Conversations with Barnabas #11
Welcome back to Conversations with Barnabas Bear. A couple of items up front, the conversation is fictional (hopefully that was obvious) but are pulled from some of my conversations and observations during my time here in Tanzania. The main purpose of these is to help everyone get to know the people in Tanzania a little bit better while having a little bit of fun. These stories are told from Barnabas' point of view.
We are headed back home. It has been a weird year with the multiple trips home, having one ministry end and a new one startup. It has been even more hectic than normal with Steve (I understand it confuses some when I call him dad) getting hit by the motorcycle in Arusha then coming back to work on the solar of the headmaster house only to have to make a last minute trip back to town to get a part for the inverter. He was really busy wiring the house, doing final inspections on buildings under construction and saying goodbye to everyone. I took lots of naps like I tend to do. And for all those who love his blogs about building things here, he will do one on the solar system and windows next time.
This morning we got up early because he still needed to clean up the house so the headmaster can move into the house in January. That also meant packing everything we are leaving so it could be locked up until we return in late January. So after he finished with the day guard we were on our way at 8:15 am-really did we need to get up at 6:30 for this.
The day starts out great with God blessing our trip to the dalla dalla stand. It is about 5.6 miles we walk to the place to get in a minivan built for 15 and holds around 30. Normally I ride in a backpack but today Steve is carrying all the luggage for the trip home on his back so I have to walk. But it is overcast which means it is a lot cooler than normal which I am happy for.
As we walk, people stop us to talk and ask when we will return. Steve uses the one phrase he learned in Massai to great those from the tribal group. We ran into Maria and her sister Laini (pronounced Lah-in-e). Maria is carrying some water on her head like the women normally do. Laini normally does not talk and hides her face behind her hand as much as possible.
B: Hello Maria and Laini, how are you this morning?
M: We are well, going to church? How about you?
B: It is a good day so we are doing well. Which church do you go to?
M: The Lutheran church by the school. (side note that is the church by the government school, not ours)
B: That is still a mile away. What are you carrying in the bucket?
M: Water for the pastor's family.
B: But he lives near a well right.
M: Yes but the school charges him for the water so we bring some as our contribution.
B: Where do you get the water from?
M: We get a bunch from the lake every month and haul it using our cart and donkeys.
B: That is great you share it with the pastor.
M: I never have money for the offering so I hope this is good.
Steve: It is Maria, God knows your intent and like the story of the widow who gave very little money when everyone else was giving a lot. But Jesus told the disciples she had given the most because it was all she had. Your gift is what you have to give and it is a lot of work to carry it to him.
Maria just smiles and says goodbye to Barnabas and Laini hides her smile.
We go about another mile and run into Neema (which means Grace)
B: Hello Neema, how are you today?
N: Today is great, but I am running late.
B: where are you headed in your new dress?
N: Thank you (in response to his noticing the new dress). I am going to church.
B: Which church do you go to?
N: The one up on the left. (we had just passed it)
B: Ok, why the new dress?
N: My grandmother is visiting for Christmas and she brought it to me. I am wearing it today so she can see how beautiful it is and everyone can tell her how beautiful it is.
B: That is nice. She will like having everyone appreciate your new dress.
N: I hope so she does not have a lot but when she visits she always brings me something new and pretty.
B: That is good but you better hurry they are already singing.
N: Ok bye Barnabas and Mr. Steve
We are headed back home. It has been a weird year with the multiple trips home, having one ministry end and a new one startup. It has been even more hectic than normal with Steve (I understand it confuses some when I call him dad) getting hit by the motorcycle in Arusha then coming back to work on the solar of the headmaster house only to have to make a last minute trip back to town to get a part for the inverter. He was really busy wiring the house, doing final inspections on buildings under construction and saying goodbye to everyone. I took lots of naps like I tend to do. And for all those who love his blogs about building things here, he will do one on the solar system and windows next time.
This morning we got up early because he still needed to clean up the house so the headmaster can move into the house in January. That also meant packing everything we are leaving so it could be locked up until we return in late January. So after he finished with the day guard we were on our way at 8:15 am-really did we need to get up at 6:30 for this.
The day starts out great with God blessing our trip to the dalla dalla stand. It is about 5.6 miles we walk to the place to get in a minivan built for 15 and holds around 30. Normally I ride in a backpack but today Steve is carrying all the luggage for the trip home on his back so I have to walk. But it is overcast which means it is a lot cooler than normal which I am happy for.
As we walk, people stop us to talk and ask when we will return. Steve uses the one phrase he learned in Massai to great those from the tribal group. We ran into Maria and her sister Laini (pronounced Lah-in-e). Maria is carrying some water on her head like the women normally do. Laini normally does not talk and hides her face behind her hand as much as possible.
B: Hello Maria and Laini, how are you this morning?
M: We are well, going to church? How about you?
B: It is a good day so we are doing well. Which church do you go to?
M: The Lutheran church by the school. (side note that is the church by the government school, not ours)
B: That is still a mile away. What are you carrying in the bucket?
M: Water for the pastor's family.
B: But he lives near a well right.
M: Yes but the school charges him for the water so we bring some as our contribution.
B: Where do you get the water from?
M: We get a bunch from the lake every month and haul it using our cart and donkeys.
B: That is great you share it with the pastor.
M: I never have money for the offering so I hope this is good.
Steve: It is Maria, God knows your intent and like the story of the widow who gave very little money when everyone else was giving a lot. But Jesus told the disciples she had given the most because it was all she had. Your gift is what you have to give and it is a lot of work to carry it to him.
Maria just smiles and says goodbye to Barnabas and Laini hides her smile.
We go about another mile and run into Neema (which means Grace)
B: Hello Neema, how are you today?
N: Today is great, but I am running late.
B: where are you headed in your new dress?
N: Thank you (in response to his noticing the new dress). I am going to church.
B: Which church do you go to?
N: The one up on the left. (we had just passed it)
B: Ok, why the new dress?
N: My grandmother is visiting for Christmas and she brought it to me. I am wearing it today so she can see how beautiful it is and everyone can tell her how beautiful it is.
B: That is nice. She will like having everyone appreciate your new dress.
N: I hope so she does not have a lot but when she visits she always brings me something new and pretty.
B: That is good but you better hurry they are already singing.
N: Ok bye Barnabas and Mr. Steve
Also along the way we pass some of the traditional houses next to some of the newer ones.
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| two traditional mud hut style homes with a thorn bush corral for the cattle which are the white and black spots in the center of the photograph |
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| here is new and traditional side by side. the traditional is still being used |
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| another traditional home with the cattle in a thorn bush corral |
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