Author Archives: Benjamin Locher

We have arrived safely back home from Tanzania. It’s been wonderful to see our families and friends and to celebrate our arrival in America. But Dodoma has become our second home, and there are many people and things we already miss. So we thought we would share with you the top 10 list of things we left behind in Dodoma, complete with photos!… continue reading

We have just recently passed the 6 month mark since our arrival in Dodoma, Tanzania, and it has been a really incredible time so far. Although we have moved from one nation’s capital to another, it has been a big shift. Dodoma is a small city, and though it has a couple traffic circles to help us feel at home, there aren’t even any stoplights.… continue reading

Here at Msalato, we include a short sermon at Morning Prayer on Monday and Fridays — no longer than four minutes. Here is my first attempt at a sermon.

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May I speak to you in the Name of the One, True, and Living God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Nilitaka kuhubiri katika Kiswahili, lakini nilihitaji dakika ishirini kuandika sentensi hii moja.… continue reading

When Father Peter Fumbi graduated from Msalato Theological College last year, he immediately set out to spread the good news of Jesus Christ.  He did such a good job that he came back (just four months later) to ask for help baptizing the multitudes that had flocked to his church.  He said there were a few dozen waiting to be baptized.… continue reading

In Tanzania, no one is eager to return home from church for NFL kickoff or a coveted brunch reservation.  Church is the main event, and it is an all-day affair.  Last Sunday, Elizabeth and I accompanied three other American missionaries to Mvumi Makulu, a large, relatively prosperous village about an hour’s drive from campus over bumpy dirt roads.  This was our first real immersion into African Christianity, and it was certainly an exciting experience. … continue reading

The most common question that our friends and families have asked us since we arrived is where we live. We’ve been extremely generously welcomed into many of the homes of fellow missionaries, some who arrived on campus just a week before us and some who arrived as many as seven years ago. Now we want to welcome you into ours – virtually for now but we hope in person for many of you.… continue reading

Photo: The road to Msalato Theological College from Dodoma

We have reached our fundraising goal, and are ready to fly to Tanzania this Tuesday, August 21!! We want to thank all of our exceptionally generous donors whose gifts will allow us to teach and serve in Tanzania!  We have been struck by just how much support we received not only financially but also in offers of counsel, prayers, and encouragement. … continue reading

Elizabeth and I recently enjoyed our first taste of traditional Tanzanian food.  And we loved it!

Deacon Leslie Steffensen, her husband Kirk, and their children, Greg, Henry, and Charlotte invited us to dinner in their Virginia home to tell us about their experiences at Msalato Theological College.  They lived there during the 2006-07 school year, doing similar work to what Elizabeth and I expect to do there this year.… continue reading

Even though Elizabeth and I have not been to Tanzania yet (or anywhere in Africa, for that matter!), we still want to showcase where we hope to live and work. Once we arrive in Tanzania, we will be sure to chronicle our journey with regular photo gallery updates. In the mean time, please enjoy these photos we have borrowed from others who have lived at the seminary.… continue reading

We are glad you are visiting our blog! Throughout our trip we will be updating this page to share our mission and experiences at Msalato Theological College in Dodoma, Tanzania. We invite you to join with us in this missionary journey through engaging with us on this blog and especially by supporting us in your prayers. And if you would like to come visit, let us know about that, too!… continue reading