Eunice Fultz has returned to Iringa for a visit, and oh, what fun we’re having!
For those new to Bega Kwa Bega, Eunice and her husband, Pastor Don Fultz, were the original BKB coordinators, serving in Iringa and Minnesota from 2000 to 2013. When in Iringa, they traveled around the diocese visiting new parishes, and when they were in Minnesota they traveled around the synod recruiting companion congregations. They built and nurtured companionships one by one until at their retirement, there were 70 parishes in the Iringa Diocese, and 70 companions on the U.S. side. Bwana Yesu Asifiwe! Sadly, Don passed away in 2022.
When planning her visit, Eunice told us she wanted to join the BKB team on the January school visits. We visited one school before she arrived, but she has come along for the other five. She has so much joy and enthusiasm as she revisits schools that have changed in the past 13 years, and meets again with headmasters and pastors that she knew way back when.
When asked whether she is tired or wants a break, she says, “When the car goes, I go!”
Along with school visits, we have presented five of eight scheduled seminars, providing an orientation to BKB policies and procedures. We last did that in the pre-pandemic days, and there are many new pastors in parishes since then. We gather district by district with pastors, treasurers, partnership committee chairs and members.
At the seminars, Eunice gives a talk about the origins of BKB and especially the establishment of the scholarship program. I talk about the Three P’s (Prayer, Presence, Projects) and our equity initiatives. Frank goes into detail about scholarship procedures, then I talk about projects and communication, and Pastor Msigwa addresses cultural issues and hosting guests. The participants are grateful to see Eunice again.
We also brought formal greetings at the opening and closing of two teacher training seminars. We’ve congratulated the teachers and headmasters of diocese schools on the progress students have made in examination performance over the past 10 years. Your contributions to scholarship support, infrastructure improvements and teacher training have made a big difference in these schools.
Together, we’ve visited Huruma Centre and Ilula Hospital, and we spent a weekend at Mwatasi, visiting on behalf of Eunice’s home church, Trinity in Stillwater. It has been such a blessing to hear the stories as she reminisces with old friends.
As she and Don always said, “It’s all about relationships.”
Tupo Pamoja – We are Together!
Kirsten Levorson
Director of Bega Kwa Bega
