Lyn and Mollie in Tanzania: Last Morning in Tungamalenga

Pastor Paulo Kisakinike and family.

We visited Impalapandi preaching point in the morning of March 1. During our bus ride Absolum lead us all in songs that we were able to follow fairly easily and it made our trip seem shorter. This Masaai Preaching Point is one that we visited four years ago. At that time worship was under a big tree and I think it is the same tree that is in the photograph below. In 2009 the women had made and fired bricks for the new chapel. The bricks were being laid when we visited and the men, though not Christian, noticed the women's hard work and donated the funds to purchase the mortar for laying the bricks. Before entering the chapel some preschoolers were standing under a tree eager to show Pastor Bonnie their skills with the alphabet. During our time in the new chapel, Pastor Paulo, spoke about this being Women's Day. It was also interesting that when we first entered the chapel there were more men than women. Pastor Paulo said that three years ago husbands beat their women daily, but now that they are Christian, they do not beat their wives. During our time in the Chapel, the members of Shepherd of the Valley (Bob Kelfsass, Ben Olson, Lyn and Mollie MacLean) presented Pastor Paulo with the letters of introduction to the Tanzanian Government and US Embassy that will enable Paulo to get a passport and visa for traveling to the US in October 2013.

Pastor Bonnie working with Preschool students on vowel sounds

Women Clapping during singing in new chapel

We walked with many members a short distance through the brush to a Masaai home and cattle corral. Unfortunately I stepped where I should not have and Angelina had to help me clean my shoes, so my visit to the Masaai home was shorter. We then processed through more fields, coming to a flat area, where the members hope that a grade school can be built. The Masaai students have to walk over an hour to and from school and as a result, they tend to lack interest and are unable to keep up with their school work. Masaai and Barabaig students could benefit from having a school nearby.

Masaai Home as viewed from corral.

Cattle corral holds 400 cattle at night

Grazing Cattle

Men Overlooking Site of Proposed Local School

Pastor Paulo and four church leaders walking from school ground site.

Four Masaai men in traditional dress ready for dance

Girls Dancing

Little boys practicing jumping like the big guys

Jewelry for sale

Kate, Nancy, and Bob found friends

Kate Madison with friends.

Nancy Johnson and friends

Bob Kelfsass and friend.

Women at the well

As we arrived back at the chapel and bus, there were sodas and delicious tender bites of grilled meat waiting for us. The women had jewelry for sale and the colorful dance involving men jumping very high and women dancing is something we always enjoy seeing.

Back home at Tungamalenga Church we were invited to a Prayer Meeting in the sanctuary where we spoke briefly and then we went for our farewell at the Community Center. On our way to pick up the Immanuel Church Group at their special village stay, we saw creative merchandising pictured below.