by Susan Uhler

This past July, seven Lutherans from York and Lancaster parishes visited their companion congregations and the Konde Diocese. The group was led by seasoned traveller Sue Orth, making her third trip to Tanzania. Sue and LeighAnn Mcquate represented Zion Lutheran Church in Leola, Linda and John Bell are from St. Paul Lutheran in Lititz and John and Susan Uhler and Anna Blyth from Advent Lutheran in York. We are happy to report that the companion relationships are thriving.

Our mutual understanding and appreciation of fellow Lutherans across the globe has been vitally enhanced by these visits and by our love for them evidenced by our desire to connect with them on a personal basis. The group were given an overview of the Konde Diocese and its many projects which strive to support the community in various ways. These include Itete hospital and Manow Secondary School. There is also a major project to expand the former Mbeya Teachers College to full university status, offering many courses of study including nursing.

The good news is that membership is growing in Lutheran parishes across the Konde Diocese, however there are are still challenges in educating enough new pastors to serve these congregations. A two-year "crash course" for pastors is being offered at Matema Lutheran Center, with 22 new pastors being prepared, but still there is a need to provide further training. Other issues which are being addressed in the Diocese include the need for education in HIV/AIDS and malaria prevention and treatment, creating a reliable income to support parishes, woefully inadequate medical and school resources, and care of the large and growing number of orphans and widows.

The highlight for most of us making the trip to Tanzania was the three-day visitation with our companion congregations. Several of us were making a return trip to reconnect with old friends, and several were experiencing the visits for the first time. All of us found the experience to be rewarding and inspiring, as we learned first-hand about the issues confronted by our companions, and shared with them some of our challenges in keeping the faith alive and attracting new members in an increasingly secular culture.There is much we can learn from each other. The evangelism and outreach of our fellow Lutherans in Tanzania is inspiring. The example of their Christ-centered daily living is a shining demonstration of faith and hope in the face of poverty and hardship.

(Note: Be sure to visit the website next week for more articles, photos, and updates from the Konde Committee and our companion synod!)