Approaching the finishing line - or is there another lap?

Like any race – it always seems to get a lot more energetic at the end.!!!!

On Saturday we went to our first Tanzanian wedding. We went by bus to a neighbouring village with the throng of bridesmaids and page boys. Here, most of the year, the bride doesn’t have to worry about what the weather will be like – only how to prevent the guests suffering in the sun during the outdoors ceremony. We havn’t had a drop of rain in Mvumi in the last 6 months – though we have been told it will hopefully come with a vengeance in November to February.

Although parts of the ceremony were similar to England, there were differences:
- the bride and groom walked up the aisle together, extremely slowly. In fact, throughout the service they walked to and from their seats (about 20 yards – 4 times??) at a snail’s pace, accompanied by their page boys and bridesmaids
- Although the guests laughed and enjoyed themselves, the bride and groom were extremely solemn and down cast throughout the service and the party afterwards. We assume it was to show how important the ceremony is, rather than not wanting to get married!!
- They each got their own marriage certificates
- There didn’t seem to be any speeches, except the bride said grace before the meal.

There was an MC who orchestrated the party (no dancing, all sat down as in a theatre to watch choirs and guests line up to give presents). Because of problems with the electricity, it didn’t start till about 9 pm and we ate at 12.30 am – our first food since breakfast

On Sunday we helped lead the English service at Dodoma Cathedral. Malcolm took part in a sketch based on how we tend to think we are still young but get less and less fit and die (still thinking we are young). Quite ironic – ever since he has been suffering from a bad hip and knee – he still insists he is only 25 however. Afterwards we had a farewell meal with friends at Dodoma’s best Chinese Restaurant.

Irene completed her filing project at the start of the week and has been able to pack up. Malcolm typically, however, has been spending hours trying to complete lots of things (should he have done so earlier?). The good news is:

- he managed to find the money to pay the September payroll, and the final payment of Tsh 7 million to clear the Magistrates Court case
- the auditor has completed the audit of the hospital’s main accounts and project account of the UK donors for the period ending June 2008. Although there are some issues the auditor is delighted he has had some proper accounts to audit for the first time in several years
- at about 6am on Thursday morning he prepared a draft Hospital budget that the Government required – at that time it may not make too much sense, but hopefully will be good enough.

On Friday we had two meetings with the Bishop. The first was a private discussion about the option of returning next year. We have already been invited by email by the Bishop, but won’t make our mind up until after we return to income. If we do return to Mvumi we hope it will be to support a permanent accountant, and once the problems have been resolved about some Departments withholding financial information about their activities.

And finally we had our last evening meal at the local restaurant, ‘Double J’s’. A feast of chipsi myayi (Chips omelette), caki, soda and milky coffee. Scrummy!!!!.

So work complete, suitcases almost packed – time to journey back:
- on Saturday we have a day out and visit a local vineyard with friends
- on Sunday a farewell to our church, and overnight in Dodoma
- on Monday we visit a neighbouring Diocese to see a Health Project which have invited us to work next year
- on Tuesday bus to Dar es Salaam
- Wednesday – fly back to England. We wonder if its warm there too?