El Salvador & Tanzania News

Pastor Julio Visiting from El Salvador

Pastor Julio will be at Ascension the first week of October. On Sunday, Oct. 8, you are invited to join us for a potluck lunch following late service to share Wisconsin hospitality with him and to hear more news from our brothers and sister in Usulután.

There is also interest in El Salvador in hosting a Bible study based on the book Grace by Max Lucado. Pastor Tony and Pastor Edwin have both been leading book studies on this book at Ascension. The Spanish-language versions of the book are $12 each. If you are interested in sponsoring a book that Pastor Julio can take back with him, you can connect with Pastor Edwin.

School Lunches for Tanzania

We hope to collect enough money in the month of October to provide all 1100 children and teachers with lunch for the 195-day school year. Because of the drought and world-wide high food prices, we need to raise $18,576. For $100, all of students and teachers in our three partner schools will have a day and a half of lunch. It is only $16.84 to feed a child for the year. Give on Sundays, but it is even easier to give online now.

El Salvador & Tanzania Partnership Committee

Ascension has long been an over-achiever when it comes to our partnerships, but we took things to a whole new level this summer when we hosted a delegation from El Salvador back-to-back with a large group going to Tanzania. These visits helped revitalize our partnerships after years of not seeing each other due to the pandemic. With renewed energy, stronger friendships, and an abundance of new information, our partnership committee is looking forward to resuming in-person meetings. The first one will be at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 8.

Who:

  • Anyone planning to travel to El Salvador or Tanzania in the future
  • Anyone who has previously traveled as part of a delegation
  • Anyone who has a heart for our brothers and sisters in El Salvador and Tanzania; no travel required!

What:

  • Reflect on this summer’s visits
  • Plan for the future and goal-setting
  • Beginning a deeper look at education in El Salvador and Tanzania
  • Talking about our trip to El Salvador, approximately July 29 – August 5, 2024

Please note that as our partnerships deepen, our leadership and the pastors have made it a goal for future partnership visits to El Salvador and Tanzania that all travelers will have at least a year of regular (at least 75%) participation in our partnership committee prior to travel. If you are interested in traveling in the future or interested in joining the committee, but unable to attend the August 8 meeting, please contact Sarah Aparicio.

Finding God in the Unexpected

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
~Philippians 4:4-7

On the 16-hour flight home from Ethiopia, I found myself spending a considerable amount of time reflecting on and processing the diverse experiences of that unexpected journey. And the more I reflected, the more a recurring theme surfaced – overwhelmed. Almost the entire journey from the get-go was a non-stop and unexpected roller coaster of events, feelings, expectations, and emotions., and certainly not the trip I had been looking forward to nor what the Ward family could have ever imagined in their wildest dreams.

There were profound moments of difficulty – from a beloved member of our community suffering a major medical emergency while traveling abroad, to being stuck in an airport for an uncertain amount of time with no easy to choose or clear-cut solutions. There were moments of deep sadness and guilt at the extreme poverty and hunger that surrounded us and yet simultaneously we were constantly surrounded by people whose welcome, and hospitality, and compassionate care were so selfless and filled with grace that I hardly knew how to receive it all.

And then there were unbelievable moments where the grace and love and mercy of God were so evident that I found myself overcome with emotion that it was impossible to hide or comprehend.

But as I shared in my sermon reflection on July 23, this was not a trip to elicit pity or sadness for the difficulties or things that were hard to see, hear, and experience. Instead, this unexpected journey was an opportunity to have our eyes, hearts, minds, and faith broken open wide in order to see what God deems as important while experiencing the absolutely unbelievable love and grace and wonder of God.

Thank you for the great honor to serve as one of your pastors and walk this journey of life and faith alongside you, and for your ongoing encouragement and support and care and love throughout all that we have and will experience together. My hope and prayer is that in the days to come we will continue to open ourselves to what God desires for us and trust God to follow wherever the Holy Spirit leads. And then my dear friends, together we can be overwhelmed by all that our amazing God has in store for us.

Pastor Tony

Spaghetti Dinner & Auction 2023

You are invited to a fun-filled night of food, fellowship, and some fundraising on Saturday, May 20, at 5 p.m. to support a mission trip to Tanzania and visiting delegates from El Salvador. For $12 a person / $40 a family, you will receive a spaghetti dinner catered by Noah’s Pizza of Pewaukee, appetizers, dessert, beer or wine, and other beverages. Buy your tickets online.

We have a wide variety of fantastic auction items including a condo in Door County, spa baskets, food and beverage baskets, tickets to sporting events, artwork, Art’s baked goods and more. It’s not too late to donate items! Contact Sarah Aparicio with your ideas.

