Shared on behalf of the delegation by Pastor Erik Sevig

As I laid my head on the pillow at Wista's Inn at Dar-es-Salaam last night after midnight, it occurred to me that it had been just over 24 hours since our Easter delegation gathered at MSP to depart for our partner visit in Tanzania.  During that time, we experienced countless time zones, two 8-hour flights with as many layovers along the way. Our group is really joyful and good spirited with lots of teasing, jokes, and laughter. We are remembering and quoting a phrase Pastor Brandon often repeated that he learned from Pastor Paul, “Nothing will work out according to plan, but in the end, everything will work out.”

We have been very blessed so far with minimal negative experiences. Last night was a good sleep in comfortable beds with a wonderful breakfast today.  (Including my first coffee in 24 hours!) Today we are preparing for one more flight to finally arrive in our destination of Iringa and the start of our visit with the leaders and people in the Iringa Diocese.  We will have dinner at the Lutheran Centre: our home away from home for the next several days. We look forward to being among many new friends. We will also be greeted by Bega Kwa Bega (BKB) Director, Kirsten Leverson, who will join us for dinner and a delegation information session. Another full day for your delegation in Tanzania.  Thank you for your prayers! -Pastor Erik

Shared on behalf of the delegation by John Lemke

Today was a very full 12-hour day! We left the Lutheran Center at 8:30 a.m. after devotion and breakfast. The Iringa BKB Coordinator, Pastor Masigwa, and his St. Paul Area Synod counterpart, Kirsten Leverson, joined us for most of the day.

We walked to the Iringa Diocese Offices, where department leaders shared their roles, responsibilities, and—naturally—lots of statistics. Of the diocese’s parishes, 83 have partners in the Saint Paul Area Synod, while 46 do not. Ten more parishes are expected to be added in Iringa next year. Outside, we saw hundreds of pine and eucalyptus seedlings that the diocese gives away. Pine provides lumber for construction, with new seedlings replacing harvested trees. We also visited Radio Furaha, learned about its programming, and took plenty of photos with the presenters.

Next, we drove to Iringa Hope for a presentation on its microfinancing project, which helps small farmers obtain financing. The program identifies effective fertilizers and provides farming education to improve crop yields and reduce risk. Iringa Hope can offer interest rates less than half the typical rate, though that is still considerably higher than we are accustomed to because village farming is both risky and unpredictable.

Iringa Hope is located on the Iringa University campus, which we toured next. We met with the university’s Public Relations Officer and several marketing instructors, who explained an entrepreneurial program requiring every student to start a business. The university offers recommendations and limited assistance, but success is ultimately up to the students. We also found the famous Eagan Easter dormitory while walking around campus. By then, lunch had become a fairly high priority, so we headed to Neema Crafts. This business employs people with disabilities to create crafts for sale, and we enjoyed lunch there.

Afterward, part of the group walked back to the Lutheran Center while the rest drove to the Masaii Market for gifts and souvenirs, then continued to the less-touristy Iringa Market, where it seemed you could find just about anything.

Back at the Lutheran Center, we had only a quick turnaround before heading to the Huruuma Center, an orphanage. We met with the pastor and a teacher and learned how Huruuma works with the government to provide a home for children in very difficult circumstances. This visit was particularly moving. About 50 children in grades 1–3 greeted us with loud, cheerful songs, enthusiastic clapping, and plenty of stomping. The second BKB pillar, presence, was on full display as the children eagerly welcomed us and enjoyed having visitors. One assistant told us that we had put bright smiles on their faces. We toured the classrooms for grades 1–3 and saw the new building for grades 4–6 under construction across the courtyard. Pastor Erik presented the children with a new soccer ball, which was an enormous hit. The kids then demonstrated netball, similar to basketball, followed by a wild and very brief soccer game. We quickly discovered that keeping up with them was difficult—and that apparently, there were no boundaries to the field. After a group photo on the school steps, we said our goodbyes.

