When talking about our companionships and the commitments we make to one another, Bega Kwa Bega leaders settled on the “Three Pillars” of prayer, presence and projects. These are the foundational promises of our life together. During Bishop Lull’s trip to Iringa a year ago, several of us agreed informally and light-heartedly that there should be a Fourth Pillar – patience.
When we are traveling from one place to another and encounter an obstacle, patience. When an event is past its starting time, patience. When a transaction urgently needs to be made and the internet is down and the banks are closed, patience. When the Americans believe a question could be easily resolved with an email response, and the Tanzanians want to explain the complexity of the situation in a face-to-face meeting, more patience is needed.
Our Tanzanian friends take their turn exercising patience as well. A proposal in a partnership meeting might have to be reported back to the American congregation and go through several committee reviews before a response can be made or funds raised. Again, patience.
Naming the Fourth Pillar is, of course, partially in jest while it is also a good reminder.
Sometimes our impatience can be eased by looking in the rearview mirror to see how far we’ve come together. Diocese secondary school performance rates are on the rise, impacted at least in part by 20-some years of scholarship student support revenue, infrastructure projects and teacher training. The increase in the number of diocese parishes is a credit to the diocese’s persistent pursuit of its evangelism goals, and is supported at least in part by theological scholarships, chapel construction, and gifts of motorcycles to assist pastors in their ministry.
We know that small, steady gifts add up over time and make an impact.
As we journey through the season of Advent, waiting eagerly to celebrate the incarnation of Jesus come to live among us, we can exercise patience and hope and faith. We know that Immanuel comes.
And in our companionships, we know that God has joined us together, Saint Paul and Iringa. Tupo Pamoja, [we are together], with prayer, presence, projects…and patience.
Heri ya Krismasi! Merry Christmas!
Kirsten Levorson
Director of Bega Kwa Bega
