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Beautiful Feet the osiros - may/june newsletter

"How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, Your God reigns." (Isaiah 52:7)

May found me in Tanzania with fellow communications colleagues from the LCMS International Center, Erik Lunsford and Kevin Armbrust. Erik is the photojournalist and Kevin is the editor for all publications for the LCMS. Working with my colleagues helps to strengthen my role as communications specialist for the Africa region, a role which I still find challenging. On this trip we took photos, visited congregations and interviewed pastors and deaconesses from the Lutheran Church in East Africa (LCEA), the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania - South East of Lake Victoria Diocese (ELCT-SELVD) in Shinyanga and the ELCT-Mbulu Diocese in Mbulu.

Trips like this help to deepen relationships, teach us about our Lutheran identity and support and encourage each other as we walk together in sharing the Gospel. During the interviews we heard how our brothers and sisters came to know Christ, and about their joys and challenges in their vocations as pastors and deaconesses. These faithful warriors of the cross stand firm in the knowledge of Christ as they proclaim the beautiful message of salvation with many.

Interview with Bishop Angowi of the LCEA

LCMS missionaries Rev. Jonathan Clausing, Sarah Kanoy and Shara Osiro share a laugh with Bishop Massawe of the LCEA (photo by Erik Lunsford)

Mission moments

In June I served alongside a Mercy Medical Team in the village of Kahe. Teams such as this bring people together from varying vocations and cultures. This American team joined local Tanzanian medical providers and missionaries to give a glimpse of the beautiful message of loving our neighbor and being the hands, heart and feet of God. All who came to the clinic heard the message of God’s love for them and they received treatment for their ailments.

During all of the MMTs that I have been blessed to serve with, something amazing always happens. Towards the end of the week an 18 month old with severe malnutrition was brought in by his mother. There was immediate concern for this child and within minutes, the local medical providers were making phone calls to get this child the care he needed. Pastor Mlay, of the LCEA spent time with the mother to find out more about the situation. She asked that her son be baptized.

The week ended with the baptism of this dear little one. After an opening prayer to start the day, Pastor Mlay invited the community to bear witness to the baptism. It was heartwarming to see how many people filled the room in support of this mother and child. Pastor Agakhan, another of the LCEA’s pastors, gave a beautiful explanation of what baptism means. This precious child IS now part of the family of Christ. He was given the baptismal name of Mark. There are many amazing moments on the mission field and this one will remain etched in my heart. What a beautiful message of love this American and Tanzanian team gave through their words and actions.

The week at the MMT

Three grandmothers waiting to be seen, their faces tell such a powerful story..my favorite picture from the week

LCMS missionaries Sarah Kanoy and Shara Osiro with the Tanzanian medical providers

The pastors with Mark and his mother after his baptism

The Mercy Medical Team

THANK YOU FOR BEING PART OF THIS JOURNEY WITH US AS WE SERVE THE LORD IN EASTERN AND SOUTHERN AFRICA

Photo by Erik Lunsford - photojournalist for the LCMS
Or you can end gifts to: Mission Central 40718 Highway E-16 Mapleton, IA 51034 or give online at www.missioncentral.us

Prayers and Praise

  • Pray for God's to keep all missionaries serving in the Africa in His care and that He will provide all that we need.
  • Pray that God will continue to grant His wisdom and guidance to the pastors and deaconesses of the LCEA, ELCT-SELVD and ELCT-Mbulu Dioceses as they serve in His mission of sharing the Gospel with many.
  • Pray for Mark and his mother that God will supply all of their needs.
  • Praise God for the opportunity to learn from my colleagues Erik and Kevin.
  • Praise God for the Mercy Medical Team that served in Kahe.
  • Praise God for all of you and the love, support and encouragement that you give to me and Michael.
Contact Information: P. O. Box 22, Karen, 00502 - Kenya Email: shara.osiro@lcms.org
Beautiful Baobab tree in Shinyanga - Photo by Erik Lunsford (photojournalist for the LCMS)
Created By
Shara Osiro
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