Tanzania Partnership

When we travel to Tungamalenga, we carry a lot of gifts from our congregation. Sweatshirts, t-shirts, mugs, waterbottles and anything else with the SOTV name or logo are popular items. Tote bags, backpacks, messenger bags and laptop carriers are some of the most practical gifts we carry.  Some are given to students, others to pastors and evangelists. Fun items like beach balls or -- even better-- soccer balls are great gifts, and also serve as lightweight packing material around more breakable items. Bibles, English dictionaries and other reference books are great for secondary and university students. We're also carrying letters for every student who receives a scholarship from SOTV. We also have some medical supplies, pastoral robes and stoles. Thanks to all who donated items for gifts! 

Sharon, Judy, Kirsten We're down to about twelve days to departure and dealing with the nitty gritty.  What to pack, what to leave behind, what to plan, what to prepare, what to leave to God. One of our travelers said today, I'm a seasoned traveler, I went to Israel and wasn't afraid of the bombings, I went to Europe and wasn't afraid, but for some reason, this trip makes me pause and catch my breath.  She went on to talk about her awareness that she wasn't going as a tourist, this wasn't going to be a vacation, and that she understood she will be representing our congregation and even our Saint Paul Area Synod when she travels to Tanzania in a few weeks.  She said she is very aware that there are agreements in place and that this partnership has a history, and that she doesn't want to do or say 'the wrong thing' during her visit. Travelers with exactly that sense of caution are a blessing to this partnership. To have the awaren...

We're down to about two weeks to go before departure so it's a good time to talk about how we stay healthy on the journey.  We advise all our travelers to start with a visit to their international travel clinic for expert advise specific to the region of Iringa, Tanzania. On my recent visit, I got an update on typical health threats -- malaria, yellow fever, typhoid, hepatitis A & B, rabies, cholera, tuberculosis, dengue fever, schistosomiasis, the presence of HIV/AIDS, and the ever present traveler's diarrhea.  There are lots of handouts and brochures to read after a visit to the travel clinic. Most of us get a variety of vaccines -- this time I was due for another yellow fever vaccine, tetanus, and typhoid.  Other years I've completed a cycle of three shots for hepatitis A&B. In addition to the shots and the reading material, we leave the clinic with prescriptions for malarone, an anti-malaria medication that we take daily while in country an...

Pastor Naftal wrote to us the other day, letting us know our itinerary for the eight days we will spend in and around Tungamalenga at the end of the month.  Here's what it looks like: 28/07. Arrive at Tungamalenga. Participate in Daima's wedding ceremonies. Daime Ngwale is a former secondary and university student sponsored by Shepherd of the Valley. Attending his wedding will be a huge honor for our traveling group. 29/07. Sunday service (SOTV greetings and songs). Lunch. Namelok preaching point visit. 30/07. Partnership meeting(sunset camp site). Lunch. Tungamalenga dispensary visit. Tungamalenga primary school visit. This will be an intense morning.  Our recent partnership meetings have been four hour long affairs. There are so many needs and plans in our parish, and this is the opportunity to discuss in detail. 31/07. Idodi preaching point visit. Idodi secondary school visit. Lunch. Mpalapande preaching point visit. 75% of our secondary school students at...