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DELEGATION VISITS DIOCESE OF MERU
Bishop Paul Stumme-Diers led a delegation from the Greater Milwaukee Synod to visit the Diocese of Meru in August, 2004. The bishop's reflections were included in the October 2004 synod newsletter "Life Together."
While there have been other visits to the Diocese of Meru, the official delegation visits are as follows:
From Milwaukee to Mt. Meru
January 1997 led by Bishop Peter Rogness
July 1999 led by Assistant to the Bishop Ken Wheeler
August 2002 led by Pastor James Peters who was a former missionary in the area
August 2004 led by Bishop Paul Stumme-Diers
September 2006 led by Pastor Viviane Thomas-Breitfeld
From Mt. Meru to Milwaukee
May 1998 led by Bishop Paulo Akyoo
May 2000 led by Assistant Bishop Elias Kitoi
May 2003 led by Bishop Paulo Akyoo
May 2005 led by Assistant Bishop Urio
September 2007 led by Bishop Paulo Akyoo
Impressions of John McGroarty part of August, 2004 delegation to the Diocese of Meru and member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Oconomowoc.
- The scenery in the National Parks was spectacular, really quite breathtaking.
- The warmth and generosity of the people are remarkable. It really teaches one what true charity and generosity should be. The children I met in the villages and at the various schools were tremendous.
- The contrasts seen and the experiences are hard to verbalize. To stay with a family, even for a one night, is an experience I will never forget and thankful that I got a chance to do it.
- It was the trip of a lifetime and I would highly recommend anyone that may consider the trip to definitely go.
Another reflection on the delegation trip to Tanzania comes from Sandy Ringwall, member of Adoration Lutheran in Greenfield.
INSPIRATION FOR LIFE FROM TRIP TO TANZANIA
PHOTO SHOWS HOPE OF PARTNERSHIP WITH PEOPLE OF MERU
As I was putting pictures in my photo album, one stands out to me as
it depicts how I see Tanzania. The baobab tree is stark and dark and bare. To me it represents the poverty, the diseases like AIDS, the short life expectancy, the hunger and drought. It, by itself, is not very beautiful. But when you see it with the SON in the background, the LIGHT of GOD, shining through the darkness, it is very beautiful. It represents God’s love and grace and the hope that our Partnership lends to them.
I have been blessed to be there several times and I have seen progress since the last trip. I do feel that our Partnership is a “bright spot” in their lives. I have seen the education of secondary school students rise from 4% to 10% and know it will continue to improve. The coffee farmers are receiving a very fair price for the coffee beans. I have seen churches putting up kindergarten buildings and opening them to children of all faiths. We have improved their medical care with medicine and much needed equipment and supplies. I have seen cell phones, Internet cafes and more traffic and cars than were there previously.
The progress has been noticeable. However, there is still the poverty, disease, lack of water and families that can’t send their children to school. There is work to be done, but with God’s help, we are their hope and they are our INSPIRATION. The people of the Diocese of Meru have shown me a new purpose for my life, a stronger faith, a renewed spirit, and an opportunity to share blessings with each other. I think this explains why I am always so eager to be part of a group that travels to the Diocese of Meru in Tanzania.
Sandy Ringwall has been to Tanzania three times, as part of the official delegation trips in 1999, 2002 and 2004. For more information on Sandy’s work with medical concerns, see the Medical Concerns page for the Meru Companion Synod.
Add Content...
DELEGATION VISITS DIOCESE OF MERU
Bishop Paul Stumme-Diers led a delegation from the Greater Milwaukee Synod to visit the Diocese of Meru in August, 2004. The bishop's reflections were included in the October 2004 synod newsletter "Life Together."
While there have been other visits to the Diocese of Meru, the official delegation visits are as follows:
From Milwaukee to Mt. Meru
January 1997 led by Bishop Peter Rogness
July 1999 led by Assistant to the Bishop Ken Wheeler
August 2002 led by Pastor James Peters who was a former missionary in the area
August 2004 led by Bishop Paul Stumme-Diers
September 2006 led by Pastor Viviane Thomas-Breitfeld
From Mt. Meru to Milwaukee
May 1998 led by Bishop Paulo Akyoo
May 2000 led by Assistant Bishop Elias Kitoi
May 2003 led by Bishop Paulo Akyoo
May 2005 led by Assistant Bishop Urio
September 2007 led by Bishop Paulo Akyoo
Impressions of John McGroarty part of August, 2004 delegation to the Diocese of Meru and member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Oconomowoc.
- The scenery in the National Parks was spectacular, really quite breathtaking.
- The warmth and generosity of the people are remarkable. It really teaches one what true charity and generosity should be. The children I met in the villages and at the various schools were tremendous.
- The contrasts seen and the experiences are hard to verbalize. To stay with a family, even for a one night, is an experience I will never forget and thankful that I got a chance to do it.
- It was the trip of a lifetime and I would highly recommend anyone that may consider the trip to definitely go.
Another reflection on the delegation trip to Tanzania comes from Sandy Ringwall, member of Adoration Lutheran in Greenfield.
INSPIRATION FOR LIFE FROM TRIP TO TANZANIA
PHOTO SHOWS HOPE OF PARTNERSHIP WITH PEOPLE OF MERU
As I was putting pictures in my photo album, one stands out to me as it depicts how I see Tanzania. The baobab tree is stark and dark and bare. To me it represents the poverty, the diseases like AIDS, the short life expectancy, the hunger and drought. It, by itself, is not very beautiful. But when you see it with the SON in the background, the LIGHT of GOD, shining through the darkness, it is very beautiful. It represents God’s love and grace and the hope that our Partnership lends to them.
I have been blessed to be there several times and I have seen progress since the last trip. I do feel that our Partnership is a “bright spot” in their lives. I have seen the education of secondary school students rise from 4% to 10% and know it will continue to improve. The coffee farmers are receiving a very fair price for the coffee beans. I have seen churches putting up kindergarten buildings and opening them to children of all faiths. We have improved their medical care with medicine and much needed equipment and supplies. I have seen cell phones, Internet cafes and more traffic and cars than were there previously.
The progress has been noticeable. However, there is still the poverty, disease, lack of water and families that can’t send their children to school. There is work to be done, but with God’s help, we are their hope and they are our INSPIRATION. The people of the Diocese of Meru have shown me a new purpose for my life, a stronger faith, a renewed spirit, and an opportunity to share blessings with each other. I think this explains why I am always so eager to be part of a group that travels to the Diocese of Meru in Tanzania.
Sandy Ringwall has been to Tanzania three times, as part of the official delegation trips in 1999, 2002 and 2004. For more information on Sandy’s work with medical concerns, see the Medical Concerns page for the Meru Companion Synod.