I know many of you have followed blog posting from my previous trips, so my regard for Dar Es Salaam (which means “Harbor of Peace”) as a the city may not be much of a mystery to you. Even so I can’t help but write about it once again. Spending at least one day in Dar before traveling out to Kasulu is always good therapy for me. Leaving home and all that is familiar to go to another country is exciting to be sure. But in the background, as I’m working through the days that lead up to trip, I can sense the inner tension rising. On the one hand, I love to travel. On the other hand, I hear that inner voice saying “please God, can’t I just stay home and serve you in some other way?” Don’t get me wrong, I’ve been doing this for 6 years now. There is no way I would continue to do so if there was not something strong and compelling drawing me back again and again (might that be the Holy Spirit?). Honestly I love familiar things, familiar faces and social engagements where I am in complete control. So getting on the plane in JFK……? Not so easy, or not as easy as I may have lead you to think. But after getting here in Dar and spending the day walking around the city with Cathy all of that changes for me. I can’t really say what it is. I think that is because it’s not just one thing about the city that brings me down to earth and helps me live in the moment. That was a term that Cathy spoke of today as we talked a bit about our different ways of preparing and engaging in this ministry. I’m the technical person in this instance. I think in terms of how many parts do we need; can I get that server ordered in Tanzania or do I need to purchase and bring it with me. Do I record a background track for some of the worship we will inevitably be asked to lead on Sunday or do I go solo on the guitar. I easily get wound up the “details of planning and doing”. It’s a Martha trait I think. I’m very likely to point at Mary and say, “What is she doing lollygagging around just listening to Jesus. How important can that be? We’ve got work to do.” No doubt this “doer” mentality is probably my best friend and my worst enemy spiritually speaking. 
It’s important to get the work done, but I can’t help but think that “living in the moment” or as Jesus put it (Luke 10:42) “Mary has chosen the better part” is something that essential for us. I don’t know about you, but I sure want the better part of each day, not being so bound up in what needs to be done 6 hours from now, but choosing “the one thing that is necessary” and live those moments with God and for God. Such was our day in Dar, walking about with my best friend and lover, watching, meeting and greeting people along the way; purchasing and picking up each item we need to bring to Kasulu one at a time; and not being concerned about the next item until we arrived at the moment to get it. By the time we got back to the hotel in the late afternoon, the stress and anxiety that I felt leading up to and traveling to Dar were a distant memory. I can’t thank Jesus enough for those important words he spoke to Martha and to all of us like her.
And now, it’s off to Kasulu…… but not quite yet, That is 6 hours away. It’s a moment that can wait until it’s time has come.
Yours in Christ,
Bill