Dinner was delicious pizzas and desserts at Mama Iringa’s Italian Restaurant. Even after a long and challenging day, we finished with lively discussions, meaningful stories, plenty of laughs, and time to plan for the next morning.

Shared on behalf of the delegation by Abbie Doran

Today was full of adventure!

I started the day enjoying a sunrise walk around Iringa with Ken. We watched people on their way to work, children on their way to school, shops getting ready for the day, and were blessed to see the sun rise over the beautiful mountains that surround Iringa. We had a delicious breakfast at the Lutheran Center—with some quick Swahili learnings from wonderful members of the Lutheran Center staff, Kapaito and Harrison.

We were very fortunate to be joined by Nasibu for the day. Nasibu was sponsored by fellow delegation member John and his wife Robin during his final year as a university student back in 2012. It was beautiful to see the support of student scholarship turn into a relationship as we shared stories and learned more about Nasibu’s life.

Together with Nasibu, we drove to Isimila, a historical site with natural pillars and Stone Age tools. There, we met Christopher, a student attending university in Dar es Salaam studying anthropology, who led us on a hike through the site. He explained the history of the land and the Acheulian artifacts found there dating back to 270,000 years ago. We were able to witness the beauty and diversity of the landscape of Tanzania on our hike through the impressive natural stone pillars.

After a quick lunch, we went on an exciting and incredibly bumpy drive (special shoutout to our amazing driver Godfrey who kept us safe through all the twists and turns and bumps) to Bridge of God, a natural rock bridge that stands above the Kiwira river. We walked across giant rocks that will be covered by a rushing river come wet season.

We finished the day with dinner at Sunset Hotel, looking out over the valley as the sun set over Iringa. Today was a perfect display of the balance of the beautiful yet powerful landscape of Tanzania. It was a blessing to take time to explore the rich history of the changing landscape and be reminded of the constantly evolving nature of God’s creation. How wonderful it is to experience such diverse natural beauty around the world!

Shared on behalf of the delegation by Pastor Erik Sevig

Our Easter Delegation reconvened at 7:30a this morning for breakfast in the Lutheran Centre dining room. We had to eat fast because we were already packed and ready to go to Nyanzwa for our village visit over the weekend. Along the way, we squeezed in a tour of the diocese hospital and nursing school in Ilula, including several brand new buildings for maternity and pediatrics as they near the end date on a goal to be the regional leader in this field by 2027. After Ilulah hospital, we were back on the road to Nyanzwa, but first there would be one more stop.

A former preaching point of Nyanzwa, Easter's partner, grew large enough to become its own parish several years ago and we were stopping to see the brand new church being constructed. The people of Mgowelo welcomed us with a parade of women and kids waving branches, singing, and dancing. Nyanzwa's pastor, Pastor Kikoti, met us there as we entered the new church for more  singing and dancing, along with introductions and gift presentations. Then we went to the Mgowelo Pastor's house for lunch and conversation - largely centered on historical highlights of or partnership over the last 20 years.

Finally, we were back in the vehicle, now including Pastor Kikoti, for the final stretch to Nyanzwa. As we neared the church yard, we were met by over 100 kids from Nyanzwa Primary School wearing their uniforms, singing loudly, waving branches, dancing and smiling. As we came to a stop in front of the church, our vehicle was surrounded with overjoyed friends filling the entire yard. We went inside for traditional speeches, introductions, and prayers. It was nice to finally reach our destination but even nicer to be back with so many familiar faces from my last visit. And the very best part was being able share this special experience of hospitality, love, and joy with other members of Easter.

Shared on behalf of the delegation by John Lemke

Today was our first full day in Nyanzwa. During our stay in Nyanzwa, we are guests at Pastor‘s Kikoti’s house next to the church. Pastor Kikoti is awake early enough every day for informal 5:00am worship. We did not need to attend, but being next door it became a wake up call for many of us. This morning a small choir sang a beautiful song, a cappella, seemingly right outside our windows. The pastor’s wife, Fire, and 5-10 other women graciously prepare, serve, and cleaned up after all our meals. Breakfast was served at 7:30, and we were on our way by 8:30. Joining us throughout the day, was Pastor Menkikoti, leader of the diocese youth ministry (and our translator), retired Nyanzwa Pastors, Rueben and Meketa, Pastor Kikoti, and occasionally village and regional government officials.

