Asante sana, Mchungaji Diana

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 Tanzanian women and girls do.  Pastor Diane taught many SOTV children songs we had learned in Tanzania, and she often shared stories of our partners in her sermons.

In Tanzania, she understood the significance of the cultural differences our partnership tries to bridge.  Here, she is being honored by our hosts, who dress her in traditional Maasai clothing.

She led worship alongside our Tanzanian partners.  Here, sharing communion.  On another occasion, she participated in baptizing almost 30 young people and adults in a new village congregation.

meeting with students at Idodi Secondary School

carrying water during the Walk for Water to raise funds for a water system at Mahove

with Barnabas & Alice Kahwage, 2008

Pastor Diane concluded her sermon today by telling a story about the end of a visit in 2008 from Pastor/Doctor Barnabas Kahwage and his wife Alice.  She recalled how during the midst of a farewell celebration, Barnabas got very serious, addressing the group, asking for forgiveness for anything he might have done during his visit that may have offended or caused harm.  We were all momentarily taken aback -- who could have been a more gracious guest?

But as Pastor Diane pointed out today, it's a wonderful lesson from our partners.  

And then she asked our forgiveness for anything she might have done or left undone.

Pastor Diane, thank you for your leadership at Shepherd of the Valley and for our Tanzania Partnership.  And for anything that we have done or left undone to you, please forgive.

Godspeed in your new congregation.  Mungu akubariki sana.