Saturday, August 31, 2013
Awesome Speech
Just to share with you what I have just came across the internet. What a powerful, yet simple, motivational and touching speech. Read the full story here - Miserable & Magical: A Graduation Speech for Paradoxical Times, by Nipun Mehta
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
On The Final
Putting it in aviation terms, I would call the next three months ahead - 'on the final'. This term applies to to the moment when you have finished aligning the aircraft with the runway, you have the runway in sight, you are on a proper glide slope and are cleared to land at the designated runway.
It is precisely what is going to happen, God willing, in these three crucial months starting today.
Final steps in completion of our development projects supported by the Polish Ministry for Foreign Affairs.
Five different workshops and seminars for the staff of our health center, pre-school and primary school according to the development projects comprehensive plan - scheduled for the end of October and November.
Two young Polish surgeons coming in two weeks time for two weeks to perform operations on hernia patients from the whole Mara Region in our health center. This projects has been very positively received by the local government and I got full support of the District Commissioner's office and District Medical Officer's Office as well. Hoping for suffering persons to come up and use this opportunity to get professional help.
Water engineer, coordinator of our water project, is coming in mid-September to supervise the final connections of pipelines and first flow filters. He will stay with us for two weeks.
Our Foundation Kiabakari volunteer Anna coming in November to implement her educational / artistic program for our pre- and primary schools children. She will help us greatly also with preparations of the BIG DAY - graduation day in the pre-school and the official blessing and opening of the new pre-school.
On November 21 I will celebrate my silver jubilee in Kiabakari - on the diocesan level, with bishop presiding and the diocesan community present along with invited guests. On this day Bishop Michael Msonganzila will bless officially the completed projects - new wards and equipment in the health center, new pre-school and the rain and ground water harvesting system in our mission in Kiabakari.
The next day, the representative of Polish Ministry for Foreign Affairs will officially open the development projects and take part in the graduation celebration in our new pre-school. I look forward with great joy and anticipation to that day as it will be a blast! The way we started our preparations, the rich program of the day - gives us guarantee that this will be the day to remember for a long time!
As always, we need to stay focused and united in resolve and serious prayer and trust in Divine Providence. I ask all of you, my esteemed readers, to be with us and pray for the success of these next three months in Kiabakari.
God bless us all!
It is precisely what is going to happen, God willing, in these three crucial months starting today.
Final steps in completion of our development projects supported by the Polish Ministry for Foreign Affairs.
Five different workshops and seminars for the staff of our health center, pre-school and primary school according to the development projects comprehensive plan - scheduled for the end of October and November.
Two young Polish surgeons coming in two weeks time for two weeks to perform operations on hernia patients from the whole Mara Region in our health center. This projects has been very positively received by the local government and I got full support of the District Commissioner's office and District Medical Officer's Office as well. Hoping for suffering persons to come up and use this opportunity to get professional help.
Water engineer, coordinator of our water project, is coming in mid-September to supervise the final connections of pipelines and first flow filters. He will stay with us for two weeks.
Our Foundation Kiabakari volunteer Anna coming in November to implement her educational / artistic program for our pre- and primary schools children. She will help us greatly also with preparations of the BIG DAY - graduation day in the pre-school and the official blessing and opening of the new pre-school.
On November 21 I will celebrate my silver jubilee in Kiabakari - on the diocesan level, with bishop presiding and the diocesan community present along with invited guests. On this day Bishop Michael Msonganzila will bless officially the completed projects - new wards and equipment in the health center, new pre-school and the rain and ground water harvesting system in our mission in Kiabakari.
The next day, the representative of Polish Ministry for Foreign Affairs will officially open the development projects and take part in the graduation celebration in our new pre-school. I look forward with great joy and anticipation to that day as it will be a blast! The way we started our preparations, the rich program of the day - gives us guarantee that this will be the day to remember for a long time!
As always, we need to stay focused and united in resolve and serious prayer and trust in Divine Providence. I ask all of you, my esteemed readers, to be with us and pray for the success of these next three months in Kiabakari.
God bless us all!
Sunday, August 11, 2013
Slave In Master's House?
The Gospel reading of today's Sunday posed a valid question to ponder on in my personal reflection upon my own life and attitude. When I come for Sunday Mass to the church, do I enter it as a slave in the Master's house? Or do I enter it as a beloved son of God in the Loving and Merciful Father's House?
We have asked this question ourselves today in the Holy Mass when we reflected upon this Gospel's passage in the homily. And it appeared to many of us that we feel and act as slaves in the Master's House, trying to fulfill our duties and obligations, God's and Church commandments out of fear of God, fear of sin or pure sense of responsibility. Perhaps we have stopped in developing our living relationship with God at the point where this kind of cold, accountant-like, business-like relationship is the ultimate what we can think of.
Where is the space for love in this kind of relationship with God?
What is our treasure to which our hearts are powerfully drawn? Is it Loving and Merciful God? Or someone or something else?
What is my genuine motivation to be and live as Christian, the Child of God and the living member of His family - the Holy Church?
Is my keeping God's commandments, Church commandments and fulfilling my duties in the community based on sense of responsibility and duty rather than genuine love of God?
Food for thought.
We have asked this question ourselves today in the Holy Mass when we reflected upon this Gospel's passage in the homily. And it appeared to many of us that we feel and act as slaves in the Master's House, trying to fulfill our duties and obligations, God's and Church commandments out of fear of God, fear of sin or pure sense of responsibility. Perhaps we have stopped in developing our living relationship with God at the point where this kind of cold, accountant-like, business-like relationship is the ultimate what we can think of.
