We have just returned from three days at Kiomboi. It is dry there and they wait for the rain so the planting can start but still the gardens had vegetables that staff and students are able to use for food. It is a help. We were given two papaya and a bunch of bananas from the garden and it is fun to be able to see, and eat, the fruits of one of the synod's projects. It seems that for every challenging discussion or project review or meeting, there is a complimentary one of hope, progress and light and then again vice versa.

It is remarkable to go between Singida and Kiomboi in less than an hour and a half. The road between New and Old Bomani is even hard surfaced. Yesterday Mark delivered the packet of information to St.George LC in New Bomani from their new partner congregation at Land's in Zumbrota. It was probably the meeting that will make this trip worthwhile, or certainly one of them. As Mark said, it was like they were opening up a present, with all the anticipation, surprise and excitement. Lands had sent a picture of the recently confirmed youth and it turned out that St. George had confirmation that same day. Also in the packet was the bulletin and the faith statements from the confirmands along with two one time use cameras. We took a few pictures and they will now use the cameras up in the next few weeks and send them back with us for Lands. Watching the pastor, evangelist, treasurer was like watching what we are trying to say this whole companion synod relationship model is suppose to look like - joy and delight in seeing the faces of the partners and seeing who these people are that are our partners in faith.

Tomorrow Mark and I will go with Bishop Sima into the Moreyanda Mission area for the day. So we'll tell you about that later.

Amani.....KATHY