Children from the Bulongwa Orphanage at mealtime
“You might think your eyes are open to this this world, but you are only squinting. Once you go to Tanzania and really see the world, your eyes will be fully open.” Elijah Kolman, St. Peter, Bethlehem
Tanzania landscape
“The vision trip to Tanzania changed my outlook on life and inspired me to apply my faith in ways that would enable me to help people. I am more appreciative of the everyday things that many people take advantage of, such as clothing and medicine. I was inspired to put my faith into actions, such as raising money for the orphanage that we visited when we were in Tanzania. I wanted people to know about my experiences there, so I continue to share many pictures and stories with many different churches to help spread the word about our brothers and sisters in Christ in Tanzania. I hope that I inspired people to put their faith into actions as I did.”
Shaelyn Heft, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Palmerton
“The trip to Tanzania truly opened my eyes to see the world I live on rather than just seeing myself living on earth. Experiencing a totally different way of life made me realize the major differences between our country and others and helped me to be much more grateful for everything that I have.” Johanna Swoyer, Grace Lutheran Church, Shillington
At the 2014 Synod Assembly it was announced that the next Youth Vision Trip to the South Central Diocese will take place in the Summer of 2016. Youth who will be completing grades 9 through 12 in 2016 are invited to apply to travel to the South Central Diocese for a life changing experience. Specific dates have yet to be determined, but the feeling is that the trip will be in late June through early July.
Bishop Levis and Mama Sanga visited our synod in the summer 2014
Applications will be available in September and will be accepted until March of 2015. Interviews and selection of participants will take place in April of 2015. This will give those who are selected time to raise funds to help defray the cost of the trip. Five to six team-building sessions will be scheduled between May 2015 and June 2016 to help the travelers learn all that is involved in international travel, about expectations of the group, and about each other. The cost will be approximately $4,000.
For more information, or to request an application when they become available, please contact the Rev. Kurt Garbe by email or call him (570-788-1893 or 610-266-5101).
BECOME A COMPANION CONGREGATION with a congregation of the South Central Diocese! If your congregation is interested in learning how to become a companion with a congregation of the South Central Diocese, please contact Pastor Russell Haab, chair of the Global Missions/Tanzania committee. One of the Team members can come and share the process with you. We can also share the guidelines for becoming a companion.