YOMBO LUTHERAN CHURCH
TANZANIA

Immanuel shares a strong relationship with our companion congregation, Yombo, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.  We continue to support, not only the congregation, but many programs that are important to their community.  Many people from Immanuel have traveled to Yombo and the Eastern & Coastal Diocese of Tanzania in order to continue the growth of our relationship as well as assist with some of these programs, particularly the Mtoni dental clinic.

More information can be found on the NGLS website.

MEET ESTER
ESTER IS IMMANUEL'S SPONSOR CHILD WITH COMPASSION INTERNATIONAL.

Our congregation sponsors Ester through Compassion International ($38/month + birthday and Christmas gifts), giving Ester new opportunities to learn and grow physically, mentally, and spiritually.

Ester was born August 8, 2002, and lives with her parents and a sibling near Musoma in Tanzania.  

If you are interested in giving a monetary gift to help support Ester, please contact the office via email or phone.  We also have a "NOISY OFFERING" the first Sunday of every month - so bring your change to make some noise for Ester! 

You may wish to sponsor a Compassion child of your own.  Compassion International exists as a Christian child advocacy ministry that releases children from spiritual, economic, social, and physical poverty and enables them to become responsible, fulfilled Christian adults.  Visit Compassion International.

MEET MARK and CYNTHIA
OUR MISSIONARIES SERVING AT TUMAINI UNIVERSITY MAKUMIRA, AN INSTITUTION OF THE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN TANZANIA

Mark & Cynthia's Postings from Tanzania

Mark Rich has served in parish ministry, in mission service, and as an adjunct instructor in theological education in the US, Canada, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique. Mark is ordained in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. He holds degrees from the University of Chicago, the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, and Northwestern University. His interdisciplinary doctoral research on the Ethics of Jesus has led him into deep conversations and work on the issues of nonviolence, economics, and relationships between people and peoples. In returning to mission service, Mark particularly looks forward to working with emerging leaders of the church in Tanzania and beyond and sharing his passion for the Gospel.

Cynthia Holder Rich has served in parish ministry, in mission service, and in graduate theological education. She is ordained in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), and holds degrees from McCormick Theological Seminary, Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, and the University of KwaZulu-Natal. She is the author of three books and many articles, and has presented around the world, particularly about the church in Madagascar, ecumenism, confessional Christianity, race, and women in church and society. Cynthia is excited about learning about the church in Tanzania and working with emerging leaders – particularly women – for the church.

Cynthia and Mark are grateful to God for the gift of three children, Joseph, Paul, and Ella, who are each amazing and wonderful young adults.

They have served in Madagascar with the Malagasy Lutheran Church and the Church of Jesus Christ in Madagascar from 1998-2003. Returning to Africa gives them great joy.

Immanuel supports Mark and Cynthia as part of the Superior Central Conference 8 of the Northern Great Lakes Synod, ELCA.