We're Home!

It felt so good to get home on Tuesday night. It was another very long day as we had to be at the airport in Bel Grade, Serbia at 5:00 a.m. (which was really 11:00 p.m. the night before Ohio time). Be that as it may be, we made all the flight connections on time without any problem. Please let me share a few thoughts and hopefully a few pictures about our time in Serbia.

While of course geographically Serbia is very different from Tanzania, there seems to be a common thread of oppression that invades both places. While in a certain level of poverty, the folks in Tanzania have an inner peace and joiy that is so obvious and spills over into everything they do. On the other hand, the folks in Serbia seem to be oppressed, not so much by poverty, but by an attitude common to folks oppressed by Communisum, almost an existential fear of others. We were graciously welcomed where there was a plan, but I experienced something more like a fear of strangers on a one to one basis. Now, having said that, let me say again what a formidable barrier language can be.

We travelled a lot while in Serbia, visiting churches in no less than 10 different cities, from Vojlovica to Bielo Blato, to Backa Palanka, to Novi Sad, to Bel Grade. Each visit was unique and yet there was a similar theme of wondering how to make and keep the church a viable option in Serbia. There are only 28 Lutheran Churches that are a part of the Slovak Lutheran Church of the Augsburg Confession. These all have called pastors with about 13 more that are being cared for without a called pastor, usually because of lack of resources.

On Sunday November 22nd, we had the privilege of participating in a worship service, a funeral, and a wedding at the church in Back Palanka. This is the church that is now being served by Pastor Jasmina Kotas who was here in our synod the summers of 2007 and 2008 working with the mission to young folks from Eastern European countries who worked at Put-in-Bay. That evening before a tasty meal of soup, cabbage rolls, and schnitzel, we took a walk to the Danube River. As we got to the river, the lights on the other side of the river were from a town in Croatia, and to realize that Serbia and Croatia are not friendly, and there are guards and gates at the border.

Our last night we stayed in Bel Grade in order to get to the airport on a timely basis the next morning four flight. Just down the street fom the hotel were a few buildings that remain just as they were when they were bombed back in the early 90's during the war. What a sobering reminder of the ugliness of war.

I pray this finds you all well, and that you will join me in giving thanks to God this Thanksgiving for his bountiful blessings. Again, thanks for journeying with me/us on this most wonderful adventure. My life is much richer for the experience. P.S. One of the sideways photos is of me pumping the bellows on an old pipe organ--good exercise!

God bless you all!
Pastor Dale

A Sunrise at 38,000 Feet!

After a 95/95 day in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania (95 degrees and 95% humidity) on Wednesday, we boarded a plane at the airport at 12:45 a.m. for the several hour trip to Amsterdam. As we bagan our descent into Amsterdam, I looked out the window at a most spectacular sight, the sunrise while 38,000 feet in the air. Only God could pull off something that breathtaking and beautiful! After a couple hour wait in Amsterdam, we boarded a plane for Frankfort Germany to catch another plane there to Bel Grade Serbia. Well, wouldn't you know, the plane was about 20 minutes late leaving Amsterdam which caused us to miss our connecting flight in Germany, but graciously we were booked on another later flight to Bel Grade, and we arrived safely about 5:00 p.m. Flying over the Alps was another breathtaking sight.(By this time I had been up for about 40 hours) We were whisked off from the airport by one of the local Lutheran pastors, through very dense fog, to a small Lutheran church where we received a very warm welcome with some food and drink that included something called 'firewater'. Believe me it was just that!! After the second tiny sip, I knew it wasn't for me. Finally we arrived at our host family's house and after a warm welcome, and about 20 seconds, we were all sound asleep!

It is now Friday and we have spent most all day in that same fog that grabbed the area last night. But, we have visited three more Lutheran churches, visited with pastors and members to learn about their hopes, dreams, and frustrations. The church buildings are often in park like settings, and the architecture is absolutely beautiful. None of them are heated, but the folks still gather faithfully for worship. We have been fed a variety of delicious pastry items, as a matter of fact, this afternoon we were treated to Apricot filled pastries yum-yum!! I'm actually not sure of the name of the town we are in now, but we will be staying here for the balance of our visit I believe. Pastor Maurer and I are sharing a room that is about the size of an average walk-in closet, and that includes a bathroom! We are truly in each others space.

