Bishop Mdegela is seated to - Saint Paul Area Synod

Bega Kwa Bega 

July July - August - September 2011 

COMPANION NEWS 

Current Current Newsletter Newsletter can can be be found found at: 

at: 

A A Wonderful Wonderful Experience Experience in in Iringa 

Iringa 

by by by by Roger Roger Roger Roger Schwagmeyer 

Schwagmeyer 

Schwagmeyer 

Schwagmeyer 

My wife, Verna, and I spent an exciting five months in 

Iringa, Tanzania from September 2010 through January 

2011. I taught business courses to both undergraduate 

and graduate students at Tumaini University and Verna 

taught English to Evangelists. The people in the 

marketplace were friendly and helpful. The Jacaranda 

trees were in bloom. We enjoyed the presence of 

cows, goats, and chickens in this semi-urban 

environment and at the close of each day, we enjoyed 

a beautiful sunset. 

This was our third trip to Iringa. One of the things we 

noted is how we behaved and our ways of relating to 

our brothers and sisters was watched by everyone. We 

knew we were guests and acted humbly as we got to 

know our hosts better. We did not want to be known as 

“ugly Americans.” We were told our presence was the 

greatest gift we could give. They 

welcomed our other gifts but really 

treasured us being with them. 

We were privileged to attend a 

wedding, confirmation, funeral, 

kindergarten graduation, secondary 

and college graduations and a 

college graduation reception, in 

addition to two ordinations. These 

events have similarities to the way 

Americans celebrate these events but 

there are distinct differences. Worship 

is foremost in almost any celebration. 

http://spas-elca.org/news-and-calendar/newsletters#companion 

In In this this Issue: 

Issue: 

A A A A wonderful wonderful wonderful wonderful experience experience experience experience 

in in in in Iringa………….page Iringa………….page Iringa………….page Iringa………….page 1 11 

1 

Walk Walk Walk Walk for for for for Water….page Water….page Water….page Water….page 3 3 3 3 

Struggling Struggling Struggling Struggling hard….page hard….page hard….page hard….page 4 44 

4 

Meet Meet Meet Meet Faraja Faraja Faraja Faraja Kimetu Kimetu Kimetu Kimetu 

Kurubai Kurubai Kurubai Kurubai …...……..page …...……..page …...……..page …...……..page 5 55 

5 

A A A A sending sending sending sending service service service service for for for for 

Pastor Pastor Pastor Pastor Nielsen…...page Nielsen…...page Nielsen…...page Nielsen…...page 6 66 

6 

St. St. St. St. Paul Paul Paul Paul Partners Partners Partners Partners Event Event Event Event 

Information……..page Information……..page Information……..page Information……..page 7 77 

7 

Travel Travel Travel Travel Blogs……...page Blogs……...page Blogs……...page Blogs……...page 8 88 

8 

Travel Travel Travel Travel Calendar….page Calendar….page Calendar….page Calendar….page 9 

99 

9 

Above: Jacaranda tree

Bega Bega Kwa Kwa Bega Bega Companion Companion News News 

News 

Another difference is in the 

giving of gifts to the honored 

person(s) who stands in front 

of the assembly. First, close 

family members go forward, 

followed by relatives, close 

friends, and then visitors, like 

us. Respect is always given 

to the parents, if living, and 

so on down the line. 

One of our new friends is 

Rev. Ombeni Sawiki, the 

head mistress of Ipalamwa 

Secondary school. She is the 

first female to lead a 

secondary school in the 

Iringa Diocese. I wish we 

could bottle her enthusiasm 

and abilities. 

Our home church is Luther 

Memorial in South Saint Paul, 

MN. We have a companion 

relationship with Mlandege 

Lutheran Church in 

Mlandege, TZ. While staying 

at the Mlandege Lutheran 

Hostel, we met the group 

from St. Jakobi church in 

former East Germany who 

also help sponsor Mlandege. 

We had a wonderful visit 

with them and were able to 

join with them to help 

improve the kindergarten 

compound, which they built 

in the 1990’s. They had 

brought a self cleaning 

water filter to be used to 

purify the well water 

available in the kindergarten 

so the children have safe 

water to drink. 

Page Page 2 

July July July - August - September 2011 

(Continued from page 1) People we know in Minnesota asked us if we were able 

to purchase everything we needed to eat and to live 

from day to day. I am happy to say, there was no 

shortage of these things. However, the prices (as 

reasonable as they were) were out of reach for many 

of the Tanzanians. Whenever, we saw a need, we tried 

to help – with a little money or our labor. 

