Today, just after breakfast, we took a trip to Matyazo. It is a village in the higher elevation hills near the Burundi border and Lake Tanganyika. It’s a place I’ve been to several times over the years and have really fallen in love with it for several reasons. First there is the beauty of the land scape. Next, there is the church there that is large and worshipful. Next there is the climate which is normally cool and dry, even when it’s wet outside. Then there is the German mission there which runs a hospital and orphanage. It’s just remarkable work that these folks do to care for the people in this region. In particular, the care that is given to the infants at the orphanage is extraordinary. I admire them very much for the work they are doing here.
Lastly, there is the COFFEE! Yes, they grow coffee here, and as many of you know I love coffee. To be honest, I’ve not tasted coffee directly from Matyazo before, but it just the idea of being around all these coffee plants that are shaded by banana trees. With the rolling hills, it makes for a pastoral scene. All in all, it’s a soothing environment. I was grateful to have the day off from computer work and enjoy the views there and along the way from Kasulu. I hope you enjoy the pictures posted here. As I’ve mentioned before you can click on any photo to view a larger version of the picture.
At this time, Cathy and I are sitting at the table of the guest house we are in while Shaw is down at the Bible College linking up with his students from Belize through the on-line education site. It’s pretty amazing to be out here in rural Tanzania and still be able to be in direct contact with people in other countries, in this case South America. I praise God that we are able to be a part of this project. It is our hope and prayer that it will serve KBC, the Diocese of Belize and others well in their leadership training and spiritual formation.
Tonight we will spend the evening with Bishop Makaya and then get ready for a morning of worship followed by a get together and celebration together tomorrow night at the compound. I’m particularly looking forward to worship tomorrow. We will be going to Mususi “B” church which is the second church for the Musuri area of Kasulu. It is a recent church plant. Cathy and I will sing and give testimonies. Fr. Shaw will deliver the sermon. It should be a good morning together with the people of that parish. My hope is that we touch lives and hearts by the Holy Spirit and bring a blessing of hope and encouragement to that community.
It’s time to go for dinner now so I will say goodnight to you all and hope to do one more post from Kasulu tomorrow night.
Bill