Iowans Join Swaziland Celebration -- October 2008

We have purchased our airline tickets to Johannesburg and have completed two of the four mission training sessions in preparation for a journey to our companion diocese: Swaziland, Southern Africa.

Who are we? Sixteen Episcopalians from around the Diocese of Iowa and one Anglican priest from Swaziland, who will join Bishop Alan Scarfe and his wife Donna for the mission trip to Swaziland (October 16 - 30, 2008) to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Diocese of Swaziland, work on mission activities, including distributing chlorinators, and enjoy evangelism Swazi-style.

The team accompanying Donna & Alan include:

*Jim Bradley, Trinity, Iowa City

*Lydia Brown, St. Mark's, Fort Dodge

*Rev. John Doherty, St. Paul's Cathedral, Des Moines

*Marva Eck, Church of Our Savior, Clermont

*Lydia Kelsey, St. Timothy's, West Des Moines

*Rev. Charles Lane, Trinity, Waterloo

*Rev. Carl Mann, St. Alban's, Spirit Lake

*Mike Mears, St. Alban's, Spirit Lake

*Rev. Mary Jane Oakland, St. Paul's, Marshalltown

*Jane Perrett, St. Alban's, Spirit Lake

*Jane Ringwald, St. John's, Ames

*Dan & Melody Rockwell, Christ Church, Cedar Rapids

*Terry Shively, St. Alban's, Spirit Lake

*Elizabeth Ward, St. Alban's, Spirit Lake

*Angela Zahn, Christ Church, Burlington

Rev. Charles Kunene, Swaziland, now serving in southwest Iowa, will accompany the team to his homeland for the 40th anniversary celebration/mission trip. Ron and Toni Noah, diocesan mission team trainers, will not travel with the team to Swaziland, but are providing team cross-cultural and mission training sessions and making travel/logistical arrangements for the team.

As we plan & prepare for our time in Swaziland, as well as during our time there in celebration, mission and evangelism, the Iowa to Swaziland Team 2008 would appreciate your sustaining prayers and support. Please join the journey with a team member in prayer and correspondence by contacting: Melody Rockwell at mrockwrite@netins.net/

Stay tuned for 'getting to know the team' posts!