I have not been posting for a while. In the recent days, it was due in part to the very full days preparing for and hosting Wartburg Theological Seminary, not to mention difficulty with logging on—even with data—when there is no Internet.
President Kristin Largen was the other faculty member facilitating the group of 9 students and alumni. I am on an extended leave of absence from Wartburg while I engage the Marie Curie Fellowship, thanks to the graciousness of Kristin and her ability to see the mutual blessings in this postdoctoral fellowship. Wartburg has a long history with Tanzania, having trained about 35 Tanzanians for leadership in the church.
With Naiyonde, my former student, at her family boma.
Part of the strategy of mutual blessing is bringing the Wartburg group to places where I can build upon and invite them into the friendships I have. Tanzania and the Maasai culture are intensely relational, so relationships open up doors and conversations. The mutual blessing for the Marie Curie fellowship is that I plan to return to these visit sites—Monduli and Ketumbeine—with requests to do research here. Having renewed these friendships after many years of being away and demonstrating that I bring blessings is very helpful. This includes a visit to the office of the Bishop Elect Godson Abel and Assistant to the Bishop Elect, Rev. Laretoni Loishiye, brother to one of the Wartburg students who is originally from Tanzania. There were also pastors (who teach confirmation), women’s group leaders, and the Theological Education by Extension (TEE) director, who are all research group potential collaborators.
I hope you will visit President Kristin Largen’s blog to catch up on what I’ve been doing as seen through her eyes. Visit HappyLutheran.blog and see great pictures.
Mungu akubariki! (God bless you! in Kiswahili)
Mikitamayana Engai! (God bless you! in Maa)