Sunday at Luhuu.

On Sunday we went to visit one of the outlying preaching points of Ihemi.  Our friend Doricus Kimabavala was in Iringa on break from his studies in Arusha, and joined us for the day.  Doricus was the Pastor at Ihemi when the SACCOS was started there.

As we approached Ihemi, we picked up our friend Aloyce and then Pastor John Mhekwa. John, his wife and new baby also joined us for church today.  John is working on the building and development of the new secondary school at Ihemi.  He is a gifted man and is feeling frustrated that he isn’t being utilized to his full potential in this position, as building has come to a stand-still until more money can be raised. 

From the Mhekwa house it was a short trip to the home of the current Ihemi pastor.   She is going with us to Luhuu too. 

From Ihemi, Luhuhu is a 20 minute drive through the brush.  Driving down the road one doesn’t see many tire tracks.  Apparently, cars pass through here very seldom.

When we arrived at Luhuhu we had chai at the home of a church elder.  His house has a solar lighting system that also powers their TV and satellite!  The satellite dish has been rescued from the salvage yard (i.e.-found by the road), the TV is a 14 inch set, and they only get the basic TV out of Dar es Salaam because they can get this for $6 per month.  It seemed quite progressive in this community.  In this village of about 150-200 huts there are only 2 solar lighting systems.

When we arrived at the church we were greeted by dancing and singing.  The congregation danced and sang us from the main road over to the church.  We have been here a few times before.  The last time we were here Sandy tried dancing with the ladies.  She did fairly well, but they managed to wear her out before they were done. 

The service started with singing and dancing.  Dorcius got up and danced a very vigorous dance with the evangelist.  When everyone settled down the service continued.  The children sit on the floor in front and are so quiet.

Pastor Mhekwa asked Tom last week if he would give the sermon today, John did the interpreting for him.  At the end of the service there were baptisms followed by a blessing of the mothers and communion.  There were two offerings today, but nothing was brought to be auctioned, so following the closing songs by the choirs and the blessing we went back to the elder’s home for lunch. 

One by one, all of our passengers were dropped off at their homes and we were back home by 4:00.

Luhuu is a 20 minute drive through the brush from Ihemi.  There are no tire tracks that we can see.

One of the members has a solar light system.  He also gets satellite TV.

Rev. Mahekwa's wife and young child came along with us.

We were met by the congregation singing and dancing.

A good welcome!

They sang and danced us into church.

The children all lined up in front.

They hardly moved as the choir sang and danced.

At one point the Pastors and the evangelist were dancing with the choir.

Afterwards the children wanted Sandy to take their pictures.

No one seemed to get Tom;s jokes so he told John that they were wazungu (white men) jokes.  That got a laugh.

At the end of the service there were baptisms.