Earlier this month, senior members of the diocese and link partner colleagues travelled to Tanzania to visit our Christian brothers and sisters in Kiteto and Mount Kilimanjaro.
The trip included the consecration of the Rt Revd Bethuel Mlula as the new Bishop of Kiteto - a momentous occasion that highlighted the deepening connections and shared spiritual growth between our Christian communities.
The full contingent from Leicester comprised Bishop Martyn and Lynn Snow, Bishop Saju, the Dean of Leicester the Very Revd Karen Rooms, Revd Michael Broadley, David and Sarah Shepherd, and Revd Dave Rollett.
They joined a big congregation, fellow link folk from Wyoming, many Tanzanian Bishops - current and retired - the Archbishop of Tanzania and the Tanzanian Prime Minister for the consecration service on 9 March 2025.
It was a journey of faith, of listening and learning, and strengthening partnerships across our link dioceses. Many new friendships and connections were made.
During the week, members of the group visited a community clinic we support in Kibaya and delivered much needed surplus medical supplies including bandages, blankets and blood pressure machines, donated by local Leicestershire charity, Inter Care.
Kiteto’s diocesan dispensary, run by Sister Saraweki Mbelwa and her team, is a blessing to many people and offers essential care to the community through its eye clinic and general medical service.
Bishop Martyn unveiled a plaque commemorating the opening of the Kiteto Dispensary, marking its move to a new phase of working to provide more than eye care to the district.
Revd Dave Rollett said: “Apart from the joy of the visit, we also learned something about the important lesson of being hosted within another culture; the need to ask for help and rely on others and the grace that there is in that - it’s a real challenge to a culture of self-sufficiency or the expectation of offering rather than being the recipients of help.”
There were also less expected gifts along the way, he noted: “There’s nothing quite like an eight-hour car journey through stunning scenery to help in having good conversations, get to know one another, and challenge some of our prejudices.”
The visit also challenged the group to think again about what is needed for the Church to be vibrant and growing. “Many of the pastors are paid little or not at all, many church plants start with prayer under a tree,” said Revd Dave. “Reflecting on these experiences can support our everyday ministry; giving us another set of lenses through which to see what God is doing in his world and in his Church.”
One participant on the visit commented that they are ‘delighted that the Diocese of Leicester takes our relationship with the global south Christian majority seriously and demonstrates it.’ They noted how important it is to understand our unity and interdependence in God’s worldwide Church in what can seem like a fracturing world.
Talking of the privilege that it is to partner with dioceses around the world, Revd Dave added: “When we are with our brothers and sisters, whether in Tanzania, Trichy or Wyoming, they are our neighbours, and whether we agree or deeply disagree with some things about their culture, beliefs or how they put them into practice we need to listen to Jesus who calls us to ‘love our neighbour as we love ourselves’.”
Bishop Saju made a video, sharing his insights and experiences on the trip. Watch it on YouTube.
Prayer points:
- Please pray for Bishop Isaiah Chambala, in his retirement, and for Bishop Bethuel as he steps into the new position, continuing to grow the Diocese of Kiteto as only its second bishop. Please pray that a solution will be found to his most pressing issue which is that of trying to run a diocese the size of Northern Ireland and Wales combined, without a vehicle to get around.
- Pray too for our link diocese of Mount Kilimanjaro and Bishop Stanley Hotay.
- Please pray for the work of the Dispensary, particularly for the need to attract and retain staff, and that Sister Sara’s vision for better eye and primary care will be met.
- Pray too for the work of diocesan schools and Pastor Mapenduzi who heads it up.
If you would like to find out more about how we are learning through our relationship with our link dioceses in Tanzania, or if you are interested in visiting with us in September 2025, then please contact Revd Dave Rollett on dave@stmaryincharnwood.org.uk or David Shepherd on dave_shep@btinternet.com