Although
1. winds had toppled a large tree just outside Mwangaza's gate during the night,
2. the tree fell across the electric wires,
3. broken (but some still alive) electric wires dangled to and on the road,
and 4. of course there was no electricity available for actual use,
we rose to a second day of generous sun and mild temperatures during this rainy season. Quite the gift to us and to our many neighbors, as the rains have been generous this year and many were busy today with preparing fields/gardens and planting.
Mike had considered sleeping in this morning and perhaps attending a later service, thinking it would be nice not to answer an alarm. No alarm needed, as the nearby Lutheran church reminds everyone of Sunday's arrival with bell ringing from 6 - 6:30, and again at 7 for the 7:30 service. Many people noticed, as we were packed 15 to a pew built for 10-12 (personal space is not expected in many circumstances here), 15 pews to a side, Sunday School children filling the balcony above, and 3 choirs seated in chairs between the pews and the sanctuary. More on choirs later.
Although our understanding of the message was limited by the fact the pastor spoke in Swahili (the 10 o'clock would have been even more challenging, as we know zero words of Maasai) we could sing along with several hymns and appreciate the generosity of those who rose to walk forward for the 3 offerings and the others who brought bunches of bananas, and a goat!, for the auction outside after service had ended.
Andrea (Andrew), Mwangaza's talented fundi (Mr. Fix-it) also attended this service, and walked home with us. He, like everyone else we meet, has a cell phone and volunteered to get ours (donated by David & Kellen Msseemmaa) set up and working. Andrew also teaches a Sunday afternoon children's Bible study; while setting up our phones, he shared his lesson/stories about one of the wonders of Jesus, that he can see what is in our hearts and minds, but loves us anyway!
Cell phones are life lines here -- at least having a phone means you will have a much busier life. Moments after our phones went live, Marieth Mlay (our 2001 Mwangaza partner) reached us and insisted that our plans to stop by for a few minutes fit very well within her plans for our joining the family for an extended afternoon visit, including a mid-afternoon lunch/dinner, of course. From a short distance away, I could tell that Sharon was being reminded that the guidelines for hospitality were up to the host(ess), not the visitor, and our afternoon plans were soon set.
From the moment we arrived, there were always 2 or more conversations going on at once. So much family news to update and share after 2 years, with the occasional picture to be shown, new ones taken, and frequent stories to be told. Laughter rattled the banana and avocado leaves above as we sat outside their two room house, now housing 8 people daily and up to 3 more when sisters are home from college. Too soon it was 6 PM; with darkness scheduled for shortly after 7, we had to be on our way.
Always an interesting trip on foot, we knew the rainy season would add to the adventure of staying upright while getting to their home about 3 miles away. We did great on the way to, but Mike slipped off a rock and into the very deep mud on the way home, actually feeling lucky that he was able to find and retrieve his right shoe. Several minutes with a bucket of water cleaned off the worst of the residue, but will take a few days for that shoe to be dry and functional.
And being functional should begin Monday morning, as we have our first "official" meeting during which our roles and timelines will be discussed. From experience, the actual responsibilities and agendas will continue to develop and be revised as necessary as we share with John, Salome, and later Mary Jo Huelle, and grow into our parts of Mwangaza 2010.
