Words from Tanzania

One weekend in early July, 229 fourteen and fifteen year-olds were confirmed at the Bombo Lutheran Parish in Bombo Village, located in the South Pare Mountains. We were fortunate to be able to travel and take part in the services that weekend, the rite of confirmation on Saturday and the first communion for this group during the Sunday service. The village of Bombo, it was recorded in 2004, has 1,970 residents. Some demographics of the Pare Mountain areas — ages 0-14 make up 44% of the population, 15-64 years 50%, and 65+ 6%.

The confirmation service went like this: The brass band, clergy, Bishop, 229 confirmands and other participants paraded up the dirt road in front of the Bombo Parish and church house and made their way to the old German Missionary house front porch and outdoor area where the service takes place. All find their way and into the limited seating (at least half of the people stood for the entire service) as the parade music died down. After some opening words and announcements the service continued with special music, prayers, three homilies, more music and then the rites of confirmation and blessings of all 229 confirmands. It ended 3-3/4 hours later with the village brass band leading the procession back down the road.

But, before it ended, we were called up onto the porch area and it was announced by Bishop Msangi that St. Paul Lutheran Church of Davenport, Iowa was entering into a companion relationship with the Bombo Parish. There we were on confirmation day, standing up in front of all those young people and their families with the Bishop of the Pare Diocese and with Pastor Peter Nzalla of Bombo Parish. This is sometimes how things go in Tanzania. We