Zion Travelers Fly on Monday

On Monday, Zion’s travelers depart for Kirangare, Tanzania. Unfortunately, Joseph Obleton is not able to travel, so we will be six, instead of seven—Connor Essary, Wendy Essary, Emily Grady, Julie Kalkwarf, Pastor Clark, and Mary Schnack.

I have never traveled to Tanzania without Joseph. Gaspar John, Kirangare Parish’s chair of the Companionship Committee, hosted Joseph in his home last year when we visited. Gaspar messaged me when he heard the news that Joseph wasn’t coming. He said he had a “lonely” feeling. The love is genuine.

Like previous years, we will visit the four communities that make up Kirangare Lutheran Parish—Kirangare, Marindi, Idaru, and Mpare. We will visit the sites of projects Zion has invested in—the Milk Store, the Vocational Training Center, the donkey keepers, the Water project. We’ll even work together in the ongoing construction of the Zion Daycare building. Wendy will teach bible study. I will preach. We’ll visit the Pare Diocese office, go on safari in Ngorognoro Crater, and visit Simon Simon’s family in Mbulu. (His wife is due to have another baby any day now!) We’ll stay in people’s homes. We will be honored with feasts and singing and joy.

It is familiar now, but no less remarkable, to be loved and welcomed in this way. We’ve talked about hosting Kirangare Parish sisters and brothers in Iowa next year. We will get to love and welcome them in our own way.

Like previous years, I will be posting photos and reflections online, so you can follow us as we travel. Just go to Zion website’s and scroll down a bit. Or visit ziondavenport.org/tz. Or keep an eye out for links in Zion’s weekly email newsletter.

When we six go, we represent you and Zion. You are sending us. What we receive and experience there is meant to be shared back here. So come to worship Sunday, September 1 and give your blessing. Stay in touch with the website while we’re there. Plan to be in worship Sunday, September 15—our first Sunday back. One Sunday soon after that, the travelers will present about the trip after worship. Plan to come.

And pray for safety, traveling mercies, blessings on our hosts, and for the merciful love of Jesus to flood both our communities.

Imani Moja, One Faith.

Thanks be to  God.

Pastor Clark Olson-Smith