T.I.A.

Okay, so here's the deal.  Since being in Tanzania for a month and at Tumaini University now for two weeks, I have learned a new mathematical equation.  It is as follows:

5 + 20 + 5 + 0 = 21

I know what you're thinking - that I must have inadvertantly wandered into Dr. Petits Discrete Structures course - okay, maybe you weren't thinking that - but seriously, that course makes about as much sense to me as the mathematical equation I've shown you does!  Allow me to explain.

First of all, you must know and understand the initials, T.I.A.

Upon our arrival in Iringa, one of the very first things Pr. Tom Nielson shared with us as our Bega Kwa Bega host, was this, "Remember, T.I.A.", which means "This Is Africa".  Those initials have since been used and understood many a time throughout our adventures in and around Iringa.

But now, back to my attempt at understanding Discrete Mathematics - or at least my version of it.

As you know, my initial and primary purpose for spending three months in Iringa was to teach as part of the St. Paul Synod Pastor/Teacher Exchange program through the organization, Bega Kwa Bega.

So, I am here and happily teaching one of my two courses, Homiletics (Preaching), to five energetic and excited third year students who are studying to continue on as ordained pastors.  They love my enthusiasm for preaching and passion for the gospel and I enjoy seeing their smiles and eyes light up as I speak to them about the honor and privilege that we have as pastors to tell about Jesus and his love to people week after week in our churches.  They will be outstanding proclaimers of the Word!

However, my second course, and the one of which I spent the most time preparing for - Introduction of the New Testament - has not quite gone as planned.  Again, allow me to explain.

Today marks the completion of the second full week of classes at Tumaini Univeristy and Iringa University College.  I should have had four class sessions already with my New Testament students.  I have had none.

Here's where the math comes in.

I was told prior to classes beginning that I would have 5 students in both of my classes.  I have five in Homiletics, for which I am grateful.  I have not seen any of the 5 in New Testament.

After the first and second sessions of no-show New Testament students, I was told by the Dean of the Theology Department that he had been in contact with one of the students and that they would all be there the next morning at my third scheduled 8:00am course - all 20 of them!

20?!  I only prepared for and made copies for 5!  That's okay, T.I.A., I kept telling myself!  Plus, one of my top five Strengthfinders is Adaptability!  I can do this!  So I begin to plan for 20 students the following morning. 

I arrive bright and early for Tea in my office the next morning, before heading off to greet my 20 students who I assume are excited to begin their study of the New Testament.  I arrive in my classroom twenty minutes early to get the room all set up and write down all the necessary introductory information about myself and the course on the blackboard.  8:00am - no students.  8:15am - no students.  8:30am - no students.  8:45am - back in my office trying to figure out where all my students are.

When I seek answers to such questions, the Former Dean of the Department informs me that I do not have 20 students, but rather only 5, and that they are on campus and should be there for my next scheduled class.  So I'm back to 5 students.  Remember, I had another 15 copies of handouts made for my "20" students and now the department copy machine is on the fritz and I am feeling responsible, but I don't say anything :(  T.I.A.

So, I prepare again for my 5 students - I have never been so prepared for anything!!
I arrive at my fourth scheduled class for New Testament - am much more brief with my introductory comments about myself and the course on the blackboard, thinking that there is a chance that no one will show up this time either.  I was right to be brief - I should have saved the chalk - no students showed.

Now I go back to the Dean and find out the unfortunate news that the five students enrolled for the Bachelor of Divinty Degree that I have been waiting to meet for two weeks, are not on campus, and will not be coming to campus.  For various reasons, mostly financial we believe, these students, though accepted and enrolled, cannot afford to pay the tuition required before studies can begin.  So now, I realize that I am down to 0 students for the course, which means, the Dean informs me, that the course will no longer be offered.

I realize quickly that I didn't come all the way to Africa to teach only one 3 hour course in Homiletics to only 5 students for three months, so I begin asking about other courses that I could teach or co-teach with another faculty member.  The Dean sees nothing that he thinks would work and encourages me to enjoy my light timetable.  I seek out another faculty member in the Theology Dept. who I know is carrying a heavy course load (10 courses!) and offer my help.  He too, is teaching a Homiletics course that I think I could take from him and possibly combine with mine.  He chooses to keep his course but does offer me another - Introduction to Christian Worship.  Which I said "Yes" to immediately because that was one of the courses I initially requested to teach last summer and wasn't granted!  The course only meets once/week for two hours.  So it still leaves me with a relatively light timetable (schedule), but I'll take it.  Plus - now here comes the sum of my mathematical equation - the course (Worship) has 21 students who have already met once, so I can be pretty sure that they will all show up again next week!

So, as you can see, I went from having 5 students, to 20, back to 5, to 0, and eventually to having 21.  Remember, as I do every day - T.I.A!

Seriously, however, I really do appreciate that "This Is Africa"!  I love that their pace of life and living is so relaxed and less stressful.  I love that they put the ketchup in the yellow bottle and the mustard in the red bottle.  I love that if you forget to get your change from the cashier at the local cafe' one day, they will subtract it from your bill the next day.  I love that a traditional Massai man, in full Massai outfit (including sword) makes and serve me my banana milkshake in a small, local internet cafe' every Tuesday.  I love that gas station attendants shake the vehicles back and forth while filling them with gas (for what reason I can't figure out yet).  I love that little African women sweep the gutters and drainage ditches every morning and burn the little piles of leaves and rubbish that they collect, filling the air with haze and smoke that reminds me of Fall in MN.  I love that wherever we walk or drive, people recognize us and holler out to us their greetings (sometimes with hugs and kisses) like we've been lifelong friends.  I love that, as a pastor, and a pastor's family, I, and we, are greeted with and treated with such utmost respect and reverence.  Not that I need that, but it does feel good and I realize the importance of and the significance of the office of pastor in this country, unlike I've realized it or felt it back home.  I love that I've discovered what the Body of Christ truly feels like - broad, wide, far-reaching, diverse, powerful - and that my ministry and leadership style will from now on, reflect this learning.

Yes, T.I.A.  This Is Africa.  And I love it!

Now, let's just hope that my 21 students show up for my Worship class on Tuesday!
I'll keep you posted.

Peace and Grace and Love to you all,
Dale