Mama Patricia

Dispatch 4                                                                                From  Dodoma Station Tanzania

Summer 2008                                                                                               

Fr Francis Wardega

This week was a time of transition.  The work finished for this year in Mwanza.  There was a journey to Dodoma.  Then the work for this year began in Dodoma.

Pastor Jesse and daughter Angelin

For this trip, the teaching work finished in Mwanza, Diocese of Victoria-Nyanza.  It has been well received.  The eleven clergy students saw their ministry transformed not just by new knowledge, but also by new values and attitudes and deeper ways of thinking and evaluating.  Renewed priesthood.  All from the Scriptures.  The men witnessed to that renewed priesthood as we celebrated the closing of class in worship and song.  One spoke of how he didn’t know how much he didn’t know.  Another spoke of a journey from a ministry of laws and rules to a ministry of love and service. Another spoke of loneliness as a priest alone in a distant village and how he now had brothers to work with.  Many mobile phone numbers were exchanged and many pictures taken.  Over and over again, “thank you for coming. Come again!  Stay longer! We will tell our brothers!”  Handshakes were replaced by hugs.

Bishop Alpha Mohamed & Lay Cannon David Hodge ACT African Evangelistic Association

Other service in Mwanza.  Assisting in the eight day diocesan spiritual revival – the first one in sixteen years, led by retired Bishop Alpha Mohamed and Lay Canon David Hodge, both former Muslims.  New blessings, new healings, and new freedoms of “Roho Mtafitika” – the Holy Spirit.  Parish visits to St John in Nyamanoro and to St Peter in Igogo.  Both parishes are searching for twin parishes in America – to become friends with.  Any St John’s Parish or St Peter’s Parish out there want a friend in Africa?

Liturgy Team, St. Peter Church Igogo Fr. Richard, Fr. Francis and others

At the APA Synod in Belleville, a deacon from St Stephen in Louisville gave his own pectoral cross to bless a brother in Tanzania.   Rev Captain Nestor Muheta, secretary to Bishop Kwangu, now sports a new pectoral cross and says thank you!

Bishop Bonifac Kwangu

The work of renewal in this diocese continues.  SOMA-UK has arrived in this diocese in Mwanza to further clergy knowledge of Anglican ministry.  We all met together to share, plan and pray – Bishop Boniface, Bishop Alpha, Canon Hodge, SOMA Team (2 Anglican Priests and wives from England, two Anglican priests and wives from Uganda), and me.  (SOMA – Sharing of Ministries Abroad – international Anglican Mission ministry)