First, Happy Birthday, Elenn (my sister).
Last night I realized that my self-imposed quota of two nights with a sleep-aid was over; I didn’t sleep well and woke up multiple times.
A shower with a steamy (an electrical heater at the spout) was sufficient in heat and water. The temperature is managed by controlling the water flow.
After breakfast, I met my PhD student colleague, Zephania, and together with Knut, we were driven by David to Makumira. However, David was pulled over for supposedly passing a car in a no passing zone. He paid the Tsh 30,000 fine (about $15), and we discussed that yesterday my driver, Amani, was hassled for a bribe. The policeman took Amani’s driver’s license, and Amani had to pay some “chai money” to get it back! Ugh. So, I discussed having a dash cam on the front of vehicles. I won’t be surprised in July, when I see David again, that there is a dash cam on his vehicles!
The conference today is about the Maasai and the Bible, funded by a Norwegian Research Council grant. However, we started half an hour late, because the bishop wasn’t there. It is respectful to wait for the bishop.
Bishop Massangwa and Pastor Nangole
Of the 18 people in the room, I knew half of them quite well. Several are my informants, but they are anonymously referred to in my dissertation, according to Norwegian Research Council requirements. One I’ve known since 1992, another from 1997, and others I’ve been on safari with several times to Maasai-land visiting churches.
I presided over the morning sessions. So, I had to figure out how to manage the agenda and add a 10 minute break (which undoubtedly would grow to 15 or 20 minutes). It ended up reasonably well with a shortened lunch break.
The sessions were 1.5 hours each with some breaks between sessions–but not always. So, from 9:30 until 6:30 we listened and discussed papers and presentation, except for the hour lunch break. The topics gathering the most steam were polygamy, are Maasai women respected?, and traditional Maasai music that has inculturated the Bible. The last one had some excellent video of Maasai choirs with traditional dancing.
I did learn some, but also affirmed much of what I’ve been working on these past four years. I also made some great connections. The Maasai woman pastor, Rebecca, is a wonderful advocate for Maasai women. Her feminist/liberation theology and spirit is inspiring. I look forward to keeping in touch with her, though she is from southern Tanzania.
I started helping one Maasai friend with his online application for a visa to travel to the USA. We hope to find time to finish tomorrow.
I talked with the Swedish Bible teacher at dinner. He knows I’m moving to Uppsala, and he has even lived in the apartments at Johannelund. We were talking Sweden–but NOT in Swedish. (Sorry Catharina [my Swedish tutor] if you’re reading this. I really am quite insecure about speaking Swedish to native Swedish speakers.)
Getting back to the hotel at 9 meant putting the final edits (thanks Marv) into my paper. Then I read it out loud to know how long it would take. It took 35 minutes, and I have 45 minutes for the paper and 45 minutes for discussion. Then, I was able to print out the 17 pages and be ready for my presentation tomorrow at 8:30 am.
The evening closed with a birthday email to Anya. She turns 16 tomorrow, and I’m not with her. But she gave me permission to accept the invitation (after originally declining it) to come here. So, pray for her on this special day. And thanks to the Middleton-Youngs for making it a special day.
Oh, I still have to pack up all the things that I’m going to leave with David. It doesn’t make sense to haul things back to the USA and bring them back in July. I need to get to it!
With blessings,
Beth