Youth Mission

Companion    

  Congregation    

  Group    

Synod Groups Traveling to Tanzania Summer of 2008

Two dynamic groups are traveling to Tanzania in the summer of 2008. In the Youth Mission group, there are 21 youth and five chaperones. In the Companion Congregation group, there are eight members. While at times they will travel together and share such experiences as meeting the Southern Diocese staff, touring main diocesan ministries, touring Dar es Salaam, and going on a safari, they will also have different goals.

The Youth Mission group will participate in the Southern Diocese's annual Youth Rally where they will connect with Tanzanian youth groups to learn about and participate in their ways of doing ministry, as well as work on a service project or two -- likely at the Igumbilo Lutheran Girls' Secondary School and/or the newly emerging Center for Agricultural Development.

The Companion Congregation group will focus on meeting and getting to know their companions, sharing each others' faith lives and ministries, and discussing the dynamics and goals of their special relationship.

Youth Group Members:

Megan Anliker - St. Paul, Renwick

Gail Bauler - Bethlehem, Cherokee

Amy Marie Borchers - St. Paul, Holstein

Chad Borchers - St. Paul, Holstein

Daniel Borchers - St. Paul, Holstein

Meghan DeFruscio - Exira, Exira

Cayla Egesdal - Nain, Newell

Kori Heidebrink -- Grace, Spirit Lake

Kelsea Hoberg - St. John, Sioux City

Amanda Hoeft - Immanuel, Forest City

Kim Larson - Grace, Marathon

Peter Lund - Bethesda, Clarinda

Chris Masad - Grace, Spirit Lake

Laura McDowell - St. Mark, Storm Lake

Bob Meyer - Immanuel, Rock Rapids

Jamie Meyer - Emanuel-St. John, Lytton

Kim Neumann - Faith, Odebolt

Malerie Quattlebaum - Bethany, Spencer

Emma Rinehart - Bethlehem, Royal

Lincoln Wells - St. Mary's, Storm Lake

Kirstin Wessling - St. Paul, Holstein

Chaperones:

Pastor Tammy Anderson - Grace, Marathon & Bethany, Laurens

Lynn Egesdal - Nain, Newell

Kevin Heck - St. Paul, Holstein

Erik Jensen - St. Paul, Neola

Sara Nyhus - Immanuel, Forest City

Companion Congregation Group Members:

Ron Ellefson - St. Mark, Storm Lake

Denise Kramer - Bethany, Spencer

Pastor Russ & Becky McDowell - St. Mark, Storm Lake

Patricia Minchin - St. John, Council Bluffs

Pastor Connie Spitzack, St. Mark, Storm Lake

Pastor Mel & Carole Suhr - St. Mark, Storm Lake

Hatua Kwa Hatua

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Information and Resources:

Letter from Bishop Lukilo - January, 2008

Companion Synod Covenant

Companion Congregation Covenant & Information

Tanzania Country Packet

Tanzania Map

Map of Southern Diocese Congregations

Speakers Bureau

Bold Women's Day!

February 24, 2008

Helima Mengele flier

Celebration Resources

Blessings upon you as YOU act

boldly on your faith in Jesus Christ!

Western Iowa Synod Women of the ELCA!! February 24, 2008, we are called to celebrate Bold Women's Day! Our synod has chosen to uplift Helima Mengele, wife of the Assistant to the Bishop of the ELCT Southern Diocese, who many of you met last year, as she works toward the completion of her Ph.D. in Sociology and Anthropology.

With this degree, she will be one of the highest educated women in Tanzania. She will use this degree to further the development of Tanzania and improve the empowerment of women. She will assist the SD in finding new funding streams and in the future accreditation of the Igumbilo Lutheran Girls' Secondary School into a university.

The Western Iowa Synodical Women's Organization asks that your unit engage in some sort of fundraising activity for Helima. All proceeds should be made payable and sent to the Western Iowa Synodical Women's Organization, Marlyce Hauge, Treasurer, PO Box 311, Manson, IA  50563, with the note "funding for Helima." Feel free to contact Judy Lang, President, at judithlang@aol.com or 515-576-6810, with any needs or concerns you may have.

