About two weeks ago I had to set my alarm clock for the 5:00 hour. Honestly one of the benefits of the pandemic is that I don’t often need an alarm clock. Getting up long before it was light was not easy. But we had committed to a 6:00am Zoom call – no one should have meetings at that hour unless it is with your partners on the other side of the globe!
Our partners in Tanzania had driven 2+ hours from Bomalongombe and Vikongwa to Iringa for a 2:00pm Zoom call with us. At first the internet was uncooperative but finally we were able to both see and hear one another! We reconnected with Pastor Tewele and met the pastor of the new Vikongwa Parish. We were able to congratulate them on becoming a parish and hear the news from Tanzania. We met several of the students who have received scholarships from Prince of Peace and heard about their studies. We prayed the Lord’s Prayer together saying every other line – one in English and then the same line in Swahili. While the time according to the clock was early, the time spent in relationship was a gift made possible through technology. It reminded me of our visit to Bomalongombe last year and all the people we met. It made me realize that this years’ long partnership shared through prayer, presence and projects is deep. I was reminded how much we learn from one another and how we are often so focused on our own time and place we don’t grasp how much bigger God’s creation and God’s people really are.
Baba yetu uliye mbinguni,
Our father in heaven,
Jina lako litukuzwe;
Hallowed be your name;
Ufalme wako uje,
Your kingdom come,
Mapenzi yako yatimizwe
Your will be done
Hapa duniani kama huko mbinguni.
On earth as in heaven.
Utupe leo riziki yetu,
Give us today day our daily bread,
Utusamehe makosa yetu,
And forgive us our sins
Kama sisi tunavyowasamehe waliotukosea.
As we forgive those who sin against us.
Usitutie majaribuni,
Save us from the time of trial
Lakini utuokoe kutoka uovu.
And deliver us from evil.
Kwa kuwa ufalme ni wako, na nguvu, na utukufu, hata milele.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever.
AMEN