Dar es Salaam
Arrived here on Monday afternoon and Reuben met me at the bus station to take me to his home. He lives on the edge of the city so has some space available for banana plants, some hens, some cows... lots happening here. But no water. Washing water comes from a well and drinking water comes bottled, just like at home. We visited some local families yesterday morning then in the evening had a function to celebrate the launch of the community project to encourage children to read, etc. The bishop and some local government reps. came so he has good local support. They hope to purchase a nearby plot of land and build a community centre, run by Christians but not directly under the church so that the non-Christians feel comfortable too.

Today we visited an old man, visited the local church for Reuben's area then came into the city to do the tour of the main Diocese church. Had a chat with the bishop; he's working to reach unreached groups in some areas of Tanzania, consciously bypassing the local Sukuma people as they are already attending other evangelical churches. Exciting to talk to local church leaders at the cutting edge of missionary work; they'll manage a more sensitive approach than the Jesuits did in South America!

This afternoon I've had a swim in the Indian Ocean. Life's not bad! Start the journey home tomorrow with apprehension; I left a lot of loose ends 3 weeks ago so will have a lot of catching up to do, as well as keeping up with all my contacts here. Visit's been worth it, though.