LWR Study Visit to Tanzania

It is exciting! It is daunting! The journey begins soon. November 3 -18, Stacey Wise and I will be traveling to and experiencing Eastern Africa — not so much from the point of view of tourists, but as students — of the people, the economic systems and students of the ongoing work of God in the country of Tanzania. We’ll meet members of families who have grown coffee on the slopes of the wondrous Mt. Kilimanjaro for generations, we’ll stay in their homes, study at the Lutheran World Relief (LWR) project centers, learn about the international role of coffee — the 2nd most highly traded commodity in the world—and likely see a giraffe or two!

Coffee trade has the power to keep people poor across continents. Coffee trade also has the power to transform lives out of poverty and into sustainable, healthy, life-giving futures. I am so proud to serve a congregation that takes our Baptismal calling seriously. Just a few weeks ago as our group of confirmands affirmed their faith, they too committed themselves not only to lives of Christian faith, but Christian witness and service “to work for peace and justice in all the world." Believe it or not, the choices we make in drinking coffee can be an expression of our faithfulness and Christian witness!

This month as we focus on the power of lives lived in thankfulness, I am so thankful for the many ways that HTLC lives out the Good News of God in word and deed. I am so thankful that Holy Trinity is one of 3,500 Lutheran Parishes and organizations who have purchased fair trade coffee for church events and personal use through the LWR Coffee Project. With every pound we buy, we say YES to God’s vision for the world and we love a neighbor we’ve never met. (Thanks to Donna Embry and Ian Bowman it is easy to buy fairly traded coffee right here at church. To purchase, simply pick up an order form on the 1st Sunday of each month on the patio just outside the sanctuary.)

I am thankful for the gospel that shows us the ways of life God envisions for the world and for all God’s people. And I am thankful to be a member of the ELCA — for collectively we reach out to the world God loves far more successfully than any one of us might be able to do alone.

If you haven’t already, I invite you to read the information flyer available in the narthex or to visit: Lutheran World Relief to learn more about the ministry of the Women of the ELCA and Lutheran World Relief.

Stacey and I will be eager to share sights, sounds and news of our experiences when we return! Watch for details of events in the December Tempo. In the meantime, as you drink your fairly traded coffee over the next two weeks, Stacey and I would be grateful if you would keep us and our families and those we’ll be traveling with and meeting in your prayers.

I’m trying to learn a bit of Swahili, so here goes...
Asante Sana
(Thank you very much)

Kwa herini
(Goodbye to you all)

Majaliwa, (In God’s grace),
Pastor Janet