Our trip to Singida region was always going to be a challenge. Our schedule only allowed for one night and this place is well over 300kms away, with only a third or less of it paved.
Elijah and Tegemea, two pastors with whom I've been working over the last couple of years, joined me on the trip leaving Arusha early Monday, with our first session planned from 2pm that afternoon.
It wasn't long before the tarmac ended as we headed south, dust blowing everywhere and through it, a glimpse of wildlife.
We stopped in the town of Babati, where we grabbed a quick drink and met up with Elijah's father, a former senior policeman, politician and now regional overseer for his denomination, a rare combination in any country! Indeed he is a rare man with a heart for the whole Body of Christ, not just his own group. He has a Bible college and church there.
We then headed west, 200kms of road under construction and none of it open for use! I rebelliously used some of it to avoid the rough detours, sometimes having to double back when we suddenly come across the rare areas where the heavy machinery was at work.
Hango, our host pastor, had been waiting at a small village (Sagara) for four hours, in order that we would not miss the turn. Just as well - it was not even a road, rather a pathway through the village that broadened slightly as we weaved (wove?) our way through the bush to Mipilo, a tiny hamlet at the base of some huge rocks.
The Singida region is marked by clusters of rock that look like some giants had randomly piled stones.
(Tegemea laughingly told me of a local politician who had been just voted in and wanted to be able to tell people he'd raised issues for them in parliament. His question was, "Have there been any plans by the government to remove the nuisance rocks from my area?" He certainly made his mark!)
We were first dropped at our guesthouse, a small mud house, surrounded by others just like it and a brick field, where bricks are made using technology that would predate Abraham. We were warmly welcomed with tea and chapatis.
No electricity in the whole village, though there was a satellite dish (must be generator & TV somewhere but we couldn't see one). Our rooms had a single candle and box of matches - the shower and toilet were across the courtyard and could only be distinguished by where the hole was positioned on the floor! It was fun and the bed was comfortable.
When we got to the church - we were served lunch, (the ubiquitous goat meat stew and rice - special fare for visitors), surprisingly tender and tasty, before being escorted by a group of ladies with singing and the kigelegele across the courtyard into the church for the first session.
They had two choirs, their regular Swahili one and a Nyaturu widows choir.
The first session was on Jesus and his friends, asking the question "Who were Jesus' friends and would they be welcomed in YOUR church?" We looked at the Samaritan woman, Zacchaeaus, Mary Magdalene etc.. It was a challenging and they visibly wrestled through it, finally repenting of their attitudes.
The evening we met with the leaders of the church. The generator wouldn't start so we conducted the whole meeting with an LED lamp they brought.
After a late morning session the next day - poorly attended due to bad planning on our part, because all able-bodied people have to make the long trek of 3 miles to get water from the nearest well. Nonetheless, they eventually arrived and we spent some time together before hitting the road again, getting back to Arusha well after nightfall.
A truck had a puncture in middle of nowhere so we gave these guys a 2km ride on the side while they held on to the tyre.
We'll be back and I'm sure we'll get to see some of Jesus' seeker-friends mixed in with the congregation ... they assured me of that!
Elijah and Tegemea, two pastors with whom I've been working over the last couple of years, joined me on the trip leaving Arusha early Monday, with our first session planned from 2pm that afternoon.
It wasn't long before the tarmac ended as we headed south, dust blowing everywhere and through it, a glimpse of wildlife.
We stopped in the town of Babati, where we grabbed a quick drink and met up with Elijah's father, a former senior policeman, politician and now regional overseer for his denomination, a rare combination in any country! Indeed he is a rare man with a heart for the whole Body of Christ, not just his own group. He has a Bible college and church there.
We then headed west, 200kms of road under construction and none of it open for use! I rebelliously used some of it to avoid the rough detours, sometimes having to double back when we suddenly come across the rare areas where the heavy machinery was at work.
Hango, our host pastor, had been waiting at a small village (Sagara) for four hours, in order that we would not miss the turn. Just as well - it was not even a road, rather a pathway through the village that broadened slightly as we weaved (wove?) our way through the bush to Mipilo, a tiny hamlet at the base of some huge rocks.
The Singida region is marked by clusters of rock that look like some giants had randomly piled stones.
(Tegemea laughingly told me of a local politician who had been just voted in and wanted to be able to tell people he'd raised issues for them in parliament. His question was, "Have there been any plans by the government to remove the nuisance rocks from my area?" He certainly made his mark!)
We were first dropped at our guesthouse, a small mud house, surrounded by others just like it and a brick field, where bricks are made using technology that would predate Abraham. We were warmly welcomed with tea and chapatis.
No electricity in the whole village, though there was a satellite dish (must be generator & TV somewhere but we couldn't see one). Our rooms had a single candle and box of matches - the shower and toilet were across the courtyard and could only be distinguished by where the hole was positioned on the floor! It was fun and the bed was comfortable.
When we got to the church - we were served lunch, (the ubiquitous goat meat stew and rice - special fare for visitors), surprisingly tender and tasty, before being escorted by a group of ladies with singing and the kigelegele across the courtyard into the church for the first session.
They had two choirs, their regular Swahili one and a Nyaturu widows choir.
The first session was on Jesus and his friends, asking the question "Who were Jesus' friends and would they be welcomed in YOUR church?" We looked at the Samaritan woman, Zacchaeaus, Mary Magdalene etc.. It was a challenging and they visibly wrestled through it, finally repenting of their attitudes.
The evening we met with the leaders of the church. The generator wouldn't start so we conducted the whole meeting with an LED lamp they brought.
After a late morning session the next day - poorly attended due to bad planning on our part, because all able-bodied people have to make the long trek of 3 miles to get water from the nearest well. Nonetheless, they eventually arrived and we spent some time together before hitting the road again, getting back to Arusha well after nightfall.
A truck had a puncture in middle of nowhere so we gave these guys a 2km ride on the side while they held on to the tyre.
We'll be back and I'm sure we'll get to see some of Jesus' seeker-friends mixed in with the congregation ... they assured me of that!
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