Today Tanzanians are celebrating their fiftieth independence day, The streets were very quiet as many people attended the celebration.
Yesterday the hospital/health centre was inspected. It seemed to go well. As I understand it that is the last step before the paperwork is signed here in Bukoba and readied to go to Dar es Salaam for final approval. I have been enjoying spending some time at the health center working with staff preparing to reopen.
Fr. Spyridon's wife and I went shopping for more flowers. It looks like with the exception of more grass and the driveway being put in we are about finished with the church garden.
I met with the main person about the AA meetings, and heard some things I had not been aware of before. I think the Alanon meeting and maybe even an Alateen meeting are not too far off. We were delighted to receive a gift of AA Big Books in Kiswahili from a kind supporter in the US.
I started studying Kihaya knowing that people will be coming for care who do not speak any Kiswahili. My Kiswahili is pretty limited, and my goals are very modest for Kihaya. I would like to be able to greet people and know as much medical Kihaya as I know of medical Spanish (which is not much) so I can get by until I find a Kihaya speaker to do a more in depth evaluation.
Thank you your prayers about the health center. Many of you have also been praying for our team member James Hargrave who has had pneumonia and has been been in ICU in the hospital in Mwanza where he lives. Team members Maria Roeber and Michael Pagedas have been in Mwanza with him and report that his condition is improving. More prayers for James recovery would be appreciated. I would also appreciate prayers for my language ability/study.
Thank you for your support, encouragement, correspondence and prayers.