Deconess needs help with sun glasses for Albino children

One of the trips  Deaconess Rhein  and her students made during the two weeks training  was to the albino compound, where 261 albinos, 45 blind, and 39 deaf children live.

These children live in the poorest, starkest conditions, and were so grateful to have visitors. They could not get enough of being touched and hugged.

I've asked my youth group to help me gather 300 pairs of children's sunglasses to take with me when I go back in March, so I can give them all a gift.

If you could send a few dozen sunglasses my way, it would be much appreciated! 

One more thing: witchcraft is very strong in this area of Tanzania. The Gospel is desperately needed to fight against the devil and his hold in this witchcraft and superstition.

This is the reason the albinos must live in a compound is that witchcraft still remains very strong in some area of Tanzania

There is a belief by the witch doctors that Abino’s body parts have  value.  Their body parts and blood  bring good luck, so their lives are in danger in society.

The Good news is this; the Gospel is more powerful than the witchdoctors.  And many  repent and become Christians when they hear  the saving message of the Gospel

Sandra

Deaconess Sandra Rhein

Emmaus Lutheran Church

929 E. Milton

South Bend, IN 46613

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Lutheran Malaria Initiative needs your help

Your help is still needed,  LMI is a partnership of the LCMS and Lutheran World Relief in Baltimore to mobilize U.S. Lutherans in the global fight to end deaths from malaria in Africa.  Will you, your congregation, or school partner with us between today and World Malaria Day 2014,  so we can build mercy capacity among our church partners in Africa, and ultimately aid those who suffer from the devastating effects of malaria? 
Together you and others in the LCMS are making a difference.  The death rate from malaria in Africa has been reduced by half since the inception of LMI and other anti-malaria initiatives. In Tanzania Bed mosquito net usage rose from 55 to 87 percent in program areas.· Through the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania, an LCMS partner church, LMI programming is in place in 60 percent of the country.

Your help is critical.



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TZ: Pastoral and Deaconess Program in Tanzania is well received....

The South East of Lake Victoria began a two year training program in August for Pastors and Deaconesses.  Bishop Emmanuel Makala, working in conjunction with the Mid-South District, the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod,  and Concordia Seminary Fort Wayne  developed  a 2-yr training program.

Dr. Peter Scaer is coordinating this training that will consist of 16 quarterly courses 2-week intensive residential  sessions.   The Training was conducted in the new  Negezi  Training Center, initially built for an area Mission Training Center but it has now been converted into the diocese Training center. It is located in a rural area outside the city of  Shinyanga

There  are currently  24 men in the pastoral training program  and 7 women enrolled in the deaconess training program from through-out the diocese area. We believe this is the first deaconess training conducted in Tanzania

Dr Peter Scaer  Concordia Fort Wayne   And Deaconess Sandra Rhein,   Emmanus Lutheran Church   South Bend,  taught the classes.