Community Crossing Continents

Posted in the July 2025 Newsletter

Community: a feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, & goals.

When I stepped off the plane-- the sun shining as it rose past the horizon-- the word "community" was not on my brain. To be fair- we were a *tad* jet- lagged; but energized with the thrill of finally seeing Mwanza and Wesley College.

Community is a term for a geographic place that bonds similar people together: more likely found in small-town Tennessee---not something for an "outsider" from another continent.

Just as the cooler African weather struck me-- I found that a larger Community came chasing towards me on my 10 days in Tanzania.

Community Found and Brought:

From the busy airport to the streets of Mwanza, community is found everywhere. Motorcyles wizzing past and people of all ages walking with baskets on their heads. The community I saw in those streets was an awareness of others.

The "beep" of horns was like an alarm telling me to wake up and get ready for a country filled with care for each other.

Our team of volunteers came with an open mind to learn and left with a piece of Tanzania in their hearts.

Rev. Jay Cooper said it best:

"The Spirit in my heart recognizes the Spirit in your hearts--and that makes us all brothers and sisters in Christ."

The sincere compassion this group shared reveals a love that truly knows no walls or borders- filled with the ability to see a vision of Tanzania.

Community Giving Back:

"Everyone smiles in the same language"- George Carlin

Community reached me again through smiles. The laughter in the hallway & the waves and smiles that cross countries and continents to show me that I BELONGED.

As students shared their hope and dreams after graduating- a common theme stood out......

They didn't mention wealth and fame---they consistently stated how they were going back to their communities and making them better. The students reason for learning is to GIVE BACK.  Students want to have jobs that will meet the needs of their community: a mango juice store, a clothing store, a church, or teaching......it was always giving back.

"Education is the brightness of light in the world & we can make the world brighter thanks to Wesley College."

- Amos, Community Development Student

Community Out In Mwanza

Hands down the biggest community I witnessed was outside the college, in the larger city of Mwanza through the Graduates of Wesley College.

We toured Yatosha- a program for deaf and hard-of hearing students who greeted our group with big waves of their hands (a sign of greeting). They extended their community to us with the help of 2 translators so we could communicate from sign language to Swahili then Swahili to English about their joys and struggles.

Yatosha was started by 5 Wesley College Graduates who had a vision for a community of inclusivity and have transformed the lives of so many students- and allowed us the privilege of being a part of what they created.

Community was truly felt during our time of worship within the walls of Wesley College. City Centre United Methodist Church treated us to a special Harambe service filled with so much JOY and LOVE.

We all worshiped together as brothers and sisters in Christ-- united for a purpose to bring the Light into this world.

Wesley College graduates proudly lead this church filled with students singing the same hymns being sung at my church in Tennessee.

We are all one community. We are together building a better tomorrow. I saw first- hand the community being transformed by Wesley College students, staff, and graduates.

I cherish all of the people I met, and the new community to which I now belong.

Asante, Tanzania.......Asante

~Nicki Sauls~

Communications Director