Culture Immersion

A few days ago we saw a Maasai cattle market. Maasai people come from all over to sell and buy cattle and to pick up supplies. What we've experienced here is so irreplaceable. It is authentic and hasn't been contructed for tourists to "experience the culture." We are truly guests of people and they welcome us into their way of life without question.

On Monday we went to Faraja (meaning Hope), a program in Morogoro that provides helps adults and children with HIV/AIDS, victims of abuse, and children living on the streets instead of going to school. The director spoke with such passion. It was so powerful to see the effects of AIDS and poverty first hand.

Today is a work day and the group will get to spend the day painting or visiting a nearby kindergarten. Yesterday we chose our agenda-- half of us went to a village with Pastor Hafermann and half of us stayed and observed classes at the language school and went to the orphanage. At the village some of the girls picked up a few more marriage proposals. Fifty head of cattle to the girls' families-- fair trade? It was exciting to watch a (Maasai) woman bludgeon a poisonous snake that crept in the church.

The school here is excellent. Students have to pass tests to get in, and the level of education is very high. The kindergarten consists of 3-6 year olds and is a mix of Tanzanians and the children of Norwegian, Swiss, and American missionaries staying here. There is a Montessori classroom for the youngest ones. We also sat in on a physics class (where we struggled to describe fiber glass), Divinity II, a chemistry lab, and the Form 6 choir (the highest age level). After the classes we got a chance to talk to some students and ask questions about their plans and their life. They were full of curiosity about American high schools and universities, gender roles in the United States, the cost of living and the unwarranted dissatisfaction that comes with privilege.

It’s also been interesting interacting with all the other missionary families that stay here. There are families from Norway, Sweden, Ohio, Korea, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania. Most people speak English, and most all of us share a common bond with our fragmented Swahili. On Tuesday nights we play volleyball games with everyone from the language school and with Tanzanian students. We’re hearing a speaker tonight and are leading the Eucharist service.