On Sunday, August 1, 2021, Lands Lutheran Church in Zumbrota, Minnesota, experienced a taste of Tanzania.
Pastors Emmanuel Kaghondi and Deborah Lyanga, married to each other and parents of two lively sons, shared about worship in the East African country. They noted that pastors in Tanzania serve at a main church and rotate weekly to preach at a half dozen sub-congregations. Evangelists lead worship until the pastor arrives by bike. At Christmas and other special times, all church members gather at the main church, happily walking hours to worship with singing, dancing, and socializing. Each choir contributes songs. Pastors are paid through a money collection and with a goat or chicken.
Pastor Emmanuel presided over Holy Communion and spoke the Words of Institution in Swahili. Their son, Mercy, played the violin, and their younger son, Abner, livened up the children's sermon.
After worship, Lands members sampled Mandazi (hole-free Tanzanian donuts), nuts and papaya. The event and a goat and chicken later delivered to Lands Lutheran's pastor, Rev. David Krinke, reinforced the congregation's ties to St. George Lutheran Church, their partner congregation in Tanzania.
