Heading home

Monday, February 10


On Friday, the day before the wedding,  we went to mama Elitha's. While we were there some visitors arrived ~









Frankie took John to investigate ~ we were told to stay away ~ they carry disease and can be aggressive but they came right near the house ~






These are ververt monkeys ~ also known as "blue ball" monkey ~ think you can see why ~



Mama got into the games again ~



and mama Roberti invited us into her room to give us something to remember our trip ~ a shirt for John and kitenga for Lynn ~




Sunday we had some last minute packing and things to do in town before we left.

One of the women who sews bags and clothing on the street whom we had seen several times over the last few weeks ~ wanted to make us clothes




so the other day she took measurements and today we had to come back to pick them up. She wanted to make sure they fit so she took Lynn around the back of the building to try it on ~ John could just put his over his shirt ~ ha ~ we all match ~


These are the sweetest people ~ and so generous ~ they want to give you something because they feel we are giving them the gift of stopping to see them AND Dana is wonderful so they want to give us something for giving them Dana. Dana does all the work ~ we get all the gifts!

Sunday evening we were invited back to see the "group" at Upendo for a farewell dinner. We arrived about 5:00. Anna and Reh were the only ones there and already cooking.

Anna ~



I asked if I could PLEASE help ~ Reh gave me a kanga to wrap around myself and a bowl of tomatoes to grate ~ finally they let me help ~




I taught the girls how to braid ~ they loved that and it kept them busy ~ they like that we #1 have hair and #2 it moves ~ all children have to keep their hair short (shaved) until they are out of school ~ what ever age that may be ~ so they like playing with hair ~




Frankie wanted to get in on the braiding too ~ but not near the food ~


So he helped me grate instead ~ I should say he showed me how to do it ~




The cooking went on for hours ~ the hibachi cooker ~




Keeping the rice warm with coals on top of the pan ~




Kisha arrived home ~ we were very fortunate to be able to see her again ~ she is only allowed to come home on holidays and special occasions. This weekend they were shooting a video of the church choir that will be included in a CD so since she was in the video she was able to come home ~







It got too dark outside so the cooking moved into the kitchen (hallway) ~



Then the power went off ~ they never skipped a beat ~ they grabbed flashlights and cell phones for light and kept on going ~

Kisha, being the typical teenager ~ fell asleep ~




Finally about 9:00 it was time to eat ~ we all went into mama Roberti's room because she has the largest room. There was rice, stewed eggplant, greens, chicken, beef, pilau, tomatoes, cucumbers, watermelon ~ a real feast ~




We presented each of them with a kanga in gratitude for their hospitality and friendship. Kanga is material but different than kitenga because it has writing on it ~ the kanga is really chosen for the saying rather than the color or print. So we had gone to several different fabric shops to select just the right ones. The shop owners helped us translate the meanings ~
They were all very grateful and put on a fashion show ~ (some of these pictures are blurry but we're using them anyway)






Elizabeth ~


Anna ~


Rehema ~


Mama Roberti ~


Mama Elitha ~


Anna and mama Roberti ~


Mama Elitha and Eliza ~



Reh and Kisha ~



It was really a great night filled with love and friendship ~ it was strange to be leaving all of them ~ not really knowing when we would be seeing them again but thankful for the opportunity to have met them all.
A great lesson on what is really important in life ~

Monday, February 10

Travel day!
We were up early ~ packed ~ and headed back down the hill to run a few errands ~ get some photos made for people ~ pick up our clothes ~

Then our trusted friend and cabbie arrived ~ Athumani ~



He used to be the driver for CCS the first year Dana came to Tanzania ~ so they have been friends for several years ~



First we took Dana to her new place ~ she will now be staying at the old CCS house which has recently been turned into a bed and breakfast ~

The house ~



Front porch ~


Yard ~


Her room ~


Living room ~


Kitchen ~


Dining area ~


There is a young woman, Gracie who is the hostess of the house and she stays in a room behind the house ~ she is so sweet and friendly ~ we feel very good about leaving Dana here ~

Next Athumani drove us all back to the hotel to pick up our luggage and took John and I to the airport. Dana was already working ~ on her way to meet up with people to schedule her work for the coming weeks.



