Last week we received an email update from Pastor Mdegela at Vikongwa Parish. He opens his greetings with the following words:
“We have every reason to thank God who established these good relationships between you at Prince of Peace and us, it has been a very good and blessed relationships for every congregation of VIKONGWA and even BOMALANG’OMBE, for us we are very surprised by God and through these relationships we see God in our lives. Every Congregant has been saying this especially when they remember the great things that have been happening since these relationships were established.
In short, let me give the testimony of one widow who benefits from the Widows’ Goats project from Muhu. She says that with this kindness, she has seen God dealing directly with her life. with these and many other words of the congregation of Vikongwa we are very blessed by our friendship.”
Pastor Mdegela also shared an update on two of their projects. When we visited their parish in September 2023, we learned about two challenges with their parsonage:
- The current windows were leaky – every time it rained, water would come in through the windows and cause mold to form. In addition, the parsonage ceilings, walls and exterior was in need of finishing and painting.
- There was no reliable water source close to the parsonage or church. The congregation had plans to connect to the Bomalang’ombe village water supply, which was about ¼ mile away.
Prince of Peace provided funds for these projects through our annual outreach support for Vikongwa plus extra funds raised prior to our visit. Pastor Mdegela shares:
“We would like to thank you for the good cooperation you have shown us in renovating the pastor’s house, the house now looks very good compared to previous time.
A. We are very grateful for your help, now we have repaired the Windows that used to open inside and cause water to enter when it rains, we did a major repair where they now open outside and so water does not enter inside anymore
B. We have skimmed the whole house and painted the whole house, something that has completely changed the appearance of the house, now it is fine.
2. We are very grateful for your help in giving us money for the water project at the pastor’s house, we have completed this project by 90% in the sense that we have provided all the money to bring water to the pastor’s house, and to buy all the equipment.”
“The water canal has been dug by the power of the congregation, the connection has already been done by 80% but unfortunately when we were nearby to finish the water installation, the SEFA organization that is responsible for the water supply here in the village, their electric machines that pump water have broken down. Thus making this project unsuccessful in time. At the moment we are waiting for them to do the maintenance of their machines though, so that we can complete this project, on our side the payment for this project has been completed so it remains for them to complete this project, although the probability of early recovery is low.
There is a second way that the government is currently approaching to help this matter in order to solve the water problem in Bomalangombe village at the moment. the process is ongoing; they are considering using national grade electricity to support this project at the moment so that the community can get water service. Although we do not know when this plan will be implemented, we continue to wait for the maintenance of the machine from SEFA, but also if the government can deliver this in time. At the moment we don’t have water for several months, so we have to fetch it from the rivers in the valley.
The biggest challenge is the distance and the mountains, so people get very tired by following the water in the river. You have to set aside the whole day to fetch water, especially for some people who live in the mountains, because they live in the mountains, they have to go down at least three to four times so that they can have enough water to use for two to three days in the family. we ask you to pray for us because this challenge is big for us, and also in some places the water is not safe for our health. so we also need to be careful when we use that water.”
Pastor Mdegela shared pictures of the project, and ended with final words:
“About my family we are doing well, my twins Elasah and Eliada are now two years and one month old, they are walking, running, they can eat by themselves they are saying some words now and even when we are in church they are dancing choir steps. we are very happy for them at the moment.
We ask you to convey our greetings of love and our sincere thanks to our friends of the Prince of Peace, we love them “