We still looking for volunteers to help with the auction, and for people to provide appetizers and desserts. Sign-up online.

All proceeds will benefit the mission trips from El Salvador and to Tanzania taking place this June.

Global Partnerships

Tanzania Partnership: Travel Plans

As vice-president of the Meru Coffee Project, Ascension’s Rick Frowein is traveling to Tanzania with two other leaders from the coffee project. During his time in Tanzania, Rick will also spend time in Samaria parish visiting our partners there. We wish Rick safe travels and look forward to hearing about his trip.

If you like the idea of joining a delegation to Tanzania, we are planning a trip for summer 2023, tentatively June 30 – July 10. If you are interested in learning about the trip, we will have an informational meeting on Sunday, Nov. 13, between services.

Use this QR code to donate directly to the Tanzania hunger appeal or mail donations to: The Greater Milwaukee Synod, Meru Hunger Relief—Food Crisis, P.O. Box 341695, Milwaukee, WI  53234.

Drought Conditions: Pastor Makenge and others from Samaria parish ask for our prayers. They continue to suffer from excessive heat and a lack of water. Both people and livestock are suffering. Church attendance has decreased as farmers spend most of their time desperately searching for water for their animals.

School Lunches: The money that Ascension sent to Tanzania this summer was put to good use in purchasing food to provide all of the children at Samaria and Savana Primary schools with a simple lunch every day. For many children, this will be the only meal they receive all day. Thank you for your support!

El Salvador: Hurricane Julia

On October 10, Hurricane Julia hit the Central American region hard, leaving in its wake the death of at least 28 people.

Among them, ten people died in El Salvador, five of them were soldiers who were crushed to death by a retaining wall that collapsed where they sheltered from the heavy rains. In San Jorge, there was no significant damage or loss of life.

Our brothers and sisters in El Salvador have shared with us that this was the strongest storm they have ever experienced and it was a very frightening experience. Ascension is sending a small financial gift to support families with home repairs and lost crops from the storm.

Serve With Ascension, August

Drought in Tanzania Creating Economic Crisis

In addition to the health impact of the drought in Tanzania, it is also damaging the economy. For many of the families in the region where we partner, their only income is from the sale of crops or livestock. After three consecutive years of failed crops, these families have no money. As a result, they can no longer manage to pay school fees or hospital bills. Some parents have stopped sending their children to school because they are unable to pay the fees. The Diocese of Meru sister parish office just shared with us that for the most part, their schools and hospitals and clinics have been unable to pay their staff in eleven months. Even though they haven’t been paid in nearly a year and there is no sign of a paycheck on the horizon, the doctors, nurses, and teachers are still showing up to work every day. Most pastors are in the same situation. They have faith that God will provide. In the meantime, they are unable to pay the new higher costs for food and fuel.

There is good news. We were able to send the money from our recent fundraiser for school lunches for Samaria and Savana primary schools in July. It was sent just in time. Pastor Makenge sent us a message a few days prior to the wire transfer that the school had run out of food and the children were going days at a time without eating. Thanks to Ascension’s continued support, the children once again have food at least once a day.

The sides of Mount Meru itself have not yet experienced drought, so there will be at least one more year of a thriving coffee crop. More than ever, it is improving the lives of coffee farmers in Tanzania and keeping some money flowing into the economy when you purchase Mt. Meru Coffee.

Ascension also generously stepped up following our July 9 appeal to support the hunger crisis fund for the 8000 families in crisis in Tanzania. We ask that you prayerfully consider making a recurring gift to provide ongoing support until a more sustainable solution can be figured out. Go to https://tinyurl.com/GiftatGMS and scroll down to find Meru Diocese Gifts > Meru Hunger Relief Crisis (4th down). 100% of your donation goes directly to the purchase of food. Asante Sana! (Thank you!)

Celebration Day in San Jorge, El Salvador

Mother’s Day and Father’s Day are big days of celebration in the Salvadoran Lutheran church. Typically, the church would provide a gift to every honoree on that day as well as provide a celebratory luncheon for the entire congregation. In order to save money, this year their council decided to have one big celebration for both days, as well as honoring all graduates at the same time. Pastora Blanca’s extended family all donated prizes for a series of raffles to raise money for the gifts and they also cooked and donated the meal for the luncheon. They were all happy to be together for the celebrations again!

Care for Creation – Solar Power

Are you curious about what is required to add solar power energy to your home? Ascension’s Creation Care Ministry is hosting a Solar Power Hour on August 31st at 6:30 to help homeowners understand the basics of solar energy, and inform about helpful resources and programs that are available to implement solar power. The Waukesha County Green Team will provide an overview of the 2022 group buy program called “Grow Solar Jefferson+Waukesha” where homeowners can obtain substantial discounts. This event is open to Ascension members and the local community. For additional information, visit Grow Solar.

