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Profile of the companion synod relationship - 5G Northern Great Lakes Synod / Tanzania / Eastern & Coastal Diocese (ECD)
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| Our Role in Global Mission |
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| It is a priviledge to be companions under the banner of Christ's one, holy, catholic and Apostolic Church. Alleluia! Our priority focus has been on person to person relationships and strengthening of Tanzania's secondary school program. |
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| Component(s) of our relationship |
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“walking together”
Two “walking together” visits have been led by the women of our Synod. We pray, sing, Bible study and exchange ideas of our mission.
Differently Enabled Children
Contact, prayers, idea exchange, curricula assistance is provided for the Mtoni center - a boarding school for differently enabled children.
Companion Churches
Many of our congregations have established companion connections with churches in the diocese and pray together, visit, and exchange educational programs with one another.
Scholarships
The synod also provides scholarship monies which enable students to attend school and for faculty members to receive continuing education. Mwangaza Teacher Training Center in Arusha receives $1000 annually.
Teacher exchanges
8 teacher exchanges have occurred. Tanzanian and US teachers worked together here in our synod for 2 months in creating a syllabus. Teachers from NGLS then spent 1 month in Tanzania team-teaching in multiple teacher training events.
Student servants
Annually, student servants from Finlandia spend time on the Kisarawe campus and a professor from the university teaches a class while on site. Community nursing clinical experiences are planned as an option for the Finlandia nursing students.
University Students
College students from Tanzania have been welcomed at Finlandia University and Northern Michigan University. The local congregations welcomed them in worship and assisted in their adjustment to living in the USA.
Music
Two Tanzanian choirs have toured NGLS and been part of our synod assemblies. Two choir directors have studied at and shared their music with the music department of Northern Michigan University as well as students in surrounding public school classes
“Nothing less than a miracle!”
During the last 12 years three attempts to find a source of water failed. But collaboration with the district water commission resulted in a wonderful wellhead. Pipes were connected and the headmaster called it, “Nothing less than a miracle!
Educational improvements
Eight work groups have strengthened the infrastructure at Kisarawe Junior Lutheran Seminary, the Diocese boarding school for students grades 6–12. Working shoulder to shoulder with our companions we have helped construct school buildings
Educational growth
Personal relationships and infrastructure developments are having an impact. For the first time in the history of the school 100% of the 2010 graduating class passed their national exam and qualified for university studies.
School expansion
We've helped build a 30' x 100' x 3 story library, computer lab and conference center; a kitchen and 600 seat dinning hall, a 120 bed dorm for girls, and presently under construction a 120 bed dorm for boys.
Grant support
To meet the requirements of the USAID, we have raised money and receive credit for our many work crews, a box car container of books, sewing machines, typewriters, projectors, chemistry and biology lab equipment, Etc.
USAID-AMERICAN SCHOOLS AND HOSPITALS ABROAD
At the request of the diocese we have written four grant applications to USAID which has resulted in receiving $1.4M dollars. Our synod administrated the grants, provided matching funds and in-kind resources as well as supervising the development.
U.S. Embassy evaluation of school
In 2011 the U.S. Embassy evaluated the 3,200 secondary schools and selected Kisarawe as the site for their pilot project to initiate classes in Advanced English.
Medical
Children, youth as well as congregations have learned about malaria and raised significant funds to secure antimalarial bed nets and training in Tanzania. The director of health care for the diocese toured our synod in 2010.
Local Clinics
The committee on medical concerns is working to assist with establishing local clinics through the Diocese.
Dental mission trip
In 2012 several dentists are planning a dental mission trip.
Prayer and devotions
Prayers for our companion synods here and abroad are included ona regular basis in our monthly prayer calendar and our daily devotion on line.
Church Life
Bishop exchanges have regularly occurred since 1994 when Bishop Elianzo Sendoro from the ECD came to the United States. Since then, NGLS Bishop Dale Skogman has traveled to the diocese.
Worship
Pastors have taken sabbaticals to assist with the English language services at Azania Front Cathedral in Dar es Salem.
More Bishop Exchanges
Bishop Thomas Skrenes and his wife Luanne have made four visits to the diocese, 2001, 2003, 2007, 2010. In November 2007 Bishop Skrenes preached at the installation of Bishop Alex Malasusa as Presiding Bishop of the ELC of Tanzania in Dar es Salaam.
Even More Bishop Exchanges
Bishop Malasusa and his wife Ericah have made two visits to our synod, the most recent in 2010.
Report and meeting with US-AID
March 2012. Members of our synod met in Washington D.C. to report on the use of AID with our companion. The Lutheran Junior Seminary at Kisarawe project was well received.
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| For more information |
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| for Bishop exchanges: Bishop T. Skrenes, tskrenes@nglsynod.org |
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| You may also: |
| View an ELCA map for more information about ELCA synods |
| View a global map for more information about international companions |
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