I would have included some photos except the wireless connections are not easily available, so I don't have any way to download photos from my camera to this office computer. Others may know how, but it is a tad beyond my technological capabilities.

Our schedule for these next few days is full of visits and conversations, and then our journey home begins bright and early on Tuesday morning. The first leg begins at 6:00 a.m. as we leave Bel Grade for Munich, Germany; then Munich to Amsterdam; then Amsterdam to Detroit. I'll try to get another installment in before we leave, but if I don't, thanks for taking this journey with me/us. It is likely a once in a lifetime experience, and my life is richer for it.

Thanks for you continued prayers, and God bless you on your journey.
Pastor Dale

More New Experiences in Tanzania!!

Mosquito nets and rice have become a regular part of my life, as well as very bumpy, twisty roads that lead to some way outback places where some very hospitable folks call home. Since the internet access has been almost nonexistant, I'll try to get a couple of thoughts off this Tuesday morning.

The last couple of days have again been out in the villages, and Sunday I was the pastor in a two point parish, the two churches are 40 kilometers (approx. 24 miles) apart. I had the privilege of preaching in both parishes with Wellington as my interpreter. The good news is if I messed something up, he could set the record straight. The first service began at 7:00 a.m. followed by a dedication of the pastor's new house, and the second one was to begin at 10:00 a.m. but we arrived at 10:45 to a church full of folks singing and praising God. Following that service we dedicated their new church building that is under construction. We had a lunch together (yes, more rice, chicken, spinach, and noodles). The balance of the day allowed us an opportunity to get to know a delegation from Sweeden that was spending a few days in the village before to going to a deaf school for schildren to volunteer for about 6 months. By the way, the first village was Mpwapwa, and the second was Kongwa, both part of the Mpwapwa District of the Dodoma Diocese.

When the Bishops re-joined us (they had been in another district) they returned with a live goat on top of the land cruiser as that was a gift for Bishop Ngowo from one of the churches. Wellington left for some time with his family on Sunday afternoon. We will surely miss his ability to connect with the people.

Today we will take a 6 hour bus ride to Dar, where tomorrow about midnight we will board a plane for Amsterdam, to Munich, to Bel Grade, for our arrival in Serbia.

God bless you, and thanks for your continued prayers. Praise God Dennis Maurer is running again on all cylinders!!

Pastor Dale

the Journey Continues

While it's only been a few days, it seems like worlds ago since I posted to this blog. Perhaps that's because of the whirlwind pace and another dose of 'culture shock' that have filled these past few days. Let me try to hit some of the high spots!

After my last entry on Friday evening, the first rain of the season came which semed to bring joy to all folks. Shortly after ordering with our small delegation for dinner at the Dodoma Hotel, I felf a pinch on my shoulder. When I looked to see who was responsible for that, there stood Naftal Mande, a young Tanzanian who worshipped with us at St. Mark's while he was a student at BGSU. Wow, what a surprise!

Saturday morning we were a part of a cornerstone laying for a new Lutheran High School that is being built in Dodoma. The Prime Minister of Tanzania was present, and it was quite a nice gig. Later in the afternoon we hooked up with Reinhard Frederich and his wife Ursula. They have been here in Tanzania for several years, and Reinhard heads ut the T.E.E. Theological Education by Extension. He is training the evangelists that go to the villages.

Saturday evening found us at the cathedral where the concecration service would be held, for of all things, a rehearsal. Well, what a night that turned out to be! There was a meal after the rehearsal, and Wellington didn't bother to tell me that the meat we had just eaten was GOAT! And, if that wasn't surprising enough, apparently there is a custom where the out-going and the in-coming bishops give to each other freshly roasted goats!! I've included the picture of Bishop Lohrmann carving the second goat for the new bishop. What an evening!!

Sunday morning up bright and early with vestments in hand we proceeded to the cathedral for the consecration service. Huge crowd (800-1000) and beautiful pagentry. Lots of music, just ten choirs, conferring of an honorary degree from Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus, Ohio, and address from both bishops and the Prime Minister. The service began at 9:00 a.m. and we processed out at 4:00 p.m.(You do the math!!) Quite a day!

