Beginning relationship
Each new partnership begins with an exchange of prayers and ongoing support, growing into a relationship that becomes a strong bond between congregation and parish to the point where a face to face visit is the next step taken.
Delegations
Each year several delegations leave the GMS to travel to Tanzania. Most delegations are made up of congregation members wanting to visit their partner parish.
Mrs. Mariki's Goat Project
Marcy Mariki has developed a widow's goat project similar to the heifer project. To date 110 goats have been given, giving these ladies a way to support themselves.
Fox Point Doctors
In 2010 a group of medical doctors travelled with a team of lay helpers to bring medical aid and treatment to residents in areas where clinics are not available. They hope to return in 2012.
Medical container
After almost 2 yrs of work, we were able to have a large container of medical supplies and equipment delivered in late 2010. The Nkoranga Hospital is proud to show us each piece of equipment sent!
Ultrasound Machine
In November 2011 a small, portable ultra-sound machine will be hand carried to Nkoranga Hospital by Dr. Rob Jones. He will be on site to make sure that it is set up correctly and to teach the staff how to use it.
Education
Many of our congregations have built schools - kindergartens, secondary schools, vocational schools and continue to support the schools with scholarships for their students. The craving for education is huge!
Wells and Wind Turbines
Digging wells was one of the first projects that many of our churches supported. We have gone on to finance wind turbines and now are looking into reservoirs, collection of rain water, and bringing water down Mt. Meru.
Coffee Project
Coffee is what makes our partnership visible. Fair trade coffee, grown by farmers in the diocese, is shipped to Milwaukee, ground, packaged, and sold by congregations in the GMS.
Hunger
Our congregations have sent over $58,000 in aid to buy maize in the last 3 months. On our recent trip to Tanzania Tom & I were able to attend a maize distribution. Our diocese lost 3/4 of their crop in the recent drought.
Facebook page
You can "like" Partners with Meru on our facebook page for updates on happenings in Meru.
Farm Project
The Makumira Farm Project will eventually be a teaching technical college for locals to learn "hands on" technics for more efficient crop growing techniques, auto mechanics, and restaurant management
University Partnership
With the permission of the Provost of Makumira University we will now pursue a partnership between Makumira and Carthage College, Kenosha, WI. Our hope is to host teacher exchanges.
Bishop's Delegation
Bishop Jeff Barrow hosted a delegation in October, 2010, that visited each district of the Meru Diocese, meet with Bishop Akyoo, and learned more about what it means to be in partnership.
Meru Visits to U.S.
We have hosted delegations in 2007, 2009, and look forward to another visit in September 2012.
Pastoral Education Fund
With many pastors in the diocese nearing retirement we have been asked to establish a "Pastoral Education Fund" to help with scholarship assistance.
Partners
To date 21 congregations in the GMS are partners with parishes in the Meru Diocese. We look for that number to grow in 2012.
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