The Following pictures were taken at Teofilo Kisanji University in Mbeya, Tanzania. It was such an honor to spend 2 1/2 weeks at the University collaborating with the theology faculty and students on a resource to be used in both North America and Tanzania that focuses on violence against women and the Bible's use to empower and marginalize women. We had many wonderful conversations around these issues--all prompted by our desire to emphasize the importance of empowering churches to talk openly about violence against women as well as the Moravian Unity Resolutions numbers 1 and 8 that call our seminaries to provide resources on these topics and to serve as advocates for women. We were greatly encouraged by The Reverend Patty Garner and the Moravian Woman's Unity Desk. Their support was invaluable. Without going into much detail at this point, at TEKU we examined the resolutions, talked about rape and violence against women and used the stories of Dinah (Genesis 34) and the rape of Tamar (2 Samuel 13) as a jumping off places for our discussions of this difficult issue. In addition, we emphasized the important presence of women leaders in both the Hebrew Scriptures and New Testament. When we weren't working together with the faculty, staff and students, Nancy and I met with leaders from the Tanzanian Moravian Church as well as students and faculty at Utengule and Lutengano. The discussions provided feedback and clarity to our resource project. The hospitality that we received from the leadership at TEKU was much appreciated. The next couple of months will be focused on co-writing this resource so that it can be used by the church as seminaries. What a wonderful experience!!

Upper: Teofilo Kisanji University

Lower: Chapel of Teofilo Kisanji University with Nancy Bowen

The Joy of Being at TEKU

April 11, 2013 Teofilo Kisanji University in Mbeya, Tanzania
Yesterday I discovered that the TEKU library has wireless access and I can get back to blogging. Thanks to those of you who have been following this journal. Ruth, I want to send my regards to Meza for you but he is on his way to Leipzig, Germany to enroll in a PhD program. This is great news, but I was unable to see him, unfortunately. I also discovered yesterday in my email that one of Moravian Theological Seminary's own, John Egerton, has made it into the Biblical Archaeological Review. I have been digging for many years and have never graced those pages and John makes it on the first try!! Way to go John.
I sit here on a comfortable couch, listening to the pounding rain, in a guest house right next to the house that Meredith and I occupied while we were at TEKU in 2006. Walking through the door brought back so many memories, especially since faithful friends lived in it while we were here and we spent many a night in this space eating and talking. Nancy and I have been so kindly welcomed by TEKU and its leadership, faculty and students. We spent a wonderful evening at Vice Chancellor Kassimoto's home and shared fellowship with leaders from the management team--an amazing and welcoming group of scholars.  Fellow Moravian alumni, Dean of the Theology Faculty The Reverend Dr. Mwenisengole Tuntufye and The Reverend Mary Katigile, who holds a new role as an administrator in addition to her full time teaching load, continue to make us feel at home along with the rest of TEKU's faculty and staff.
Nancy and I have come to TEKU to work jointly with the TEKU theology faculty on a project dealing with the Moravian Unity's 2009 Resolutions 1 and 8 that call all Moravian Seminaries, schools, and pastors to create pastoral resources to eradicate violence against women in the church and society. Our first order of business was for Nancy and I to lead a four day workshop with the theology students on the ways that the Bible can be used as a resource for talking about sexual violence and for empowering women. Our first day served as an introduction to the Unity resolutions, a discussion on what values Moravians bring to the conversation concerning healthy human relationships, and biblical texts that affirm these values. Day two we focused on Genesis 1-3 and issues around creation and gender mutuality. We concentrated on the difficult topic of rape on the third day and read Genesis 34 (the rape of Dinah) and 2 Samuel 13 (the rape of Tamar) as texts that can open up safe spaces to talk about sexual violence in the church and society. We completed the program with a focus on the importance of women's leadership in the church with a  focus on Romans 16:1-16 and the Gospel texts that recount the stories of the woman who stood before the cross and who proclaimed the resurrection. The conversations with the group were outstanding. I think that we all learned a great deal from each other about how we read and interpret texts and how the Bible can be used to open up space for difficult conversations around violence against women. The next step is to work towards co-creating a resource to be used with churches and seminaries around these issues. Tomorrow we begin three days of meeting with other Tanzanian Moravians in the Southwestern and Ruanda Provinces among other places. Until then...

Time in Dar es Salaam

April 7, 2013 Mbeya Tanzania

Nancy and I spent three wonderful days with Mwakalinga in Dar es Salaam and during that time we were able to meet his wife Subira and his two daughters and son who invited us into their home to enjoy a wonderful meal and conversation. The music of his church's women's choir (we saw a DVD) and the dresses created by Subiru were outstanding. We were impressed by his church and also had the privilege of meeting Mama Songa who sings in the choir and kindly drove us around Dar and to Mwakalinga's church and house. We also met several church leaders, including the director of the youth choir and the church treasurer who oversees the church's interfaith banking ministry that provides much-needed financial support and access to a variety of members of the church's community. The program works somewhat as a micro-financing agency that meets the needs of people to whom big banks will not lend. Our seminary is grateful to his family for allowing Mwakalinga to attend Moravian for two years.
In addition we were able to enjoy the great company and kindness of Alex, Hezron who with Mwakalinga introduced us to many places in Dar es Salaam, including Mwakalinga's three churches. The pictures that are (or will be posted once I figure out how to do so on an ipad!!)

In dar es Salaam

Nancy and I are in Dar es Salaam and thrilled to have been surprised to be picked up at the airport by Mwakalinga and his church elder, Alex. What a great gift they offered two tired travelers! We look forward to spending the next couple of days with Mwakalinga, his family, and church. It is so good to see my dear friend.
It is midnight in Dar and 84 degrees. We splurged for a room with an air conditioner and wireless so we can get all of preparations completed for our work in mbeya and Kenya. If I can make it work, I will have a picture of our room under the netting. Anyway, off to sleep. Will post pictures and updates as often as possible. I hope to sleep. My body thinks it is 3 pm.

Tanzania and Kenya:

I am on my way to TEKU (Teofilo Kisanji University, Tanzania) and FTC (Friends Theological Seminary, Kenya) with The Reverend Dr. Nancy Bowen from Earlham School of Religion. This collaborative project with seminary faculties will focus on violence against women and the Bible. I am ready to get on the plane and will update this site as often as I have internet access. I am grateful to TEKU, FTC, Earlham, Moravian Seminary and The Women's Unity Desk of the Moravian Church for allowing me the time and support to make this project happen. In addition, I have the kindest and most loving husband and family (including Shiloh) who are supporting me in so many ways. Keep checking this blog and I will keep you up to date with the experience.