Imani Moja/One Faith - Part 2
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)
In the 7th chapter of John’s Gospel, Jesus says,
“Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, and let the one who believes in me drink. As the scripture has said, “Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water.”
Now for two Maji/water stories…
Our vehicle wove through thatched homes surrounded by thorny fences until our eyes caught sight of colorful clothing, dancing bodies, wide smiles; our ears heard beautiful music and jingling beads; and as we stepped out of the car, our hands were grasped in love by the people of the Endumo–Ruvu sub parish, Pare Diocese as we too began to dance and smile.
The Endumo community welcoming us with singing and dancing.
The people and Pastor Kiseven met us on a Monday afternoon under the trees for shade, as we gathered for dancing, singing, greetings, worship, feasting, and in the middle of it all, the gift of Holy Baptism for 6 little ones. Under the shade of a tree, in front of their church building, in the company of their pastor, their community of faith, their bishop, and two strangers from Iowa, we gathered with 6 families, not speaking the same language, yet when the green plastic bowl and the bottle of water were lifted, and each child was carried in the arms of their families, the gift of the water and the Word, were gift to them as they received the gift of baptism and heard the words, child of God, you have been sealed by the power of the Holy Spirit and marked with the cross of Christ forever. Some heard these words in English, as I or Pastor Wohlers baptized 4 children, and others in Swahili as Bishop Mjema baptized 2 children, and all celebrated the gift of water and God’s word of love for all.
What a gift to be welcomed as strangers yet loved before we arrived. What a humbling gift to be asked if the first child to be baptized and the only girl could receive my name–Amy–by her parents. What a gift to baptize these children, surrounded by witnesses of all ages, and then to pray, dance, sing, feast, exchange gifts–where Pastor Wohlers gave each child a cross to remember the gift of baptism–and they were so full of joy, and then we feasted together on a meal that had been prepared with care for this celebration. And then we departed with peace, connected in God’s Word and the maji (water).
Pastor Wohlers sharing crosses with all the children.
The Endumo sub parish is make up of about 438 Christians (126 adults and 312 children). They are of the Maasai tribe and most are animal herders. Only 8% of the adults in the parish have attended school to learn to read and write. The Pare Diocese with the leadership of Pastor Kiseven, himself Maasai, has established a school for children and programs for parents, and adults to have the opportunity for education related to school subjects, plus gardening, economic and parenting. The Endumo sub parish is slowly constructing a new church building in hopes that with a nearby school and church, these herders may choose to spend more time rooted or returning to this area for faith formation and education for the community for flourishing into the future.
In the 7th chapter of John’s Gospel, Jesus says,
“Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and let the one who believes in me drink. As the scripture has said, “Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water.”
I was never thirsty in Tanzania. Our hosts made sure that we had plenty of bottled water for to drink every day. And everywhere we went we noticed people of all ages carrying water on their heads, their shoulders, strapped on their motorbikes, onto buses, and on their bicycles to bring water home to cook, wash, bathe, flush… There is running water available in many cities and towns, yet many do not have this luxury at their fingertips.
The people who live in the Kisangiro and Kichwang’ombe communities have not had access to clean and sustainable water near their communities until now. On Sunday, October 26, 2025, Pastor Wohlers and I, along with federal and local government officials, Muslim community leaders, Bishop Mono, pastors, and leaders of the Mwanga Diocese gathered with the people of Mandaka and Mwanga Mjini parish members for worship, a feast, and to inaugurate a water project. The project was born when a district council member, in 2003, showed a glass of water to the visitors from Peace Lutheran Church in Pella, Iowa, Southeastern Iowa Synod, and said, “If that condition continues, we have many people with no future.” And in response, beloved saint Dick Whitaker, member of Peace, Pella, and the congregation, came alongside the people of these communities to bring clean and sustainable water.
Bishop Current turning the spigot with Bishop Mono.
I had the privilege of standing with Bishop Mono and Mama Severa Masawe, a local leader of this project, as we gave thanks to God for the precious gift of water. I had the honor of turning the spigot and then Mama Severa took the bucket of water and placed it on her head and walked into the community that had gathered to celebrate with joyful cheers.
The project began with a conversation with Peace Lutheran Church, Pella members and before its completion expanded to include partners in the Tanzanian federal and local government and now all who are thirsty will come to the water and drink. Access to clean and sustainable water is life.
Pastor Chad Brown shares, “Peace Lutheran Church of Pella Iowa has been in relationship with the ELCT in Mwanga Tanzania for over 15 years providing school uniforms and tuition for AIDS orphans. An additional project was to support the build of water wells to 3 villages in Mforo, Kisangiro and Kichwang’ombe. That project was completed in 2025 and now 32 families enjoy running water for cooking, cleaning and watering livestock.”
Peace members Bev M. and Gary K added, “The greatest gift is that women and girls no longer are required to spend half a day walking to the river, 11 km away, for a source of water, which robbed the girls of their education time at school … this is an embodied answer to our prayers.”
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.