SOPHIA Multicultural Fair ~ Aug. 13, 11a-6p, Cutler Park

SOPHIA Waukesha has dreamed for years of bringing a multicultural event to Waukesha. It is a great opportunity to celebrate and share our diverse rich cultures and heritages with our neighbors through dance, art, music, fashion, food and community resources. SOPHIA is a social justice organization in Waukesha County working to build healthy neighborhoods where everyone has a chance to succeed. There will be music, dancers, art, informational booths, story tellers, food trucks and more. If you are interested in being part of this event as a volunteer, email admin@sophiawaukesha.org. More info.

Local Assistance for Food Crisis

We have heard about the hunger crisis in Africa but we are also aware of the need for food support in our own community. Rising food prices have led to challenges for both families at home and those that offer support. The Waukesha Food Pantry has higher numbers of people seeking food assistance and has seen a decrease in donations. It is also important for the Food Pantry to have wide varieties of food for those who have special dietary needs. Currently, it has had to reduce the amount of food it can provide to those coming for help. Summer normally sees a decrease in donations due to vacations and changes in routines. With the impact of higher prices for all of the basic life necessities, the Food Pantry is in greater need. To help, bring your donations for the Food Pantry to the Donation Center or deliver them directly to the Food Pantry on Sentry Drive in Waukesha. You can also volunteer to serve and provide a meal at the Hope Center.

Outreach for Hope Ride, Run, Walk

Sept. 24 is the date for the 2022 Outreach for Hope Ride Run Walk, which is vital to the work of supporting Greater Milwaukee Synod central city ministry partners. Register or pledge your support online, https://outreachforhope.org/ride-run-walk. Beth Hoffmann is the Pace Setter for Ascension. Please contact her with questions or to be part of the Ascension team.

Waukesha County events include:

  • 30-mile road ride for the more experienced rider
  • A 14-mile family friendly trail ride on the Glacial Drumlin Trail
  • A 2 mile walk
  • A 5K run (new this year!)
  • A fellowship-only option for those who plan to attend the event, but not participate in a ride, run or walk

Remember that if you give via one of the envelopes in the bike basket from the church narthex, your gift will be doubled by the $5000 matching gift.

Hunger Crisis in Tanzania

The people of Tanzania are in the third year of drought and failed crops. Occasional locust swarms have exacerbated the problem. In the past, Tanzania like much of East Africa, has relied on grain from Ukraine to supplement what they are not able to grow. In fact, most years at least 30% of their food supply is imported from Ukraine. Due to the war, this food source is no longer available. This has driven the cost of food to record highs. This happens on the end of the Covid pandemic, which damaged the economy that heavily relies on tourism. Like the rest of the world, Tanzania is also being impacted by inflation. Imported food is available, but at a very high cost. Families are selling off what they can to keep from starving.

Sixty percent of the Diocese of Meru has serious drought conditions and 8000 families are in urgent need. Many of the families live in areas where there are not direct sister parish partnership since there are more Lutherans in Tanzania than there are in the US. The Diocese of Meru and the Greater Milwaukee Synod have partnered to collect funds to attempt to purchase food for all of the families to save lives. Like the school lunches, the food will be simple meals of corn and beans. $10 is a meal for 6 people, $20 for 13 people, $50 for 33 people and $100 for 66 people.

Give online on the Milwaukee Synod website, milwaukeesynod.org/giving. Scroll down to Meru Diocese Gifts
4th one down: Meru Hunger Relief—Food Crisis

Serving With Ascension

We have had a great response to the financial need for our sister parishes in Tanzania where we support the primary schools in Samaria and Savana. The money is used to provide simple lunches of corn and beans, which is often the only meal the children get for the whole day. The price on crops goes up by mid-summer so we want to get the donation to the congregations in time to purchase the food at the best rates. We will be collecting for at least the first two weeks in June to meet our goal of $12,000 to feed all 952 students for the entire 197 days of the school year and an additional $2000 to supply the technology that is needed to help the students be able to complete the required tests to pass their classes. You may give online, through a check or on Sunday mornings at the Welcome Center via credit card. Please help us achieve our goal to support these children not only to eat but to have a better chance at success in life by being successful students.