 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

  Western

  Iowa Synod

  Well Team

Our newly-emerging well team of Ron Sterler, Jeff Bowen, and Dar Evans, who traveled to Tanzania in February 2008 with Marilyn Zech. Their goals are to learn about, assess, and continue to develop and improve our partner well project with the Southern Diocese.

Providing a CD-4 Count Machine

for Ilembula Lutheran Hospital

Look what can happen when one woman with a passion for the Lord's work raises her voice persistently in advocacy ...

The Medical Task Force of the Western Iowa Synod has long desired to provide Ilembula Lutheran Hospital in the Southern Diocese with a CD-4 count machine. This machine tests blood to help physicians appropriately treat persons affected by HIV/AIDS with antiretroviral drugs. Those treated with the drugs are relieved of many of their symptoms, their life expectancy is prolonged, and the transference of the disease is significantly lessened.

The World Health Organization and large foundations such as the Clinton Foundation offer antiretroviral drugs free of charge to those institutions with a CD-4 count machine. The machine itself, however, is very expensive ($50,000+). This results in many antiretroviral drugs expiring on shelves, the spread of the disease, and many HIV/AIDS patients simply without treatment. So, where in the world would we get such a costly machine? In this case, through the political process!

Carlene Embree, chair of both the Companion Synod Committee and Medical Task Force, randomly attended a Hillary Clinton rally in Carroll, Iowa. After the event, Mrs. Clinton was walking through the crowd. Carlene took the opportunity to greet her and would not let go of her hand until she shared who she was, what ministry she was representing, and the fact that many of the drugs that the Clinton Foundation has supplied to Africa are expiring due to lack of a CD-4 count machine. Hillary Clinton listened intently, wrote "Clinton Foundation" on the back of Carlene's business card, and said she would have someone from the Clinton Foundation call her about this issue.

Sure enough, Carlene received a call from the foundation a few days later. They wanted more detailed information about the Ilembula Hospital, staff, equipment, supplies, etc. The Clinton Foundation has people on the ground in Africa and sent individuals to Ilembula Lutheran Hospital to verify the story. Upon learning that what Carlene described was indeed true, the Clinton Foundation called again to say that they, in collaboration with Family Health International/Deloitte Tunajali (We Care) Program, would be supplying a CD-4 count machine, as well as a bio-chemical analyzer, to Ilembula Lutheran Hospital by the end of 2007!! They thanked Carlene for bringing this to their attention and asked her to let them know of other hospitals in similar situations.

Never underestimate the power of one voice in advocacy. Our prayers have been answered. " ... for God, all things are possible" (Mt. 19:26).

Read more about Western Iowa Synod's Medical Task Force projects below.

Cd-4 Count Machine at Ilembula Hospital.

Resident Coordinator:

We are blessed to have a very talented Tanzanian -- trained both as a pastor and as an administrator at Tumaini University -- to assist and manage the many components of our Hatua Kwa Hatua/Step By Step program. His name is Pastor Gabriel Nduye. His assistance is immeasurable as he manages project funds, enhances overall communications, attends to various project details, etc. Pastor Gabriel is the glue and the shoes that allows our relationship to keep moving forward Hatua Kwa Hatua!

Special Visitors from the ELCT-Southern Diocese:

Three of our ELCT-Southern Diocese friends traveled to the Western Iowa Synod from April through May 2007. They were Assistant to the Bishop, Pastor Isaya Mengele, his wife, Helima, and Pastor Gabriel Nduye, our Hatua Kwa Hatua Resident Coordinator who works closely with our HKH programs. During this time they attended synod assembly, visited many of our synod congregations, agencies and institutions, and experienced life in western Iowa. What a blessing their presence was to the entire Western Iowa Synod.

1. Igumbilo Lutheran Girls' Secondary School: 
   
   The school opened in January 2006 with approximately 80 students. Currently, enrollment is at 160 students, with plans to add a class of 80 students each year until a total capacity of 480 students is reached. The Western Iowa Synod has contributed sufficient funds to cover the initial $25,000 purchase of the compound that consists of classrooms, dormitories, dining hall, and administration. The Southern Diocese renovated and developed this facility into a working school.
   
