MDawi is a small village on the side of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, about two miles up a rutted dirt road from the city of Moshi. For several summers, I have had the privilege of visiting this village as a guest teacher at the Bethel Bible College. Pastors travel by foot, mini-bus and motorcycle to the college, coming from Moshi as well as many of the villages dotting the side of the big mountain.
During my visits, I live with Pastor Lekey and his wife, Agatha. The Lekey’s have 5 children of their own, but also open their home to over 20 orphans at a time. It is a busy place with many children playing and lots of animals walking around. Allen is a “Chaga” (mountain tribe of Tanzania) and has lived in the village all his life. In fact, his parents are buried in his backyard.
Life in the village revolves around farming, visiting and the church. A deep red volcanic soil produces a variety of vegetables, fruit, and corn maize. People walk mostly by foot so there is plenty of time to stop and talk with your neighbors. Church life is full with Sunday worship, prayer meetings, choir rehearsals, baptisms and weddings. I am grateful for the opportunity to get to know these people as friends.