So many beautiful and holy things happen at St. Paul’s. While we make every effort to communicate these things with you through digital, print, and social media, some of St. Paul’s incredible ministries go unrecognized.
I wanted to make sure that you hear this story . . . . a story about how a faithful team at St. Paul’s has nurtured a life-giving relationship that continues to grow and benefit God’s children, literally, across the globe . . .
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Joy In Our Hearts
Dr. Joyce van der Laan Smith
It was a joyous day in Mwitikira village on April 17. That is when 290 desks and chairs arrived for the primary and secondary schools, tables and chairs for teachers and a printer for the secondary school. This gift was made possible by St. Paul’s through generous donations, annual funding from St. Paul’s budget, and the work of the Global Missions Committee (GMC).
When four members of the Global Missions Committee visited Mwitikira last September one of their objectives was to gain an understanding of the village’s educational needs. Tanzanian Government funding for education in rural areas is limited as are the villagers’ resources. Struggling to feed their families it is difficult to provide for much else. Meeting with the headmasters, teachers and students of the primary and secondary schools our GMC group listened to them talk about the difficulties they faced in the schools.
The main thing needed in the primary and secondary schools was desks for the children so they wouldn’t have to sit on the floor and tables and chairs for the teachers. Something we saw as we walked around the school. The secondary school head and teachers said they also needed a printer to provide written lessons for the students.
Father Erasto, the village parish priest, with the support of the Diocese of Central Tanganyika, identified the MTAZEE group to build the desks. MTAZEE is the Gogo word for Assist and the young men who built the desks were learning much needed skills.
When April 17, came and the desks arrived the people of Mwitikira celebrated their joy with dancing and singing. And this was such a big occasion they invited the bishop and government officials to celebrate with them.
The villagers asked that we thank all their friends at St Paul’s for this wonderful gift.
Please join the GMC at the June 2 Sunday Forum following worship in Scott Hall to learn more about the people of Mwitikira and the projects the GMC is working on.
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And, in the spirit of education and schools, here’s a prayer For Schools and Colleges (BCP, p. 824)
O Eternal God, bless all schools, colleges, and universities, that they may be lively centers for sound learning, new discovery, and the pursuit of wisdom; and grant that those who teach and those who learn may find you to be the source of all truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
See you in church,
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