Dear Family & Friends,
Seems like months, not weeks, since the first Sunday of this month of June, b/c of the many "happenin's" in the 12 days since. Will try to catch up with a trio of journalings, while Sharon will add another from a special day with Mary E. Laiser and Women Leaders of the Diocese.
We looked forward to June 6th b/c we were to be part of the Mlay family in the celebration of Deo Gratias' 1st Communion. Deo is actually the son of Festo's youngest brother who died, along with Deo's mother, several years ago. Marieth and Festo adopted Deo and older sister, Jackie, as there "... is always room for one, make that 2, more... " in Tanzania, and when it is family, there is no limit.
Sharon prepared bread, making 4 loaves which we backpacked, along with the butter, 'cross country (remember the infamous bridge from an earlier letter?) to arrive in time, with the chickens, for breakfast tea church.
Deo was dressed and ready for his special day, as 'tis a big deal and many extended family members and friends were expected.
Some, however, would stay behind and begin the cooking while the rest of us were at church -- for 4 hours!!! Told you, it is a big deal !!
After the procession b/4 church, the service and long sermon, a second procession to bless the grounds, school, church office, another building, back to church for the first offering, communion for the 1st timers, then the rest of us, then the second offering, then the introduction and speeches of the class leaders, then the introduction of each first communicant, (then Sharon waking Mike), and all this time with some 2,000 people in and around a church with 800 seated on benches meant for 400, we were found outside by Marieth ("You must have been hiding, for you do not exactly look like everyone else!") and headed back to their home.
There we joined many friends and relatives, including relatives of Martin Msseemmaa and Festo's mother joining Bahati with Vickie, the newest of the Mlay clan. Couldn't get Marieth to stand still long enough to get 4 generations of family, so settled for these 3 together.
Because Mama was seeing to the food, here being stirred and seasoned by her sister -- pots full of chicken pieces, green bananas in stew, cole slaw, etc. We two were needed to speak English with a number of Marieth's students who had volunteered to help by cutting up fruit and veggies. Mike took one picture of them, showed the picture, and basically lost the camera for the next hour.
After a short walk, we did arrive at the festivities hall, where Deo and friend were the celebrities of the day. Here Mama and Baba are the first to dance forward and deliver a gift -- this may be the part of the day that Deo liked best !! We were able to get such a close-up picture b/c they surprised us greatly with an introduction of Deo's Bebe (Grandmother) and Grandfather from the United States, then moved us to the "high table", just to the right of the "head table". As if we wazungu were not noticed b/4, we were now seated in front of and facing the rest of the guests.
But, as often happens in TZ when 2 events are scheduled for the same day, the first is nowhere near finished when the second is already overdue. Since our 2nd happened to be dinner with the Bishop, with whom Sharon had done well to negotiate a 7 PM dinner from his 2 PM invitation, we joined the food line just behind Deo and family, then begged forgiveness and slipped out the back door. On the way to meet the Bishop, Mike did mention to Sharon that his last bite had been at breakfast, so he was going to hold the Bishop to his offer of a nice DINNER meeting.
And that it was, with Mary E. serving as our chauffeur and dinner companion and Bishop sharing as socially as we can remember -- over very good food. He even followed up by bringing his wife to get re-acquainted at Mwangaza the next afternoon. It took a bit for Mrs. Laiser to sort out exactly whom she remembered from DeKalb, but memories did come back to her when prompted by names and years she was there or you were here, and she sends her "Greetings" to all.
In each of our TZ visits, we have been honored by those here with whom we have shared personally and by others who recognize us as being the representatives for yourselves and so many others. Sometimes the lines between those positions are hard to discern.
Hope this email does not overwhelm your machines with so many pictures. Much easier to share 10 visuals than write the 10,000 words needed to match their "worth".
Peace & love,
Mike & Sharon
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