Kigoma....

Hospitality Hospitality Hospitality. "A guest is a blessing" the young the young Brother of Charity repeats to me as I try to get him to take the money for our taxi. They have taken such good care of us in Dar es Salaam

At the airport of Kigoma... yes only part of the runway is paved... there is Brother Stan. He waves vigorously as we get off of the little plane. The roads are not paved there seems to be a sea of people wandering the red clay roads. As we weave our way to Ahadi his home and the home of the Emmanuel Community I send a text message to the families of our trip members letting them know that we have arrived safely. I know that some of them are worried. As we arrive a continuous stream of young men run out of the door. Some are young and strong some of them are obviously handicapped. Welcome Welcome Welcome they say. Caribou. I think that is how you write it and say it in Swahili. I am happy to hear that we will be staying right with the community. We will be able to pray with them and work with them wake with them and eat with them. We will share their simple meals. In the morning we eat a boiled sweet potato., at lunch rice and beans, at supper the same. There is also a corn mush that I find difficult to eat. The young men love it and pile their plates high. There are over 100 people who live in this little place. No one is turned away. Most share a simple little bed and mosquito net with another. They study, they work, and some are here because they have no other place to go. The house is so crowded. We barely fit under the tin roof as the community sings their grace before their meal. Beautiful.

First night...
I lay under my mosquito net the night is filled with unfamiliar sounds. I am exhausted but I cannot sleep. Why am I here? What is this place? Am I still up to the challenge? Can I make this a positive experience... how far can I let this experience push our students? They are so willing but they really don't know what they will see or experience. Youthful passion and enthusiasm... it is so life giving and sometimes even a little naive. The thoughts just don't stop as I toss and turn. Then someone starts singing at 2 in the morning he sings the same thing over and over and over again. He seems to sing until his throat is raw. It bothers me but I try to put it out of my mind. Who could that be singing in the middle of the night. Why doesn't anyone shut him up. The train whistle sounds in the distance and I seem to fall asleep still convinced that I am awake. Am I dreaming all of this ?

The next morning as I eat my boiled sweet potato Bro Stan points out young man who was singing all night. He suffers from manic depression and was becoming manic. He is calmed down now and looks exhausted. There are two young men who walk next to him and care for him. The one is a postulant of the Brothers of Charity. He actually shares the same room with the young man who is so sick. His care and concern for his friend is evident from afar. He smiles and place his arm around the young man who is so sick... I immediately feel guilty for my harsh thoughts the night before. Bro Stan assures me that he will be given an injection to calm down and help him get in balance again...

The day begins...