In August 2005, 12 from St Michael's and one from St John's visited the Anglican Diocese of Western Tanganyika (click on coat of arms above for their website)
The main purpose of the visit was to meet and work with our fellow Christians - in Kasulu where the diocese is based, and in Kigoma which is a large town some 50 miles to the east, on the shores of lake Tanganyika.
Afterwards the party made a short safari in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater, and in the last few days half the party set out to climb Kilimanjaro, and the more contemplative went to Zanzibar where they explored Stonetown and lazed on an east coast beach.
To see a photo album CLICK HERE
To read about what we did in the Diocese continue below
Time Based in Kasulu
The 13 of us received a warm hospitable welcome from Bishop Gerard and his staff. We were accommodated in bungalows in the diocesan compound, eating 3 meals a day together in one of them. The compound was a green oasis in a very dusty town. On arrival we were given a detailed programme, and the organisation never looked back.
In the mornings we usually went to the Bible College where most of us worked with the students in painting a classroom, some taught English and some tried to sort out the needs of the library. In the afternoons, we were taken in subgroups to meet congregations, youth groups (youth referring in their context to young adults), and choirs from St Andrew's cathedral in Kasulu, and from neighbouring rural churches in Murusi, Nyansha and Kidyama.
One whole day we were taken fifty miles to Mtyazo close to the Burundian border, to see the largest church in the diocese under construction and to visit an orphanage and hospital run by a German foundation. The orphanage is for children orphaned at birth who are returned to their relatives after 2 years.
Another day a few of us accompanied the Bishop to confirmations at a UN refugee camp for Congolese (where after nearly 10 years, repatriation can still not be planned), and at a UN refugee camp for Hutu from Burundi (to where repatriation is now in full swing): as a sad commentary on human weakness we were told that Burundi refugees in mixed Hutu -Tutsi marriages had to be accommodated in an entirely separate camp to safeguard the lives of the Tutsi partners.
On one evening the diocese arranged for a doctor from the local hospital to come and talk with us about health issues in the area, and this led to some interesting discussion on church policy towards sex education and condoms. On the Sunday we split again to join three different congregations, and Maggie Holland, Richard King, and Leah Philbrick gave the sermons.
Music was everywhere in the various events. Church services were fairly formal, with choirs rather than congregations providing the singing, usually accompanied by electronic guitars and keyboard. The other occasions were mostly more relaxed, with singing, questions and answers, and some dancing: although shyness could slow things down in the more rural locations. Frequently we were fed with excellent rice, beans, ogali and chicken, and always we had to introduce ourselves one at a time and then perform a song or two.
Time based in Kigoma
We were transferred to Kigoma in diocesan vehicles, attending a confirmation at Kasangezi en route, where we greeted at the roadside by the pastor and congregation singing, dancing and waving tree fronds. Once in Kigoma, we were split between the roman catholic hostel and a guest house, and in the few days there we again found everyone truly friendly and we received every kindness, but the schedule was less intense, with the benefit that we felt able on a couple of afternoons to take a breather at a beach on Lake Tanganyika.
Events at Kigoma were:-
A confirmation service at St Michael's church, with about 1800 in attendance and over 100 confirmed. This was a much more restrained service than even in the cathedral, with smarter dress standards and by far the best electronic support for the choirs - reflecting Kigoma's greater prosperity no doubt.
Locating Gordon & Marion Chittleborough's old house at Bangwe when they were missionaries at Kigoma, and seeing the little church and pastor's house recently built nearby
A visit to the Diocesan Secondary School, where instruction is in English as in all Tanzanian secondary schools, where we met each class and then all the teachers. The school is growing apace and needs continuing funds to complete classrooms for next year's intake. Nationally only 5% go to secondary education which is fee-paying.
Inclusion on the guest list for a silver wedding anniversary of a church elder (the director of the meteorological institute), including a prolonged present-giving ceremony, with each present danced up to the happy couple by the donor; many gifts were lengths of cloth, each delivered by a snake of people reminiscent of a chinese dragon dance.
Visiting the church (designed by John Burden we have since learned) in Ujiji [the lakeside town where Stanley met Livingstone] and seeing the new church and pastor's residence under construction to house the greatly expanded congregation in this predominantly muslim town.
We felt inspired, uplifted and humbled by the great warmth we encountered everywhere. We trust that the link with Western Tanganyika will be kept high up in our parish's mission support, and prayers. Our visit was undoubtedly very much appreciated in the diocese - but we felt they gave us so much more than we gave them.
We were able to use around £400 raised by St Michael's to support various specific needs for construction, in addition to the donation of £2250 from St Michael's immediately before the trip (that will go to the Bible College operation). But we felt that we had made a less than truly generous response to their many needs. Hopefully, it will be possible for St Michael's to help meet further needs as time goes by.