16 Iowans Set for Swazi Trip

Hailing from the southeast corner of Iowa to the northwest part of the state, the newly-formed Mpaka Mission team gathered on January 21 at St. John’s, Mason City, to get acquainted and plan for their July 20 to August 5, 2006 trip to help build a school for orphans in Mpaka, Swaziland.
Photos: Children from Mpaka, a village in the Swaziland lowveldThe mission team includes Gene Warren, St. John’s, Ames; Sue Genereux and Margaret Hansen, Christ Church, Burlington; Andy Pettifor, Beth Robbins, Cheryl Valenta and Paula Sanchini, Christ Church, Cedar Rapids; team leaders Ron and Toni Noah, Grace Church, Charles City; Lydia Brown and Keith and Holly Scherff, St. Mark’s, Fort Dodge; Ginny Ryan, Trinity, Iowa City; Mike Stewart, St. John’s, Mason City, and Terry and Stevie Shively, St. Alban’s, Spirit Lake.

The Iowa SwaziCompanions ask that you undergird our 16 missioners with your prayers. Pray for these people who are giving of themselves to represent our diocese in the important work of building a school and developing companion ties in Christ with our brothers and sisters in the Diocese of Swaziland. Pray for them as they prepare for this vital mission, during their sojourn in Swaziland and on their return home. Pray as the Swazis will surely say to each of these Iowans, “We thank God for you.”

—Melody Rockwell