I had an amazing, life changing experience this summer. After a full semester studying the history of the church, the people of East Africa, and prepping 20 hours of lectures, I went to Tanzania. I travelled with a small group from Virginia Theological Seminary (VTS). I was the guinea pig for an experiment to see if the American seminaries could support the Anglican theological colleges of Africa by sending students as short-term supplemental teachers in needed subjects. The overworked African instructors got a break and the students got one or two weeks of a seminar-style course. We taught at St. Phillip’s, Kongwa and at Msalato, Dodoma.  Rev. Jacques Hadler, the professor leading the trip, taught pastoral theology and topics in church history. I worked with the students on the use of metaphor and prophetic voice in the Old Testament. The lectures on creation, God, and man led to lively discussions. I learned as much from the students as they did from me! The experiment was a success and more trips will be in the works soon.
I was definitely not a tourist - I was immersed in the culture of my hosts. I fell in love with Tanzania. The people, the food, the pace of life took me in new directions. My trip left me energized and aching to return. God has opened a door for me to fully participate in the life of the Church. I have accepted a position on the faculty at Msalato Theological College. While touring the Diocesan headquarters in Dodoma, I even stumbled upon a job for Kirk teaching upper level math and science at the international school run by the Diocese of Central Tanganyika, Canon Andrea Mwaka School in Dodoma. We will be relocating to Tanzania in June of 2006.
Please enjoy the photos from my trip - it is just a small slice (my camera broke on a bumpy car ride) and only a scratch at the surface of the beauty of Tanzania and her people! Even the shots taken on our brief safari can’t convey properly the thrill of welcoming a new day with a pride of lions.
