A Taste of Tanzania
St Mary’s church and hall were recently transformed for an evening into a
scene from sub-Saharan Africa!
Originally limited to a maximum of fifty participants, popular demand made us print extra tickets. As the food and drink had
been donated, the entire ticket price of £7 was given to the Hardship Fund at St Andrew’s Church in Mvumi, Tanzania. £7 is sufficient to provide a family of four with enough maize for a daily meal of porridge (ugali) for a month. For many, this is their
only meal.
On entering the church, guests found an exhibition of Tanzanian artefacts, including a beautiful crib set made in a village near Mvumi. Opportunity was provided to dress in simple Tanzanian clothes and to carry a small burden by head, under the eagle
eye of Kevin Stevens, our photographer for the evening.
A small helping of ugali was offered, giving us the chance to reflect on the simplicity of living of our Tanzanian brothers and sisters.
It reminded us of Bishop Godfrey’s words last October: ‘In Tanzania we eat what we get; in Britain you eat what you want.’
As far as possible, our meal was designed around a typical one for a special occasion in Tanzania:small chicken joints, coconut beans, pilau rice and a piece of banana or water-melon, washed down with a soda or a lager-style beer
David gave an illustrated presentation contrasting the experience of tourists to Tanzania (Indian Ocean beaches, Zanzibar and wildlife safari) and the reality of life for most of the people. He explained the professional work he and Jan went to do and how this has developed as they became more aware of the enormous challenges facing the country and her people. He shared a little of their domestic life in Morogoro, including harvesting their own maize and bananas! Some quiz slides were included, to challenge the thinking skills of those present. Would you recognise the flailing of an octopus?
Ben Casey then took centre stage for the auction of gifts and promises – he did such a good job that many of us wondered
whether he had missed his true vocation. We all had great fun and the bidding for many lots was frantically competitive.
More than £600 was raised!
As we reflected on the evening, we had hearts full of thanks for a very happy occasion which had been much enjoyed and had raised more than £1,200. We are extremely grateful to all who contributed to the success of the evening in so many different ways. We also know just how grateful our fellow Christians at St Andrew’s, Mvumi are for our practical love. They would endorse Paul’s words to the Christians in Corinth (2 Cor 9 v 12-14), particularly because they use the Hardship Fund not primarily for themselves, but in acts of practical love in their work of spreading the Gospel in the village (population 16,000):
“12
This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.
13
Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else.
14
And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you.”
David and Jan Townend
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