Children respect their parents and other adults. One of 

my classes totaled 107 first year undergraduate 

students and I was so pleased with the way they paid 

attention to my lectures and other activities. Verna had 

13 adult students, who were Evangelists, and they were 

anxious to learn and appreciative of anything she 

could do for them. One of the students continues to 

stay in touch with her. 

There is a saying that applies to visiting with the people 

in Iringa. We have two eyes, two ears, and one mouth. 

Use the eyes and ears more than the mouth. If visitors 

don’t understand why something is done a certain way, 

ask a Tanzanian to explain it. They love to share their 

culture with us. 

Above: Rev. Ombeni Sawike is the head mistress of the 

Ipalamwa Secondary School. Bishop Mdegela is seated 

to her left. We first met Ms. Sawike at Mlandege Hostel. 

When we attended the Ipalamwa graduation, Ms. 

Sawike invited us to her Tumaini Graduation and party, as 

well as to her ordination.


News 

Mahove is one of 20 village congregations that 

comprise Tungamalenga Parish in a remote rural area 

of central Tanzania. Shepherd of the Valley (SOTV) 

has been involved in a companion congregation 

relationship with Tungamalenga Parish since 2001. 

Tungamalenga lies in the Great Rift Valley, and the 

village of Mahove is situated atop hilly terrain. The 

closest access to water is downhill approximately 1.5 

miles. Water is piped to two nearby villages from a 

spring on higher ground. 

Carrying water in Tanzanian culture is a job for women 

and children, especially girls. It typically takes three 

hours a day to collect water. 

Since one of SOTV’s visits in 2008, one grandmother 

from the village of Mahove has been asking the 

pastor and church council to bring water to her 

village. She speaks eloquently of the hours spent 

walking uphill carrying heavy loads of water, and of 

how the villagers conserve precious buckets of water. 

“We wash our bodies only every ten days,” she 

explains. 

Walk Walk for for Water: 

Water: 

Bringing Bringing Bringing Water Water to to Mahove 

Mahove 

by by by by Kirsten Kirsten Kirsten Kirsten Leverson 

Leverson Leverson Leverson 

The parish, in collaboration with local government 

officials and with project managers from the Iringa 

Diocese, has developed a plan to lay another line of 

pipe from the water source, bringing water the 15 

kilometers to their village, with five access points 

spread throughout the village. Each family would be 

no farther than 500 meters from an access point. 

The cost of the project is approximately $15,000 for 

supplies. The congregations of Tungamalenga Parish 

Page Page 3 


have pledged to provide the 

volunteer labor needed to 

complete the project. 

Benefits of the project are 

many, but the most 

important are these: 

♦ Water borne disease is 

the leading cause of 

death in children under 

age five. Globally, 10,000 

children die every day 

due to a lack of clean 

water. A protected 

source of clean water will 

bring health to the 

people of Mahove. 

♦ The task of carrying water 

falls to women and 

children, often keeping 

girls from attending 

school. The time now 

spent carrying water can 

be put to other 

productive activity. 

Step by step, shoulder to 

shoulder. Walk for Water. 

This fundraising event was 

held at Shepherd of the 

Valley on July 16 & 17. 

More updates on the 

progress to come in future 

newsletters.


News 

“Struggling “Struggling hard…to hard…to help help my 

my 

fellow fellow African African people people and and church” 

church” 

By By By By David David David David Dudley 

Dudley Dudley Dudley 

The hopes and dreams of many young Tanzanians 

mirror those of young people in the United States. These 

students are idealistic, they want to improve their lives 

and the lives of others, and they are willing to work hard 

to achieve their goals. In Tanzania, however, the 

obstacles of extreme poverty and inadequate schools 

make the struggle more difficult. The lucky few who are 

enrolled in secondary education have an opportunity 

to succeed, but the aspirations of others are simply out 

of reach for those limited to only a primary education. 

After joining the Bega Kwa Bega program of the Saint 

Paul Area Synod in 1992, Roseville Lutheran Church 

(RLC) became a companion congregation with a 

Lutheran parish in the remote village of Ng’ang’ange, 

Tanzania. Early in this relationship our shared priority of 

education became apparent, and RLC began 

transferring funds to help sponsor secondary school 

students from Ng’ang’ange. One of these was a young 

woman named Shida Chuma. Her hope and gratitude 

are reflected in her infectious smile. 

