The second shock took place during a Q&A time when a pastor asked how to improve the visitors’ image of the church. Their offering offended visitors, thinking they were invited to get money. I remember jaws dropping when I told them how our church doesn’t pass an offering plate in order to avoid this misunderstanding since we have many student visitors. (Members can place their donations in boxes at the back.) They were incredulous that it worked (and to God’s praise we have the good “problem” of figuring how to use surplus).

Another big surprise! I discovered that 5-6 years ago on a volunteer mission, my daughter’s present housemate, Grace, helped design the very good-sized church building (below) where we held the second seminar in Tabora. What a small world!