Himo, Moshi, and Kilimanjaro
It is my third day here in Arusha at the lovely Caanan (yep) Hotel. We had to change plans a bit leaving Saturday open due to an emergency in Pastor Jeremiah’s family. He received word the other day that his brother’s daughter had passed away after battling illness for quite some time. This is a time for mourning but they have a confidence and hope knowing that she has gone to be with the Lord.
Yesterday we visited two congregations in the Moshi and Himo areas. These people have been steeped in a painful custody battle for St. Peter’s seminary and church building in Himo. It has been a long, draining, and trying time for them as they have been trying to get this issue resolved.
Himo is a small town so this matter is not a secret to virtually anyone in the area. We took a look at the vacant seminary building and were then invited to an elder’s home for discussion and meal time. The women greeted us with their invigorating call or ululation, as you might say. Pastors Mayhew and Ohlmann encouraged them not lose heart and prayed that God would continue to strengthen them throughout this ordeal. We all look forward to peace in this matter as it will be settled in court very soon.
We were quite the novelty as we were led around town as school was letting out. One girl ran up to Todd and with a stern look on her face said “Shikomoo” He gave me a look and remarked “What’d she call me? That can’t be good.” It’s actually a greeting that you don’t hear very often. In everyday conversation the most common way to greet someone is either “jambo” or “habari = hi, how are you?” Shikomoo has some Arabic roots and is a greeting of respect from a younger person to their elder. A small band of students came up to Stephen and shyly announced “Gud evaning, Sah” Stephen looked to one of the church members who could possibly translate. “What did they say?” – “They are speaking in English” “Aaaah, I see, good evening, sir.”
So we press on. It will still be quite a few days until I get to Emmaus Milimani. I am trying to get some pictures up. For more of well rounded picture of all that has been going on you can check out the Ohlmann and Mayhew blogs at lutheranmissions.org under the missionary journals section at the top of the home page.