Guest Blogger

July 6, 2008 by Stephen Day.

Sorry for not blogging in a while, but things have been quite busy. The term has ended at Msalato and the graduating students have graduated and some are being ordained right now. On Wednesday, June 25 my father arrived in Dar es Salaam. We came to Dodoma on June 27 and then left for Iringa on Monday, June 30. We then went to Ruaha National Park and stayed at Foxes Lodge on July 1, 2, and 3. We returned to Iringa for one night and then got back to Dodoma late yesterday. So I will blog today or tomorrow about all of that. But until then I would like to invite a special guest blogger - my father. He will be leaving Dodoma tomorrow and flying back to the states Monday night EAT.

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It’s hard to imagine that almost two weeks have past since I first set foot in Africa. While awaiting my luggage (nearly the last pieces to be presented) I spotted Stephen outside the arrival area. He was sporting his new “shaved” head haircut. At night, Dar es Salaam seemed like many other large cities - lots of traffic (driving on the left), lots of people and buildings, bad roads, etc. Upon awakening, I discovered a crystal clear sky, an infrastructure outgrown by population, a vibrant commercial center, and a nation of friendly folks. In the section of Dar in which we were shopping, business is transacted from a series of 10 ft. store fronts. Looks like you could find most of what one might want - just no Wal-Marts or anything approaching 1% of that size. Interesting names too. I remember “Mississippi Grocery” for example.

Next day, we traveled by bus to the interior (Dodoma, where Stephen’s school is located). I had known this was a 6 hr+ ride. What hadn’t occurred to me is that that’s almost as long as the flight from Detroit to Amsterdam (7:01). Dodoma is much smaller than Dar, dustier, same lack of up-to-date infrastructure, same store fronts, same friendly people. Stephen’s school, Msalato, has just graduated its class and the campus is quite quiet. The staff still on site seems genuinely interested in its mission of training folks of all ages for various aspects of life in Tanzania (including training for the priesthood as well as other church leadership positions). The facilities are generally well built and maintained. I can tell that there’s often a lack of funding to complete all the physical plant expansions that have been attempted over the years. From what I gather, funding of operations is an ongoing area of concern.

Within the first two days I was here, two faculty members prepared dinners for us as well as extended family/friends. I was touched.

By means of a couple of 8-hr bus rides plus a pair of short 2-3 hr. hops in a 4 door pick-up (at twice the posted speed limit), Stephen and I were able to enjoy three days on Safari. However, I’ll let Stephen fill in any details regarding the Safari as he chooses.

I’m impressed with Stephen’s work, his dedication, and the folks I have met in Tanzania. The infrastructure shortcomings are to be expected in a developing country and can be overcome as development continues.

Phil Day

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