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Missions AbroadMissionary Sponsorship and St. Paul ChurchSt. Paul Lutheran Church is proud to support the work of Dr. Steven Friberg, his wife Bethany and their children, Nyika, Zaka, and Shalai. Steven, a pediatrician, and Bethany Friberg have been serving in Tanzania since 1993. In 1999, they began developing medical dispensaries in the rural area outside of Arusha. There are now a dozen clinics serving the Maasai people. Bethany provides hospitality for frequent visitors and volunteers, and works with Maasai women in income-generating projects, mostly involving beadwork. St. Paul Church's support of the Fribergs extends beyond our commitment to assist with salary, pension, education and living expenses. Our developing relationship enables us to assist with programs and needs brought to us by the Fribergs. We have collected vitamins to be distributed in Maasai dispensaries, and have raised funds for medical training for Maasai interested in becoming doctors, nurses and medical assistants, and have raised money for water storage tanks. In 2008 a group from St. Paul traveled to Tanzania to work alongside the Fribergs, and another trip is planned for the summer of 2011. We enjoy periodic visits from the Fribergs, and know that our relationship will continue to grow. If you are interested in serving on the Missionary Sponsorship Committee, please contact Pastor Swanson. A message from the Fribergs “God's presence and energy fill the universe. His laugh, footsteps, shadow, touch, fingerprints and whispers are constantly around us. Moment by moment his energy allows an infant's heart to beat. If he removed his presence for an instant our cosmos would disappear. For centuries Maasai have approached the active volcano Ol Doinyo Lengai (Mountain of God, 2878 m, 9437 ft) to pray, sing, chant, and offer all-black sheep or goats to God. Most often they asked for rain and closely associated God's presence with rain. Young women went to ask for the gift of children, elders asked for help with livestock. Now about half the Maasai communities in our area are Christian and know God has approached us all with the gift of his son Jesus. The Bible in Maasai has brought a new, deeper, and indigenous understanding of God.” Lutheran World Relief In-Gathering Each fall St. Paul women participate in the gathering, boxing and shipping of clothing and supplies to be sent worldwide to areas in need. We collect: • School kits for children whose lives have been disrupted by war or some other disaster. • Health kits to bring clean hands, good grooming and bright, shining smiles to people without access to these items. • Soap — a luxury for millions of people suffering from drought, civil strife or poverty. • Quilts — highly prized by their recipients, can be used for coverings on cold nights and makeshift tents on hot days. • Sewing kits — so that people can take care of themselves. • Layettes — to be used in refugee camps, mission hospitals and villages around the world. We can make a difference, especially when teamed up with the efforts of other congregations. In the year 2000, Lutheran World Relief delivered 1,861 tons of material aid worth $15 million to people in need in 21 countries. |
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