Tanzanian Landing



Stepping out of the plane, instantly we knew we were back home in Tanzania! That familiar blast of humidity and heat, even in the darkness at 10pm. Throngs of people waiting somewhat chaotically with beeping luggage jeeps on the tarmac for a bus to take us to the airport terminal. Suddenly we are no longer in the world of orderly queues! We made our way through the crowds scrambling for visas and were pleased to see Pastor Huruma's smiling face waiting for us on the other side!

 

Driving through the city late at night, we took in all the familiar sights of men hanging on in the back of trucks, small fires and oil lamps lit on the sides of the busy roads as people continue to buy and sell from the rickety wooden frames selling everything from coconuts to men's underpants. We passed a man selling toilet parts from a large box, sitting appropriately on one of several ceramic toilet seats. Bajajis and pikipikis weave through the traffic amid the constant honking of horns. Good to be home!

 

A bajaji

 We were warmly welcomed into Huruma and Joyce's beautiful new home! And we dropped into bed around midnight and thought how long it seemed since we had risen from our beds in Hampshire at 2am the night before! But also gratefully thought how much easier this 15 hour trip had been compared to the fraught 50-hour trip out of Tanzania four months ago!

 

The next day we were so warmly welcomed by the church (Victory Christian Centre). Tim preached at the 7am service, and we both spoke at the second service. We enjoyed our first Tanzanian lunch in many months and then Tim preached for the third (Youth) service. It was so different to what we have become used to over the past few months, but so instantly familiar! The energetic full sound of the music team leading the huge full tent of people in enthusiastic praise and worship. The vibrant life and excitement as a couple get engaged; they give their rings and are then paraded with khangas (cloths) and decorative flowery necklaces amid much noise and filming!

 

Needless to say, we slept well that night!

 

It is good to see Huruma, Joyce and the family again. We have also been able to visit good friends Martin and Esther. And yesterday we visited Rachel, currently on maternity leave from her job with the church, and met her beautiful new daughter.

 

I have been busy preparing for speaking at a women's service which took place yesterday. The girls have enjoyed playing with Joan and Marion ... with only one incident in which Louisa got stuck in a large pot when taking hide-and-seek to extremes! Today we are all looking forward to a trip to the beach!

 

The Hide-and-Seek "Pot Incident"

 

Amisadai and Louisa, Joan and Marion with Rachel and baby Ronette

Tim with Pastor Huruma in his new office

Rachel climbing the scaffolding visiting the building work at the church site.