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Grateful for Good Colleagues
I’ve spent the past three months in Iringa…my longest visit yet. I’m grateful to have been there through the transition of program coordinators in the BKB-SPAS office, wishing Ryan and Astine Bose well when they departed and welcoming Susan Seidel to her new home and work for the coming two years.
Bega Kwa Bega has two offices in Tanzania:
- the Bega Kwa Bega Saint Paul Area Synod (BKB-SPAS) office in apartment A3
- and the Bega Kwa Bega Iringa Diocese (BKB-DIRA) office in the diocese administrative office building, a short walk around the corner
Our colleagues in the BKB-DIRA office are Mr. Frank Mkocha, scholarship clerk, and Pastor Lusungu Msigwa, coordinator of BKB for the Iringa Diocese.
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Frank Mkocha
Frank compiles and updates all the data for our extensive scholarship program. He’s tech savvy and pays attention to details. It’s his job during school visits to verify that students on our list are in attendance at the appropriate school, and that all our information about them – names, home parish, year in school, fee information – is accurate. He posts that information to a database that is accessible to the cluster leaders, who share the student lists with congregational leaders here in Minnesota. He tracks students who come from partnered parishes as well as students from unpartnered parishes whose fees are paid by the Equity Fund. He brings tuition fee requests to the BKB-SPAS office for payment.
When it’s time for post-secondary scholarship interviews and selection, Frank collects applications, tracks admission letters and student transcripts, and verifies fee information. He communicates with the applicants so they appear on the right day for interviews, and he has the hard job of delivering the news from the award panel, whether the student has received a scholarship or not. Frank has many pockets of knowledge and is often a gold mine of reliable information about anything from technology to residence permits to where to get the best price on whatever household goods a person could need.
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Pastor Lusungu Msigwa
Pastor Msigwa is a wise and gracious partner in our shared work. His time in Minnesota studying at Luther Seminary has made him even more valuable as an interpreter for travel groups, as he interprets not only Kiswahili and English, but also the cultural differences experienced on each side of this companionship. In the last year, he has personally accompanied almost every travel group, spending three-day weekends on the road with Minnesotans rather than at home with his family.
Pastor Msigwa is the important central hub in our communication wheel, assisting congregations and parishes by connecting and passing messages back and forth. While Americans would love to have direct email or text connections with their Tanzanian companions, often the barriers of language, internet, and changing personnel get in the way. But U.S. congregations can send the BKB-SPAS office messages, greetings, or a list of questions, and we will pass them to Pastor Msigwa. He will then message or call the Tanzanian parish pastor, and relay the responses back to the SPAS side. The communication is prompt and reliable, and is strengthening companionships in amazing ways.
A year ago, Pastor Msigwa was given an expanded role by the diocese, when he was named International Relations Officer. He now coordinates not only the companionship with Saint Paul, but also works with Swedes, Danes, Germans and others who have connections with the diocese.
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Together, our BKB team has traveled many kilometers visiting schools and parishes around the diocese. Frank has shoveled us out of some muddy spots on rough roads, and Pastor Msigwa’s most memorable line this year was in response to a wish that an online map would work in the rural areas. “I will be your GPS,” he deadpanned from the backseat.
For these colleagues with their skill, dedication, kindness, and good humor, I am deeply grateful.
Asante sana,
Kirsten Levorson
Director of Bega Kwa Bega
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Tuombe…Let Us Pray
We give thanks for the gift of this relationship between the Saint Paul Area Synod and the Iringa Diocese. We celebrate the ways in which we accompany one another, both through friends we know by name, and others we have yet to meet. This week we pray specifically for the congregation of Mboliboli. May God bless, strengthen, and sustain its people and its leaders. Amen.
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St. Paul Partners
The St. Paul Partners dinner planned for Oct. 14 has been cancelled. St. Paul Partners, a BKB affiliate, works to bring safe water to the people of Tanzania. The organization is finishing an extensive water system for the village of Ugesa, which will serve nearly 5,000 people. A dedicated well at DIRA headquarters has been completed with a dedication planned for November. Seven mud rotary wells serving about 3,500 villagers have been drilled and hand pumps installed. Three of these wells are through a partnership with H2O for Life, serving about 1,500 students. Click here to support the work of St. Paul Partners.
Travel Group Leader Training
Are you planning to lead a delegation to Iringa in the coming year? Are you curious about what’s involved for some time farther in the future? All congregational and affiliate travel group leaders can mark their calendars for one of two training events held in the synod office conference room (105 University Ave. W., St. Paul):
- Saturday, Oct. 21: 9-11:30 a.m.
- Tuesday, Oct. 24: 6:30-9 p.m.
Sign up here.
Cultural Differences – a Second Book by Prof. Mbele
Many BKB travelers have enjoyed reading Africans and Americans: Embracing Cultural Differences by Joseph Mbele, a Tanzanian professor of literature at St. Olaf College. He now has a second book available, Chickens on the Bus: More Thoughts on Cultural Differences. Both books are available here.
Save the Date!
The Bega Kwa Bega Fall Festival will be held Saturday, Nov. 11, 8 a.m.-noon at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in St. Paul.
Scholarship Pledge Season
Scholarship reports, student lists and pledge forms have been distributed to congregational contacts. Please submit pledges to the cluster leaders by Nov. 1 so that information can be shared with Iringa parish partnership committees. Questions? Email [email protected].
BKB Kwaya – June 2-14 2024
Singers from the St. Paul area and Iringa are invited to join voices for a musical tour in Tanzania next year. The two choirs will be learning and sharing songs from our respective cultures. We will rehearse together, explore Iringa together, and perform together in four different areas around the diocese. Deacon Mark Ertl (Shepherd of the Valley) and the Rev. Tito Kilale will conduct the choirs. Click here for details!
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Money Matters
The Bega Kwa Bega office regularly monitors the exchange rate of Tanzania Shillings to U.S. dollars. The current rate being used is 2500 TSH to 1 USD. BKB is taking steps to calculate administrative fees consistently. Here are two examples for congregations sending funding:
- When congregations want their companions to receive a specific amount of funds, add the 12.5% fee to the amount and send the total: $1,000 + $125 = $1,125
- When congregations send a total amount and want to have the fees deducted, divide the total amount by 1.125 to see the net amount received by the parish: $1,000 ÷ 1.125 = $888.89
Zoom!
Does your congregation need to have a conversation with your companion parish leaders? Contact us at [email protected] to arrange a Zoom meeting.
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Give Now
Contributions to support the work of BKB and our general projects can be received online. Both one-time gifts and sustaining monthly contributions are welcome. When you enter your amount, be sure to include a note to ensure funds are credited appropriately (e.g. ‘Missionary Support’ or ‘School Buildings’). Please consider covering the 3% processing fee to help your gift go further.
To avoid processing fees, you may send a check made out to the Saint Paul Area Synod and mail it to the attention of David Roinas, 105 University Ave., St. Paul MN 55103. In the memo line indicate the BKB and detail where your gift should go. Questions? Contact [email protected] or 651-224-4313.
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Planning to travel to Tanzania? Check out resources and give us a heads up about your plans here. | |
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OCTOBER 2023
Friends of Huruma
Gloria Dei, St. Paul
Christ, Marine on St. Croix
Christiania, Lakeville
NOVEMBER 2023
Multi-Congregation Group
St. Stephen's, White Bear Lake/Saint Paul Partners/Dignity for Daughters
Bishop Lull & BKB Director Kirsten Levorson
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JANUARY 2024
U of M Engineering Students
Shoulder to Shoulder Medical Group
Come & See!
FEBRUARY 2024
House of Prayer, Oakdale
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