Sunday Post from Pastor Greg

Greetings everyone! I haven't been in contact for a few days because I have been spending time at Mudio, our original sister congregation. What a time I've had! The joke was made upon my arrival that I was now the new "Associate Pastor." I love it! That was perfect for me, for it gave me a chance to simply be with the people here at Mudio.
During my days I spent a great deal of time with Pastor Christosia Ngowi. We walked the countryside visiting many sick and shut-ins. We also were hosted in the homes of many "church elders." Each wanted to feed us, so I'm very glad we walked a lot! I've been so inspired by the deep faith of their members. Truly they have received me as one of their own. For that, I am humbled and grateful.
Worship this morning was about three and one half hours. They asked me to preach and Pastor Rhonda and I participated in eight baptisms. We also shared the Lord's Supper. We also shared and received their greetings.
We have seen the great progress of Mudio - the new sewing building renovation, the kindergarten, maize mill and overall growth in the ministry. I am so impressed by all that they have done! I cannot wait to tell you all, over the course of time, all that your support has empowered in this place. Know that you are making a difference here and they are also holding us in prayer. This truly is a spiritual partnership.
We will see you in a few days as tomorrow evening we depart.

The Goodness of Grace

Today was a great day! I'll admit, at this point on a trip like this, I'm a little weary. I'm tuckered out, longing for home and I want to hug my closest loved ones. But today was just what I needed - some goodness revealed in God's grace. Our morning started early with everyone ready for worship. The people on this trip have become a spiritual family to me, which has endeared me to them. Their morning greetings warmed my tired soul. 

Then we were off to Mudio Lutheran Church. At the turn off to their neighborhood we were met with a brass band in the back of a truck. They played their horns the entire trek up to the church. Once there, the band escorted us to the church grounds and we were greeted by the women of the congregation who pinned fresh flowers on us in celebration. The warm greetings only followed from there.

Worship began after time for tea. The sanctuary filled in with standing room only. The singing, chanting, praying, preaching filled my soul. The focus was being a fool for Christ, that sometimes in faith, our love for Christ and his people does not make sense to the world. But we love anyway and it changes the world.

Then there were eight baptisms, which Pastor Greg and I presided over. What joy to speak words of grace over these children and their parents! Even though there was a language barrier, the grace poured out was sufficient! Every baby smiled from ear to ear-no kidding!

Then communion...this sacrament of Jesus' presence is always meaningful to me anyway. I served with a retired pastor. "The body of Christ given for you" were the words I spoke. English or Swahili- it didn't matter, we knew God was present. Good grace given to all who came forward. Once again, God's people fed and nourished. The most touching moment was when our Tanzanian church leaders and pastors knelt down to receive the sacrament from Pastor Greg and I. And then we in turn knelt down to be served last. I will carry this moment of grace with me for a long time. 

After worship we met Edward and Margaret Munisi. They were our host home. We had a most delightful afternoon learning about them, them learning about us. Someone once told me, if you really want to get to know someone, put your feet underneath their kitchen table. We did just that and it was wonderful! 

Tomorrow we leave, saying goodbye to the people who have become fast friends. Keep us in prayer as we travel. See you all at home soon. We'll be bringing the goodness of grace with us.

Trinity

Colossians 3:16 "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly...and with gratitude in your hearts sung psalms, hymns and spiritual songs to God."

I remember my final months in seminary (graduate school to become a pastor), when we eagerly and anxiously awaited assignment from our bishop of where Eric and I would serve as pastors. Those were expectant days!

Rural, suburb, city...where God would you send us? 

Somehow, by God's grace, I learned something during that time. God is One-Father, Son and Holy Spirit and people are people wherever you go. The church will be the church wherever the Spirit chooses. My call was and still is to simply be open to this promise and to respond to it with faith. 

The same promise has unfolded during our time in Tanzania. Hearing scripture and prayers spoken in Swahili and English awakens my heart of faith. God is present in all people who believe-once again I discover this! What a gift from God.

One of the fun practices we've shared with our Tanzanian brothers and sisters is music. With the coming of Christian radio broadcast around the world, we've heard a lot of familiar songs - "How Great is our God" "Lord Reign in Me" "Awesome God" among others. It's been wonderful to have faith shared through song. All of a sudden divisions like language and culture dissolve with beautiful melodies and words filled with faith, hope and love. And as music does, with the singing brings smiles and laughter. 

