Tanzania Partnership

One of our partnership goals this year is to connect with one another more closely in prayer. In addition to prayers for congregations and projects, offered during worship on a regular basis, we are asking individuals to pray for one another.  Last summer, we took photos of 300 Shepherd of the Valley members who promised to pray for our Tanzanian partners.  During our July visit, travelers distributed those prayer cards and took photos of the Tanzanians who offered to pray for Minnesota partners. Recently, we distributed cards with the Tanzanian photos to our members. Namshukuru Mungu wangu kila niwakumbukapo, I thank my God every time I remember you. sikuzote kila niwaombeapo ninyi nyote nikisema sala zangu kwa furaha, In all my prayers for all of you, kwa sababu ya ushirika wenu katika kuieneza Injili, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the Gospel from the first day until now, tangu siku ile ya kwanza hat

Pastor Diane Sponheim with Humphrey in Tungamalenga Today Pastor Diane Sponheim preached for the last time at Shepherd of the Valley.  In a few short weeks, she will be serving a new congregation not too far away. She preached the good news of the affirming and accepting power of baptism. For all of her years at Shepherd of the Valley, Pastor Diane has been the pastor who oversees our Tanzania Partnership, working with volunteers on the steering committee to allocate funds, raise funds, and spread the word throughout our congregation about the great things we can do together through this partnership. Alice Kahwage & Pastor Diane Pastor Diane led trips to Tanzania three times -- in October 2009, and summers 2011 and 2013. In Tungamalenga, she was often called Mchungaji Diana. Pastor Diane enthusiastically helped bring the experiences we had in Tanzania home to Minnesota.  Here, she helps a young member experience carrying things on her head the way Tanzan