Fund raising for Tanzania

Sunday was a very different day, it started quite normally. Got up, went to church, enjoyed the family service. "Scruffy the dog" put on a good show for the children, and I hope made the point. (no, not that Superman returns is a 12A certificate, but that people come back). So home to lunch, and the French GP (see my results tables and alternative scoring here). Then at 5pm we returned to church for the Tanzania visit fund-raising extravaganza - barbecue, evening worship and party with a special guest. We arrived late, which is not unusual for us, but there was still plenty left on the barbecue, and it was a bright, hot sunny day. The church was laid out for with tables for the party, so the evening service was in a block of chairs in the middle of the church. Different! Probably one of the best attended evening services for quite a while, and better still, people drifted in from the barbecue and just joined in. It was nice to see some people we hadn't seen for a while. After the service it was party time, the chairs were quickly cleared to make space for a dance floor. Our special guest arrived, and performed his set. Then someone announced "Elvis has left the building", and the "Rough diamonds", our "youth" band took over. Six or so songs later we were suggesting that they turn professional, but I doubt they will, as they are all looking for careers in other areas, and some have to go back to university in September. The party went on with a 'disco' (showing my age!). Great fun - really good night - thanks to all for the preparation, and performances. Is this what church is supposed to be like? A little glimpse of heaven?

Roots and Reminiscences

Reading through the latest newsletter from our link missionaries - Peter and Alison Roots, I came across a link (www.dct-tz.com) dct=Diocese of Central Tanganyika, the diocese we visited in 2002 (My story of that time is here). On the site I found the parish where we spent a weekend - Chibelela. The memories come flooding back, the dry dusty landscape, the people all working so hard to stay alive, and improve their lot (and there's plenty of room for improvement in some cases), the commitment of the local churches, and the care and love shown to us for the couple of days we were in the village. Thanks to all of you for a marvellous time. Seriously: Pray that the rains are good this year, or people will starve.