The pictures inserted in this post are from our travels from Dar Es Salaam to Kasulu today. They show you a bit of our journey, but there is a different story to tell you than just where we have been. It’s more about the future and where things are going here. Years ago Cathy’s and I had the pleasure of working with Jon and Jama Colegrove of Musicon Ministries, authoring a string of Christian themed musicals for a high school age choir. I wrote the songs, Cathy wrote the lyrics and Jon arranged the choral parts. I think Jama created the most amazing part of musicals. She wrote the book and spun these diverse groups of songs into coherent and believable stories of redemption and new or restored faith in Christ. One of the musicals was called “A New Road”. It was about a high school age boy who was feeling the pressure of decisions about his future; what career path to choose, what college to apply to and what is life really about anyway. 
You get the picture. The story portrayed a main character who was struggling with the “make a decision” pressure that I think most of us can relate to if we think back to our late teens. Do you remember what it felt like to be so uncertain about what to do and what to choose for our “life’s goal”? It was a cruel time I think. Who really knew what they should be or want to do at that tender and vulnerable age. And in the end, my guess is that most of us over the age of 30 are doing something quite different than what we aimed at during high school.
I was struck again today about how so many changes can come along that bring us down a new road or a new adventure in faith. That certainly is my testimony as pan through my memories of plans made, hopes dashed and new beginnings that oddly enough came in the nick of time like provisions falling as manna in the desert. I think these events were just there to show me who’s tender care I was really in and who’s plan was superior. Jeremiah 29:11 – For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. These words were a specific promise of restoration to the Israelites who had been exiled to Babylon. 
Even so, this word of God applies today as we look at how he brings us out the darkness of our given situation and into new light to see the new direction we should take. In a very real and tangible way, I see that happening in Kasulu. We arrive in Kasulu today over a new road. Literally a new paved road that now stretches about 2/3rds of the way from Kigoma to Kasulu (with future plans to complete the entire route). Then on top of that, I’m sitting here in our bedroom with electric power running, 24/7!!! That only came about in the past few months as I understand it. 
Things are changing in Kasulu and much for the better. Six years ago when I made my first visit, electric power came at a premium through privately owned and maintained diesel and gasoline generators. 3 hours per night was the basic rule and then lights out. And we were the lucky ones living in the DWT compound. Outside in the greater Kasulu area, when the sun went down, so did the light. Candles, oil lamps or flash lights were what people had. Charcoal was the only cooking source as well. I understand from my friends here in Kasulu that other things are changing as well. People are moving into Kasulu. It’s growing as the promise of “better times” prevail with the addition of electric power in the area.
Yes, I am stretching it a bit to somehow put this into the context of a faith story, but I know that our friends here have earnestly been praying for these things to come about. And who can blame them for doing so. Most of use who live in north western Connecticut in the USA can relate to what it is like to have the plug pulled out (some for 2 weeks) as we did battle with the loss of conveniences like heating, lighting, communications and yes, Internet! These temporary inconveniences suffered due to the freak October snow storm have been a the way of life in Kasulu, but now that is changing with a hope of a new prosperity to come. And I’m excite about what this means for the ministry of the Diocese to the people in this region of Tanzania.
Bill
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