Our trip was long, but uneventful; everything moved along on schedule!
When we arrived in Dar es Salaam we saw Frs. Tom Turmen and Patrick Nelson in the areas waiting to board the plane on which we arrived; they were headed back to the United States. At first I thought they were there to pick us up. To me it made sense since the folks from Encounter Tanzania were due the next day that I thought it was logical for Tom to be in town. I had no idea what PAtrick was doing there.
S. Mechtildis picked us up. We arrived at their convent around 11:00 p.m., got to bed around midnight and had to get up at 5:00 a.m. to catch the 7:00 a.m. plan e to Mtwara. Brother Michael and Sister Sophia picked us up and drove us 3 and a half hours to Masasi. We were warmly welcomed. We spent the afternoon and evening, unpacking, taking a nice cold shower, taking a nap and getting settled.
When we left Dar to fly to Mtwara we had to pay an additional $100. for our luggage. In the US we are allowed to check 2 bags free, which weigh up to 50 lbs. each. In Masasi the weight limit is 30 lbs. each. Our choice was pay the $100. dollars, or leave the Jordan Diaries in the airport!!! Needless to say, Sister Elice was thrilled to have the diaries and the timing was perfect -- Jordan Day!
My bed has flannel sheets on it with pictures of houses and fir trees with snow on them. I am sure they came from Brother Regis' Mission Box!
Today is Jordan Day. It is like our Annual Assembly Day. There are about 50 SDS priests, brothers and sisters here from all over. They are having a presentation on Human Trafficing. The day is being conducted in Swahili. S. Barbara chose to attend, but I am spending the day getting my classroom ready, washing my clothes, writing some e-mails like this one to you, etc. I will join them for Mass, dinner, etc.
Now it is afternoon. The Mass was very festive as far as music goes. How I wish all of the sisters in our unit could hear this total group of Salvatorians sing and use their instruments. Fr. Africanus, the new Provincial Superior, ws the celebrant. It was also in swahili.
A festive dinner followed at the Fathers' House. After dinner, Sister Elice asked all of the sisters to gather in the sisters' dining room. She presented each one of them with Fr. Jordan's diary and the medal of Fr. Jordan. Each sister also received two rosaries, one made by S. Bernadette and another one made by a ladies group in Wisconsin Rapids. ( S. Clarice's sister Marilyn belongs to this group.)
Everyone seamed very pleased with their gifts.
So much for now.
love,
Virginia
