Bukoba Beach

 I had a wonderful Easter meal on the Beach of Bukoba. I met Sr. Stephanie there and 20 of the children from the St. Nicholas Children’s Center. Sr. Stephanie started this center 4 years ago. Now they have 25 children. Some who have no parents, some have cerebral palsy, HIV, genetic diseases, autism, learning disabilities and more. It felt like I was in a different world being on the beach in a beautiful setting with all these children. Unfortunately we could not go in the water of Lake Victoria because there is some sort of parasite that can get into your liver and cause a serious problems. It was  a wonderful day. I spent the evening on the beach and spent the night there watching english premiere league soccer on the TV on the beach. It seemed very surreal. Very relaxing and very enjoyable. Then the power went out and that ended the night.

Easter Pictures

Easter Vigil at an outpost station. A generator had to run to have lights in the building

 The Children dancing on Easter morning. They have been practicing. They dance all mass.

Easter in Kayanga

Easter Vigil.

Wow it was a long mass 4.5 hours. 10pm-2:30am. They sang everything including the readings. I joined the Bishop because he asked me. I didn’t do anything but I was up there with all the other clergy and altar servers. I did hand out communion. I was extremely tired. Then we had a meal afterwards. I enjoyed the morning mass more because the children danced throughout the entire mass. I then got a bus to Bukoba. I was the first one there at  the bus and sat for an hour until the bus was packed full. The bus does not leave until it is completely full. There is no time schedule for local buses. So I prayed for people to show up so we could leave.

Good Friday

Good Friday.

Went for a long walk then I went with Fr. Robert to an outpost station. It was basically having mass in a barn. I really enjoyed it. The kids sat on the ground which is covered in hay and the adults sat on small wood benches. The mass started with Stations of the cross in which they didn’t have so the altar server took the crucifix which is covered on a purple cloth and went around the room standing where each station would have been. The moment I enjoyed the most is when the people go up to kiss the crucified Jesus. A long line and seeing the kids on there knees crawling forward then going up and kissing Jesus’ feet. I wish I got a picture of it. It was a beautiful rural rustic mass. 

Ihanda Community Resource Center

It is sponsored by Sweden. It is a center for people to gather and get information and pamphlets to get educated in all areas of life. They can learn about disease, government, alcoholism, really anything. The goal is to educate people on there needs. They have weekly meetings where the people will learn something then have a group discussion. There is a TV there to watch the news and other programs. The center has two computers for people to use the internet and find and answers to there questions. The center has a photocopy machine for copying articles to take home. They also have a salon and small store for people to get hair cuts and buy things. It is a way to bring the community of people together and deal with problems that are going on in the community. It is like having a town hall meeting once a week.

                                         This is the resource center right by Mlushaka

 This is the media room where they can watch TV, read pamphlets, discuss topics and have meetings

 This is the salon where people can come and get there haircut and hang out.

 This is the computer room where villagers can check there email and get information.

This is the store where kids can buy, soda, candy or other hygienic goods that are needed.

Every Day Tanzania

 Making Bricks out of mud. These are the molds for making the bricks

 These boys harvested bananas and load there bicycles up walking up a steep hill to town to sell.

 This young man is carrying a couch on his head. It is heavy. No hands and down a steep hill

This is Michael. He runs to me everyday when he sees me. He loves being picked up high in the air.

Nyakayanja

I spent two days visiting Aggrey's village home. We walked every where and talked with everyone. When ever you enter someone's house you get food and drink. It is custom. Lot's of eating and drinking boiled milk that day. Another thing is Joseph is Aggrey's son and I told him I like chapati which is basically Indian Fry bread. He cooks for us when we are in Kayanga. Well he has made chapati the last three meals. When you enter someones house it is also common to receive coffee beans because the coffee is special here. I think clean water is the biggest concern here. Good thing there is a lot of ran and I do see a fair amount of rain barrels. Holy week starts today. So everyone is on holiday until monday.

 My bed has Heman sheets. I'm wondering if this is older than my return of the Jedi sheets

 This is a coffee bean tree. I forgot the type but this is there main cash crop in this region.

 This man's father passed away at the age of 93 he said. We gave our condolences. Coffee beans are on the table for welcoming any incoming visitors

 This is Aggrey and his mother. She is 80 years old and is very active in the field.

Aggrey has 14 cows. He has a family history of raising cattle. Each cattle is worth between $200-300 USD. I notice all the animals here are free range which I think is great.