Through the years we tracked her progress from grade 

to grade and school to school. In 2008 and 2009 she 

wrote letters while a student at Image Secondary 

School. Here she reveals that she is an orphan who is 

trying to take care of her younger siblings at the same 

time she is going to school. 

October, 2008 

Dear my sponsor, 

“…Thanks for helping me pay school fees at Image. 

…I’m doing well and I’m struggling hard so that at 

the future I could be able to help my fellow African 

people and church. …I’m going well although I’m 

facing some problems when I’m studying. The big 

problem which I have is that I’m a student but at the 

same time I’m taking care about my young sister. … 

When school is closed I’m to work for the aim of 

getting some money for helping my young sister and 

for personal use. …Also I have my younger brother 

Page Page 4 


who has already 

completed standard 

seven, still I’m thinking 

what I could do in order 

for him to go on with his 

studies. …Kindly may 

Lord bless you for each 

and everything. …I’m 

wishing you all the best in 

your life especially the 

hard work like paying 

school fees for me and 

for others. 

That’s me, 

Shida Chuma 

Shida graduated from Form 

6 at Image Secondary 

School in 2010 and we lost 

track of her. During a 

church mission trip to 

Tanzania in August, 2011, 

church members again 

toured Image school and 

were greeted by the faculty 

and students there. During 

formal introductions a young 

geography teacher shyly 

stepped forward. Although 

we did not hear her name, 

David Dudley recognized 

her hopeful and infectious 

smile. This was Shida again, 

and our meeting was truly 

joyful! 

Shida’s hopes and dreams 

are coming true. This 

remarkable young woman is 

achieving her goals in life 

while simultaneously taking 

care of her two younger 

siblings. She told us that her 

sister is now enrolled at 

Image, where Shida can 

tutor and mentor her. Her 

brother Kelvin Chuma is 

attending Bomalang’ombe


News 

(Continued from page 4) 

Secondary School as one 

of many students there 

who are being sponsored 

by Roseville Lutheran 

Church. The mission team 

from Roseville Lutheran 

Church had met these 

students, including Kelvin, 

three days earlier without 

even realizing his family 

connection to Shida. 

Shida continues to be 

optimistic about the future. 

While teaching now 

alongside some of her 

former teachers at Image 

Secondary School, she is 

also taking classes at 

Ruaha University. 

“I’m thanking you for 

considering me as part 

of your family. Hence, 

I’m working hard in 

order to help all people 

who are illiterate in our 

country. I have 

nothing more 

to say than 

thanks a lot.” 

Below: Shida 

Chuma, 2003 

Page Page 5 


Meet Meet Faraja Faraja Kimetu Kimetu Kurubai 

Kurubai 

My name is Faraja Kimetu Kurubai. I was born and 

raised in a Maasai village called Matebete in the 

Mbeya region in southern Tanzania. The Maasai are an 

indigenous African ethnic group of semi-nomadic 

people located in Kenya and Tanzania. For many years 

Maasai people rejected education in fear of losing their 

culture. 

Thanks to the good Lord, I was chosen to attend 

Maasai Girl’s Lutheran Secondary School (MGLSS) in 

Arusha. MGLSS is a Lutheran school that educates 

young Maasai girls who otherwise would not go to 

Secondary school. My academic achievement, student 

leadership, and passion to use my education to impact 

my society and the support of wonderful Lutherans in 

America, afforded me the opportunity to come and 

study at Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota. I 

graduated in 2010 with a Bachelor’s degree in 

International Business with an emphasis in Finance. This 

fall I started my studies for a Masters of Business 

Administration (MBA) at the University of Mary (Fargo, 

North Dakota campus). 

At Concordia, I was a dedicated student. In my senior 

year I was selected to present in the campus Student 

Lecture Series. I presented my understanding of my 

tribe’s economy in relation to global economics in a 

Above: Shida Chuma with Kären 

and David Dudley, 2011 

Right: Faraja Kimetu Kurubai 

(Continued on page 6)


News 

(Continued from page 5) 

lecture titled “Debt-free 

Culture or Debt Culture?: The 

Maasai Economy at a Critical 

Crossroads.” 

