Babati Lutheran Parish in Manyara Region, Tanzania has a companion in St. John’s Lutheran Church in Peru, Illinois.

On February 28, 2010 St. John’s held an event to celebrate the companionship and to enjoy a traditional-style fundraising called harambee for the construction of Babati’s new church building.

We shared chai (tea) and chapati (flatbread), learned two Swahili songs, and saw photo slideshows from Babati. Church members donated pies and cakes, and during a silent auction more than $900 was raised to send to Babati’s construction fund. We agreed that it’s important to show our companions in ways both large and small that we’re together on this Christian walk.

-By Daudi Msseemmaa

When the building is full, churchgoers must sit or stand outside the windows and doors to worship at the old building of fast-growing Babati Lutheran Church. A new building is under construction, but has been delayed because of funding setbacks.

Above: A serene morning on lot where construction of the new church building is taking place.

Left: The foundation, support columns, and some walls were in place by July 2009. The estimated cost is about$500,000 US. In a poor country like Tanzania, big goals are testament to big faith.