What I Will Be Doing in Tanzania

Many have asked what our team will be accomplishing on the 2-week OCMC teaching team to Tanzania.  During our time there we will be teaching lessons on Orthodox Christian catechism including but not restricted to:  the Bible, Saints, Holy Tradition, the Fathers, Holy Sacraments, and much more.  We will be sharing cultural aspects of our faith and American heritage.  We will also give our hosts Icons, Bibles, and other items for their devotional use.

Last year, I was able to speak on many topics including:  Creation, the Fall, Christian Anthropology, the Bible, Fasting and Feasting, Marriage, the Holy Trinity, Monasticism, and others.  I was also able to engage the Tanzanians through American music, Byzantine music, and American sports.  Our team was able to bring frisbees, footballs, soccerballs, marshmallows, and other outdoor items that are unheard of in their country.

This summer we will be giving classes in Tanzania on many of the same topics as well as giving sermons to the local Church community as well as keeping the relationship in Christ alive between our national Orthodox Churches.

Thank you all for your prayers and support!

OCMC Causes

OCMC Causes

Fishers of Men…Men of Fish: Tanzanians Love Tilapia

PAN FRIED TILAPIA
Pan Fried Tilapia is a family favorite in Western Kenya. Tilapia is a fresh water fish found in Lake Victoria, located in the middle of East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda). This recipe requires very few ingredients but its super delicious!

To Make this recipe, you will need the following:

Ingredients

1 Whole Fresh Tilapia
Olive or Coconut oil, for shallow frying
1 tbsp Curry Powder
Salt and Pepper to taste
Juice of 1 Lemon

Directions

1.Heat oil in a large frying pan on medium heat.
2.Cut deep, large slits into the tilapia.
3.Mix curry, pepper and salt and then rub into the slits and all over the top.
4.Carefully slide fish into the pan to avoid splashing.
5.Fry both sides until golden brown.
6.Remove from oil and squeeze fresh lemon juice on both sides before serving.

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NOTES:

If done properly, the fish comes out almost dry, its not greasy at all. For a healthier fish and chips style meal, serve with oven baked french fries.

Taken from: http://www.african-food-recipes.com/pan-fried-tilapia.html

Words of Archbishop Anastasios of Albania on Mission

“It is hard to understand genuine Orthodoxy apart from a vigorous pursuit of the worldwide mission, for it is impossible to conceive of an Orthodoxy which does not focus on the Resurrection of the Lord. Resurrection and the ecumenical mission are intimately related. The command concerning the mission to the world is directly related to the triumph of the Lord through His resurrection. The fact tha He was given “All authority in heaven and on earth” (Matt 28:18) has to be proclaimed “to the whole creation” (Mark 16:15). Before the Resurrection, before the consummation of the work of salvation, the disciples the disciples were not allowed to pass the boundary of Israel. Jesus advised them, “Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans” (Matt 10:5). However, after His resurrection, they were no longer permitted to confine their preaching within these limits: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations” (Matt 28:19; Acts 10:1-48; and 15:7-8).

The Resurrection of the Lord is the starting point for the expansion of the mission from Israel to the whole world. Those who continue to move solely within the boundaries of Israel-even the new Israel of grace -seem to insist that they live in the days before the Resurrection. The orientation of the mystery of redemption is beautifully expressed in the verse that electrifies the congregation in the Vespers Service of the Saturday before Pascha, “Arise, O God, and judge Thou the earth; for Thou shalt take all heathen to Thine inheritance.” [...]“

Interesting Statistics: Cost of Living in Tanzania

http://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/country_result.jsp?country=Tanzania

Here are just a few:

Rent Per Month Avg.
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre 225.00 $

Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre 225.00 $

Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre 1,050.00 $

Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre 700.00 $

Buy Apartment Price Avg.
Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment in City Centre 121.35 $

Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre 121.35 $

Salaries And Financing Avg.
Median Monthly Disposable Salary (After Tax) 1,063.70 $

Have a Flyer

https://docs.google.com/open?id=0BwK1nWfaIoIFMzA2ZjYxNmUtMjJiNS00MjQxLTliNDMtODBjZTM2MmNlMzVi

Important First Steps: Letter and Passport Renewal

I wrote this letter to return to Tanzania within a week from being back in the States.

The young lady who took my photo at CVS told me not to smile so the authorities would be able to see my eyes in the passport photo.  I’m satisfied with the results.