Twendeni Arusha tukajifunze pamoja!

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Let's go to Arusha and learn together!

Sunday night, we had supper and then settled in. We are sharing accommodations, two bunk beds to a room. I decided to break off from my travel group (americans and Germans) when picking rooms to see who came later - and I'm glad that I did. I have three roommates, one from Lebanon and two from India!

The next morning, we had opening worship/celebration. My favorite part was the offering of gifts from each region we represent.. pictured are African and North American continents.

We had two times today for community building as well as a campus tour and an introduction to the program. The weather is so beautiful here!!

In small groups, we met each other. My group comes from US, Brazil, Lebanon, Norway, Hong Kong, Fiji, Jamaica, Switzerland, Finland, Japan, Cameroon. We shared about ourselves, our study focus area, and a "holy ground" rule. I shared the oops-ouch rule and we had an interesting conversation on the meaning of those words in other languages. For my study, I'm focusing on youth and young adults. At the end of the program, we receive attestation with transcript from the world council of churches.

Our first study session was on ecumenism.  The contemporary ecumenical movement is challenged to respond afresh on how the vision of full vision of unity can be translated into the realities of our world, and how the gospel shapes common signs of witness and action in the fellowship of churches. The pilgrimage of justice and peace is an invitation of the WCC to all churches and all people of good will worldwide to journey together in the Spirit, and in solidarity towards the transformation of the world. 

Jet-lag hit me so I went to bed early, which now I regret because I am awake at 2am...

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