Möt Rivason: från Karagwe till Stockholm

I ett antal inlägg framöver presenterar årets internationella deltagare i Ung i den världsvida kyrkan sig själva. De är i Sverige under mars till maj. Här möter ni Rivason från Karagwe Tanzania som har haft sin första församlingsperiod i Stockholm.

Hello!

My name is Rivason John Mumanya. I am 27 years old I was born in the family of John Mumanya. We are a famlily of six children in total, with three boys and three girls.

I am a member of ELCT – Karagwe Diocese. As a youth I serve as teacher for Sunday school. Professionally I have studied to be a teacher for primary school. My hobbies includes playing football, reading books and playing various games together with kids.

I have learned a lot of things about the life of the Church of Sweden and life in Swedish society

By the privilege of God, I landed in Sweden on the tenth of March to join and cooperate with my fellow youth participants I have learned a lot of things about the life of the Church of Sweden and life in Swedish society. in the Youth exchange program Young in the Worldwide Church. Since I came here I have learned a lot of things about the life of the Church of Sweden and life in Swedish society.

Life of the Church och Sweden

I realize that in the Church of Sweden there are some differences compared to my church in Tanzania. One thing is the absence of the role of Evangelists, here in Sweden there are priests and other roles in the church. The means of givning offerings is also different. In Tanzania, especially in Karagwe diocese, we always use some special tools to collect offerings while in Sweden instead, I have mostly seen the use cards and phones. Finally, I saw some divine methods of making youths and kids be together in the church by the use of different games, group discussions and theatre.

Life in Swedish society

I have also learned some things about Swedish culture, such as ”fika” for example. But also about day or week planning, where things are conducted by following a time table, the use of systems and a lot of organization. I have also noticed the use of cards in travelling with buses and trains, when in Tanzania we almost always use cash. Another thing is environmental care. I have seen how Swedish people take care of their environment without throwing garbage everywhere. Lastly, I have seen honesty and integrity through how people can shop by themselves and make payments without being supervised by the seller.

Generally, it is an undeniable truth that I have learned important things that have impacted me positively. I will continue to learn diligently, so that, as I return to my home church, I can be a catalyst for transforming my community and the church as a whole.

Yours,

Rivason John Mumaya