World AIDS Day
Location: Dodoma Tanzania
Time: 4:32 PM

We arrived safely in Dodoma (the capital of Tanzania). We traveled with Jo French, a friend who is living in working here in the dusty center of the country. The landscape reminds me of my experiences in Juba Sudan as a kid - very dry and dusty.

The bus ride took forever, and we have an even longer leg of the journey on Monday when we will be traveling by train and then bus to the capital of Rwanda - Kigali.

Tanzania is quite a country. I've been here once (it was only for one night) so its great to spend time with the people, and learn so much more of the history and culture. The nation shares much in common with both Uganda and Kenya. All three countries speak Swahili, and share trade and food and culture. Tanzanians pride themselves on speaking the most "correct" Swahili though.

Today is World AIDS day, which fits very well with our mission here in Tanzania. We've met with the Mennonite church members here who are running a grassroots HIV/AIDS assistance program which is just taking off with the work of Jo French. She's helping visit clients around the city, and they're just finishing an office and a small shop to help raise money for families with AIDS positive members who need the help.

The church here is also a hub for Compassion International. I don't know why I've mistrusted Compassion in the past - some wierd experience somewhere I guess. But folks, for all of you who are sponsoring kids through this organization - let me tell you it works, and it is an amazing program. It helps 35,000 children here in this country go to school, have essential health care, and break fromt the bleak poverty of their families. The staff are competent, gracious, and motivated. Its a really good program. If you have any doubts, come over for a visit, or you can take our word for it.

The picture below is Disa recieving a briefing from the Compassion International staff. Most kid's donors come from the U.S. - thus the Tanzanian and USA flags on the wall in the backround.

The sketch below is from the International Tribunal for the Rwandan Genocide based in Arusha Tanzania. 11 years on the team is still wading through the massive testimonies and evidence from the Genocide to figure out just what went wrong and who is guilty. It was a bizarre scene with judges in wigs and an international cast trying to make progress despite the Kirwanda, English, French, and Swahili language barriers. The prosecution and defense have been in court for many years, and it seemed like they were bored of the task. We listened with headphones in a little booth for several hours the other day.

It's been great to see Jo and the team here and all the hard work they've been doing in Tanzania. Nick (from Eldoret) and Jo are pictured below.
Tanzania is doing a lot right. Everyone loves the government (okay not everyone, but it sure seems like it). And the Christian/Muslim relations are phenomenal. We went to a seminar today with a crowd of Christians and Muslims at the Mennonite church. A Muslim named Adam ate lunch with us and both religious communities had praise for each other. One of the pastors told me that the Tanzanian church has decided that direct confrontation and preaching is not a loving response to their Muslim neighbors. So they engage in simple dialogue, don't argue, agree on some basics, and let their good deeds and kindness work for them. It was so encouraging after seeing some of the hostility in the United States, Kenya, Sudan and Egypt in the past. I think peace is possible between two religous communities.

We continue on with the trip. With just about 3 weeks left, we are enjoying the moment, but missing all of you. It's been a wonderful journey so far. And there have been a lot of laughs, tons of new food and new sights. The photo below is of a hedgehog that Laura and Disa picked up while we walked to the bus the other morning! The afternoon before there were monkeys playing at the same spot.

Thanks everyone!

Please pray for the following:

1. Jo French and the team here in Dodoma. That they would have the understanding to know what to focus on and how to prioritize their time.

2. That as AIDS day comes to a close that the planet (especially the Western nations) will get serious about this disease which kills millions and could be dramatically reduced with just a tiny bit of interest. The UN is asking for a donation which would cost each person in the West two cups of coffee, or the military spending of one day. Our priorities seem a bit off, especially when holding these AIDS orphan kids who deserve better from us their brothers and sisters.

3. That our team would be unified and full of love for each other and be humble servants of the communities we are in.

4. That our travel and meetings would be safe and productive.

Much love to you all!

- Dan