Our group with Bethany & Steve Friberg This morning, we went out to the Ketumbeini Medical Clinic that is owned by the ELCT, and is run by missionary Steve Friberg. He has been here doing this work for over 20 years, and it was very interesting to hear about the changes he has seen in…… Continue reading Building Relationships over Time
Hopes & Challenges
Ketumbeini After a long drive yesterday afternoon, we made it to Ketumbeini. No one minded the time in the land cruiser because of the beautiful scenery—including ostrich, giraffes, dik dik, and gazelle. Our guest house is very nice: the food is good, the chai is wonderful, and the showers have (mostly) hot water. What more…… Continue reading Hopes & Challenges
Kwaheri Monduli
In front of the Lutheran Guest House We are leaving Monduli today and heading up to Ketumbeini, which is several hours away and more rural—it is in Maasailand, traditional grazing lands of the Maasai people. We have had such a wonderful time here, and we have learned so much about the work of the Lutheran…… Continue reading Kwaheri Monduli
Ecumenical Work in Tanzania
An image of Mary from the Catholic Parish I just want to share a couple quick reflections and a few pictures from yesterday’s activities. Yesterday we were fortunate to have some ecumenical conversations. In the morning, we spoke with Bishop David Joseph Mollel, from the Assemblies of God Church in Monduli. The denomination is the…… Continue reading Ecumenical Work in Tanzania
The Maasai Girls Lutheran Secondary School
At the entrance to the school Today we spent the day at the Maasai Girls Lutheran Secondary School (MGLSS) and it was an absolutely amazing experience to hear the story of the school, the story of the graduates, and to meet some of the girls. This is where Beth first taught 25 years ago, and…… Continue reading The Maasai Girls Lutheran Secondary School
You’re Not the Subject of the Verb
We interrupt our usual Tanzanian programming for a brief theological reflection. Turn the verbs. It’s Lutheran historian Tim Wingert‘s phrase, something I read in one of his books a long time ago, and I’ve never forgotten it. I love it, because it points so clearly and concisely to how we as Lutherans distinguish between law…… Continue reading You’re Not the Subject of the Verb
Worship & the Monduli Market
Inside Monduli Lutheran Church We had another great day today! We started our day with a worship at 8:30. There was lots of singing beforehand, as people drifted in, and the service lasted a little over 2 1/2 hours. But I can honestly say that it went by very quickly. Everyone wears their Sunday best…… Continue reading Worship & the Monduli Market
Making New Maasai Friends
We had another great day in Tanzania! We woke up today to a beautiful morning, and after breakfast, we got on the road to head to Monduli. Monduli is a traditional Maasai area, and it is the location of the Maasai Girls School, where Wartburg Professor (and our trip co-leader) Beth Elness-Hanson taught for several…… Continue reading Making New Maasai Friends
Tanzania: Connections, Drumming & Dancing
We all made it safely to Tanzania last night: here we are leaving the airport, getting ready to take the bus to Tumaini University, Makumira: Then, a little jet-lagged but eager to see what the day had in store, we were up early for breakfast, and then chapel. After chapel, we were blessed to have…… Continue reading Tanzania: Connections, Drumming & Dancing
6-on-6 Basketball in Iowa
If you are having a little bit of the post-Christmas blues, or you just need a pallet cleanser from Christmas music/movies/news, I am here to rescue your day with a short, interesting, uplifting podcast episode on the history of 6-on-6 women’s basketball in Iowa. [Yes, seriously. Stay with me.] The episode is from the podcast…… Continue reading 6-on-6 Basketball in Iowa