Sandy and Bob

Thursday, 18 Sep 2008

It is always hard to say goodbye and when you have to say goodbye and may never see that person or persons again it is doubly hard.

Our brothers and sisters in Idunda treated us like long lost family members. Sharing abundantly what little food they have and giving a lot in their warm hearts. We were blessed by many villagers adults and children greeting us in song, dance and huge smiles. They are a people isolated in the mountains with no running water or electricity. They farm small plots for food for themselves and walk great distances for supplies and schooling. It is a very hard and difficult life. They seem so happy and content with so little. It was with a heavy heart that we say goodbye but we can’t go until we travel with a rooster and 4 chickens for our Tanzanian friends that traveled with us. As the days go by we keep thinking and praying for the people of Idunda. They will always be in our hearts and thoughts.

We were honored to be able to meet and visit with the Bishop. More goodbyes were said.

We made dinner at Tom Nielsen’s apt for about 20 people. The food, laughter and conversation was great. Again we had goodbye to many new found friends. We also had to say a tearful goodbye to our wonderful guide and lovable friend (soon to be pastor) John. He truly warms our hearts with his smile, kindness and sense of humor. He will always be in our thoughts, hearts and prayers.

After 9 days at the Lutheran center we need to also say goodbye to the wonderful staff who have been most gracious, friendly and helpful to us during our stay. Tom and Dennis from Bega Kwa Bega office and our friend Brian Peterson were on hand to say goodbye and wish us safe journey on our continued travels. There were huge hugs given and pictures taken as a farewell send off.

Peter, our driver, is our last Iringa friend that we said goodbye to. He always got us to where we needed to be in a timely manner under some difficult conditions. As we remember the African roads we will think fondly of Peter. He and his family who we met will always be in our hearts and prayers.

So many people we have met in a short time and so many hard, tearful goodbyes we have made.

Sandy