Passports, visas, interviews, oh my!

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George Kioniani, treasurer of Makifu Parish

A journey from a rural village in Tanzania to a suburban church in Minnesota takes a bit of planning.

Shepherd of the Valley travelers made the initial invitation in July 2014, a year and a half ago. We asked George Kioniani and Rev. Paulo Massinga if they were willing to visit us in the spring of 2016. We were very glad they both said yes.


George lives in the village of Tungamalenga and has a thriving farm, raising corn and rice, pigs and goats. He cares for a large family, five children of his own and three children of his deceased brother. He also serves as secretary/treasurer of Makifu Parish.  In that role, he keeps parish records, tends the finances, participates in planning and carrying out parish projects.


Pastor Paulo lives in Mpalapande, a Maasai village in Tungamalenga Parish. He was one of the first Maasai pastors in the Iringa Diocese, and we have seen the growth of Christianity in the villages he serves.

To make the journey to Minnesota, Pastor Paulo and George first need to get passports.  Pastor Paulo got his passport a couple years ago, first having to obtain an affidavit in lieu of a birth certificate. We're told it will take about a month to process George's passport application.

Once that is in place, our travelers will need to complete the application process for US visas.  That's a long, long online form.  I have assisted some of our previous travelers in completing this form -- once it took two eight hour days! 

Even paying the fee for the visa application is complicated.  Most Tanzanians do not have credit cards to pay online, so one set of our previous guests had to journey to Dar es Salaam to pay the fee in person.

Once the fee is paid, our guests will schedule an interview at the US Embassy. Before the interview, they will be prepped by previous travelers who have gone through the process.  To support the visa request, Shepherd of the Valley provides the guests with a letter of invitation, giving our partnership history as the context for the invitation, and providing assurances that all expenses will be paid.  In addition to our letter, the St Paul Area Synod will provide a supporting letter from our bishop, and the Iringa Diocese will provide a letter from their bishop.

If all goes well and the visas are granted, then we will book the air tickets and finalize arrangements for the visit.

We're so grateful to George and Pastor Paulo, and their congregations, for being willing to make this journey! We're grateful for the support and assistance they receive from our Bega Kwa Bega office in Iringa and from the Iringa Diocese, especially from Rev. Lusungu Msigwa and BKB Director Peter Harrits. 

Please keep them in your prayers during this time of planning for a safe and beneficial journey.

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