We said good bye to Kili as we flew over ~



What an amazing experience ~ we are blessed to have had this opportunity ~

Wedding ~ part II

Next we were taken across the street ~ I use that term loosely ~ dirt path ~ to the hall for the reception.


The place was already packed with people but we were led right to the front to the honored seats for the family ~ directly behind the groom's mother. Father B explained to us that it is the custom here that the bride's family hosts a party beforehand and only a few of the grooms family attends ~ maybe twenty ~ and then the wedding day is hosted by the groom's family and only a few of the brides family attend ~
Everyone was sitting on plastic lawn chairs facing the front.



There were warm bottles of beer, soda and water placed conveniently around the room ~ remember no refrigeration ~ no ice ~ AND in the back of the hall was the warm banana beer with the large 20oz cups ~ two huge barrels ~

The band entered followed by some children dancing and then the bride and groom. It was all very loud, bright and happy.

The wedding party ~


The solemn bride and groom ~


The groom introduces his new wife ~


The bride introduces her new husband ~



The guests "danced" up to greet the bride and groom and then it was time to " cut the cake" ~ but wait we hadn't even eaten ~ and they were pushing the "cake" covered in foil on a large cart ~



Removing the foil in a loud rush of cheering ~ the "cake" was revealed ~ a roasted goat ~ head and all!





Chunks of meat were carved off and put on toothpicks and then put onto a dish that was passed to the bride and groom. They proceeded to feed each other pieces of meat! Then the bride went to the groom's family and the groom went to the bride's family to feed each of the first rows of people the meat. John was thrilled while I tried to hide inconspicuously ~ phew ~ got through that one ~ oh no ~ next it was time for all of the family members to "dance" up to the bride and groom for a toothpick of goat. John was thrilled once again, Dana ~ respectfully accepting ~ I was sick. We danced up but I couldn't do it ~ I accepted the toothpick in my hand instead of my mouth ~ through questioning glances ~ and danced back to my chair where I proceeded to put it in the napkin I had saved earlier.

Dana has met most of the family on previous visits but this week was the first time she met Father B's mother ~ she loved Dana and wanted her (and us) to spend the weekend with them ~



Now it was time for the gifts. Groups of guests again "danced" up to the bride and groom ~ still solemn ~ to present their gift. The groom's mother was first and presented them with a rope to represent the cow she was giving them.

Since we were the "honored guests" ours was to be opened. Father Barnabus accompanied Dana up and introduced her.


(the guy behind with his hands up to his mouth is a relative of the bride and he had been into the banana beer way before the reception began)


She then took the microphone and to much cheering and clapping delivered her lovely words in Swahili. Everyone loved that she used Swahili and we were very proud of her.





More gifts were presented ~ that's Father B's brother Peter and his wife and the rest of the group ~ they all wanted matching dresses so they all made dresses alike ~



Kitenge were presented to the groom's mother and the bride ~






With things moving along and the banana beer almost gone, it was time for the real dancing. We were like magnets ~ everyone wanted to dance with us, men, women, boys, girls, grandmas ~ and if anyone got carried away mama Elitha was there to save us ~

John & Reh ~


Mama Elitha & John ~


Lynn & ? ~


John & ? ~


Dana & all the boys ~


Lynn & ? ~


Oh ~ Lynn & John ~


John & maid of honor ~


Lynn & Felix ~


Things were winding down ~ the oldest brother, Joseph spoke for the family ~ thanking everyone for coming ~


Father Barnabas and Joseph ~


Three of the seven brothers ~ Father B, Peter, Joseph ~


It was a great night ~ this picture pretty much sums it up ~


The party was continuing up the mountain at the homestead and we had been pleaded with to come and spend the night ~ thankfully and
unbelievably the cab found it's way back to us and took us home!
What an experience ~
After spending Thursday with Father Barnabus and his family at the homestead and having had dinner at Felix's home we really felt comfortable with all of them and had a great time. We have found the Tanzanians very warm, accepting people. They were honored that we would spend time with them while we were honored to be included in their family celebration ~ a day we will always remember fondly.