Sunrise on the Serengeti

Genesis 1:24 "And God said, Let the earth bring forth living creatures of every kind..."

I couldn't sleep any longer. That's what happens with international travel. Your sleep schedule gets out of whack. And so there it was 4:30 am and feeling well rested. I laid in bed for a while musing on yesterday's devotion about creation.

Genesis chapters 1-6 paints a picture of creation. God speaks and vast expanses of land and water emerge on the face of the earth. Then God creates animals on the earth, in flight and under the waters. Then God speaks into existence humanity - male and female. It's visionary, powerful and real.

After a bit, I got the day started, found the coffee and took a cup to the observation deck of our hotel grounds. The Milky Way and vast stars were giving way to the sun's gently emerging glow. It's a sight I've seen so many times, but never in this place. The Serengeti started to wake. Colors layered in the horizon-pink, purple, grey, blue. Birds singing, hippos snorting, monkeys squawking, warthogs grunting. Creation was coming alive with the light.

A man from China and a woman from Sweden joined me on the deck. The three of us from different places in the world sharing a collective respect and awe for the awakening creation.

As I stood looking out over the sun rising on the Serengeti, I felt that sense of being held in God's wide embrace along with all of creation. As the first article of our Apostle's Creed states, I believe in God the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth-moments like this lend to experiencing this belief in a profound way. If it is the Serengeti, or the park in the city, I pray you too may share this gift of being held in God's embrace, as we affirm together that we believe in God the Creator.

Hope

Romans 12:2 "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God-what is good and acceptable and perfect."

In 2013, Sheridan celebrated Christmas as a congregation by giving $48,000 to our sister congregation Karanzi Lutheran Church in Tanzania. The financial gift empowered the Karanzi community to build an English speaking elementary school for their children. It is the first of its kind - in their human history.

Our mission team from Sheridan traveled to Karanzi this past Sunday to join in the celebration of dedicating the building to the glory of God, the children, community and their future.

The drive bumped along with winding roads. But when we reached Karanzi, the place was hopping. There were kids everywhere, proud parents, community leaders and pastors from the  Northern Diocese of Tanzania. They were so happy to see us and we were happy to see them. This is the day The Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!

We started with the dedication of the school building. Bishop Shao led the procession. The brass band played. The pastors from Tanzania and the US read scripture. Ribbons were ceremoniously cut. Smiles filled faces. The children from Karanzi had their school uniforms on and stood in lines, smiling at what was for them- a new school!

From there, we had worship for hours. The speakers included, Pastor Greg, Bishop Shao, Pastor Joshua of the Karanzi parish, Compassion International leaders, a government official for this region of Tanzania. Everyone brought a vision for what God was/is doing for this community. There were hopes, dreams and a preferred future. There was encouragement for accomplishments and prophetic words for what needs to change. 

My 'God-moment' was seeing how this school is changing an entire community-not just the children enrolled in the school. For this community, speaking English opens their world to commerce, education and relationships beyond themselves. The spirit of hopefulness is upon the community of Karanzi. If I can convey anything to you as you read this, know that God's spirit through our Christmas gift 2+ years ago is alive! 

I look forward to seeing what God's future is for the people of Karanzi. I am thankful that we get to be a part of it!

Monday update from Pastor Greg

Today was a good day.  We traveled to two schools to meet our orphans and to distribute books.  The roads were long (and treacherous), but we certainly felt it was worthwhile.  Tom and Linda Gapp do such an excellent job at coordinating both the Tanzanian AIDS Orphan Project and the Textbooks for Tanzania Project.  This is clearly their life's work.

The highlight for me was when Linda assigned Rose and me a new student to sponsor.  Our student had not been sponsored prior to today and our previous student had graduated.  So, it was amazing to meet her.  I could also sense how much it meant to her to put a face with her scholarship by meeting me.

