Imani Moja/One Faith - Part 4
Imani Moja/One Faith—Journeying with our companions in the Pare Diocese and Mwanga Diocese in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania
~Bishop Amy Current
Bwana Yesu Asifiwe. Bwana Yesu Asifiwe. Bwana Yesu Asifiwe. Amen (Swahili)
Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord. Amen
(English)
The Psalmist reminds the generations, “Give ear, O my people, to my teaching; incline your ears to the words of my mouth. God established a decree in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which God commanded our ancestors to teach to their children, that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and rise up and tell them to their children, so that they should set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep God’s commandments” (Psalm 78: 1, 5-7)
The Lutheran tradition has taken seriously the command to teach the generations since the Reformation, and one could argue that the people of God have faithfully taught the generations since well before the days of Psalm 78. God has conveyed God’s love for God’s people through stories from generation to generation. We, in the ELCA, have long celebrated the tradition of Lutheran education in our seminaries, colleges, schools, preschools, daycares, as well as in Sunday school, confirmation, vacation bible school, and bible study.
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania is committed to teaching the generations as well. Our companion dioceses, Mwanga and Pare, provide education for children from preschool through secondary in their communities. These schools are run by the Lutheran Diocese, and all children in the communities are welcome to enroll. Most schools have Christian and Muslim children learning side by side. We visited boarding schools, preschools, secondary schools, primary schools, and a college.
Imagine a typical Wednesday afternoon in your week. I guarantee it was nothing like the Wednesday I spent in Hedaru. What a joy it was to arrive in Hedaru to see Carol, Erin, and Deb from St. Andrew’s Lutheran in Ames surrounded by children waving colorful pinwheels. The whole crowd—children, parents, members of the congregation, members from the Pare Diocese, a choir, evangelists, pastors, diocese staff, Bishop Mjema and I—processed into worship led by a brass band. I was honored to preach and then to hear the report of the partnership between St. Andrew’s Lutheran, Ames and the Hedaru Parish that led to the building of this school, plus a 30-passenger mini-bus. There are currently 149 students (84 girls and 65 boys) enrolled at St. Andrew’s School.
Processional to the Inauguration of St. Andrew Pre and Primary School, Hedaru Parish, Pare Diocese, ELCT
After worship, the whole crowd processed through the village to the school. Those who were not processing certainly showed curiosity from their front doors, porches, and many began to fall in step as well. When we arrived at the school, Bishop Mjema cut the ribbon on the cornerstone. I was then invited to cut the ribbon on the inaugural monument. What a surprise to see my own name and our synod on the inaugural plaque! I was really touched—not for myself—but at the witness to the partnership between our synod through St. Andrew’s Lutheran, Ames with the Hedaru Parish and the Pare Diocese. After the Inauguration, we walked back to the church for a meal. A whole cow has been butchered and cooked for the feast in celebration of the new Shula/School in town.
Carol Putz, St. Andrew’s Lutheran, Ames, shares,
“The Hedaru Lutheran school project was an idea started by the Hedaru parish; they were excited and committed and needed our support. Education is such a vital resource for a community, and the ripples from a new school will last for generations. We are thrilled to be able to assist!
Work on the school continues incrementally. The focus of the first year was on building a kindergarten class. Then, year after year, a new grade was added. The people of the Hedaru parish are proud to serve the diverse families of their community and have children attending the school from many religions and tribes.
The school’s grand opening was certainly a highlight of this process, as we celebrated 6 grades of kids who are now attending this school, and also celebrated that many of the oldest children have passed national tests. There have also been many small and personal highlights as well: the quiet (and not so quiet) connections of playing, laughing, singing, and loving one another. It has been a beautiful journey together, and we are delighted to continue to support this project.
It is clear our partnership has been meaningful, something done together where we can both see the growth, and work together long term. We have learned that projects are most successful when they come from our partner’s needs rather than from our assumptions. It has been a beautiful journey together, and we are delighted to continue to support this project.”
Thank you to all the folks from St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, Ames for your generous support and ongoing partnership with the people of the Hedaru Parish.
Some of the children of the Hedaru Parish and St. Andrew School on the occasion of their school's inauguration. The pinwheels were a gift from Erin, Deb, and Carol from St. Andrew, Ames.
The Psalmist reminds the generations, “Give ear, O my people, to my teaching; incline your ears to the words of my mouth. God established a decree in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which God commanded our ancestors to teach to their children, that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and rise up and tell them to their children, so that they should set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep God’s commandments” (Psalm 78: 1, 5-7)
And then for something completely different, Pastor Wohlers and I were delighted to visit Usangi Leadership and Training School in the Mwanga Diocese. Usangi Leadership and Training School specializes in training evangelists for ministry from around the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania. The college faculty specializes in theology, ministry, and music, as well as courses akin to community college. Most students are adults who study for two years at the college, leaving their families, to receive formation to serve the parishes as lay evangelists. I couldn’t help but draw the connection to the many folks who are tending to learning and formation in our own synod as Synod Authorized Ministers to serve in ministry for congregations in the Southeastern Iowa Synod.
We were treated to a lovely lunch, a tour of the campus, and then led to the gorgeous chapel where we were treated to an incredible concert of brass, percussion, and voice choirs involving most of the student body. Amazing!
And, these adult learners were delighted to meet these friends from Southeastern Iowa, their partners in the Gospel. As we walked through the campus, a handful of folks shared their beautiful connection to our own Pastor Mary Jo Maas, who spent much time on this campus through the years.
What joy to share time with those answering God’s call to ministry.
Until next week…
Bwana Yesu Asifiwe. Bwana Yesu Asifiwe. Bwana Yesu Asifiwe. Amen (Swahili)
Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord. Amen
(English)
Join Bishop Current for an online Zoom gathering as she shares stories and reflections on Thursday, February 12, at 7:00 PM. Learn more here.