The relationship is being strengthened this week by a visit from a Tanzanian pastor and his wife to the congregation at Bethesda Lutheran Church in Ames.
The Rev. Randy Gehring, pastor at Bethesda, met with the Rev. Walter Msangi and his wife, Christine, to talk about the project on Thursday.
According to Christine Msangi, there is a special committee in the Shigatini church in Tanzania, which reviews and approves all exchanges with the Iowa congregation.
"Gerald Klonglan is providing leadership with our Tanzania ministry team here in Ames - very strong leadership, I might add," Gehring said.
Church-to-church relationships are being forged through a four-year-old agreement between the Pare Synod of northwestern Tanzania and the Southeastern Iowa Synod.
Walter Msangi said he is entering his fourth year as pastor at Shigatini and has wanted to come visit his friends in Iowa for quite some time.
"It seemed natural to have them come at Easter, even though it takes them away from their church at a key time," Gehring said.
"What we want to do is reinforce the relationship and share what we have in common," Christine Msangi added. "We can learn how the church office works, how (Bethesda) church services are conducted and what changes we should make to reinforce the relationship."
Klonglan said he became involved in the program shortly after retiring from the Iowa State University College of Agriculture in 2002. After he gave local tours to a group of visitors from the Pare Diocese, Klonglan agreed to chair a Bethesda ministry team for Shigatini and has been a full-time volunteer since.
Successive years have brought new Bethesda parishioners into the projects, and there have been half a dozen trips to Africa organized through the Ames church, with participants specializing in everything from medicine and agriculture to youth ministry.
"It's all about building relationships and working with others - not just Christians, but also Muslims and native Africans who don't belong to the (Shigatini) parish," he said. "Once people opened their hearts and acquired a different view of the world, their passion grew. It amazes me to watch it happen."
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According to parishioner Laura Miller, the Msangis arrived in Ames March 28 and will be here through April 17.
The visit will better acquaint people from both parishes and uncover opportunities for more partnerships between the two congregations, she added.
While in Ames, the Msangis are visiting community groups, selected classes at ISU and district leaders of the church.
Miller said more than two dozen members of the Ames church have already traveled to Shigatini, coordinating efforts to raise funds for construction of a new surgery building, a water collection and distribution system, school uniforms and other projects.
The Msangis have three daughters (ages 11, 8 and 6 years) and two sons (ages 10 and 3 years), who are not traveling with them. This is the first time they have been to the United States.
While most activities are happening at Bethesda Lutheran Church, 1517 Northwestern Ave., the African visitors are connecting with Ames in a variety of ways. On Monday, April 2, they were guests at the Ames Noon Rotary Club, which is providing financial support for a clean water project in the African community.
The Msangis spent time visiting contacts at ISU on Thursday, and with the help of the Msangis, the children's choir at Bethesda will sing an Easter hymn in Swahili on Easter Sunday.
The visit will continue with a social gathering Wednesday, April 11, an appearance by Pastor Msangi April 15 when he preaches at the Ames church and a farewell coffee on Tuesday, April 17.
Miller said Bethesda Lutheran is one of the first congregations in Iowa to partner with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania.
Bob Zientara can be reached
at 232-2161, Ext. 487,
or rzientara@amestrib.com.