Where is the space for love in this kind of relationship with God?
What is our treasure to which our hearts are powerfully drawn? Is it Loving and Merciful God? Or someone or something else?
What is my genuine motivation to be and live as Christian, the Child of God and the living member of His family - the Holy Church?
Is my keeping God's commandments, Church commandments and fulfilling my duties in the community based on sense of responsibility and duty rather than genuine love of God?
Food for thought.
Saturday, August 10, 2013
Against All Odds
No rain, continuous drought, no water in village water pipelines. We are forced to fetch water from drying creek down in the valley in order to be able to push ahead with development projects. I don't remember such a bad situation as this year. Since April no rain whatsoever. I am amazed how we are able to continue with works and reach a promising stage. Against all odds. Please, pray for us and for rain. Here are some pictures from today posted by Foundation Kiabakari on their Facebook timeline (click here).
Thursday, August 8, 2013
On The Move
One common picture one gets while traveling in Tanzania, and perhaps, in the whole African continent, is the view of ladies on the move, carrying children on their backs, various loads on their heads, going from one point to the other. I took a few pictures during my safari around the southern Tanzania. You can check them here.
Southern Circuit
Back in Dar es Salaam after six days of traveling around the so called the Southern Circuit of Tanzania covering in total some 2,500 kilometers in total. My journey led me along the Indian Ocean coast from Dar es Salaam to Kilwa Masoko, Kilwa Kisiwani and Kilwa Kivinje first. Then, after one and a half days of exploring the area, I headed to Lindi and Mtwara, then to Masasi. From Masasi through Tunduru to Songea. Then from Songea via Njombe and Makambako to Iringa. Yesterday from Iringa via Kitonga dangerous descent towards Mbuyuni, Mikumi, Morogoro, Chalinze and back to Dar es Salaam.
Took lots of pictures, but since I had no time to get out of the vehicle at every instance, most of them were taken through the windscreen or side window. Not a best option and the quality of most of the pictures is questionable, to put it mildly. Still, I was able to salvage a handful and here are the link to them on Facebook. Enjoy!
Kilwa Kisiwani pictures - click here.
Southern Circuit first album - click here.
Southern Circuit second album - click here.
Iringa to Dar pictures - click here.
And one of my favorite sites - Isamila Prehistoric Site some 20 kilometers from Iringa town. Pictures below.
Took lots of pictures, but since I had no time to get out of the vehicle at every instance, most of them were taken through the windscreen or side window. Not a best option and the quality of most of the pictures is questionable, to put it mildly. Still, I was able to salvage a handful and here are the link to them on Facebook. Enjoy!
Kilwa Kisiwani pictures - click here.
Southern Circuit first album - click here.
Southern Circuit second album - click here.
Iringa to Dar pictures - click here.
And one of my favorite sites - Isamila Prehistoric Site some 20 kilometers from Iringa town. Pictures below.
Thursday, August 1, 2013
Into The Unknown
The first day of August marks the beginning of my one week long or so holidays after the hectic July with the most important week of the year 14-20/7/2013 - the ordination of our deacon Augustino Barageti Mapambano, children's fiesta in honor of the newly ordained priests and Thanksgiving Mass of Fr. Augustino in his family home.
Our guest and volunteer, Jane, who decided to spend her annual holidays with us in Kiabakari, has finished her work in our pre-school and yesterday we flew in to Dar es Salaam. Thank God she returned safely back home to Rome, Italy, and sent me a SMS around noon time saying that she is indeed back home.
So, I can begin my short vacations now. Today I went around the town visiting various dealers and suppliers for our development projects, finalizing process of picking up medical equipment for our health center.
Tomorrow morning I will set off from Dar es Salaam heading down south in my quest to visit and explore the so called Southern Circuit. This is the unknown territory to me. Never been there so far. It will take some 2,500 km in general by car, getting me first to Kilwa Kivinje, Kilwa Masoko, Kilwa Kisiwani, then to Selous Game Reserve, Lindi, Mtwara, Masasi, Tunduru, Songea, Makambako, Iringa, Morogoro and back to Dar es Salaam.
I do hope for some good photo opportunities, relaxing time and delicious seafood on the way. All this in my quest to clear up my head from the stress of organizing the past events, restoring my serenity and inner strength to tackle the remaining months of this year and - in particular - finishing successfully our development projects.
Let the adventure begin!
Our guest and volunteer, Jane, who decided to spend her annual holidays with us in Kiabakari, has finished her work in our pre-school and yesterday we flew in to Dar es Salaam. Thank God she returned safely back home to Rome, Italy, and sent me a SMS around noon time saying that she is indeed back home.
So, I can begin my short vacations now. Today I went around the town visiting various dealers and suppliers for our development projects, finalizing process of picking up medical equipment for our health center.
Tomorrow morning I will set off from Dar es Salaam heading down south in my quest to visit and explore the so called Southern Circuit. This is the unknown territory to me. Never been there so far. It will take some 2,500 km in general by car, getting me first to Kilwa Kivinje, Kilwa Masoko, Kilwa Kisiwani, then to Selous Game Reserve, Lindi, Mtwara, Masasi, Tunduru, Songea, Makambako, Iringa, Morogoro and back to Dar es Salaam.
I do hope for some good photo opportunities, relaxing time and delicious seafood on the way. All this in my quest to clear up my head from the stress of organizing the past events, restoring my serenity and inner strength to tackle the remaining months of this year and - in particular - finishing successfully our development projects.
Let the adventure begin!
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