WE HAVE OPENED!!

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This has been a busy but wonderful week! Our Tanzanian community was joined by leaders from around the world including a group from the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, for the opening of SEKUCo.  

On Sunday, October 28^th, we woke to a rain storm in Magamba but, as the 600 people gathered for the opening ceremonies, clouds parted and the rain stayed at bay for most of the day.  

We were honored to have the past President of Tanzania, Benjamin Mkapa, as well as the current Prime Minister, the Honorable Edward Lowassa, in our presence that day. Susan Pursch, the coordinator of SEKUCo in the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod, and Joanne Carlson, Assistant to the Bishop for Global Vision and Events, Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod, both accompanied the lead delegation and sat with the leaders of Tanzania. I was introduced as one of the first staff and faculty at Sebastian Kolowa University College. That was a very proud moment in my life! After the ceremony all 600 of us enjoyed breaking bread together as we ate a delicious lunch. 

The following day, Monday morning at 8:00 AM, we started classes. The students are wonderful and eager to learn.  

When I finished teaching my first class I concluded with a homework assignment, thanked the students for a great class and dismissed them. To my surprise they sat there and did not move. I think they were waiting for an encore. It took me leaving the class before the students got out of their seats. Such a respect for learning! (Very different from the States!)  

The rest of the week went well with only minor schedule changes. The events of the first week confirmed my impressions: our staff is phenomenal. I could not ask for a better group of people to work with this year.  

Here is a question: Should I invite the staff over to my house soon for American Movie Night? This might be a great staff bonding night! (This is the beauty of a blog. I get to ask a question that you are invited to answer.)  

The first week ended. I was glad to have been able to share part of it with a group of friends and colleagues from America. Actually, as it turned out, I was only able to spend a couple of days with half of the group from Southeastern Pennsylvania. The other half went to meet with their partner congregations in other parts of Tanzania. The group that stayed in the Lushoto/Magamba area was creatively supportive of the work of SEKUCo. Susan Pursch even helped teach a class while faculty and staff had a meeting. 

To the whole group of friends from SEPA (Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church of America) that visited, thank you for being so wonderful, so present and so kind. I hope that you have found your way home safely and that you will spread the love of our brothers and sisters in Tanzania with your home congregations. I cherish you all and want you to know Karibu Sana (you are very welcome here)! Come back any time to Tanzania!!

Amani,

Amanda

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Tags: , , Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania, Kolowa, Lutheran, Magamba, SEKUCo, SEPA, Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod