Tanzania Partnership

Judy and Happy trade scarves, 2012 by Judy Anderson Bega Kwa Bega , shoulder-to-shoulder, side-by-side, I have made three journeys to Tanzania with members of Shepherd of the Valley. The first time we were a group of 3 women, the second time a mixed group of 14, and this third time a group of 2 men and 3 women. The constant in each trip was our lead member Kirsten Levorson, traveling for the 13 th time this summer of 2016. Why travel there; why go more than once?  dedication of the Mahove water project, 2012 My first trip I was called to be part of a water project, called by God and the memories of my Mother and how she had carried water. The second trip was a need inside me to go back and see again the people we had met and how the water project had improved the community it was built for. The third trip was so very unplanned on my part. A presentation of the travelers from 2015 was given at church and there I met Geri Anglin.  She said she would love to...

Visiting our partners is often akin to being welcomed like visiting royalty. Our hosts greet us with songs, waving palm branches. We take turns introducing ourselves and speaking ceremonial words of greeting. We recognize fully that we are there as ambassadors on behalf of our congregation.  It's humbling, and can be oh so formal. These welcomes are amazing experiences that show the strength of the bond between our two congregations. But for many of our travelers, a highlight of the journey happens when we step away from the formal greetings and planned itinerary and are invited to do something spontaneous.  It might happen when the bus breaks down and we end up walking to the next village with our friends, having unplanned conversations along the way. Or you receive an invitation to come to someone's home for tea, and meet the extended family of a dozen who live in that home. This year, three of our travelers had the wonderful experience of receiving a tour of Geo...

General Secretary Nayman Chavalla (center) leads the meeting while Rev. Lusungu Msigwa translates for the American partners. In May, the foundation of a new primary school was dug in Mpalapande. The next step in the project was taken July 25 when representatives from the village, parish, district, diocese, and American partners all met together in Mpalapande. By this time, the rest of our group was back in Minnesota, but Jenny Harrits (in her last week as church council president) and I represented SOTV. General Secretary Nayman Chavalla led the meeting in Swahili while two colleagues from the diocese translated.  Rev. Msigwa was seated next to me, while District Pastor Ambrose Mwakikoti translated for Jenny.  Also present to provide advice was Mr. Amos Mkuye, the construction projects manager for the diocese (above, with Dr. Barnabas Kahwage and others from Tungamalenga Parish).  Mpalapande was well represented by Pastor Paulo Masinga, Yusuphu Kim...