During our time together, she told me her story and I was truly humbled.  Our sponsored child is named Happyness.  She is not an AIDS orphan.  Rather, her father has been bedridden for five years because of AIDS.  I asked if her mother was employed and she said that her mother is "a peasant."  I asked the Headmaster what that meant and he said that she lives with a subsistent income.  Happyness' mother has simply a small garden, barters for food and relies on the charity of others to feed her family (husband and two other children).  Happyness was raised in a Lutheran Church and she knows and loves her pastor.  The amazing thing to me is that Happyness - living so far from home and under such adverse conditions - academically is second in her class.  She works hard and is driven to be the best student she can be.  Living at her school is a privilege for Happyness.  I am humbled by her faith in God.  She does not see herself as a victim.  Quite to the contrary, Happyness has a radiant joy.

As we prepared to leave, after I had what I thought was my final goodbye with Happyness, she came and found me and gave me a huge hug.  She was so grateful!  Words cannot express my thanks to God for bringing us together and uniting us.  For certain, we will be in each other's prayers.

Stories like this can (and will) be told by so many in our group.  I hope you will ask, listen and be moved by the power of our mission relationships, based in Christ's love.

Update from Pastor Greg: Sunday

Tonight I returned from three days at our sister congregation at Karansi.  The Sheridan team joined me today.  We had an amazing experience.  Since I will be at the Uhuru Hotel for a couple of days, I will be able to, bit by bit, fill you in on some details.  At this point all I can say is that Karansi is a happening place!  They are
engaged in a variety of ministries that are having a huge impact on their community.

Today, we worshiped for about five hours, had two meals (including 3 goats!) and had a donkey in worship (kind of like Hugo! from Christmas past!).  The bishop dedicated several new educational spaces and cordially allowed me to preach.  Hundreds of children were in attendance and the Spirit was more than present!

I look forward to sharing more experiences in the coming days and even more over the course of time in which we tell the story of God's work in us through our brothers and sisters in this place.

From Pastor Greg: Thursday

Today was a great day for us in Tanzania.  Tom, Linda and I (along with friend of SLC, Sandy) went to the Northern Diocese Bookstore and put labels on hundreds of books, which will be presented in the next
few days. Rocky and Judy Sorensen went to visit a school - a visit set up through a partnering organization.  Most went to visit Neema orphanage, always a highlight for the trip.  We then all met at the Machame Hospital and toured.  Bob Kasworm did an excellent job as usual.  Tonight we are off to the bishop's home for supper.

Tomorrow most will visit our AIDS orphans at Agape and Vujo Schools. I will begin my couple of days with Pastor Joshua Lasier at Karansi. I will be out of touch for a few days and will report after we dedicate the school.  I had been very nervous about my visit, but have been assured that I will be safe.  Mostly, I'm feeling very calm and
filled with peace.

I have heard you had a good snow.  Praise God for moisture in NE! We've had rain and then some heat this afternoon.

Please keep us in your prayers.  Know that you remain close in our heart!

Pastor Rhonda Update from Tanzania

Well, I'm finally finding some time to write at length regarding our Tanzania trip.
We are having a great time. Everyone is healthy and our Tanzanian hosts humble us with their tremendous hospitality!
So far, we have met many pastors and Lutheran church leaders who are doing visionary work in Tanzania. Inspiring!
Here's what we've seen so far...
We visited the Neema orphanage where they care for children who are orphaned. Three of the infants in the infant room had mothers who died at child birth. 1/250 women die in childbirth in Tanzania   The youngest was two months old. They were all so healthy, chubby and were willing to play. Their facility is beautiful and the staff provide excellent care.
We also met the deaconesses of the Neema (God's Grace) order. These women take vows of service to the church and community for a lifetime. They teach in schools, provide nursing care in hospitals and home health and provide hospitality to guests like us. They are led by Pastor Aron who has envisioned this ministry for years. I hope to visit their community tomorrow.
Machame Lutheran hospital is reaching out to their neighborhood and surrounding region. They provide prenatal, birth, postnatal, and childhood care. They also have an HIV/AIDS outreach. Following George W. Bush's initiative to provide funding to treat this disease worldwide made this outreach happen. This outreach, along with others across the nation have reduced the rate of this disease to just under 6% of the population. Their newest initiative is an orthopedic wing. With the arrival of motorcycles in Tanzania, this service is badly needed.
We delivered textbooks to different schools today and that was just like Christmas. We got a near standing ovation when the children learned they were getting textbooks on economics! Their singing was phenomenal. I videoed their offering of music and I hope something comes out that I can share with you all.
Pastor Greg is currently with the people of Karansi. He is visiting them in their homes and community. Please keep him in prayer as he reaches out to our brothers and sisters in faith. We see him again on Sunday for the dedication of the school.
Tomorrow we do more work with the textbooks preparation and distribution. We also will visit a fabric sales business and tree farm.
We miss you all and ask you for your prayers to continue. We feel them across the miles and they carry us by the Spirit!
And be proud that our congregation and greater church does so much in sharing the love of Christ in all ways that give life!
Peace,
Pastor Rhonda

