Good to be home!

Bishops Jacob and John - and me!

The bus ! - Puncture on the way home

Dry, bare countryside of central Tz

It's good to back in Kasulu, in our little house that has become so much home, and back to the green countryside. Central Tanzania is extraoridnarily dry - huge dry, sandy river beds, scattered baobab trees and not a lot else. This photo was taken out of the bus window, but captures the scenery. There was very little fresh food in the markets, and again made me realise how fortunate we are to be in this rich and fertile area. I survived the bus and am quite proud of myself, and perhaps reliving my teenage years!!  It was 24 hours home, with a 5 hour break in a rather nasty town overnight where a friendly taxi driver helped find me a room in a guest house (it was £4-00 - and you get what you pay for!!). My Swahili seemed enough to get me around, and I am conitnually aware of how kind and helpful the Tanzanian people are.
The Diocesan meetings went very well and my presentations were well recieved. There are only 4 Dioceses in Tanzania where they have agreed the ordination of women (this and Mpwapwa not being among them) - and it is a subject of huge debate. Women however are accepted in other senior positions, and there are some very well educated and capable women around. I have always been very well received wherever I go, and people are keen to discuss and many want to move forward.
Please continue to hold us in thought and prayer; we've very happy in so many ways but miss home, family and friends, and find our work environments challenging.