Tanzania Mission Trip: Monday (7/8) Update

After two very long days of travel, we arrived safely in Iringa – our kind of home base.  We had bus troubles going from Dar es Salaam to Iringa.  Everything worked out fine.  We just arrived about five hours late and ate dinner at 11:00 pm Sunday night.

Today, Monday, was our day to recover from all the travel.  Breakfast, tour of the Iringa marketplace, Neema crafts, shopping for souvenirs, naps.  Then dinner watching the sunset over Iringa.  A good day!

For those that don’t know about Neema crafts, it is a ministry that supports 100+ Tanzania citizens with disabilities by teaching them life skills and paying them a salary for life’s expenses.  In Tanzania, if you have a disability, you are often forgotten.  This ministry is vital in supporting these people.  They produce wood carvings, towels, clothing, and fabrics from weaving – very interesting things.

Tomorrow, we learn about the partnership between the St. Paul Area Synod and the Iringa Diocese.  After that, we will visit the orphanage, ending our day with a pizza dinner.

Be well everyone.  Next update should be Wednesday.

~ Eric Elton