Delayed by A Bird

Well, our first day of travel was eventful and not eventful all at the same time. We boarded our plane to Minneapolis began the taxi to take off, accelerated for take off and then suddenly felt the brakes. We taxied to a stopping point where we heard word of what happened. A large bird flew in front of the plane and the pilots saw it headed toward the engine. Remember the Hudson River emergency landing a while ago? Our pilot wanted to avoid that!
After the mechanics looked over the plane, the wheels were deemed unsafe as they were pretty 'burned' after the sudden stop. So we moved to plan B.
Because we are a large group of 28, we weren't quite so easy to reschedule. After 7 1/2 hours in the airport, we finally were booked at a hotel in Omaha. Nice accommodations!
We depart today at 1:50 for Detroit, then Amsterdam, then Kilimanjaro. We should arrive in Tanzania tomorrow evening.
We've lost a day on the ground in Tanzania. However, we have gotten to know each other quite well already. Good friends are good to have on long travels such as these.
One of Jesus' parting encouragements to his disciples on his last days were to lay down their lives for each other- by doing so we show great love. I learned that yesterday.
Peace,
Pastor Rhonda

Eve of Departure

We're ready! These words feel good to say on the eve of departure to our mission partnerships in Tanzania. We've worked for months to be at this point. Not only are we ready because we're packed and ready to go, but we are ready because we've been so richly encouraged in faith. This morning our mission team from SLC was commissioned and prayed for. And we were encouraged by so many of our brothers and sisters in faith. People promised to pray for us and to look after our families in our time away. They also thanked us for our willingness to go and continue to build this partnership in Tanzania. It was a great day to be the church together. We collectively believe that the Spirit is leading us and guiding us and we carry this in our hearts as we depart tomorrow.
Keep us in prayer. Read is blog and follow our travels. We're ready!

Updates from the Karansi School

Click here to see updated photos of the Karansi Primary School. Tom Gapp's words are true, "The progress is fantastic and such a blessing to the children of our sister congregation." Go to our website to see how you can become more involved with the Karansi School project.

Pastor Greg Update from Mudio

Today, Sunday, was a wonderfully full day. We left for Mudio to worship, and as has become their custom, they met us on the road with a brass band in the back of a pick-up truck and played as we drove up the hill to the church. It is humbling to be announced so boldly! (I have no idea how they can play their horns, let alone ride without falling off the pick-up, on such a bumpy road!)

I was able to get to know Mudio's new pastor, Christosia. He had been at Mudio for several years prior to going for more seminary training. He has now returned and is doing an excellent job. Everyone there says that he is very hard working and has helped the church progress.

After our three hour worship service and auction, Emilie and I were served lunch, including the traditional goat! It is hard eating something that is looking back at you, but we managed! It is an honor to be treated so well. After lunch we were able to get a tour of the Maize Mill that Sheridan's gifts had built. It is definitely an outreach to the entire community. I also toured their original building, which is in disrepair. I am hopeful that we will be able to support them as they renovate it.

Our final stop was to the home of our dear friend, host and ambassador to many Sheridan members, Saltieli Munisi. He and his wonderful wife, Helenna, hosted us for some conversation and fellowship. I was also able to pray for Saltieli's sister, Ufoo. Saltieli and Helenna are caring for her on hospice.

Well that is all for now. I can't wait to see all of you.

Peace, Pastor Greg

Update from Pastor Greg

Emilie and I just returned to Uhuru Hotel. All went very well with the climb and we summited well. The final day is the hard part and we made it to the top an hour earlier than the last time I climbed. Emilie was great - I clearly slowed her down! The conditions were excellent, although it was much colder throughout and brutally cold at the summit. When we get back to Nebraska, I'll be sure to post photos!