ELCA World Hunger and Lutheran Disaster Response

“Hope does not disappoint us because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.” (Romans 5:5)

Ascension is part of a bigger church body through the ELCA and because of that, our efforts can be multiplied as we respond to world issues. The words from Romans are the reminder that in spite of a pandemic that affected the whole world directly and now a war that indirectly affected us all, we have hope through our Almighty God. During the pandemic, the gifts from ELCA congregations to World Hunger grew by 8%, gifts that were greater than hoped for. The response to the war in Ukraine through gifts to Lutheran Disaster Response continues to pour in to  support the disasters that make the headlines, and those that do not. The gifts that were greater than hoped for and the need goes on.

Ending hunger and responding to disaster isn’t just about food and immediate need. It is about access, justice, caring for creation, and to provide for future needs. It is about caring for each other in tangible ways: “Love your neighbor as yourself”. God works through us to provide for each other. Together, we can be part of the solution.  Part of Ascension’s budget is donated to ELCA World Hunger each month and as needs arise, special donations are collected for Disaster Response. 100% of what is donated is given for direct help for those in need.

Donation Center

Our Donation Center has moved to the west coat room to make it more accessible. Bins are clearly marked for the partner we are collecting for and what is needed. Since needs change and requests are often limited, please check with the contact person before bringing in things not on the list. We want to put our efforts into things that are truly needed and not make more work for those who sort and deliver the items. Currently, our biggest needs are for the Blessing Box and the Waukesha Food Pantry. We cannot take things that are expired,  require refrigeration, are in open packages or baked items. As the weather warms up, there will be an increased need for single-serve drinks, snacks, and packaged fruits.  New needs will be updated as identified by our partners. There is also a bin for Lost in Found labeled in red. If you have left things at church, check the bins.

Mission Outreach News

Stay connected to ways to SERVE by following the Mission Outreach on Facebook. 

We update the programs of our global and community partners on a regular basis and also identify ways you can be involved. Often things change more quickly than the newsletter or even weekly announcements can inform the congregation so the Facebook page has become a big part of how we keep everyone informed.

There is also the ability to use photos and even videos which makes the partnership connections especially with our global partners more personal. Please like or share notices that you feel are important. If you would like more information about specific programs, contact Shirley Wehmeier.

Tanzania News

Holy Week, Drought, and School Lunches

Tanzania is in the midst of a severe drought alongside excessive heat. At the same time, they are also dealing with waives of locusts. Cattle are dying and food costs are increasing every day. We have had requests for prayers. Pastor Makenge has also asked for prayers for the disabilities classroom project, the evangelist education program, and the widows project.

Worship is carrying on as usual in the midst of the hardships. Families at Galiliya preaching point celebrated baptisms on Palm Sunday. During Holy Week, Pastor Makenge gathered the Evangelists from all of the preaching points of Samaria Parish for a seminar. Communion was shared on Maundy Thursday. Easter is referred to as Passover in Tanzania, and on this day, it is customary for families to bring a goat or a sheep with them to church for their offering. They believe it will help save their families. Following church, the goats and the sheep are auctioned off in the yard in front of the church to raise funds for the church. 

Samaria and Savana primary schools, the schools that are part of our sister parish partnership, recently received the results of their standard seven exams and for the first time there was a drop in test scores. When asked why this happened, the head teacher told the church committee that there has been a change in the required curriculum and there is now work that must be completed via print outs. Without access to a printer, a laptop, and a scanner, the students were unable to complete all of the work necessary to be prepared for their exams. They have asked for our support with this, and the cost is just under $2000.

At Ascension, May is the month where we typically raise funds to cover the cost of lunches for the children at our two sister parish schools. There are 400 students at Savana primary school and 552 students at Samaria Primary School and the school year is 197 days long. The cost of a lunch is just over 6¢ per meal, but with 952 students to feed for nearly 200 days, plus the technology needs, we are hoping to collect $14,000 in May. Donations may be made via check to Ascension or online. Please mark “Tanzania” in the note/memo line.

Investing in Our Meru Partnership

The Meru Committee for the Greater Milwaukee Synod compiled this video to share some of the work done within our Sister Synod Relationship. Hear about the Water Project that Ascension funded and the work of Pastor Makenge and members of the Samaria Parish in laying the 9km of water pipes for the elementary school. Click the link to watch the short video. Thanks be to God. Asante sana!

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Harambee means “lifting together.” In a six-part Harambee video series, we will share the three mission priorities of our partners in Tanzania as “a community working together for the common good.” The first priority is training future leaders. The second is supporting their vital medical ministries. The third is providing a bridge for ministries challenged by the COVID economy.

In the Tanzanian culture, pastors serve many roles beyond being spiritual leaders. As part of Ascension-Waukesha’s partnership with Meru, Pastor Nathan Makenge was an active part of digging a 9- km. trench for a community water project that now brings safe water to 3000 people.

Asante sana! Thank you very much!

The GMS Meru Partnership Committee