Seeing the Work of Bega Kwa Bega for the First Time
This article,written by Pastor Lwila, was published on April 12 by the St Paul Area Synod as a part of the Bega Kwa Bega Companion News. Through your generosity, Incarnation was able to provide nearly $20,000 in support toward 2021 secondary education of Mkwawa and Kigamboni youth, as well as other educational initiatives.
It has been an annual tendency of our offices to visit schools and sponsored students early in the year. The schools we visited this year are DIRA-owned schools of Bomalang’ombe, Ipalamwa, Lutangilo, Pomerini, Image, and Mtera. Scholarship Clerk Frank Mkocha and I, as a new BKB-DIRA Coordinator, had a good time visiting the mentioned schools at the beginning of February. To me it was a new experience as I had never visited two of the schools, Lutangilo and Mtera. Also on our trip, we invited Pastor Lusungu Msigwa who was the BKB-DIRA Coordinator for almost 11 years. He was very helpful to me since he showed me how to do the checklist of students in schools.
A new experience for me was the special kind of welcome we received at each of them. I have experienced the heart of generosity from students, teachers, and non-teaching staff. We watched traditional dances and scout groups and heard songs and speeches from heads of schools and students.
The sponsored students were very thankful for the support they get through Bega Kwa Bega. When I saw their faces with tears of happiness, it proved to me that they appreciate what is offered to them. One special observation was at Mtera Lutheran High School where I met the students with special needs, like those who are blind. Really, the scholarship program is very important to students–especially these students of special needs.
I also came to see the good work of buildings like classrooms, a multipurpose hall, laboratories, dormitories, libraries and administration blocks, together with many other good works done by this Companion Partnership of BKB-SPAS and BKB-DIRA. I really appreciate the work of God’s Kingdom done by you guys.
Joining the ministry of this partnership makes me feel good. I feel like I am serving God and I hope and believe that God will help me to continue working with you friends from the Saint Paul Area Synod in order to fulfill God’s Mission through Prayer, Presence and Projects.
In closing, I would like to present my thanks to the almighty God who helped us to visit all schools. Also, special thanks go to Pastor Lusungu Msigwa who showed me the way on this important work. People of BKB-SPAS receive our thanks, as well, for the support you are giving to these students of Africa who are from difficult environments. I know the money you are giving to these students is a seed planted in good soil, it will grow and produce fruits of blessings to your life as well to your offspring.
May Peace and Joy be with you especially on this difficult season of Pandemic of COVID-19. Christ is risen! He is risen indeed.
Happy Easter Season with God’s Blessings,
-Pastor Lwila, BKB-DIRA Coordinator in Iringa, Tanzania
See Pastor Lwila’s Easter greeting on Facebook
 |
 |
 |
Feed My Starving Children (FMSC) MobilePackTM Trial Event Recap
After months of careful planning and preparation, FMSC and Incarnation hosted a MobilePackTrial Event April 22-24, 2021. This event was intended to help FMSC plan and test new safety protocols for MobilePack; events which will be rolling out nationwide in June 2021. Incarnation has partnered with FMSC for 14 years and was asked to host this event and recruit volunteers. Overall, it was very successful and gave FMSC insight on how to safely and successfully return to MobilePack events. It was wonderful to host volunteers in our building and see everyone sporting hairnets again!
Results:
Number of Volunteers: 298
Number of Boxes: 396
Meals packed: 85,536
Kids fed for a year: 234
Destination for the meals we packed: Uganda
From Dave Gunnlaugsson, FMSC MobilePack Advisor,
“What an incredible weekend at Incarnation Lutheran Church. On behalf of FMSC and the MobilePack team we want to thank you for your amazing hospitality and partnership in this important calling. Working with Incarnation last weekend will be foundational for us as we work to relaunch MobilePack on June 1, 2021. I can’t imagine a better community to partner with and begin MobilePack again with. Thank you. Can’t wait for your event in October!”
Thanks to everyone who supported this experience whether as a volunteer, a financial supporter or someone who prayed for its success. This work couldn’t be done without your partnership. Also, mark your calendars for the last weekend of October 2021 when Incarnation will host its own All Hands on Hope FMSC MobilePack Event!
Quilting to Make a Difference
-
- Global Health Ministries (for distribution to ELCA hospitals around the world) – 107 Quilts
- Gillette Children’s Hospital – 104 Quilts
- LifeHaven – 25 Quilts
- Special Donations – 13 Quilts
- This is a total of 249 quilts!!