In addition to my academic 

coursework I discovered ways 

to use my gifts and education 

to impact my people. I 

initiated a fair-trade jewelry 

project with the Concordia 

Students in Free Enterprise 

(SIFE) club, where I effectively 

connected Concordia 

business students with female 

artisans in the villages of my 

home country Tanzania. I 

successfully sourced and 

completed a Microfinance 

internship during the summer 

of 2009 with Uchumi 

Commercial Bank in Moshi, 

Tanzania. During the same 

summer, I also launched my 

own microfinance pilot 

project with women from my 

home village. 

My dream and aspiration is to 

work with Maasai people. I 

aim at establishing and 

managing a venture 

dedicated to educating and 

nourishing the economic 

development of the Maasai 

tribal culture. It is for this 

reason that I am equipping 

myself through the MBA 

program and through a local 

internship with Lutheran Social 

Services of North Dakota with 

the knowledge, skills, and 

experiences that will be 

essential pieces in making my 

dream a reality. 

Page Page 6 


A A Sending Sending Service Service for 

for 

Pastor Pastor Pastor Nielsen 

Nielsen 

by by by by Fran Fran Fran Fran Nordhausen 

Nordhausen 

Nordhausen 

Nordhausen 

On Sunday June 12th the congregation at St. Paul 

Lutheran in Wyoming sent Pastor Tom Nielsen off with 

blessings at a commissioning service as he departed 

for Iringa to serve for three months as the St. Paul Area 

Synod representative for Bega Kwa Bega. 

The service was done "Tanzanian style" outside of the 

church with the congregation forming a circle around 

him and the Tanzanian Mission Team laying hands on 

him. 

While he is there Pastor Nielsen will visit St. Paul's 

partner congregation in Mtera to bring greetings from 

the congregation and present a banner signed by 

members of St. Paul Lutheran and a children's Bible. 

It was a wonderful service for those who participated 

and we felt the Spirit surround us! 

Right: Tanzanian 

Mission Team 

laying hands on 

Pastor Nielson. 

Left: Signed 

banner and 

children's Bible 

for St. Paul’s 

partner 

congregation, 

Mtera.


News 

Page Page 7 

July July July - August - September 2011


News 

Travel Travel Blogs Blogs 

Blogs 

Travel Blogs have become a popular trend for groups 

traveling to Tanzania. The Bega Kwa Bega 

Companion Newsletter will now include a section 

listing all travel blogs currently known at time of issue. 

The blogs are a great way to hear first hand 

information from other partnership members who 

have recently traveled. 

Please email links to blogs to 

begakwabeganews@yahoo.com 

to share with interested readers. 

Shepherd of the Valley: 

http://tungamalenga.blogspot.com 

Ilula Medical Group: 

http://ilula-friends-2011.blogspot.com 

LSTC Class of 1965, Traveled February 2011: 

www.marietta-outinafrica.blogspot.com 

House of Prayer, Traveled February 2011: 

http://hopifunda.wordpress.com/ 

Saint Paul Partners: 

http://stpaulpartners.blogspot.com/ 

Page Page 8 


Bega Bega Kwa Kwa Bega Bega 

Bega 

Companion 

Companion 

Newsletter 

Newsletter 

The Companion Newsletter 

endeavors to keep the St. 

Paul Area Synod members 

and others, who have an 

interest in the Bega Kwa 

Bega companionship with 

the Iringa Diocese in 

Tanzania informed of 

projects, visits, and other 

activities happening in our 

partnership on a quarterly 

basis. 

Synod staff support is 

provided by Greg Triplett 

and Julie Keefe . The Task 

Force is extremely grateful 

for their leadership and 

assistance. 

And of course, we are 

extremely happy to have 

the wonderful support and 

guidance of Bishop Peter 

Rogness whose ears and 

heart are always open to 

our questions and we 

deeply appreciate his 

counsel and spiritedwisdom. 

Send Send in in your your stories, stories, pictures, pictures, blogs, blogs, or or events 

events 

Please send your stories, pictures, blogs, or event information to Lane Magera, editor 

at begakwabeganews@yahoo.com by December 1, 2011 for inclusion in the next 

edition of Bega Kwa Bega Companion News. Photos included in this newsletter are 

the property of the article’s subjects. Please contact them for permission to reuse.


