Who me? Tanzania?

On Thursday, July 1st there was a mad dash to get the last minute details finished. We were leaving for Tanzania, Africa in hours, and we were not packed, had to run multiple errands, pick up a huge duffel bag and get the grinder we were carrying disassembled and packed. I woke up at 4:30am in a bit of a panic!

So the duffel bag was the most critical component for this grinder we were carrying. We bought one about three weeks earlier at REI - Bloomington, and I went there first when they opened. This was not a typical duffel - this thing was the monster size! AND IT WAS SOLD OUT!!! AGH!!! There was one at the REI-Roseville (a 30 minute drive) that they would hold for me. I plead with them to sell me the floor model, but they would not. Frustrated, I jumped back in my car and drove to Roseville.

I called Lisa, my lovely partner, in a panic. No answer! She was running errands from her half of the last minute 'must have' list. When we finally talked I was on my way home from Roseville, ginormous bag in hand! Whoever got home first was to start packing the grinder in the bag we already had on hand.

When I pulled in the garage door was still down, I pushed the button and no one else was at home - uh oh! After parking the car, I jumped out, got organized and started packing the duffle bags. It was 12:30pm and we were to be at the airport at 2:30pm. Our ride was coming at 2:00pm. Pack clothes, shower, clean up the dishes, fold the laundry being left behind, and...PANIC!!!

Lisa arrived home, helped to finish packing the grinder and all its parts. We rushed inside after weighing everything (no more than 50# per person in coach) and moving things around. Quickly showered, piled clothes and got rid of clothes. Packed! Ride has arrived! Dishes! Fold laundry! It is 2:15pm and we're loading the car. We arrived at the airport at 2:50pm and our group came out to help us get everything inside. WHEW!!! We were there! We made it!

Check-in went smoothly. Off to security and to find our gate. It was 3:30pm and the flight was at 5:05pm. We had not eaten anything since breakfast, expended a ton of energy in our panicked state, and realized we were hungry. Off to Wolfgang Puck's for some nourishment and an adult beverage!

So, if you've read this far (thank you!) I'm sure one of your questions is...why are you going to Africa? What's in Tanzania? Well, allow me to back up a little...

Lisa and I are traveling with 7 others from our church (Richfield Lutheran in Minneapolis) - Pastor Rolf Olson, his wife Nancy, Steve Griffin, Steve and Carol Larson, and Ralph and Bonnie Swenby. We are a group going to work on our partnership with Mbigili Lutheran Church in Mbigili, Tanzania. This trip is a relational mission trip - building a partnership. Five of our group went in 2008 and are returning, four of us are newbies.

We have a few specific goals: a continuation of getting to know the people of Mbigili, building a relationship of support for a growing church, and bringing a grain grinder that will be the beginning of a small business outreach opportunity for this congregation. We are also meeting some of our sponsored youth (financially sponsored to continue their education), seeing what our sponsorship funds are accomplishing at a local orphanage, and seeing how some of our sponsorship dollars are meeting the needs of the growing church.

Our group is filled with excitement, wonderment, and anticipation as we begin our very long journey across our planet to the African country of Tanzania. If you are so inclined, please follow along as I share stories and pictures of our time. You are invited to share this blog with others who might be interested, and I hope to give you a small sense of the experiences of this traveler and uncertain missionary.

Thanks for joining me on a recounting of my journey!