KihesaIt’s Sunday. Another opportunity to worship the same God in different languages. The 7 AM service was just letting out when we arrived for the 9 AM service. The choir was out in front singing a beautiful hymn. We enjoyed this as the people passed by. I asked one little girl who looked about 7-8 years old, “Jina lako nani?” in my best Swahili. She responded in impeccable English, “My name is Anna Marie.” “What is your brother’s name?” I asked, “His name is Henry,” The children all learn English in secondary school, but a few, like Anna Marie and Sarah’s children, Nerea, age 9, and Miriam, age 5, learn in primary school.
The service had been full. By 9:15, we went in, but there were sparse attendees. To my surprise, the church was full by about 10. Before the service, one woman from the congregation got up and sang a responsive song. It was beautiful. We joined in as best we could, not understanding most of the words except “Mungu” (God). The ministers came in and the singing switched from spontaneous praise to formal liturgy.
The choir sang again, the congregation, a solo, then the Wazungu choir (us) did our best with “Listen, Listen God is Calling” including the Swahili chorus at the end. The congregation appreciated the Swahili, but listening to the choir was a true treat. They definitely outshine most choirs I have heard!
The evangelist preached. The pastor had preached the first service. The sermon lasted about a half hour, and we were aided by translators, including Peter our driver, John Mhekwa, thankfully our constant companion, and a senior student in Business Administration at Tumaini, Itiweni Samson Luhwago. She was a little shy about it at first, but did a marvelous job.
At the end of the service, the choir recessed from church and sang to the congregation as we did. There were many greetings and handshakes.
The service had been full. By 9:15, we went in, but there were sparse attendees. To my surprise, the church was full by about 10. Before the service, one woman from the congregation got up and sang a responsive song. It was beautiful. We joined in as best we could, not understanding most of the words except “Mungu” (God). The ministers came in and the singing switched from spontaneous praise to formal liturgy.
The choir sang again, the congregation, a solo, then the Wazungu choir (us) did our best with “Listen, Listen God is Calling” including the Swahili chorus at the end. The congregation appreciated the Swahili, but listening to the choir was a true treat. They definitely outshine most choirs I have heard!
The evangelist preached. The pastor had preached the first service. The sermon lasted about a half hour, and we were aided by translators, including Peter our driver, John Mhekwa, thankfully our constant companion, and a senior student in Business Administration at Tumaini, Itiweni Samson Luhwago. She was a little shy about it at first, but did a marvelous job.
At the end of the service, the choir recessed from church and sang to the congregation as we did. There were many greetings and handshakes.
Sarah's for Lunch
Immediately after service, we went to Sarah’s home for lunch. She had invited the whole group. We brought an adoptee named Dr. Brian Peterson, from Southern Seminary, who will teach Greek and Gospels at Tumaini when the semester begins next week. Brian graduated from Augustana, Sioux Falls, in 1982. Sarah is the housekeeper at Bega kwa Bega. She does great work managing the apartments and we first became very attached to her when we were here in 2006. She works very hard at her day job and has not had an easy life. She is raising two lovely daughters as I mentioned above. The lunch was delicious, certainly the best outside the Lutheran Centre and Mwagusi and easily equalling them.
Immediately after service, we went to Sarah’s home for lunch. She had invited the whole group. We brought an adoptee named Dr. Brian Peterson, from Southern Seminary, who will teach Greek and Gospels at Tumaini when the semester begins next week. Brian graduated from Augustana, Sioux Falls, in 1982. Sarah is the housekeeper at Bega kwa Bega. She does great work managing the apartments and we first became very attached to her when we were here in 2006. She works very hard at her day job and has not had an easy life. She is raising two lovely daughters as I mentioned above. The lunch was delicious, certainly the best outside the Lutheran Centre and Mwagusi and easily equalling them.
Gangilonga
In the afternoon, Bob, Sandy, Judy, Brian Peterson, John and myself left the Bibis and Birdies and walked to, then climbed Gangilonga, a huge boulder that overlooks the entire, long, narrow community of Iringa. It is exhilarating and I did not like looking down the sheer drop. Gail, I don’t think you would like it either. See the photo! That's a few of us sitting on the edge with Brian Peterson
1 comment:
It is such a treat to have this blog to keep up with you. I know I keep repeating that, but it is! Today has been beautiful here. I mowed in straigh lines today. Ahh the little things. This afternoon I am going to go up to Kennedy HS and watch my neighbor play soccer.
Should be fun. I really miss you guys. Hugs to all!
love,
Carly
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