Apostles Library Book Review
The Bear and the Duck by May Angeli
The Bear and the Duck, written and illustrated by May Angeli, is not only a story of friendship and patience but also a good book to help understand the seasons and how different animals adapt to the changes the seasons bring. And all that in only a few short pages!
The illustrations are gentle and muted. Both Duck and Bear have distinct personalities; I loved Bear scratching himself, especially after hibernation, and declaring himself a fleabag! He’s as grumpy as you might wish a bear to be and Duck a bit quacky and self-centered but, boy are they friends!
Share this with a young person – or even read it yourself just for a gentle smile.
Click here to view the Memorials
Staff Updates
Sabbatical
Welcome Nate BergengrenAnnouncements
16th Annual Every Family Needs a Home Virtual Breakfast Video
If you missed the virtual Solid Ground fundraiser breakfast last Wednesday, you may still watch the Zoom video through May 13and be a part of Bringing Families Home! The video includes a keynote address by Stephanie Land, bestselling author of her memoire, Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother’s Will to Survive, a powerful testimonial from a Bre, a former Solid Ground participant, and an invitation for giving.
Solid Ground Spring Shower
You are invited to participate in a Spring Shower for residents ofSolid Ground May 16 – June 6! Simply purchase items from the list below and place them at the base of the large cross outside the Sanctuary so we can all see the growing mound of generosity and celebrate this important ministry partnership!If you’d prefer to make a financial contribution for the Spring Shower, write a check to Incarnation with “Solid Ground” in the memo or make an online donation through Incarnation’s secured online giving site, selecting “Solid Ground” from the pull down menu. Thank you in advance for your generosity.
New Items only:
Lamps: sturdy floor, table, desk
Small end tables
Night lights for children and bathroom
Extension cords
Vacuum cleaners
Brooms
Sponge mops
Flip-lid kitchen garbage cans
Mixing bowls
Baby/toddler plastic tableware sets (bowls, glasses, plates, silverware, etc)
Crib sheets
Office Project: New Carpets
Due to new carpets being installed, the front office space will be closed to foot traffic Thursday, May 6,through Thursday, May 13. Office staff will be available by phone during normal office hours (Monday through Thursday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sunday 8 to 11 a.m.) but are not having guests in the office space during this construction window. Any groups that are scheduled to meet in the building during this time are still able to do so.
Thank you for Serving Solid Ground and Congratulations to Gil Hartley, 2020 Volunteer of the Year!
Each year at Solid Ground, hundreds of volunteers come together in support of Solid Ground families as they transition out of homelessness and into more fulfilling lives – and 2020 was no exception. Although programs looked different this past year, Solid Ground volunteers gave their community much to celebrate and be thankful for, and you were a large part of the volunteer base. Here’s a video recap of what Solid Ground was able to accomplish in 2020 thanks to their volunteers and supporters.
Incarnation’s Contribution to Minnesota FoodShare 2021
Well done, Incarnation! Your contributions to the Ralph Reeder Food Shelf from January 1 – April 11, are a total of $30,890.00, which will be Incarnation’s contribution to MN FoodShare, a portion of which will be matched. While the actual match will not be known for a while, we do know that such a generous contribution will help the bonus dollars to be bigger! Thank you for your continued generous support of the Ralph Reeder Food Shelf and their mission to help feed the most vulnerable in our local community.
Healing Our City, a Virtual Prayer Tent
Join others each morning at 8:00 a.m. via Zoom or the Healing Our City Facebook page tohear a reflection speaker from various faith traditions and engage in a 9 minutes and 29 seconds of silentreflection and prayer. The virtual prayer tent will continue through May 25, the anniversary of George Floyd’s murder. Healing Our City is an initiative of the Center for Leadership and Neighborhood Engagement, to respond to and transform the pain experienced in Minneapolis, through prayer and actions leading to a more just, equitable and healthy city.
RSVP for in-person worship at 8:45 a.m. (traditional) or 10:15 a.m. (contemporary) for April 11, April 18 and April 25. To help keep those in worship safe, the number allowed in each space will be limited. Please call 651-484-7213 (ext. 105) or email amartell@incarnationmn.org to let us know you plan to attend. You may also just show up (doors will be open 20 minutes before service time) and see if there’s space for you. When you come to worship, you will check-in and proceed to the worship area. Masks are required for attendance and extra masks will be available if needed. If for some reason you aren’t feeling well, we encourage you to stay home and view our livestreamed service. Children are always welcome in worship. We offer activity bags that you can take with you when you leave.