News 

TRAVEL PLANS 

Updated Updated September September 22, 22, 2011 

2011 

Page Page 9 


Date Individual/Group description # 

Jul-11 

Jun 29 to Sep 26 Tom Nielsen in BKB/SPAS office 

Jul 11 to Dec 20 Teri Clar, SPP worker w. water project in Iringa 1 

Sep-11 

Sept 7 to 22 Dennis/Beatrice Hillary Ngede visit SPAS 2 

Sept 24 to Nov14 Bo Skillman in BKB Iringa office 

Christ the Lord, AZ/Ndengidzivili – 

1 

Sept 24 to Oct 10 coming with Bo in Sept; 2 couples 

SOTV, 

4 

Sept 24 to Oct 8 

Sept 24 to Feb 

Dornfeld’s(teach Tumaini-months & Pr Sponheim-15 days 3 

2012 

Oct-11 

Dan/Sue McIntyre-teach Tumaini, water & microfinance 2 

Oct 3 to 19 

Zion, Cottage Grove; Ryan Englestad ldr; partner 

Kitapalimwa 10 

Oct 12 to 25 Trinity, Stillwater - T Thiets, ldr 

Oct 17 to Nov 14 Juli Skillman – join Bo Skillman in BKB Office 

A/M Blomquist, Armargast’s – Tumaini Grad-transport; 

1 

Oct 18 to Nov 9 stay C-6 

Blastone Gavile, Lusungu Msigwa visit SPAS; Fall 

4 

Oct 20 to Nov 9 Gathering Nov 5th 2 

Oct 22 to Nov 5 Our Savior's, Stillwater – J/M Meier ldrs; Mlafu partner 7 

Oct 31 to Nov 16 

Dec-11 

Christiania, D Mesaros/Brenda ldrs, Ihemi partner 7 

Dec 28 to Mar 29 Roger/Trish Blomquist, Ag. Instit; possibly extend to April 

2012 

Sometime 2012 LaDonna Olson (Fish Lake); spend svrl wks/mnths @ Wasa 1 

Sometime 2012 Katheryn Tiede 

Jan-12 CONTINUED on Page 10 

Gustavus Adolphus College Group 20, Barb Zust ldr;: JRO 

Jan 6 to 25 1st, Tatanca bus down to Iringa 9th/10th


News 

TRAVEL PLANS 

Updated Updated September September 22, 22, 2011 

2011 

Page Page 10 


Date Individual/Group description # 

Jan-12 CONTINUED 

Jan 7 to Feb 16 StS Med Group; at least 24 people 

?? to Feb 16th – 1 person 

7th to ??? – 3 people 

7th to 24th – 5 people 

12th to ??? – 3 people 

12th to 21st – 1 person 

12th to 27th - 4 people 

12th to Feb. 16th – 6 people 

25th to Feb 16th – 1 person 

Jan 16 to Feb 4 Christ the King (NB), 9-Ira, 10 up north (18-23 in Iringa) 10 

Jan 24 to 30 King of Kings,Galen Britz & grp of 4; 30th Feb-12 

fly Arusha svrl dys 

Tom & Sandy Hendrickson – help Tumaini start Science 

Feb to Apr Curriculum 

Feb 27 to Jun 8 

Apr-12 

Paul D. & Cynthia Hanson; P/T at Tumaini; stay in A-5 2 

Apr 10 

May -12 

Paul Harris lvs MSP – Teach at Tumaini University 

May 8 to Jun 6 Concordia College Nurses Grp(Alumni grp 2 wks within) 10-15 

May 20 Sally Harris lvs MSP – Teach at Tumaini University 

Jun - 12 

Early June Lord of Life,Maple Grove; Marty Sager ldr 5 

June 13 to July 1 Easter grp ar Dar June 14, dep Dar Jun 30;Paul/Sally also 

June 16 to July 1 Lord of Life, Marty Sager ldr.; ? 1-2 day shift-tickets 16 or - 

Jul - 12 

July 11 to Aug 1 Christ, Lake Elmo 12-15 

July 15 to Aug 15 

Shepherd of the Valley, Kirsten Levorson & Sharon Mertz; 

will use 2 weeks sometime within that month of time 10-15 

July 15 to Aug 15 Abiding Savior (partner w. Makungu); 18 day trip, 10-14 

July 24 to Aug 14 

Aug - 12 

St. Mark’s, NSP; Nate Luong ldr 

Aug 2012 

Sept - 12 

Bethlehem, Bayport; Rich Larsen ldr; Image Partner 

Pastor-Teacher/Dale Stiles & family at Tumaini Theology; 

8-10 

Sept to Dec 2012 stay in A-5 

5

Bishop Mdegela is seated to - Saint Paul Area Synod

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