When I last left off, the 2015 HIZ group had made its way to Arusha, Tanzania, where, after a night’s rest, a safari awaited the next morning. With the dawn came fresh anticipation for the day’s
activities. We were not disappointed. At around 7 a.m., we piled into our Land Cruisers and headed out to what I would now consider the most beautiful natural wonder I’ve ever seen: the Ngorogoro Crater.
Less than an hour later we were within the gates of the national park, and we began our ascent to the rim of the crater. At first we couldn’t see much for all of the fog, but several minutes later the sun shone sternly down, dismissing the clouds and giving us a breath-taking perspective. From the top of the rim, you could see all the way down into the crater for miles in almost every direction. Our trip then turned downwards, as we began our descent into the crater. For the next eight hours or so we drove around Ngorogoro, never once bored or unentertained (at least in my experience) by the beautiful scenery or the hundreds of animals. Eight hours seems like a long time, but we almost never crossed paths with a road we’d already traveled, and with several spread out pit stops, we had ample opportunity to stretch our legs. The highlights were many, but overall we saw almost every animal you could wish for on a safari. There were elephants, giraffes, wildebeest, antelope, baboons and buffalo. There were hyenas, zebras, warthogs, hippos, exotic birds and even rhinos and lions. Really the only animals missing were cheetahs (which don’t live in the crater) and the elusive leopards. At the end of an exhausting day, we made our way back over the gigantic rim for one final, fantastic overlook, and then it was on to soft beds and a full night’s sleep.
The next morning we were off again, this time headed for Monduli, one of the five districts of Arusha. There, we met up with a newly planted missionary family, the Shorts, and the Allisons, who have been in the field for decades. Having been introduced and fed a typical Tanzanian lunch – basically an egg omelette with french fries cooked inside – we began our tour of the town and all of the service opportunities within it. This included a tour of a local, technologically progressive clinic with interactions and explanations from the workers in each of the separate facilities and occupations within the clinic – pharmacists, radiologists, minor surgeons and lab technicians. Afterwards we visited a private school of the sciences, where students were preparing to begin a term stressing and preparing them for scientific excellence with a focus on Christian principles and beliefs. There, we met some boys playing a game of soccer, and we joined them for an hour or so before shifting gears into dinner and more educational games with the students. Afterwards we retired to our guest homes and hit the sack early.
The next morning began with a pancake breakfast hosted by the Allisons before a drive deeper into the heart of rural Monduli. We all convened on a tiny church boldy positioned atop rolling hills, and we met with local church leaders for a time of learning and prayer. We split into groups hosted by a Tanzanian church leader and, after a period of explanation about the church’s status and the surrounding culture in general, we prayed for the area. We prayed for continual passion for Christ in the region, and that even more would hear the good news through the church’s hard work. We then took to our separate vehicles and made our way to a different, individual area to learn more about it and pray for it specifically. My group found itself even deeper in the rural territory, with loosely termed dirt “paths” for roads and hills on all sides for company. We ended up at our guide’s home, where we met his family, prayed for them and headed back with a few more passengers intending on taking advantage of the market day. We all met back up at the school, had a lunch with the students again, and then formed smaller groups of three or four with the students for a final prayer of blessing over them and their studies. The quick, frenzied relationships we had entered into with the students climaxed at that moment, and quickly deteriorated into a disappointing, short-lived denouement: we boarded our bus soon after, bound for new roads and fresh destinations.
First stop: a snake farm. Though vaguely reminiscent of a realistic Jurassic Park scenario and slightly terrifying to be surrounded by deadly, unentertained reptilian prisoners, it was pretty interesting. Besides a vast collection of Africa’s most dangerous snakes, they also had giant tortoises, crocodiles, birds of prey, lizards, and – a bit out of place, but fun to ride nonetheless – camels. After this, we moved on to a restaurant in Arusha, where we met up once again with the Mbulu team, and then we all headed to our hotel for the night.
Church the next morning was especially reminiscent and overall special – our service was attended by a majority of the missionary families we had met so far. The Thomases, Reeses and Shorts were all there. Later that afternoon, we bid our farewells as we pursued the nomadic tendencies of our Tanzanian excursion and boarded a plane to Dar Salaam. That night we briefly met with the local missionary team for dinner; we would be spending the majority of the next day with them. That night we spent time on the beach, enjoying the Indian Ocean’s low tides and warm waters. The next day we spent in conversation with the missionary team, made up of the Simms, Bentleys and Schumans. We quizzed them about the formation of their team and the ministry they hope to begin over a delicious homemade lunch. We then discussed the Great Commission and its implications for mission-minded people and then worked through the method which the missionaries hope to bring people to Christ, called a Discovery Bible Study. After only a few short hours, we were once again bound for an airport, leaving behind more short-lived but impactful friendships. All of the goodbyes on our trip seemed too soon, but none seemed permanent – there was a strange assumption hanging in the air that told us we would see each other again, someway or somehow. But the flight back to Lusaka at 7 p.m. had a tone of finality. We were officially headed back to Namwianga, and a mix of emotions accompanied our return. A wishfulness and longing to stay in Tanzania and continue to learn from the amazing people we had met shot to the forefront of our minds, but was countered by a happiness and excitement to get back to the relationships we have established at Namwianga. So, after a short night at a hotel in Lusaka, we began the long drive to our Zambian home.
And now we’re back to the routines we have established at Namwianga. Between piles of homework, visiting the Havens and Eric’s House, and hanging out with our friends at the college and secondary school, there’s plenty to keep us busy. Though the looming end of our study abroad trip draws near, we remain cheerful and hopeful. The relationships and the investments we’ve made here will not go undone because of the inevitable plane ride home. Three weeks isn’t a long time, but it is more than enough time to grow; it is more than enough time to be intentional, it is more than enough time to love. The conclusion of our trip is not defined by a return to the states, but by a frenzied and hopeful leaving behind of a piece of our hearts. And for this we strive.
Leza mubotu,
Zach
