Unexpected….AGAIN!

The team, while tired and a bit weary from the adventures of yesterday, was in the lobby of the hotel at 5:15 am ready for the transportation back to the airport.  And, we even managed to get everyone in a group picture! 


It was Monday morning at Dar es Salaam and the traffic was already active.  Buses, motorcycles, taxis, vans, cars and motorized carts all attempting to navigate the bumpy roads, honking horns and close calls.  The sites, sounds, smells and movement are all different.  The airport was very casual in comparison to the United States.  Once inside and after some various exchanges, there was a realization that our flight left at 4:00 pm.  As Kris mentioned yesterday, expected the unexpected!  Jim Brown (who carried his ukulele during all the flights) pulled it out to play a few songs for practice.  The entertainment value of a bunch of tired people trying to sing in a very cramped airport while waiting to figure out what to do next was indelible!  Through Michele’s exceptional navigational skills, we pivoted towards our next adventure for the day.


Through the support of our partners in Tanzania, we were picked up at the hotel and dropped off at Slipway, a little area on the Indian Ocean.  We stayed there for through lunch, enjoying the sea, watching people, eating lunch and enjoy a small amount of respite.



After another journey back to the airport, we were off to Iringa where we safely landed in a beautiful little airport.




 Our partners warmly greeted us, we dropped off our items at the Lutheran Center and headed for a delightful dinner overlooking the city.



We experienced the unexpected again today.  And, through it all there were sparkles of God’s love.  It was in the kindness of the drivers, the warmth of the sun, the smells on the ocean, the joy of the craft of fishing, the gift of flight in an airplane, our beautiful partners in Tanzania and even a birthday celebration.  And of course, the serving leadership of Michele to help navigate all the nuances of this crazy couple days.  We are all inordinately grateful for all her gifts.

With gratitude and love from Tanzania,

Mel Sullivan

(On behalf of the Tanzania Team)


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