Together in Kondoa

More than 9,000 miles separate Houston from Kondoa, Tanzania. But for members of St. John the Divine who recently traveled there, the distance seemed much smaller.

Over days spent worshiping, praying, learning, laughing, and sharing stories, friendships grew between members of SJD and the people of the Diocese of Kondoa.

“We met and fell in love with the people of the Diocese of Kondoa,” one team member reflected.

From the moment the team arrived, they were welcomed warmly by Bishop Given, Mother Lilian, seminary students, and students from the Women’s Empowerment Program. Over the days that followed, that welcome grew into something deeper as the team experienced daily life and ministry in Kondoa.

One of the most meaningful parts of the visit was time spent with the Women’s Empowerment Program. Team members and students shared their stories and prayed for one another. Paula taught the art of tatting and spent time with the young women as they worked on their sewing. In a special moment of blessing, Louise anointed the students’ hands and prayed that they—and the work of their hands—would be a blessing to the world.

The team also saw the Diocese of Kondoa’s investment in the next generation.

At St. Peter and St. Paul Pre and Primary School, they prayed for the school’s first graduating class of seventh graders as the students prepared to take national examinations to qualify for secondary school.

They also visited the new St. Peter and St. Paul Secondary School, where preparations are underway to welcome 160 students: 80 girls and 80 boys.

Throughout the visit, prayer and worship brought the two communities together. The team joined women from across the diocese for the Mothers’ Union Annual Conference, where the Rev. Louise Samuelson helped serve Communion. On Sunday, they worshiped at the Cathedral, where Louise preached.

And when they visited the Diocese of Kondoa’s new offices, they gathered in the prayer room to pray over the new building and the ministry that will take place there.

There were joyful moments in between: visiting the natural spring that provides water to Kondoa, receiving beautiful custom-made dresses, spending time with students and families, and seeing some of the extraordinary wildlife of Tanzania.

But the heart of the journey was found in the relationships built and strengthened along the way.

“We met and fell in love with the people of the Diocese of Kondoa.”

Across languages, cultures, and thousands of miles, the people of St. John the Divine and the Diocese of Kondoa share something much deeper: a common faith and a common life in Christ.

In classrooms and sewing rooms, around tables, in prayer, and at the Communion rail, the team experienced a beautiful reminder that the Church is much larger than any one congregation or community.

And wherever God's people come together to worship, pray, learn from one another, and share life together, there are points of light.

Hear More from Tanzania

On September 26, the recent travelers to Tanzania, led by Louise Samuelson, will share more about their experiences and the ways they saw God at work in Kondoa. Come hear their stories, see photos from the journey, and learn more about SJD’s relationship with the Diocese of Kondoa.

September 26 | 10:15–11:30 am | SJD Parlor

Sponsored by Daughters of the King.