(Written on April 16, 2012,
but not published due to internet delay)
The hours had been starting to take a toll. Although
the countryside and even assigned reading were interesting they couldn’t
comfort the dull ache of leaving Arusha earlier that morning. Arusha, with its
cool temperatures, beautiful green rolling hills, and wonderful people who had
become family, had completely and utterly felt like home. I was comfortable
walking around the big busy town without a worry, ordering and eating food
uncommon to most Americans, and talking with locals. All of that was being left
like the dust settling behind us. When we finally reached Dar-Es-Salaam (after
a delay by policy wanting a bribe) my heart sunk.
This
is a city of 6 million people. Skyscrapers block out the stars, cars jammed
together closer than sardines, homeless people slept on cardboard beds and lots
of noise overcrowded me. Oh how I cried for just wanting to be someplace away
from the big city…I was never more Mill City-sick than on the first night in
Dar-Es-Salaam.
I
fell on the bed utterly exhausted emotionally. Krista and I had waited for 6+
hours to go home with our new host family that would hopefully start making Dar
bearable for the next moth. Our wishes had been crushed. We did get placed with
a host family, but (due to unseen complications) our professor and his wife
would also be with us. After having a wonderful father figure in Arusha for
January who was gone most of March I was looking forward to seeing another.
After dinner I was positive that was not going to be possible. Instead of
building personal relations with Baba, I listened to my professor question him
on his role and history as Arch Bishop of Tanzania. The wonderfully big
luxurious house (on American and Tanzanian standards) felt more like a prison
with all the formality. It seemed all had a certain role to play with a painted
mask instead of being oneself and building relationships.
The
first couple days of being with the host family was hard and the worst part was
no one else would understand. Bailey is living in a family with no running
water how can she (or others in the group) understand that a modern housing
arrangement doesn’t mean it’s a comfortable home with no relationship tensions?
Although
I dislike pessimism, it would be lying to say at this point I was very
optimistic about the month in Dar. But sometimes when we hit our bottom and
question what good could come from this, God reminds us that his timing and
ways are not always ours.
Story
sharing with Mama in two-hour traffic jams to go 20 km home each day lead to
many unexpected good times. Stories, humor and understandings are so important
for becoming familiar with another person. Although it would take a long time
to tell all the stories here, the important thing I can communicate now is that
these stories started to break the ice. It started with Mama Grace laughing at
our awkward stories from the previous three months and then further back. Then
with Baba Askofu (that means bishop) telling stories. It started to be
comfortable to talk to him as just another person rather than an important
bishop. With our two younger brothers Jeremiah “Jerry” and Joseph “Jo” it was
easer to connect with (even though Jo has autism). Never doubt the importance
of humor!
Krista
had an American friend coming from Mozambique and all the housing plans she had
arranged in February fell through a few days before he was to come. However,
Mama was understand and insisted on picking him up from the airport, having him
over for dinner, and late found a hotel for him very close to our house. Us
three were able to have so much fun and break more ice with the family. One of
the major ways was through food!
In
order to show appreciation to Mama and family we three (slightly crazy and
ambitions) Americans made a Mexican burrito dinner including: 2 salsas, special
bean mix, rice, cheese, guacamole, flour tortillas (from scratch), meat and an
amazing dessert. Oh it was wonderful to have fellowship together. Now we all
feel like friends and family with no more play masks being put on.
When
the sun shone I realized that God had even blessed the location of our home.
Anytime during the day if one is silent (yes I can even do this) no traffic
horns, people yelling or music blaring can be heard. Instead the birds chirp in
trees by day and crickets compose new melodies by night. Sure classes by day
are still in downtown Dar, but every night home is a haven for a tired
traveler.
It’s
hard to think only a week and half has passed since coming to Dar. Sure it’s
hot (not as bad as Zanzibar), but there is so much to be happy for that there
isn’t much room to be bummed out about. The hours are flying by way to fast,
but light as happy as cool whip. God really does know how to change situations
that cause tears into those that warm the heart with smiles. J
No comments:
Post a Comment