Tanzania Partnership

One thing our travelers notice when we visit our partners in Tungamalenga and Makifu is how different our family structures can be.  American homes typically house a nuclear family – parents and children – while in Tanzania, living with extended family is the norm. A household of parents and children often includes a grandparent, several orphaned cousins, perhaps an aunt.  Malaria, tuberculosis, AIDS and other diseases leave many children orphaned, and for the most part, traditional Tanzanian culture cares for orphans within the extended family structure. For those children who truly have no relatives in this world, the Iringa Diocese owns and operates Huruma [Mercy] Center. Matron Mama Chilewa and her small staff care for 45 - 60 children ages 5 - 16. Often the children are brought to the center by social workers who find the children living on the streets. Staff care for the children while searching for relatives willing to take in the child. We met an eight year ol...

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...

When our groups visited the Huruma Center orphanage last July, one sweet little girl grabbed my hand and didn't let go.  We sat on the steps watching the other kids jump rope and play soccer with the visitors. She draped herself across my lap and snuggled in. She was born with an umbilical hernia, and by the age of eight she had a mass the size of my fist protruding from her belly.  It caused pain when she moved, so she avoided the active pursuits most kids her age love. Her condition could be fixed by a simple surgery, so we left word that we would like to cover her medical expenses if the surgery could be arranged. Today we learned that she had the surgery on Thursday, was back home at Huruma by Saturday, and is doing well.  We are so grateful to Gary Langness, a longterm volunteer currently in Iringa, for making the arrangements.  A few weeks ago, he took a visiting Minnesota physician to the orphanage to assess the child.  Together,...

We celebrated our Tanzania Partnership in worship at the end of January.  This was the fourth or fifth time we've done this over the last dozen years, so things that were once really new and unexpected have come to be almost routine.  Like having the kwaya [choir] sing accompanied only by drums, and dressed in a collection of Tanzanian dresses, shirts and kitangas [fabric lengths] given to us by our partners. We've become accustomed to the auction at the end of worship, and there are people who show up on Sunday morning bearing items to be auctioned -- bananas, beans, eggs.  There was a chicken who made a little noise when the choir sang, but who stayed in her cage (unlike the chicken of 2013). The Kwaya ya Watoto [Children's Choir] added a new element this year, leading the singing of a Maasai song.  The children dressed in Maasai clothing and jewelry. Pastor Chris introduced the song to the congregation.  The text goes someth...

7  Each one must give as he has decided in his heart,   not reluctantly or under compulsion, for   God loves a cheerful giver.   8  And   God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency [ e ]   in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:7-8 When Shepherd of the Valley travelers worship with our partners in Tungamalenga and Makifu Parishes, we’ve learned to ask a question before the service begins. “How many offerings today?” In Tanzanian worship, the offering of tithes and gifts is processional, with each member bringing their gift to the front of the sanctuary, to the accompaniment of celebratory singing and dancing.  The first offering represents one’s regular commitment to the work of the church. It is used to support pastors’ salaries and the general ongoing expenses of the congregation. A portion of the offering is passed along to the diocese to support the wor...

These remarks were shared by Jim Odland during Tanzania Partnership Weekend worship, January 24 - 25, 2015 at Shepherd of the Valley. T his service is intended to give you a glimpse into the colorful, vibrant and joyful lives of our brothers and sisters of Tungamalenga and Makifu parishes.  Like heaven, I think you have to be there to really experience it.  I am honored to share a few observations about my time there this past summer. There’s a constant pace in Tungamalenga with 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness each and every day of the year – constant commotion since people are outside in the temperate air, continuous crowing of roosters and the unusual sounds of the Islamic Call to Prayer several times a day.  The rhythm somehow provides our friends with joy, contentment and a general sense of welcoming peace that rubs off on all of the visitors we send there. The people of Tungamalenga and Makifu parishes live hard lives to be sure....

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 k...