35th Anniversary and the Good Husband
September Blog 2020
Celebrating our 35th wedding anniversary was a simple, low-key and memorable event. Similarly, many of you are probably experiencing similar celebrations in this time of COVID-19. I, Darryl, am not the best with gifts and surprises. This year, however, I’m “The good husband,” as I nailed it this time. On the morning of our anniversary September 8th, it took only the thought “My wife loves dancing” to spin the wheels of a simple yet powerful plan. So, after our morning circle, I had a short chat with Meoli, our head Maasai guard. I asked him to get our other Maasai workers together and set up a private dance presentation at 5:30 p.m. And that was that!
Baraka, Meoli, Lepapa, Mbutwai, Simaga 
High fives 
Lepapa goes sky high 
Happy wife … Happy Life!!! 
7 Happy Campers
When Shirley heard the warrior shrieks in the late afternoon, she wondered what was amiss. Then she saw the guys in full Maasai garb strutting their stuff in the distance. Instantly, she knew what was going on. “You organized Maasai dancing for our anniversary! Awwww.” And thus, at long last, after 35 years, I was “in” on the “gift-giving-club of husbands who chose well on their anniversary.” 🙂
Those thirty minutes were special and magical and FUN, as all seven of us had a great time together. Somehow, I was even able to shed my shy Mennonites roots and dance up a storm in the finale. If possible, I might even have upstaged my wife, who usually dominates in this area. I have found that in the right setting and for a good purpose, I can really enjoy dancing.
Orange Almond Salad 
Chicken Kiev, Grilled Potatoes, Veggies 
Chocolate Cheese Cake
In the evening, Shirley prepared a meal to die for – salad, chicken kiev with all the trimmings and a decadent dessert. It was quite the day … one we’ll never forget.
FYI. Dashir September Update. Check it out: Lion Picnic, Reading and Sports, The Gate of Life, and more.
Further, check out our Sep 11th Dashir Chat Show where we reminisce a bit and talk about spousal responsibilities in Africa.
FLASHBACK – Sep 8, 2010
We recall another simple, low-key memorable day – our 25th anniversary, 4 weeks after we first set foot in Tanzania. Even after our 35th, we still think this was our most memorable anniversary. The work had just started with our dear brother Chandu, first builder at Dashir. He literally blew us away with a surprise lunch of samosas, sodas, and chocolate bars. I still vividly recall the tastes and giddy joy of that moment. The take-out meal was served on a makeshift table with colorful Maasai cloth, under a tree on our dry barren land, with little fanfare and much love. Because we had absolutely zero expectation on that day (we had just collected steel and plumbing supplies from Arusha in the morning) the emotions of this experience were deeply felt. We laughed and shed a few tears of gratefulness as we enjoyed that feast together.
Chandu’s surprise 25th anniversary lunch on our land! 
This table under a tree is our first office!!!
Only one building at Dashir – store and guard bedroom.
Then in the evening, to cap off a most wonderful day, just the two of us went up to the hill of our future house, and said cheers! with wine and thanks to God for 25 years together.
Cheers to 25 years! Sep 8, 2010. On the hill of our future home at Dashir Lodge.
P.S. We are so grateful to Chandu for his amazing help to get started. Unfortunately, Chandu passed away last November, much too soon. He had the gift of helps and blessed the lives of so many around him, including us. Our hearts and prayers go out to Chandu’s family and friends. He is dearly missed.
