Tanzania Partnership

As Christmas Eve and the end of 2013 rapidly approach, here are three opportunities for those who want to support our Tanzanian partners. 1. Basket and handcraft sales -- so far in the last month, we've raised about $2000 for parish projects through the sales of baskets, jewelry and other handcraft items.  While most of our inventory of carvings and jewelry have been sold, we still have baskets in all colors and sizes.  We will not be holding any more public sales but if you are interested, we can arrange a private showing.  Contact Kirsten.Levorson@sotv.org for details. The proceeds from handcraft sales go directly to our partners and are distributed to village congregations, where they are used to complete chapel construction or build homes for the evangelists. 2. A second opportunity for year end giving is through Shepherd of the Valley's Christmas Gift Giving  program.  Monetary donations designated for our Tanzania Partnership are used to purchase goats

We are saddened to learn that our friend Dora Saga died early Wednesday.  Our hearts go out to her husband, Dr. Mufwimi Saga, their children, and to all the people of Ilula Hospital and the Iringa Diocese who mourn her death. From left, Dr. Mufwimi Saga, Dora Saga; far right, Kari Hurley. Shepherd of the Valley members first met Dora and Dr. Saga in August, 2002, when Dr. Randy and Kari Hurley visited the [then] Ilula Health Center.  Above, Kari delivered midwife kits to the health center.  At the time, Dr. Saga was the longest serving doctor onsite, and Dora served as the Nurse Matron [Nurse in Charge] for the facility. Through the years, the Saga family welcomed many of our travelers into their home for a meal and a tour of the health center that now has grown into a district hospital. Dora (left) visited Minnesota in 2010. We were so pleased to have the Sagas as our guests in the fall of 2010, along with Rev. Naftal and Angelina Ng'amillo.  Below, s