Bonnie and I had a true adventure today. With Mpeli and Neema, we drove to the next
conference site we thought. The
conference was suppose to be in the mountains southeast of Mbeya,
Tanzania. The local pastor in charge of
the arrangements decided to change locations.
Only problem, Mpeli found out after we left Mbeya headed for the
conference. The only issue is that the
new location was really in the bush. We
drove on a path that was supposed to be a road.
Because of heavy rains, the road was slick,
black mud. We thank God for 4 wheel
drive.
Sadiki, Raymond, and Chapa led the worship and singing. Pawdre translated for Bonnie and Mpeli
translated for me.
When we got to the conference site, the church was
packed. We had a great time with the
people. Just a few things about today
that was unique and most do not have pictures. Please understand that I am not
being negative. The people were
great. But, even these things were “new” to Mpeli and
Neema. Even Neema called this “the bush”.
1. The “toilet” was
constructed in such a way that Sadiki and Mpeli did not want Bonnie and Neema
to use it for fear they would fall through the wooden floor slats. I decided not to take a picture because the
spaces between the slats were such that the camera or my phone could fall into
the sewage pit. I know this is too much
information. Bonnie and Neema did find
an alternative safe bathroom.
2. Before lunch it
started to rain again. It rained so hard
that Bonnie and Pawdre had to stop teaching because no one could hear them for
the rain. For Tanzania, it was
cold. People were wrapped in blankets,
sweaters, and parkas.
3. The ladies prepared us lunch. We deeply appreciate their efforts. The meat was chicken. The chicken was so tough that Bonnie
literally could not bite into it. I was
determined to eat that chicken. I bit
into a chicken leg and pulled it away from me.
All of a sudden my teeth cut one side of the meat but the other side
held tight. The chicken leg flew back
and hit me in the face. Of course, this
was hilarious to Bonnie and Neema.
After I finished my piece of chicken and Bonnie’s, I learned that Mpeli,
Pawdre, Sadiki, and Neema did not eat their chicken because it was too
tough. I am proud to say that no chicken is going to
make me quit—give up.
4. Last but not least, just in case you question how much in
the bush. The villagers had spotted a
lion in the area. I am not sure but we
were not far from the Malawi border.
After we returned to Mbeya area, we met Agrey and Chris (two
Daily Bread Life college students at their college near Mbeya). We enjoyed seeing them and giving them tools
for their practical training and projects in Automobile repair and
Electronics. They are doing great. When we see them and remember April 2006
when they came to DBLCH, we rejoice at what God has done in their lives and
ours.
We ended the night by eating out at a restaurant of Neema’s
choosing in Mbeya to celebrate Neema’s birthday. We had a blast just laughing and enjoying
the evening.
Bonnie and Floyd traveled with Mpeli and Neema to Ilembo.
The worship team joined us there for the last day of the conference. There were
a lot of people at the conference today. Twenty-two pastors and wives participated in
the conference along with choir members, and other church members. The people were really engaged today in the
teaching and worship. Thec red shirt Church choir sanf about loving each other. After the conference they presented Bonnie
with a rice basket for cleaning rice and "hot" bowl basket. I, Floyd,
was given a live chicken to take back with me. After leaving the area, I was able to bless
Chapa with a gift of the live chicken. 