Our first stop was in the village of Mpelipeli which is the largest of Nyanzwa’s  five preaching points. While much of Nyanzwa is sandy and dry with few if any crops, Mpelipeli has large, lush fields of various crops. This is the result of a significant government irrigation project completed in 1982 and upgraded in 2004. Ken Bietz, from our delegation, and his wife, Yong, had previously supported a water project through Easter which installed a water tank for Nyanzwa to be fed by the source for the irrigation system. We started in farm fields and hiked about a mile along a canal. We ended in the foothills a little before reaching the natural water source.

Our next stop was the preaching point of Mpelipeli at their new church building project. A large procession enthusiastically greeted us well before the church. We were led into the church with much singing and dancing. The church floor was still in work. In fact, some of the youth stopped shoveling sand when we arrived and resumed after we left. Inside, there was more singing and dancing, followed by prayer, introductions, photographs, giving thanks to Easter Eagan, and giving praise to God. Much progress had been made since Pastor Erik visited in 2024. The church has a more modern look inside and outside. The church walls, roof and the concrete in the alter area was completed, and some of the windows had already been fitted with decorative iron grates. Mpelipeli is growing larger than Nyanzwa and the new church building looks more than 10 times larger than the neighboring, previous church building.

We returned to Pastor Kikoti’s house for lunch and then drove to the next preaching point at Majengo. The church building in Majengo is older and smaller. Here we met a woman that had lost part of her left leg in a crocodile attack a few years earlier. Easter Eagan prayers and funding helped her find the medical attention she needed to be well and healthy today. The delegation presented her with a gift from Easter Eagan. Majengo is much smaller, but there was still a gathering with prayer, many introductions,  photographs, thanks, and praise.

Our final preaching point visit of the day was Igunda. The church building  in Igunda is also older and smaller. Even though smaller, many from the congregation were ready to greet us as they met us on the road. After surrounding us in song, they followed along and behind us as we drove to the church. Dancing here included heavy stomping, outside as well as inside. Prayers, introductions, thanks and praise were given once more. Pictures are taken at all locations, and deep gratitude is always expressed.

After returning to Pastor Kikoti’s house for dinner, a BKB Partnership Meeting was held. Pastor Kikoti presented the status of Nyanzwa’s scholarships and construction projects, and some discussion followed before coming to a close. As we settled down for the night, we were exhausted but lifted up by an overwhelming presence of kindness and gratitude.

Provided on behalf of the delegation by Pastor Erik Sevig

Today was a short itinerary that took most of the day to accomplish. We hopped into the land cruiser, first thing at 9a to head for Mtera, one of the six secondary schools run by the Iringa diocese. It took a solid 2 hours of driving one way, including a mountain pass where we saw many baboons - real ones!

When we reached our destination and pulled into the schoolyard, over 400 students were lined up in uniform, singing hymns to welcome us. It was truly an impressive sight and sound. The Headmaster officially welcomed us with a speech before introducing the staff. Next, we were served breakfast in the Teacher's Lounge before going on a tour of the facility. Our tour included the science lab building undergoing a facelift, which amounts to a total remodel. One of the main reasons we went to Mtera was to see the only special ed classroom in the diocese secondary schools. There are seven blind students attending the school using braille machines for their studies.

When the tour was over, we went back to the teacher's lounge and were served lunch. Then it was time to start the long journey back to Iringa for our final evening. Our group celebrated a successful trip with a short walk together to a nearby restaurant called Sai Villa. It was a gorgeous property, building, and view of downtown Iringa.  We spent the last of our group's final meal money down to the last cent. Since the money is gone and our mission is complete, it's time to move on to our safari.