Introduction
Page 1
Page 2
Back to Global Partners

Pastor Muro with his sons, Peter leaning up against him and Simon. They were 4 in October. The man pointing is Linus, an elder. Bonnie Payne is also in the picture.

On Friday, the last day of our time in Tanzania, we were able to meet up with Flora Muro, Pastor Muro's wife. She is going to school in Arusha, several hundred miles from Iringa or a full day's traveling time, as traveling is very difficult in Tanzania. She is studying community planning. She does not get home very often. She cried when Jeff showed her pictures of Simon and Peter on his computer.

Upendo, on the left, is 13 and in 7th grade. She lives at Muro's home and takes care of the twin boys. We think her mother lives nearby, as Upendo introduced us to her sisters, but Upendo can earn her food by taking care of the boys. There is also another older girl who lives there and cares for the boys while Upendo is in school. Her name is Naomi. She lives at Pastor Muro's home, because she wanted to take "Christ in her heart" (her words) and her family, who are Muslim, refused to let her live at home and have ex-communicated her.

Peter Muro (left), Simon Muro (right)
The charmers of the whole trip. Jane and Amanda were absolutely smitten, as were all of us. And when we were there they were typical 3 year olds. (They were 4 in October) Too bad there isn't enough money to bring them over to St. Mark's when their father comes to visit in April.

All of us wanted our picture with Flora, as we didn't get to spend much time with her. Too bad there isn't enough money to bring her over with the rest of her family when her husband comes to St. Mark's in April. The picture taker was Moses, one of our safari drivers. He is Christian, his grandfather, was imprisoned and interrogated back in the 60's when Tanzania was gaining it independence and establishing a government. His grandfather was Christian, having been taught by missionaries. He was released and allowed to continue his religion.

This is the cross that was given to Jeff by his friend Jimmy from Palestine who comes to our church with his beautiful carvings. The cross is carved of olive wood from the Holy Land.

The first Sunday morning we were in Iringa, Pastor Jeff, Amanda and Jane presented this cross to Pastor Muro. Pastor Agnes works with women's programs in the Diocese and assists Pastor Muro when needed. She had robes on the day we visited the preaching point in Mtwivila but we're not sure what her exact role is. Reverend Don Fultz and his wife Eunice are the coordinators for the Companion Congregation Program, Bega Kwa Bega.
There are two services each Sunday Morning. The first one starts at 7:00 AM, (there are bells rung to call the people to church). The second one starts at 10:00 AM. Each service lasts between two and three hours!!! (Of course, there is NO PARKING PROBLEM- everyone walks to church- a beautiful sight to see, everyone walking up the hill to the church.)