Tanzania Missions
Maasae Girls Lutheran Secondary School (MGLSS)
Established eight years ago as the first secondary school for girls among the MaaSai, Bethel has had the privilege of being a partner with the school since the very beginning. 
In 1997, the congregation funded the construction of the chaplain’s residence, and, in 1998, began to sponsor the full tuition, room, and board for Neema Landey. Neema graduated in the spring of 2004 and is currently enrolled in a teacher’s college.
Selian Lutheran Hospital
In 1986, the Lord led Dr. Jack and Jane McAllister to an interesting relationship with Dr. Mark Jacobson, an ELCA missionary and director of the new Selian Lutheran Hospital near Arusha. The McAllisters eagerly raised money and materials for the construction of what has become a state of the art hospital, one of the most widely recognized hospitals in East Africa. 
The hospital is unique in its intimate connection of faith and health. “Doctors are remiss if they don’t pray with their patients,” Jacobson says. In 2008, Bethel members participated in a mission trip to Tanzania in time to help celebrate the opening of Selian's sister hospital, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre, which will serve the urban poor in Arusha.
Physical Therapy Ward at Arusha Lutheran Medical Center
Among all the good work that Selian Lutheran Hospital is able to accomplish, the efforts of the orthopedic surgery team stand out. Surgeons correct conditions which, left untreated, would leave patients disabled for life. The difficulties that disabilities cause are vastly compounded in a country where paved roads are scarce, sidewalks and ramps are non-existent, and daily life involves demanding physical chores such as gathering wood and hauling water or food for miles. However, without physical therapy and follow-up care, the benefits of surgery will be lost. Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre includes a new physical therapy ward to meet that need. Bethel has committed to help equip and support that facility.
Timazaeli Sumuni
Timi is a graduate of Kilamanjaro Christian Medical College, and his medical education was fully sponsored by members and friends of Bethel Church. Currently he is working at Selian Hospital in preparation for medical residency. 
He is a life-long Lutheran, having previously taught Kiswahili in preparing new missionaries to Tanzania. Identified as someone with particular gifts and “a determination to serve God” (Timi’s words), he was selected as one of 50 applicants to pursue medical training in a partnership program with Selian. He believes that being a Christian makes a difference in patient care, because “I am encouraged to serve the patients as if I am serving Jesus himself.”
In the Mail...
The following letter was received from Timi after he was notified that our Global Missions Auction had raised over $7,000 to fund his full tuition, room and board for his medical school education. We'd like to share Timi's letter with you . . .
Grace and peace to you!
In thinking about your latest letter it took me some time as I was asking myself as to who am I that people at far places are not only thinking of me but giving of their time and possesions to see to it that I go to school nicely.
I feel very previledged and I fear a lot more when I am reminded that to whom much is given much shall be required of him.
I do believe in miracles as this is one to me and it makes me feel the service of the Lord to me at an even closer distance.
I am very thankful to Bethel Lutheran Church. There are no words enough to express my thanks and feelings about this particular thing, but I am sure you will try to understand me in the simplest expression: THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
—Timizaeli, your son in Christ and the bond servant of Jesus Christ.
Nanyokye Nasira
Nanyokye Nasira is on track to become the first Maasai woman medical doctor, and Bethel is sponsoring her medical education at Kilamanjaro Christian Medical College. We’d like to share some excerpts from Nanyokye’s letters here:
"I hope you are doing well.
“. . . The laptop had been so much helpful . . . As I spend some time in Selian, my heart is filled with the love for medicine. I see all these Maa people who cannot speak any other language. I feel like God has done a big favour enabling me to join medical school. Yes, I am in the right track.”
“I am doing well with School. I have started the 2nd year. I have 7 classes: Pathology, Microbiology, Pharmacology, Health System Research, Ethics in Medicine, Therapeutic Counselling & Medical Psychology. They are all adventurous. With Microbiology observing those tiny microbes with a microscope is very interesting. Pharmacology, learning the chemicals that have great therapeutic effect in living system is just another adventure. I am enjoying what I am doing....thanks for bringing me here.
“I sometimes visit your website, the ELCA bishops meeting on economic crisis on 7th October (2008) was very humanitarian, they closed it with such a beautiful prayer: ‘Guide us with your justice in the work place so that we may never value things above people, or surrender honor to love of gain or lust for power.’ This is one of the principles of doctors taught in Medical ethics.
“God’s blessings, greetings to all.”
— Nanyokye Nasira
Kirika Lutheran Church
Kirika is one of the fastest growing churches in Arusha. From its beginnings in an abandoned 8’x12’ government shack, the congregation now worships in a sanctuary that seats over 700. After members of Bethel visited Kirika in 2002, it was agreed that Kirika and Bethel would join as sister congregations. Members of Bethel paid for the foundation work of the congregation’s expanded sanctuary, and, this past summer, paid for all of the new pews at Kirika.
Concordia Children’s Services in The Philippines
Several years ago, Howard and Earlene Kemnitz began a mission of love with children in The Philippines. Living and working in Hong Kong, the Kemnitz’s were introduced to the enormous number of street children, particularly in Manila. That’s when the Lord led them to a struggling Lutheran orphanage there. After numerous visits and prayer, they helped begin a day program for the homeless children, with special emphasis given to older children in school. The program has grown to include nearly 100 children.
In the fall of 2004, with the help of Bethel’s Servant Ministry Board, the Kemnitz's initiated The Philippines Missions Team at Bethel, with hopes of raising additional interest and funds. In June 2005 the director of CCS in The Philippines, Beth Caces, visited Bethel, leading Sunday School and a special Global Missions dinner that evening.
In March 2006, Bethel members Terri Hollingsworth and Susie Beyer accompanied Howard and Earlene Kemnitz on a missions trip to The Philippines, and visited Concordia. “It was an amazing experience,” Terri Hollingsworth said. “I’m already planning to go back!”
Please read 
Terri and Susie's testimonials here.
The India Orphanage Project
In 2003, one of Bethel’s members, Todd Heidelberger, was invited to serve on the Board of Directors for Bethania Kids. Bethania is a Lutheran-affiliated foundation that funds and supports orphanages, day care centers, and after school programs in south India. (Visit their website at www.bethaniakids.org.)
After making two trips to India in 2004, including an October trip with Pastor Rhodes, we began the process of introducing Bethania to the members of Bethel – something that reached a dramatic climax once the December 26 tsunami devastated portions of southeast Asia. Members of Bethel initiated a fundraising project that eventually raised $100,000 and built three orphanages for children newly orphaned by the disaster.
In October 2005 Bethel welcomed Bishop John Suthyikumar to Winchester. Bishop John directs Bethania Ministries in India and was in town to update the congregation about the new orphanage projects.
Since 2006, Bethel members (including some of our high school students) have conducted several mission trips to Bethania Kids in India. For more information, contact Todd Heidelberger at todd.heidelberger@thrivent.com.
