The parish of Namswea lies in the far south of Tanzania, in the diocese of Mbinga. It is a large parish with over 11,300 faithful and 13 outstations lying anything up to 30 miles (50 km) from the parish centre. For many years the priests working in the parish were unable to visit the outlying communities because they had no vehicle. That meant that the people in these outstations had only the local lay catechists to minister to them pastorally and had little or no opportunity to get to Holy Mass or receive the Sacraments. And of course they also had many material and medical needs for which they could not be given help for lack of a suitable vehicle. Many lives could have been saved if only they had had transport to take them to a local hospital or clinic.
But now, thanks to the generosity of our benefactors, we have been able to give them 19,000 Euros for a sturdy off-road vehicle that can cope with the difficult driving conditions. Father Odin Kapinga, the parish priest, is speechless with joy and gratitude. „There is nothing I can say except that I will pray for you all“, he writes.
Now the people in the outlying villages no longer have to wait in vain for the priest to come, bringing the Sacraments, visiting the sick and needy and supporting them with encouragement and good counsel. Our heartfelt thanks to all our benefactors!