   This Southern Diocese school primarily strives to educate girls who are HIV/AIDS orphans with no one to provide for their secondary education, or who are of the local Masai community where girls are routinely married off at young ages to bear children and tend cattle. Tuition and development costs are approximately $420/student/year. General ongoing synod funds are sent to the Southern Diocese at the rate of $1,000/month to be used for tuition scholarships (90%) and school development (10%). The Southern Diocese funds the remaining scholarships, development and operations of the school.
   
   Read a thank-you letter (page 1; page 2) from a student at the Igumbilo school!
    

2. Well Project: 
   
   Fresh, clean water continues to flow in the Southern Diocese of Tanzania through the Western Iowa Synod Well Project. One well can affect the lives of as many as 23,000 people from surrounding communities. A well greatly improves the overall health of people who routinely suffer and die from water-borne diseases such as dysentery. Additionally, women who often spend most of their day searching for water will have more time for education or employment.
   
   One well costs approximately $2,500 USD. Funds are collected in varying amounts. The Southern Diocese decides on the well locations. Locally-trained well-drilling crews perform the work. Local water committees are formed to collect and manage small user fees which contribute to ongoing security and maintenance of the wells. Sanitation and hygiene classes are offered to teach proper techniques for clean collection, storage, and use of the water.
    

3. Medical Supply: 
   
   A first-ever sea container of medical supplies was shipped to two medical facilities in our companion synod, the ELCT-Southern Diocese. These medical supplies and the funds for shipping were primarily contributed by the congregations of the Western Iowa Synod with generous additions from Global Health Ministries. The supplies were met in Tanzania by a synod visitor group who participated in the opening/blessing ceremonies of the sea container -- a highlight of their trip! The supplies and equipment were quickly put to use to alleviate health concerns and save lives. Two from the visitor group, Carlene Embree, an RN, and Dr. Timothy Peterson, MD, focused their time and attention on completing a comprehensive health assessment of the Southern Diocese medical facilities for use in future strategizing. Their time and talent is invaluable!
   
   Plans are underway, in collaboration with Global Health Ministries and the ELCT to obtain a better supply of electricity to the medical facilities of the Southern Diocese as well as to implement power surge protection equipment. Without power surge protection in place, high-cost equipment could be damaged or ruined. A CD-4 count machine has been obtained through the Clinton Foundation for Ilembula Lutheran Hospital (see story above). Other priorities include treated mosquito nets, hospice/midwife kits, and refurbished computers.
   
   On another medical note, Jason Mtokoma, Medical Officer at Kidugala Medical Center (a diocesan clinic) has recently returned to medical school to become a full doctor. He will return to Kidugala upon completion of this degree. Once a full doctor is in place there, the facility can move toward becoming a hospital, a much-needed service for the area. Medical school expenses are high. Global Health Ministries (GHM) has agreed to make Mr. Mtokoma's school expenses an organizational fund that anyone can contribute to, through GHM. GHM will forward the proceeds to the medical school to help cover Jason Mtokoma's costs. Anyone wishing to contribute may do so through GHM, www.ghm.org or 763-586-9590, or through the Western Iowa Synod, payable to the respective organization with Jason Mtokoma in the memo.
    

4. Center for Agricultural Development (CAD):
   
   Many in the Western Iowa Synod and the Southern Diocese live off of the land and seek to be good stewards of the land that God has given us. As such, the Western Iowa Synod will partner with the Southern Diocese to develop a school for sustainable agriculture, technology, and stewardship, resulting in a beacon of hope for those desiring to improve their skills in a variety of agricultural areas. It is hoped that this training center will be a model for other centers in Tanzania.
   
   The Southern Diocese, in conjunction with Sokoine University of Agriculture, has completed the Center for Agricultural Development survey report and proposal for development. The Western Iowa Synod CAD Task Force is currently reviewing the document and will decide on next steps. This will be a wonderful opportunity for the Western Iowa Synod to join hands in combating poverty through sustainable agriculture. Watch for exciting future CAD developments.

Companion Synod Sunday: