Saint Luke Lutheran Global Missions

I obviously overestimated the internet availability on this trip. Although we usually had an...

Sun, 25 Sep 2011 07:45:15 -0400

I obviously overestimated the internet availability on this trip. Although we usually had an internet cafe within a few blocks of any hostel or hotel we stayed in, a combination of frequent power outages and very busy days has prevented me from posting as much as I would like. The last time I was able to load Tumblr was almost a week ago… and then the site crashed before I could publish my post.

I still have a lot to share about my trip though. If I can get on later today I will do a picture post. Please stick with this blog even after we return to the states. Once I have higher bandwidth allowances I intend to post about the rest of the trip.

The Rainbow School for Mentally Disabled and Autistic Children

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 16:15:00 -0400

The Rainbow School for Mentally Disabled and Autistic Children

"Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over,..."

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 10:05:06 -0400

“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.””

- Luke 6:38

This trip is all about sharing. The Saint Luke Global Missions Team is sharing with the congregation of Mikanjuni and they are sharing with us. Let us remember to give as much as possible and to be thankful and mindful of the gifts we receive.

Pastor Mtangi giving his sermon at Mikanjuni Lutheran church.

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 09:03:00 -0400

Pastor Mtangi giving his sermon at Mikanjuni Lutheran church.

"Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their..."

Sun, 18 Sep 2011 10:05:06 -0400

“Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.”

- Luke 9:23

When I am tired or impatient I have to remember that the difficult path I walk is the path God has set for me. Let me go gladly.

"For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline."

Sat, 17 Sep 2011 10:06:06 -0400

“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”

- 2 Timothy 1:7

When faced with an unexpected experience let us be bold. May our faith carry us forward and not let doubts shield us from the new amazing experiences of Mikanjuni!

"Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble."

Fri, 16 Sep 2011 10:00:05 -0400

“Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.”

- 1 Peter 3:8

If there are differences between us - let us celebrate them. Let us embrace all things new and learn from them as humbly as possible

We reached Lushoto today. It’s up in the mountains, and...

Thu, 15 Sep 2011 12:10:05 -0400

We reached Lushoto today. It’s up in the mountains, and the drive without guardrails was a little nerve-racking. Today we met with the General Secretary of the Diocese, their head of social ministries, their head of economic development programs. Since NED is head-quartered in Lushoto we will stay here for a few days to visit the various ministries the Diocese runs. Then on Saturday afternoon we will travel to Mikanjuni to finally visit our companion parish!

Here are a few pictures from our current hostel. Behind the hostel are farmlands owned by the Diocese, part of their economic development programs.

We landed at Mt. Kilimanjaro airport last night and spent the...

Thu, 15 Sep 2011 10:32:24 -0400

We landed at Mt. Kilimanjaro airport last night and spent the night in Moshi. The hostel was very nice. All the hostels we will be staying at are run by the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania to fund their ministries.

Mount Kilimanjaro can be viewed from the balconies of the hostel if the day is not to cloudy. As you can see from my pictures today was not our lucky day.

This morning I wrote another version of this post, but just as I was about to publish it the power went out at the hostel. This area has experienced frequent power outages due to the drought.

"They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to..."

Thu, 15 Sep 2011 10:00:05 -0400

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”

- Acts 2:42

Today, as we meet Christians half a world away from Saint Luke, let us rejoice in the fellowship of Christ!

"But where shall wisdom be found? and where is the place of understanding? Man knoweth not the price..."

Wed, 14 Sep 2011 10:05:06 -0400

“But where shall wisdom be found? and where is the place of understanding? Man knoweth not the price thereof; neither is it found in the land of the living.”

- Job 28:12-13

"Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part;..."

Tue, 13 Sep 2011 10:10:05 -0400

“Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.”

- 1 Corinthians 13:12

Today we begin a journey to seek clarity. To separate fact from fiction, and to appreciate the truth of who our brothers and sisters in Christ really are.

Today we leave!

Tue, 13 Sep 2011 07:52:30 -0400

I’m driving to the airport right now to meet up with the other group members. We’re flying from Philadelphia from Atlanta today, and then tonight we fly to Amsterdam. Hopefully I can string a few words together when we get to Arusha.

South Eastern Pennsylvania Lutheran Synod

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 18:51:27 -0400

South Eastern Pennsylvania Lutheran Synod:

Our synod is in a companion relationship with the North Eastern Lutheran Diocese of Tanzania. This means that the two organizations have paired up as many of their participating congregations as possible. Saint Luke was paired up with the Mikanjuni Parish in August of 2009. We have exchanged letters, but this is the first time anyone from our congregation will meet Mikanjuni members!

What is a Companion Congregation?

Mon, 29 Aug 2011 20:24:00 -0400

When I first told people I was going to Tanzania many assumed I was either going on a service trip or as an evangelical missionary. Visiting a companion congregation is neither of those things. Tanzania has a well established Lutheran church that is heavily involved in evangelical outreach throughout the country - they certainly do not need Americans to travel half-way around the world to share the good news.

Companion relationships are about sharing with one another. When both congregations enlarge their worldview they gain a new understanding of how to live a faithful life. They may find new ways to serve and worship God. During natural disasters or times of political crisis we do not just pray for the broader world, but for specific sisters and brothers in Christ. Instead of cultural isolation we have global communion.

I’ve found this man’s Kiswahili instruction videos...

Sat, 27 Aug 2011 12:10:05 -0400

I’ve found this man’s Kiswahili instruction videos to be very helpful.

In Tanzania the national language is Kiswahili. Anyone seeking higher education usually learns English as well. I’ve tried to learn some vocabulary, but I won’t know till I’m there what the language barrier will be like.

These maps show the places we will be visiting while in...

Fri, 26 Aug 2011 16:29:00 -0400

These maps show the places we will be visiting while in Tanzania.

Karibu! (Welcome)

Thu, 25 Aug 2011 20:40:28 -0400

For members who cannot make the physical trip to Tanzania, I hope this blog will share a taste of the experience with you. I’ve set up shop a little bit early so that I can get people excited about the trip ahead of time. The team has been preparing all summer - getting our shots, applying for visas, and learning about Mikanjuni. Please join us in that learning experience!

Once we arrive in Tanzania we may not have regular access to the internet. However, I am preparing a few posts ahead of time so that you can keep tabs on where we are and what we are doing. There should be something new everyday! After the trip I’m sure we will have lots of follow up thoughts and pictures to share as well.