saturday and Sunday. In truth this will be our first real taste of life in Africa - yet even then we are 'protected' because of those we know who have prepared for our arrival and those gracious enough to put themselves out and open their resources to us.
Flight to Africa
A very early morning start was required, and we left Faye and Bill's (where we stayed overnight) before 5 a.m. We did not get off to a good start. Beth locked the house, only to discover that she had brought out our computer rather than her small backpack. Bill was no doubt delighted to be woken up and let Beth back in to do the necessary exchange. Not a good start.
Arriving at the airport three hours before our flight we discovered the first leg was domestic, so we didn't have to be there so early. This, despite the fact that I had checked on the net. Clearly I needed to look more carefully. Oops.
We checked out bags, and concerned was raised that we would not make the international terminal in Sydney on time, so we were bumped up to an earlier flight at 7.00am. Good thing I stuffed up in the first place. Maybe someone else knows best.
Meanwhile Sarah was waiting for us for breakfast at MacDonald's - in the Macca's outside the airport complex. Duh!
Eventually we met up IN the terminal and had breakfast with Chez, Sez and Paul. Kylie had work, so we understand why she didn't make the trip to Tulla to see us off.
The morning for us had its challenges, but in the background (and sometimes the foreground) of our conversation was the bushfires. The tragedy of these days just seems to increase, and as we were fleeing Melbourne others were still being warned to prepare to flee their homes. As we talked over breakfast the death toll was in the 80's. As we waited at the Sydney terminal numbers were over one hundred, and we awoke this morning in Johannesburg to hear of 173 dead, with more expected. Our thoughts and prayers are with all involved - those who have lost loved ones - children, grandchildren, brothers and sisters, husbands and wives and parents. As we left the country it was all a little surreal. We in our comfort heading off, others going about the business of their lives, while thousands are engaged in fighting these fires and others in battling for their lives.
Our flight was long but uneventful - and a 3.30 pm arrival in Johannesburg was after midnight Melbourne time. It was a long day, and we were glad to find our accommodation, stretch out a little and actually be able to get some sleep.
This morning we awoke to a pleasant 20 degrees or so at the Emerald Guest House in Johannesburg, have enjoyed a freshly cooked breakfast and are ready for the next step in our journey to Dar Es Salaam.
Arriving at the airport three hours before our flight we discovered the first leg was domestic, so we didn't have to be there so early. This, despite the fact that I had checked on the net. Clearly I needed to look more carefully. Oops.
We checked out bags, and concerned was raised that we would not make the international terminal in Sydney on time, so we were bumped up to an earlier flight at 7.00am. Good thing I stuffed up in the first place. Maybe someone else knows best.
Meanwhile Sarah was waiting for us for breakfast at MacDonald's - in the Macca's outside the airport complex. Duh!
Eventually we met up IN the terminal and had breakfast with Chez, Sez and Paul. Kylie had work, so we understand why she didn't make the trip to Tulla to see us off.
The morning for us had its challenges, but in the background (and sometimes the foreground) of our conversation was the bushfires. The tragedy of these days just seems to increase, and as we were fleeing Melbourne others were still being warned to prepare to flee their homes. As we talked over breakfast the death toll was in the 80's. As we waited at the Sydney terminal numbers were over one hundred, and we awoke this morning in Johannesburg to hear of 173 dead, with more expected. Our thoughts and prayers are with all involved - those who have lost loved ones - children, grandchildren, brothers and sisters, husbands and wives and parents. As we left the country it was all a little surreal. We in our comfort heading off, others going about the business of their lives, while thousands are engaged in fighting these fires and others in battling for their lives.
Our flight was long but uneventful - and a 3.30 pm arrival in Johannesburg was after midnight Melbourne time. It was a long day, and we were glad to find our accommodation, stretch out a little and actually be able to get some sleep.
This morning we awoke to a pleasant 20 degrees or so at the Emerald Guest House in Johannesburg, have enjoyed a freshly cooked breakfast and are ready for the next step in our journey to Dar Es Salaam.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Weekly Worship 7 : 'The Cave'
Tonight we shared in worship at 'The Cave' in Ascot Vale. Although late for the meal that precedes worship we were warmly welcomed, and efforts were made to make sure we had something to eat. Time was made for coffee and a brief chat before worship commenced.
Somewhat different to the style of worship we have been accustomed to it was refreshing to share in the open fellowship of this group. People present came from a variety of backgrounds, and many shared freely in prayer, in responding to the Word, and in a time of confession.
Perhaps because it was not a large group the sense of community was very real, and the care and involvement in the lives of others was evident. One theme that was evident was the 'open table' - and the mid-week activities of the community reflect that openness. Anyone is welcome to share in community meals, in social activities, and to participate and contribute to worship.
It was good to be able to share and to feel welcome even though we were strangers in their midst and just 'passing through'.
What did I enjoy? Apart from the participation the opening of the Word was both helpful and interesting. The message was based on Matthew 11:25-30 and everyone had a Bible, and all were invited to look closely at the text. While the focus was on verse 28-30 ("Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.") the whole text was considered and many were able to share their insights and grapple with what these verses mean for our community today, and and for us as individuals.
In grappling with this text those affected by the bush fires that have devastated parts of Victoria, especially areas surrounding Melbourne, were not forgotten. Beyond specific prayer for all involved a free translation of Psalm 23 reminded us all of the need for the Shepherd in these days.
Somewhat different to the style of worship we have been accustomed to it was refreshing to share in the open fellowship of this group. People present came from a variety of backgrounds, and many shared freely in prayer, in responding to the Word, and in a time of confession.
Perhaps because it was not a large group the sense of community was very real, and the care and involvement in the lives of others was evident. One theme that was evident was the 'open table' - and the mid-week activities of the community reflect that openness. Anyone is welcome to share in community meals, in social activities, and to participate and contribute to worship.
It was good to be able to share and to feel welcome even though we were strangers in their midst and just 'passing through'.
What did I enjoy? Apart from the participation the opening of the Word was both helpful and interesting. The message was based on Matthew 11:25-30 and everyone had a Bible, and all were invited to look closely at the text. While the focus was on verse 28-30 ("Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.") the whole text was considered and many were able to share their insights and grapple with what these verses mean for our community today, and and for us as individuals.
In grappling with this text those affected by the bush fires that have devastated parts of Victoria, especially areas surrounding Melbourne, were not forgotten. Beyond specific prayer for all involved a free translation of Psalm 23 reminded us all of the need for the Shepherd in these days.
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