Shared History

A chance to journey through Tanzania for a purpose you believe in doesn’t come around every day. Making that trip in the company of friends you trust and admire is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Only now am I beginning to understand how the bond of brotherhood already forged between my traveling companions is deepened through experiences shared in this adventure.

Before leaving for Karagwe (where the seminar for pastors will be held), we spend a free Monday morning exploring Bukoba. A taxi is taken to the local coffee plant where roasted beans and instant coffee can be purchased. An order is placed to be picked up on our return trip. After the seminar materials are delivered we each will have an empty suitcase in which to carry the order home.

My order totals twelve bags of roasted beans in two varieties, robusto and Arabica, and several tins of instant coffee. My intention is to give a bag of each to my brothers and to my parents with a few bags left over for personal consumption.

Unfortunately I didn’t make plans for how to deliver these gifts to family since I live in another state. The bags containing the two types of beans have absolutely no indication of which is which. I suppose we’ll sort it all out on my next trip home. One thing is clear. The suit case I brought the beans home in (and in which they’ve been sitting for the past couple of months) will be too permeated with the smell of coffee to be used for packing clothing in the future. Unless coffee aroma can be passed off as some kind of new cologne.

Upon leaving the factory Scott W. suggests that he show us the home in which he grew up and the view from the bluff overlooking Lake Victoria. His parents are retired career missionaries to Tanzania. Everywhere we journey people tell how their lives and their churches continue to feel the impact of their ministry. The reverent tones in which their legacy is related is moving. That knowledge must be especially meaningful for Scott.

Our presence in this place is clearly a homecoming for him. He later expresses how much it means to share this part of his past with friends. Seeing where a person comes from and knowing something about their roots helps you to view and appreciate them in a new way. In a final visit to my office weeks earlier he urged that this trip is one we are meant to take together. Standing on this hillside I am grateful for a friend’s persistent insistence.

Scott is a man of great faith and in my mind the most spiritual member of our group. His life serves as an example of much of what I aspire to be (I could echo that for each of my pastoral colleagues). The dream of making this trip was birthed in his heart. His passion fuels our plans. That same passion is evident when he speaks. The consistency of his life mirrors the convictions he communicates. When he speaks you have the sense that he is the real deal.

His knowledge of Swahili enables him to communicate in a fairly fluent manner with our hosts. The people listen to our speaking and teaching as the result of their respect for both Scott and his parents. Our credibility is derived from theirs. In many ways he seems as much a Tanzanian in this context as a citizen of our country when at home.

The ascent to the top of the bluff is resumed. Those heading down the hill pass this string of climbing wazungu (white people) and do a double take. This happens wherever we go. There is no way to blend into the background. Our appearance makes us the focus of endless stares everywhere we go.

Chuck (leading the group in the picture above) never meets a stranger. Gregarious and affable by nature, he strikes up conversations with people in every setting about any topic. His outgoing personality and self confidence are great assets. He relates instantaneously with our audience in spite of apparent barriers.

He possesses a rare combination of gifts. Energy and enthusiasm mark him as a person of action. Yet he also possesses a great sensitivity about what people are thinking and feeling. His compassion and concern is evident in the way he relates to both our group and the people to whom we minister. He continually evaluates the perceived needs of both.

The combination of charisma and drama characteristic of his speaking style connects immediately with Tanzanians. As you listen you are never quite certain where the message will take you or what will happen as a result of his presentation. The people seem to love this. They sit on the edge of their benches and hang on every word. They vocally and physically express their appreciation once he concludes.

We reach the heights and are afforded a lovely view of Bukoba, the beach and Musila Island. The shoreline and vast body of water seem more like an ocean than a lake. Pictures are taken at the hotel at the top of the bluff where we also enjoy water and soft drinks.

Scott S. (left in the picture below) pastors the largest and most urban church among us. He is blessed with the kind of resonate voice you’d expect from a television news anchor or radio personality. When he speaks he’s often eloquent and always engaging. Listening to him is a pleasure. His delivery is smooth as silk.

He possesses a wonderful blend of biblical understanding and knowledge about contemporary culture. He has a gift for speaking clearly and concisely. Matters of faith are applied to daily life in a way which demonstrates their relevance. Every step of his presentation is thoughtfully crafted and logical in its progression. He is likely the most gifted communicator in our group.

Spend much time in his presence and you’ll find that he is also a true leader. He knows who he is, what he is about and what he is called to do. Both his speaking and his living are conducted in a direct and purposeful manner. The clarity of his priorities enables him to assist others in sorting out the chaos that often accumulates in life.

Larry wears a cowboy hat virtually everywhere we go. He is the only layperson traveling with us. Though we’ve met before, preparations for the trip form an opportunity to know one another on a deeper level.

Every mission trip needs people who possess the heart of a servant. Larry certainly fills that role. When he goes missing we often find him working in the kitchen with the people who are preparing dinner. He is at home whether making electrical repairs to the stove or dressing a chicken. No job is too humble nor is any need too great for him to attempt a response.

The balloon animals he creates are treasured and in high demand. They don’t last long since local people have little experience in the care necessary to preserve them. No one earns the acceptance of parents more quickly than someone who expresses concern for their children. Larry is wonderfully attentive to the needs of both parent and child.

At breaks he’s in his element passing out candy, gum or other treats brought for that purpose. With each gift he also gives the gift of himself. This is beautiful to behold. The love he extends invites recipients to consider the One who is its source.

Larry is equal parts good will ambassador, maintenance man, encourager and facilitator. Every task is blessed by his positive attitude. He is the grease that silences squeaky wheels, the hospitality that invites friendship and the service that inspires humility. Any pastor would be blessed to work alongside some men like him.

The time for our trip down the mountain comes all too soon. The seminar for pastors and church leaders begins this evening. We pause long enough to have lunch in a local restaurant then board the van for the ride Karagwe.

The congregation I serve is reminded on a regular basis that extraordinary things happen when ordinary people do ordinary things in an extraordinary way. By that definition the men with whom I travel are extraordinary individuals.

As the van bumps along dirt roads, gratitude grows for the shared history being created between us. The past, present and future will be forever altered by this journey we make together.