Report from building trip to Sanga Sanga

Report from building trip to Sanga Sanga

I hear the team are getting back into life in the UK after quite a life-changing couple of weeks. Here are some of their thoughts and reflections. Please mark Sun 4th Sept in your diaries when they will be feeding back in person at the evening service.

Neil  “The experience in Tanzania was fantastic – bridging significant language barriers with sweat and service. The least comfortable thing was the bumpy roads as the site itself was basic but well equipped. The fact between us all we managed to play a part in building accommodation blocks with hammers, axes, a bunch of 6″nails and a couple of saws was a contrast to how things are done in the UK.  An amazing place for some fellowship, focused around a project that will help the in-country team particularly with the kids camps”

Hannah  “Thanks again for an incredible couple of weeks, I really enjoyed working with you all and our discussions around our studies of Ezra and Nehemiah. Working at a desk all day with the grey sky isn’t quite the same as being a sweaty mess building the banda’s with that fabulous mountain view! Looking forward to seeing you again for our wrap-up meal 🙂
Matt and Tony, thank you for providing for us so well and making us feel so welcome.
For me, the most difficult part was also the most rewarding part – communicating over an enormous language barrier with the local workers. Despite speaking extremely limited Swahili (and them English), we were able to form great bonds with them by the end.
I would particularly like to encourage other women who are unsure about doing something like this. I have never done anything to this scale before and learnt a whole range of practical skills on the job. I’m definitely not the tallest or strongest, but there was always something productive to do within my boundaries. As long as you’re willing to get your hands dirty (or wear gloves), work hard and have an ounce of DIY in you, then this is an accessible trip – don’t be put off because it’s seen as a ‘mens trip’!

Stuart  “A real privilege to support the work of the bible institute in this way by building accommodation units that can be let out and help the institute become financially independent.  Having spoken to the team in Tanzania and listening to Steve and Ruth, there is a real need for quality gospel teaching to counter distorted views of Christianity coming into Africa via some satellite TV (e.g the prosperity gospel message).  As I am more called to practical work i feel my God given skills contribute to the core work of the Bible institute”.

Martin D
Q: What was the least expected thing about the trip?
A: I wasn’t expecting to have such a good friendship and a time of fellowship with my fellow travellers. I was very surprised how much Swahili I remembered after 30 years.

Q. What was the hardest / least comfortable thing about the trip?
A: We had cold showers to start with until hot water was switched on. I seemed to wake up very early for some reason? Maybe for the excitement of a new day. Felt a bit constrained in a compound, maybe just missed the use of a car.

Q: What encouragement did you receive from travelling to Tanzania, meeting the people and seeing the work there at first hand?
A: It was great to go back to my home land and forget all the challenges of the last few months. It was great to relate to the local Tanzanians, to try and understand their challenges and swap photos.

Q: Did the experience challenge any attitudes or perspectives you had before you left?
A: Yes, before going back I was questioning the value of sending expensive missionaries to Africa when the support of local pastors may be more effective. I believe a joint partnership is important to build bridges especially as we seem so insular here in the UK . I’m wondering if there is a unintentional  “us & them” mentality or slightly colonial outlook between missionary & local. Or is is just employer & employee , educated v uneducated ???

Q: Why should someone in Corsham reading this consider a similar trip?
A: Going to Africa is perpetually life changing if you can get out and about. Hopefully it would develop links of support both ways.