Companions in Christ

Pastor Eric Carlson’s visit to Kifula Parish

Mwanga Diocese, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania

June 26—July 1, 2025

Faith Lutheran Church has been in a companion relationship with the Kifula Parish since 2003. This Companion relationship exists for the purpose of strengthening one another for life and mission within the body of Christ. As part of his sabbatical, Pastor Carlson experienced firsthand the mutual benefit our respective churches experience when building relationships that deepen our commitment and discipleship as communities of faith and followers of Jesus.

Day One - June 26

I was received by Anderson Mockray, Eliewaha Msangi and Pastor Joseph Mchomvu at the Kilimanjaro Airport at 8:00 pm and we began the 2.5 hour drive to Kifula. I was greeted by my hosts, Mama Sarah Mshana and Praygod Manang. The son of Sarah and Mr. Mshana owns the home but lives out of the area. The accommodation was very pleasant. After a helping of cooked potatoes, bread and coffee, it was time to turn in for the night.

Praygod is staying in the home with me. He is a teacher in Mwanga and serves as the Chairperson for Youth at the parish. During my stay, he was also elected as Vice-Chairperson for the Mwanga Diocese. He is 36 years old and is originally from Arusha. He was the ultimate host.

Day Two - June 27

After a delightful night’s sleep, Anderson arrived and we visited Mr. E. Mshana who lives on the property in another home. I later remembered that I had met the Mshanas during my last visit to Kifula in 2014. We had fun looking at pictures from that visit. This was a wonderful visit.

We then arrived at Kifula Parish and were met by several staff members. Hulder Fred serves as the parish accountant, Janeth Mockray serves as Evangelist for the center parish, and Helen Hodea, who serves as Evangelist of the Mriti sub-parish. Later in the morning, Bishop Daniel Mono and several of the Diocese staff arrived at the parish office.

After a delightful lunch of rice, cooked banana, spinach, cow meat and fruit, Anderson and the parish driver, Immanuel, took me on a tour of the homes of Kifula’s first two pastors and other sites. We visited the construction of the worship center and the original church, which is being used by parishioners as the construction is completed.

The day concluded with rest and reading back at the Mshana home. Dinner was served by Mama Mshana around 8 pm.

Day Three - June 28

The morning began with Group Fellowship at the Mshana home. All parishes of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania have the same small group bible study. Each parish chooses how they work through the weekly study. Kifual Parish has divided the congregation into 19 groups, each consisting from 5-8 households. They study lasts for an hour and was led by Praygod Manang.

We then went to the parish office for breakfast and prepared for the day. Our journey took us higher in the Pare Mountain Range. The group consisted of Pastor Joseph Mchomvu, Anderson Mockray, Janeth Mockray, Helen Hosea, and our very skilled driver, Immanuel.

Our first stop was a home communion visit to a man who is blind. He lives with his twin brother. One is a Christian and the other is Muslim. They live together.

My hosts took me to Dongodo Panorama Park, one of the highest altitudes of the Ugweno Mountains Mwanga District, Kilimanjaro region. From it’s peak, you can see Lake Jipe in the eastern plains, Kenya, and on a clear day, Mount Kilimanjaro.

We traveled on to family of home of Bishop Daniel Mono. Bishop Mono’s mother passed away on June 16, and asked that we stop by to visit and worship with the family. It was incredibly humbling, and their generosity was incredible. Pastor Mchomvu led worship and I assisted with Holy Communion. The family prepared a spread of beans and cooked bananas, rice, goat, greens and sumptuous avocado, bananas, papaya, pineapple and more.

From the Mono home, we went a bit further down the road to the Mriti sub-parish of Kifula Parish. Members of the choir sang several songs and gifted me with a Shukah, a Maasai traditional blanket or shawl. We sang and prayed some more and then we departed for back “home.” The afternoon and evening was spent preparing for worship on Sunday and tweaking my sermon.

Day Four - June 29

Bwana Asifiwe (Praise God). The day began with breakfast at the parish office at 8:00 am. After breakfast I was able to greet the children in Sunday School. I brought glow sticks that could be made into bracelets as a reminder of the light of Jesus in their life. I also brought lollipops for them. Both were a great hit.

Worship began at 10:00 am. I had the honor of preaching at the service. Other worship leaders included Pastor Mchomvu, Evangelist Janeth Mockray, and the Rev. Dr. Malaki, a retired pastor whom I met on my first trip to Tanzania in 2009. It was a fun reunion.

The worship service lasted four hours. Two choirs provided special music along with vibrant congregational singing. The service included several offerings that supported the parish, the Mwanga Diocese, fundraising for continued construction of the new church building, and another for a pastor in the diocese who was in an accident recently. There was a special blessing of thanksgiving for a family who was celebrating a reunion.

Following the service was a traditional auction where members bring goods from their homes or farms. The items are auctioned off and the money is donated to the parish. Maze, sugar cane, papaya, bananas, chickens, and a variety of other items were part of the auction.

One of the members of the family celebrating a reunion was Joseph Tadayo, a member of the Parliament in the Mwanga District. He invited the other pastors and I, along with Anderson Mockrey, to their family home for a wonderful (and large) dinner. It was an honor to be invited and be part of their celebration.

The day concluded around 4:30 and I was transported back to my host home for the evening. Mama Mshana served dinner and I ended the day with another delightful conversation with Praygod.

Day Five - June 30

We began with breakfast at the parish office. Our main agenda for the day was to visit the other sub-parish of Kifula, Raa. This sub-parish is served by Evangelist Samson Masawe. We were greeted by the Evangelist Masawe and several members of the parish. We hiked up the mountain to see the view, which includes Mt. Kilimanjaro on a clear day. Unfortunately it was cloudy. On our hike, we came across women and men who were mining for laterite/bauxite rock which is used for cosmetic purposes but also is digested by women mostly.

We returned to Raa parish for lunch, followed by a wonderful presentation of their choir. Introductions were made and we celebrated our partnership.

I returned to my host home to begin packing for my journey home. The Mshanas hosted Praygod and me for dinner at their home which is located just a short distance from the house I have been residing in. It was a delightful evening of conversation. I am extremely grateful for their hospitality.

Day Six – July 1

Godpray and I enjoyed our morning coffee as we waited for the parish car to arrive at our residence. Another delicious breakfast was served at the parish office before I met with the Companion Committee. Our conversation was meaningful and faith-filled as we shared joys and challenges in each of our ministry settings. We asked each other what we can be praying for and this list will be shared with the congregations moving forward. I was presented with wonderful gifts, but most important, I was asked to commit to share the love and prayers of our siblings in Christ from Kifula. We shared one last meal together and then we began our journey to Kilimanjaro Airport.

On our way, we visited the Mwanga District Diocese Office in Mwanga. I was introduced to the Assistant Bishop and the General Secretary. They, too, send their greetings and God’s blessings to the people of Faith Lutheran and the Southeastern Iowa Synod. We travelled 2 hours to the airport and said our goodbyes with those who have been with me every step of this incredible journey. I am forever grateful to Pastor Mchmuvo, Anderson Mockray and Praygod Manang.

I look forward to bringing members of Faith to Kifual in June of 2026. More information to come!

Bwana afisiwe! (Praise God!)