Monday began as usual with breakfast and devotions, then off to a meeting with the new bishop and all the companion partners, Germany, Sweeden, and NWOhio. After a bit of lunch, our small group met with Bishop Ngowo to plan our trip for the next few days out to the villages. I spent some of the evening trying to figure out how to pack for this trip.

Tuesady, Wednesday, and Thursday out in the villages was difficult and awesome. Pictures nor words will adequately describe the experience of being with folks whose lives and conditions are light years away from what most of us know. The roads, and I use that term loosley, in few cases were as good as the path from the barn to the back of the farm, but in most cases were not. This gave 4-wheelin a whole new meaning for me. While in the villages we were able to dedicate a couple of church buildings, (without roof), actually two without roof, and one with roof, two in the rain and one in the sunshine. At one of the outdoor services Bishop Lohrmann was asked to baptize 6 little babies. Church outside in the dust, under a tree, sitting on logs, surrounded by African men and women singing praises to God, participating in the baptism of these 6 little babies--did we have church or what!?!

Sadly, Pastor Maurer has spent about a day and one-half with some kind of bug, but he is feeling better this evening. We have returned to the Humble House, but our plan is to return to some additional villages Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. I know this a little long, and I'm not sure when I'll get another opportunity. Thanks for your continued prayers. God bless you!!

Pastor Dale

Arrival in Dodoma

I'm tired, and dirty and hungry, and feeling just great!! The medical community usually has some kind of letter combination to describe ones's condition, and in this case that description for me might be "SO", which would be 'sensory overload'. After th 11 hour bus ride, that tunned out to be a little over 12 hours, we arrived in Dodoma where we were promptly met by Bishop Mwamasika and a delightful welcoming party that included flowers! We took our luggage to our place of residence for the next few days then off to meet many more of the locals as well as another group from Northwest Ohio. After a delightful dinner together, we finally crashed for the night.

Up and ready to go this beautiful Friday morning! Off to a wonderful medical/dental facility recently established by the Diocese, then off to the Hekma school that specifically trains/teaches young women in trades that may help lift them to a better place in society, as well as aids/hiv counseling. Then off to a meeting with the executive council of the Doicese, then lunch at the the Bishop-elect's home (Bishop Festo Ngowo) By now its 4:00 p.m. and we rae dropped off back at our residence and planning to have dinner later with other folks.

It is very dusty here, it is very bumpy here, it is very hot here, but it is very good to be here. The attached pictures are at least a glance from the porch of our residence, and a couple other shots of the day. I am trying to do this quickly as the internet is not readily available, and somewhat expensive.

God bless all, and please continue your faithful prayers.
Pastor Dale

On Safari!

After a $4:00 cup of coffee at the Amsterdam airport, we boarded the plane for our 8 hour flight to Kilimanjaro. We arrived safely and were met at the airport, after customs, by a man named "Biggie" (an appropriate nick name) and we were transported past Mt. Kilimanjaro to Arusha Tanzania for our first nights saty in Tanzania.

The next morning we visited ELCT (Evangelical Lutheran Church Tanzania) where we met the bishop and enjoyed sambosa and tea with him. We made a short stop at the mall, or market as it is called here, then we were off to a safari destination that occupied the balance of the day. Absolutely wonderful!! Elephants, zebra, lions, gazelles, wildebeasts, hippos, warthogs, and an array of birds filled that day and the next. Breathtaking!

As I write this at 10:30 p.m. on Wednesday, we are to catch a bus at 6:00 a.m. in the morning for an 11 hour ride to Dodoma.

First Day

Sunday was just a glorious day with the blessing and sending from all the folks at St. Mark's. We were a little behind schedule in picking up Bishop Lohrmann, but we still made it to Detroit with time to spare. Since most of the gang had not had lunch, we stopped for a bite in the airport after we had already been through the various inspections. All aboard please for the six and one-half hour flight to Amsterdam. As I write this from the Amsterdam airport on Monday morning, it is 7:10 a.m. here but 1:10 a.m. in Bowling Green. The flight went very well, the next leg to Kilimanjaro is just a bit longer, and we will be leaving Amsterdam in about 4 hours.