The Serengeti with the Freedluns

During our ten-day vacation to Mwanza we consulted Scott and July on tourist activities and Scott mentioned Serengeti.

It hadn’t occurred to me that, though Arusha is the starting point for most of the Serengeti safaris, Mwanza is far closer (to the opposite end of the massive nature reserve.) Since the Freedluns have their own 4x4 and since we figured we could easily do a safari in a single day we decided that we couldn’t miss this opportunity. Serengeti safaris from Arusha are costly because they last at least three days on account of the long round trip to reach the park. Finally we’ve been to all five parks in the north of Tanzania and taken in another of its ‘must-see’ attractions.

So after doing a little asking around and buying a little map, off we headed on the 90-minute drive to Serengeti. Our enquiries revealed that we were fortunate on another count: that the famous animal migration would be passing through that western end of the park during July.

We’ve all seen these animals in captivity, but it’s really a different, more intense experience to see the real wild animals in their own habitats, doing what they do.

Here are a few of the photos we took.

Wildebeest – walking lumps of silverside, the reason for the great Serengeti migration.

Teeth still bloody from a recent kill.

This image gives the impression of the migration – we’re surrounded by wildebeest on all sides.

Vultures pick the bones of an unfortunate wildebeest clean, after the lion’s share has been taken.

I’ve never had such a clear view of a hippo before. Just look at the scratchmarks on his hide.

Nile crocs like this one grow up to six metres (18 feet) in length. This was some way off that, but impressive all the same.

Mike & Cath’s Tanzania Project

Following Mum’s sudden death in November Avril and I were home and staying with my dear elder brother Michael and his wife Cath.

A couple of years earlier the two of them had considered coming out to Tanzania to set up shop here for a while, and finally moved to Dunoon. As well they did, since shortly after Dad suddenly died and Mike and Cath were able to look after Mum, who needed their support.

When Mum died Mike and Cath could no longer see any reason to stay and they came to check things out early in the month of January. They stayed for three months, by which time they had made some new friends here and had a taste of the ministry here too. By the end of their visit they had made up their minds to come to Tanzania for at least a year and booked their tickets to return for June.

So they’ve been with us for several weeks now and have settled into their own place up on the hill less than a mile from our place. For the time being it is their intention to remain with the Central (English language) congregation, but meanwhile they are making efforts to learn Swahili.

We’re thrilled to have them here with us, preaching with them each week. In July and August they’re both auxiliary pioneers, and starting in September Mike will go regular. Congratulations to you both!

Ministry Update

After reporting Joffrey’s baptism in January, I neglected to mention that Luka’s baptism followed in April. If you don’t remember too much about him, read the blog dated December 22 of last year.

These few months later he has enrolled as a regular auxiliary pioneer. Since he’s still pretty young, probably 21 now, I have high hopes for this student who started his study with Scott less than one year before.

Moussa Kileopa, the subject of a blog at around the same time, was also baptised on the same day. Moussa’s wife Elizabeth is now a publisher and his two adorable little daughters accompany them both regularly to the meetings.

In line with society direction, both studies continue in Remain in God’s Love.

Graham White’s visit

(CONTRIBUTED)

1 Corinthians 12:4-6 says: ‘Now there are varieties of gifts, but there is the same spirit; and there are varieties of ministries, and yet there is the same Lord; and there are varieties of operations, and yet it is the same God who performs all the operations in all persons.

Later in that same chapter it talks about the body with its many different members, it refers to the many different people that make up God’s organisation.

My experiences in Tanzania really helped me appreciate the trueness of the above words, I met so many people who do so many things in Jehovah’s service, the literal fulfilment of a scripture is not what I expected to be taking from Tanzania but I am more than happy that I did and for this one reason alone I would say to anyone to go and have the same wonderful experiences that I did.

Steve and Avril really looked after me and made me feel safe which was greatly appreciated but they also helped me go places and meet the brothers and sisters of Tanzania which made my time with them so special.

Whilst I was with Steve and Avril we attended the Kusini congregation, I went to both English and Swahili meetings and at that time next to the kingdom hall a new missionary home was being built and I expect that this is now finished and serving the needs of the missionaries very well.

Yes within those first few days of arriving I had met, Need Greaters, Pioneers, International Construction Volunteers and a Circuit Overseer who hugged me so tight that I think this is how Jehovah God would hug us if he could and of course I met those that make up the congregations of Kusini, its not an easy life in Tanzania and the brothers and sisters are poor and have many problems with health and generally just living but they serve Jehovah very faithfully and despite hardship love the truth.

I went on field service whilst there and it was amazing, so much respect for God’s word and such respectful people in general whilst working from door to door, I also went with Steve and Avril on their studies and that was for me an eye opener to the conditions that some people live and work in, yet they took time out of their day to sit and learn about Jehovah God, it was a real humbling experience, I shall never complain again about my life or anything trivial in it.

On one of the weekends we travelled to a small neighbouring congregation and stayed with Musa and Sarah and their two children Samwali and Gracie they have a small farm which they share with their close family, we pitched our tents behind their home and Musa and his wife looked after us with there meagre means but still they treat us with such kindness, again we went on service and on the Sunday Steve gave the talk in Swahili, we had 26 in attendance at the Kingdom Hall which consisted of a mud floor and walls made from wooden poles, polythene and vine arrangement we sat on small benches and I can honestly say it was the best meeting I have been too, I met some lovely people and those memories will stay close to me heart, our Sunday dinner after the meeting was a freshly killed chicken prepared with herbs and vegetables and the ugali bread, perfect.

Of course I did some touristy things also, a safari which included a lion killing a wilder beast and some days out swimming in some of the more upmarket hotel swimming pools relaxing and enjoying the sun.

But the things I enjoyed the most, the things I will always remember are those that showed me Jehovah’s wonderful organisation with its many avenues of service.

So, will I go back, I hope so with all my heart, would I recommend that you go, of course I will.

Thanks Steve and Avril for such a wonderful life experience.

Graham White