John and Addy Mhekwa and Ihemi

Early in the week we went to John and Addy Mhekwas’ for lunch.  There we had the full spread of course, minus ugali, although we gave them a hard time about it, being fully prepared to enjoy.

Addy and John Mhekwa

Ugali is made from maize flour.  The flour is then put into water and stirred.  And stirred.  And stirred.  Eventually it stiffens to the consistency of dense mashed potatoes.  I don’t think they add any kind of spices to it.  Even Scandinavians would add some salt.  When served, a scoop is placed on the plate, then a more demure portion is balled up in the hand and a firm thumb print placed in its center to provide a reservoir for the good stuff, juices from what ever has juices.  You simply scoop it up with this receptacle.  Our niece Katie Degner and the group here last year Sandy Thibault, Lori Johnson, and Kevin Johnson) learned to make it from a pro, our house keeper Mariam.  We all benefited from the fruits of their labor – and had seconds (like Lutefisk at Christmas time as kids).

So we did not have ugali at John and Addy’s.  We did have potato chips (think French fries), pasta (spaghetti), beans, samosas, chapatis, avocadoes, bananas, sweet ginger tea, Stoney Tangawizi soda.  Everything was great.  It does remind me of being at Grampa and Grandma Warolin’s for a holiday.  If you don’t take seconds, it means you didn’t like it.  If you do take seconds it means there wasn’t enough for thirds. 

Later, when we were stuffed and Birdie refused another soda, even Tangawizi, her favorite, our Tanzanian hosts were taken aback if not insulted.  I had to explain how she loves Tangawizi and to refuse meant only that she was really full!  I don’t know if that helped or not.  I hope so!  Of course, I did try to make up for her inadvertent indiscretion.

The next part of the outing was a trip to Ihemi.  By the way, a lot of the towns start with the letter “I.”  Ihemi, Ilula, Iogoro, Ifunda, Idunda, Idete, Itungi, Idegenda, Itonya, Ihimbo.  You get the idea.  It reminds me of the song, “I’ve been Everywhere” (Hank Snow, Johnny Cash, Neal and Leandra).

Ihemi Lutheran Junior Seminary so far....

Ihemi is about 40 KM (24 miles) from Iringa (another “I” name).  John has been assigned to work there to oversee and get the Ihemi Junior Seminary built.  I may as well express my opinion here.  I am not sure if it is reward or punishment.  Birdie’s more neutral position is that he was available.  He does have a mentor in Andeck Ngogo, from Image School.

We heard of the school at the Iringa Task Force a couple years ago.  We were just this side of flabbergasted.  We already have several diocese schools (8 or 9) to support with scholarships.  The rumor was that Bishop Mdegella had wanted this school and was supporting it.  The school was supposed to open in 2011.  There is little more than four walls for four rooms so far and no support from the Diocese except perhaps for some “Rah, rah!”

But this is how it goes in Tanzania.  They have the patience of Job and the faith of Moses that it will come to fruition in God’s time.  Of course, for an American that’s eons.

Well, that is enough negative.  The people of Ihemi are a warm and friendly folk, like all the other Tanzanians we have met.  They are sincere and supportive.  There is a house that Addy and John will rent, I would say four times the size of where they live now.  Addy, Birdie and I played with the kids who gathered around – well actually we had invaded their space.  Doesn’t mean they weren’t curious though.  It is possible the youngest had never seen real wazungu before.  As usual, there were taunts of “Wazungu, wazungu!”  We enjoyed the celebrity.

So we looked at the proposed campus and the four walls, looked at the proposed rental, had tea at District Pastor Chavalla’s house, smiled, listened, then drove home.  Support for the school will be solicited from the Ihemi District’s churches and their preaching points.  The work will be provided by sweat equity.

View from our table at Saivilla

The remainder of the week went by uneventfully.  This afternoon we took some photos “around the neighborhood.”  All of a sudden we have less than three weeks before we leave!  I have a couple projects to finish up, including at least on trip to Ilula, we have visitors coming this week and a volunteer to get settled.  It promises to be a full two weeks.  We started with a flourish and will end with one too!

Birdie, Kidege in Swahili

My lovely dinner partner smiling as she posts to FaceBook.  Yes, it says Birdie on her orange phone case, a gift from our daughter Carly in Birdie's favorite color.

Let's call this a hibiscus.

We treated ourselves to a nice dinner at Saivilla and its beautiful view.  We sat outside and had a nice sunset.  It was warm and comfortable!