I'm very much looking forward to worshipping at Mudio tomorrow. It will be another mountain top experience!

Thanks for all of your prayer support!

Peace, Pastor Greg

An Update from Pastor Greg in Tanzania

Yesterday was a wonderful day. We had slept well and felt no ill-effects of all the travel time. Saltieli took us "window shopping" (his words, which is ironic as there were no windows) and we relaxed over pizza at a local place where many Americans eat. I can tell that it has been a long time since I've relaxed well. It felt good to be able to truly unwind.

As I write this, I am aware that it is Sunday morning in Lincoln - and therefore it is Pastor Eric's first day. Welcome, Eric! I am so excited about the direction of our team. God is so good. It does feel strange to be away from the pulse of Sheridan. But this is probably a good and necessary thing.

Today was great. We got up after another good night's sleep and departed for Karansi with Saltieli and our driver, Ali. It was a cool morning, made even cooler by the elevation at Karansi. We arrived at the main church and then were led to a remote location. This is a new locale that we have never been to before. It is a nice building. It is simple, but very well kept.

Much to our surprise, the ELCT Northern Diocese had sent the group from Minnesota/Pennsylvania there. So it was weird to have another group of nine there. Pastor Chad has been a longtime visitor to TZ. His former congregation in Penn. had built the orphanage that the NE Synod trip goes to. Now he is in the Twin Cities and he is building relationships with his new congregation and the Northern Diocese.

Worship was wonderful. I was asked to preach - a daunting task to try to bridge the gap we know exists. As part of my message I asked that we have Holy Communion and I gave a gift of a home Communion Kit to Pastor Joshua. It all seemed well-received. Once again, we were given full Maasai garb and a meal afterwards. It is truly humbling to experience this again. It never gets old! I found myself choking back the tears...

During the post-worship auction and social time, Emilie was able to talk with a young man who teaches English within the Karansi community. He was able to articulate to her how much days like this mean for their community. So much of what they hear about Americans is negative, so for them to hear such positive words that uplift them as spiritual partners means the world to them. He said that days like this are never forgotten in his community.

After worship we traveled to the main Karansi church and we were updated on the progress of the school. They are very confident that it will be complete by the time February rolls around. We have the dedication day set and they are excited in anticipation.

We were tired when we got back to Uhuru. We both napped and are preparing to go to supper with Saltieli and his wife, Helena. That will be a treat. We are fully packed for the climb, so we're feeling prepared in that way. Tonight we begin our altitude medicine.

Obviously, we will be out of touch for the next six days. As always, keep us in your prayers as we climb. I hope it goes well!

Grace and peace to each of you! Know that you are missed!

Peace, Greg

The Children of Karansi

The children at Karansi Lutheran Parish are like the children in all of Africa.  Many of us have a deep love for these children. The disciple John wrote in John 3:17, “If a rich person sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against his brother, how can he claim he loves God?” 

The children at Karansi live in poverty.  I still have the image in my head of the 2011 Sheridan team leaving Pastor Joshua Laiser’s home and the children running along side of us as we walked to the van.  The children were wearing rags. Like the children at Mudio, they have never worn new clothes. Many times I have visited the churches and schools, and the thought comes to me, “Is this child malnourished?”  At Karansi the children do not eat three meals a day.

Along the roads in Tanzania, you will see children in their school uniforms walking to school. Since the children at Karansi live a long distance from the school, many will be living in a dormitory. Can you imagine being six or seven years old and living in a dorm?          

And each time I leave the Sunday school classroom, after bringing school supplies, the teacher looks at me with her eyes, begging for help. Pastor Joshua Laiser is a leader in helping his Maasai people build a primary school. Most of these children have never been in school. I have great admiration for him as he recently completed high school!  The Karansi School will have all classes taught in English. This will give the children a chance to be successful when they enter secondary school. Learning a second language is not easy.

In spite of all the hardships, the children have smiles on their faces and enthusiastically sing Jesus Loves Me….in English.

In Christian love,

Linda Gapp

Click here for more information about the 2013 Vision Trip to Tanzania.
Click here to see pictures of the building of the school.