What Bible verse would you choose to share when visiting a family whose child has just died? Perhaps something about God comforting his people? Or something about the hope of the resurrection? (Maybe not.) What about Philippians 4:8? Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is […]
Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
I’ve been thinking recently about language learning. It goes so quickly at the beginning. At the end of our four month course when we first got here, I wrote and gave my first talk in Swahili. A bit over a year later I could go off script during sermons, or […]
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
We had a friend over for a 6pm dinner, later than usual for us, but very early for him. Like, 3 hours early. It is not unusual for Tanzanians to eat dinner at 9pm. While it is a symptom of modern life, and the pace and busyness at which middle-class […]
Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
From time to time I read Jayson Georges’ blog Honorshame.com as a way of working my cultural anthropology skills. We have often used the three cultural paradigms – guilt, shame and fear – in order to unpack differences between Tanzania and Australia, and the way theology comes to bear on […]
Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
It’s been a recurring question for me sitting in traffic in Dar es Salaam: why do so many Tanzanian cars have a Playboy logo on them? The bunny stickers are very common, even if they aren’t quite as ubiquitous as the Muslim, Christian and soccer signage used on daladalas (often […]
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
An mzungu tends to stand out in Tanzania. He dresses practically and comfortably, and that puts most of his clothing at odds with local dress. Trekking gear or travel wear? So dull and baggy. Big, roomy shirts for staying cool? How unpolished. Surf sandals, sneakers, backpacks? All unusual or shabby, […]
Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
This post was written in 2014. We’re publishing it now before a new round of posts in the lead-up to our time in Australia. ‘So what do you and I actually think about the Canaanite genocide these days, Tamie?’ I asked. It’s a curly question for anyone who considers themselves a […]
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes