Going Home

"Our Tanzanian Family" 

Our time here is quickly coming to an end. It is hard to believe that we have only 4 days left in Tanzania. A year has gone by in a flash. I wonder if the time will go so quickly when we get home. We are going to miss Tanzania and the friends we have made tremendously. We have learned a lot from the people of Tanzania and our colleagues at CCT.

"Acounting with pencil and calculator"

As we wind down, I continue to work in the financial department and Ron is putting the finishing touches on the fourth web site he has designed and got up and running. This website is for the last of the CCT’s self-accounting units – the CCT Conference and Training Centre (www.cct-centre.org).




The Land for Life project is back on track and should move forward quickly from here on in. Bricks are being made and the floor for the first home is being prepared. Four bikes were purchased with money donated by Sylvie Spugies in order to provide means of transportation for the beneficiary families of the first four LFL homes. Sylvie’s donation was in memory of her mother.

"Bikes donated by Sylvie (SylvieCycles)" 

Over Easter, we drove to Mwanza so we could see Lake Victoria. After all we couldn’t very well go home without tracing the route of Dr David Livingstone to Lake Victoria – albeit our travel was made on blacktop. It was a nine hour drive but it was very interesting as we had never been to this part of Tanzania. The rock formations along the way were fantastic. Huge rocks piled on top of one another so they looked as if they would fall at any minute. It was an enjoyable, relaxing weekend.

"Lake Victoria at sunset."

On 1 May we went to Dar es Salaam. Courtney Young, a university student studying at Mount Allison University in New Brunswick, flew in that night. She is staying with us while she does some research on women’s issues in the developing world. She visited the Morogoro Women’s Training Centre (MWTC), worked at the Village of Hope for a few days, went to Singida with Mary Shuma (head of Women Development Children and Gender at CCT), consulted the HIV/AIDS department of CCT and did some homecare visits with the Grace and Healing Ministry Dodoma. Courtney and her family donated money to purchase 3 more bicycles which will be distributed to three other beneficiary families under the LFL programme.

"WAMA Website Design"

Monday 2 May, Ron worked on the web page and email setup for WAMA (Wakala wa Makanisa, a branch office of CCT). Then on 3 May he set up the email service for the Morogoro Women Training Centre.




On Mother’s Day, May 8th, we went to the University of Dodoma for two church services. At the request of the university chaplain, Ron delivered the sermons at both services. It was heart warming to see so many young people so joyfully taking part in worship. The attendance at the first service was about 400 and at the second over 600. Wouldn’t it be great if we could get our young people involved to this degree? They had an exam that afternoon also and some had to leave early to write it. We thought maybe missionaries should be coming to North America to re-introduce Christianity to our youths. The music was fantastic, definitely a joyous noise unto the Lord.

"Improvised charcoal oven"

On Wednesday, I was invited to assist the Director of the Grace and Healing Ministry Dodoma (GHMD), Tiffanee Wright, teach a cake baking course. Since there were no ovens we used a large pot containing a layer of sand, with hot charcoal below and on a metal sheet above. My days as a Girl Guide leader improvising ovens to bake cakes at camp proved useful. The course had 15 women attend and we were able to successfully make two chocolate cakes and two white cakes. Ron came over from the CCT to sample a small piece of the chocolate and a small piece of white cake - we don't get many deserts here. Once the cakes were completed they were served to the young orphans and vulnerable children the GHMD look after and feed. Some of the staff were able to sample a piece of cake as well.

"The class watches intently as Tiffanee goes over the recipe." 

The CCT held a farewell party for us on Saturday, 14 May. We had a wonderful meal which include tilapia, chicken, ugali (big dumpling), mchicha (greens) and other local vegetables. Following the meal, I thanked our friends and colleagues for a wonderful year of fellowship, personal growth and cultural learning. The General Secretary closed the formal part of the even with a word of thanks for our service to the CCT and people of Tanzania.

"Cast & Crew of CCT"

Before the evening concluded, we were presented with gifts of appreciation. Our gifts were unique and thoughtful. Ron received a Massai elder’s club which depending how it is held, signifies either wisdom or authority. I received a hand-beaded Massai shawl. The presentation of the gifts was unique as well, involving singing as the gifts were brought forwarded.

"Gift presentation by Finance Department"