Having been in Tanzania for just over a month, I thought I would take the opportunity to reflect and share with you some of the sights, lessons and encounters I've experienced since being here. I hope this message finds you looking at the new year with hope and reflecting onthe blessings of 2014 with gratitude. Thank you for taking time to read about my transition into my new home!
Karibuni Tanzania!
After a long journey across the Atlantic and the African continent, we found ourselves in the bustling city of Dar Es Salaam. Besides having a rich native and colonial history, Dar has the longest history with Jesuit Volunteers in Tanzania so it was a good place to visit first in order to "see where it all began." The veteran Dar volunteers Erin and Alyson did an amazing job of giving us rookies a glimpse of life as a volunteer with visits to the schools and shared meals. Everywhere we went, starting with our arrival at the airport and continuing with our walks in the neighborhoods and schools, Tanzanians told us "Karibuni Tanzania"--we welcome you all to Tanzania.
Kujifunza Kiswahili
This year was the first time the Jesuit Volunteer corps was able to send Tanzanian volunteers to a language school to take two weeks of Swahili lessons. I was extremely excited about and grateful for this opportuinity to get a jump start in the language that is quickly becoming my means of communication with neighbors, friends, coworkers, and fellow parishioners. We found the lovely school campus in Morogoro to be the perfect place to adjust to the jet lag and climate, meet other international volunteers and, of course, work hard on improving our Swahili. Morning grammar lessons and afternoon conversation drills gave us plenty of new phrases, vocabulary, and grammar rules to digest. These two weeks also gave us four new volunteers--Becca, Barbara, Allison and I--the chance to bond, laugh at our linguistic and cultural mistakes together, and build the relationships that will support each other for the next two years. After our two weeks of lessons and a few excursions into town, to the market, up the nearby Uluguru mountains, we were amazed at how we could begin to comprehend conversations and partake in simple greetings and introductions; I am so excited to continue to build on this great foundation provided by the language school.
Karibu Nyumbani
During language school, Becca and I--the new volunteers to Dodoma--started to wonder if we would ever have the chance to settle in our new home. Almost three weeks of living out of our backpacks and suitcases was rather exhausting and unsettling; we craved a sense of true arrival and belonging. We were so happy and relieved when we arrived in our house in Dodoma to find a lovely home full of warm and welcoming people. Roxanne and Jamie, the outgoing volunteers, graciously shared an evening of stories, reflections and words of wisdom on the eve of their departure and Mary and Victoria, the remaining second-years, have shown nothing but hospitality and genuine friendship since we arrived in community. Our church and school communities have welcomed us with open arms, eagerly finding ways to get to know us and get us involved. The church and school includes many Jesuit priests and sisters from a number of congregations; they are all such interesting and holy people with whom I am very blessed to have the chance to befriend, teach and worship.
Yangu, Yako, Yetu
Following our arrival in Dodoma, the Dar JV community joined us for an Advent community-building retreat. We found a lovely convent where the Ivreya sisters welcomed us with delicious food and a quiet space to reflect where we explored the theme "mine, yours, ours" and how introspection of ourselves, appreciation of others and sharing our gifts and struggles will help us form a strong community. Discussions about spirituality, personality, privilege, and prayer helped us begin to unlock our potential as an intentional volunteer community. It is such a blessing to live with Mary, Victoria and Becca and to share the experience as JVs in Tanzania with Barbara, Allison, Erin and Alyson; the retreat allowed us all to bond and start the new year on the right foot.
Heri ya Krismasi na Mwaka Mpia!
On Christmas Eve we returned to Dodoma from retreat and met Benedict--the German volunteer who lives with us and also works with Jesuit programs--with whom I am happy to speak German and become pals. That evening was the highly anticipated Mass at 9pm, complete with lively music, children dancing in unison in the aisles and loud trills from the women. Our parish also held a late-night Mass for New Year's Eve; it was so special to bring in the day of Christ's birth and 2015 with such lively and beautiful celebrations. Both holidays were followed by fun socials with the Jesuit and sister communities who offer amazing hospitality and a joyful spirit. And soon after the New Year began our house community became complete with the return of the British Jesuit volunteers Tom and Isaac. All of us together form a lively, diverse, fun and intentional community that I'm so glad to be part of.
Upendo wa Familia
This year the JVC program organized the possibility of a home stay for Becca and I in order to build relationships, practice Swahili, and learn more about the day-to-day life of Tanzanian culture. I was blessed to stay with the family of Naftali, the school's head cook. He lives close to our home with his lovely wife and four beautiful children. We spent the weekend sitting, praying, cooking, chatting, eating, relaxing, and doing our best to communicate with my limited Swahili. Somehow we managed not only to communicate but form a strong bond which I see growing into a beautiful friendship.
Mtu ni Watu
The past month has revealed many realities and lessons which I never could have foreseen. The shock from the difference in culture and lifestyle was almost overwhelming at first, but soon enough the reality of cold showers, flooded dirt roads, power cuts and relaxed schedules became less shocking with time and the realization that one can be happy with simple things like community and respect. Although preparing for school is a busier time, I very much enjoy the slower pace of life and the freedom to greet and chat with people.The importance of seeing the beauty and worth of each person is evident in how people greet one another here; you greet everyone and take time to ask about the news of their day, work, family or health. Although the response is always "nzuri", the response of "good" is far from shallow or thoughtless; it shows that I appreciate you asking how I am and that life is good and too short to complain. The appreciation of greeting everyone is a factor in the culture of impunctuality; time with people in the here and now is invaluable but planning and being on time for other things take a lesser priority. These things and many others are elements of the East-African proverb "mtu ni watu"--a person is people. The way I treat the person with me now is how I treat the entirety of humanity. I look forward to learning from it and living this interconnected way of life. Please wish me luck and keep me in your prayers as I start teaching at St Peter Claver High School this week; next post will include reflections on teaching! Be well and God bless
Peace & love,
-Ryan-
PS I'm so happy and grateful for the $2803 that's been donated toward my fundraising campaign! Thank you so much, I appreciate all the ways you support me; prayers, reading this blog, and making donations to JVC. We are just $530 from my goal of $3333, it would be so great to make that goal soon; thanks for contributing here!
