The Western Iowa Synod maintains a strong relationship and Covenant with the Southern Diocese of Tanzania. Grace Lutheran supports our own Companion Congregation in Chimala, Tanzania.
In the summer of 2008, Chris Masad and Kori Heidebrink had the opportunity to serve on a mission trip in Tanzania and visit them and share a gift.
Tanzania 2012
In 2012, two of Grace's own congregation members traveled with the Western Iowa Synod to Tanzania. The mission of this trip was to continue to expand the Synod's relationship with the Southern Diocese of Tanzania and provide some of our members the experience the faith-filled commitment of the people of Tanzania.
Included in this trip, was the opportunity for those traveling to spend time working at one of the Missions that the WIS helps support within the Diocese. There are four areas of service; Well-drilling, Center for Agriculture Development, The Illembula Medical Center and the Igumbilo Lutheran Girls Secondary School.
Marilyn Zech, as well as her daughter Diane, and Music Minister Jenna Hardy Pedersen were the representatives from Grace. Marilyn planned to spend some of her mission working with the Well-Drilling project that her and her late husband helped start when the Synod first began a presence in Tanzania. Jenna is planning on working a the Igumbilo Girls School as well as spending some time studying the worship music and instruments used in the congregations in the Southern Diocese. The ladies who traveled to Tanzania had an incredibly blessed and wonderful experience. Not only were the people of the Southern Diocese unbelievably kind, but shared their faith and friendship with open arms.