Tanzania Partnership

I thank my God every time I remember you.  In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy  because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now,  being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Phillipians 1:3-6 Most of the time our partnership with the people of Tungamalenga, Makifu and Usolanga Parishes in the Iringa Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania focuses on things that happen in Tanzania – a visit, a project, a celebration. This month, travelers share what makes them grateful about this partnership. There is much to be grateful for by joining other travelers in fellowship with our Tanzanian family and frequently I think of the lessons I learned. I was reminded of the value of second-chances, of being open to new people and soaking in new experiences without judgement. It was a living meditation and an opportunity to revel...

This month, we are collecting funds to support 150 Tanzanian students who would not be able to continue their education without support.  Here are a few words of thanks from our students. I am a student in form four [10 th grade]. I come from Ikwavila in Makifu Parish. The aim of this letter is giving you thanks for the chance to study biology, mathematics and English. In my family, I am the first one to study at secondary school. Yours faithfully, Baricki. I greet you in the name of Jesus Christ. The aim of writing this letter is to say thanks for your help paying school fees. Now I’m in form three [9 th grade]. I promise you I will study hard and I will get high marks in my exams. I don’t have any way to thank you but God will bless you. Yours faithfully, Hans. I greet you with great pleasure. I am a form four [10 th grade] student. I have three sisters and I am the last child. I lack all parents, I mean I am an orphan. But I’m still fighting for my educ...

We recently received a packet of letters from our friends at Bega Kwa Bega! There was a cover letter from BKB Director, Rev. Peter Harrits: I've recently returned from Iringa and have carried with me letters from some of the 1200 students that are sponsored through the scholarship program we share with our companions in the Iringa Diocese. Enclosed you'll find letters from some of your sponsored students.   During the month of February I traveled with three volunteers from Saint Paul (Pastor Lynda Thompson - Incarnation, Shoreview; Trish Blomquist - Christ the King, New Brighton; and Carol Langness - Augustana, West Saint Paul) as well as leaders from the Iringa Diocese to visit students at six secondary schools. It was a week of bumpy roads and bright smiles as we met with students whose direction in life is being altered because of the gift of education that you and the members of your companion congregation are sharing with them. This is one of many projects that...

We just received a delivery of 35+ letters written by some of the 140 students whose education we sponsor through our scholarship fund.  What a treasure! This set of letters comes from  students attending Idodi Secondary School.  They are students in forms one through four -- about the equivalent of 7th through 10th graders here in the US.  Many have only been studying English for a couple years. My dear sponsor, I greet you in the name of Jesus Christ.  I am very happy to get this chance to communicate with you for what you are doing for me, especially for paying school fees and other contributions. I hope that you continue well with your daily activities.  I am also continue well with my studies and with my health also. The aim of writing this letter is to say thank you for paying school fees for me.  I promise you that I anticipate I will study hard and will pass my form four examinations and join the advanced level. God bless you and l...

Words of thanks have been flowing from our partners in Tanzania as they have heard the news that Shepherd of the Valley's Walk for Water was successful. Thank you for your prayers and for all efforts for Mahove water project! We will keep on praying for you and for the whole congregation at Shepherd of the Valley for caring for the people of Mahove and for Tungamalenga in general. May God keep on blessing you! Rev. Lusungu Msigwa Bega Kwa Bega Coordinator for the Iringa Diocese, Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania Rev. Msigwa accompanied Shepherd of the Valley members to Mahove a year ago, August 2010. He served as our interpreter and advisor as we worked with the people of Mahove and with the local government representatives to discuss the plans to bring water to the village. Hi to all SOTV. We are so thankful for all you are doing for Tungamalenga Parish. We know for sure that you also have many activities to do for your church ministry for your area. But we also know that if...

Here's another letter of thanks, this time from one of our students who completed both secondary and university studies as an SOTV scholarship recipient. I am grateful to hear from you. I am walking from my living room to my work place. While on my way, I have been visiting my electronic mail and reviewed your encouraging emails you sent to me when I was studying at secondary school and college. Your and other americans' messages reveal the great love of God through his people. It reminds me of the word of God that tells the world that "when you are in difficulties and in need, if you bow unto him who knows you inside and out, he will open the door of your difficulties and needs" and I believe, God does this through his people as he did and does to me. This makes me think of him and you and teaches me to love every and each person I meet. May the almighty father who is in heaven bless you abundantly for what you do for the people of my kind and throughout the Ir...

Here's a letter we received from one of the 140 students sponsored by Shepherd of the Valley, who receive financial support for tuition, room and board at secondary schools and university in Tanzania. My dear friends, I greet you in the name of God. My health, it is well . And my studies, I am still proceeding on the studies. I thank for you through God for proceeding paying for the cost of school for me. In my family, the total number of children is ten. I am the last child. At this time I have 20 years. I started the secondary school education in February 2004 at Idodi Secondary School after being selected from the students who passed the primary examination which I did in 2003. I passed the form two national examination and then the form four national examination. From those results I was selected to join form five at Njombe Secondary School for the combination of PCM -- Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. I transferred to Mwembetoga Secondary School in order to study th...