October 15, 2001 Update

Update for October 15, 2001

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus,

I finally get to tell you about my work! After orientation in America and a short three-week Swahili language course, I started my position in the LMC office on 03 September. I have the unique privilege of serving in a position that touches all of the dioceses of the ELCT, the ELCT Common Work office, and the ELCA plus 13 other churches and mission societies in Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, and Norway. My job is to help assure the northern partners that their contributions to the ELCT are going to the work for which it is intended, and to assist the ELCT in mobilizing additional resources for the plans and needs of the units, dioceses, and common work office.

While the job is that of finance secretary, I've already learned that relationships will play a very important role in my work. It's not all crunching numbers, verifying accounts, and writing checks. In my work, I will visit the dioceses to learn about the plans and projects being implemented, and meet the people that are so proud of the work they are doing. Through the process I expect to learn more about mission and evangelism in the ELCT, to become more familiar with social issues and the women's department, and hopefully to begin to understand the healthcare system, and the work being done in HIV/AIDS. I also hope to be able to visit with those who make the decisions in the European agencies, to attempt to match their priorities with ELCT plans. Perhaps I will even be able to visit them in their own countries.

I am fortunate to be working with an experienced group of people. All have welcomed me and have helped orient me to the LMC. I attended the annual LMC assembly where plans for the church for the next two years were openly discussed and finalized. While much of my time was spent trying to figure out what was going on, it was apparent that the Holy Spirit was encouraging people to work together to ensure that we are doing God's will, not ours, in Tanzania. I feel very fortunate to be working here. It does me good to remind myself that it is God's will that ultimately must be done. That is why I was called here.

On September 30, I had the privilege to attend the consecration of the new bishop of the East of Lake Victoria Diocese, the Rev. Nehemia Bomani. (For those of you in the Southern Ohio Synod - this is your partner synod!) ELVD is a very young diocese in an area where religion is dominated by tribal beliefs. Christianity is growing in the region, but slowly. The theme for the consecration service was Isaiah 60:1 Arise, shine: for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. The service was quite festive and there were many speakers, and many different choirs. While my beginner's Swahili course helped some, I must admit that I was lost during most of the service. In most cases, people sing the hymns and responses from memory. It was indeed an honor to be included as a guest for this important event. (I've asked the webmaster to include some pictures from this service - you can view them here.)

I want you to know that I really struggled with this update. It seems odd that you would be interested in the events of Tanzania at this time when there are events that touch much closer to your homes. However, as the world struggles for peace, perhaps a diversion from news about Afghanistan would be welcomed. Before I leave the topic completely, however, several have asked what the perspective of the Tanzanian community might be. I can say with certainty that east Africans are in general more familiar with suffering and fear than most Americans. They are also familiar with terrorist acts in their country, as the US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania were bombed in 1998. The community here observes the current crisis with sadness and fear for losses in Tanzania. The fear is not necessarily that Tanzania will be targeted for attack, but what the effect of war will have on Lesser Developed Countries. There are fears that funds allocated for foreign aid may not be realized. There is the stark reality that a country that relies very heavily on tourism will see a decrease in tourists, forcing job losses in many, many areas. The unfortunate truth is there are already far fewer jobs than people who want work. My colleagues have been very supportive to me, as we work together here. As a community, we are praying for peace, and praying for all of you in America.

Until next time, may the peace of the Lord be with you always.

Dan

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