The Rev. John West, rector of Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Richmond, VA, offers this story of What One Congregation is Doing for God's mission of global reconciliation and the Millennium Development Goals.

 This fall several members of Emmanuel and I committed ourselves to step outside our small and comfortable parish borders, and become an active participant in global outreach. The MDGs and One campaign have promoted an acute awareness of the immense suffering in Africa. Emmanuel is currently making a serious effort to participate in helping achieve the goals of the MDGs, by assisting the UN and broader church in the relief of world hunger, eradication of poverty and prevention of disease. Once our eyes were truly opened to the very real and tragic conditions in which many are forced to live, we could no longer sit idly by and ignore the pain we witnessed. It breaks our hearts to see helpless children suffer from disease, hunger and oppression; situations that are often preventable.

Emmanuel has initiated a relationship with St. John's Parish and school in the Diocese of the Rift Valley, Tanzania. The Rev. Yohana Mazaguni, a seminary classmate of mine, is rector of St. John's parish, as well as director of a local school. Emmanuel is in the process of building and creating a permanent and ongoing relationship with Fr. Yohana, St. John's parish and the Diocese of the Rift Valley.

A parish in Tanzania is not simply one church; it may consist of several churches all under one rector/vicar. In the case of Fr. Yohana's parish, St. John's, he has four churches that he serves.

Recently the Missioner for Global Mission in the Diocese of Virginia, Mr. Buck Blanchard, along with a priest from a local parish went to Dadoma, Tanzania, where St. John's parish and school are located. Emmanuel sent the gift of cash for assistance with food, and a complete set of Eucharistic vestments for Fr. Yohana and other priests in his diocese. In turn, we were given back so much more than we could have possibly given them. The people of the Diocese of the Rift Valley's love, joy and gratitude is overwhelming and wonderful. They are truly a delightful and most hospitable people.

Mr. Blanchard was also invited to the consecration of their new bishop; something I believe is significant given the current controversy and divisions within the Anglican Communion and The Episcopal Church.

Emmanuel is approaching our mission and ministry to St. John's on several levels. The first and most immediate need they have is finances to support the growth of their crops. In order to keep the school open they have to feed the students. Tanzania has experienced a severe drought over the past several years, leaving crops scarce and bleak. Fr. Yohana says what they need the most is corn; therefore Emmanuel is making every effort to supply our brothers and sisters in Christ with the resources they need to take care of their students in the school, and people in the village (Christian or non-Christian).

 Fr. Yohana also said that besides this important crop, which is a staple of life for his community, what they genuinely desire is to develop an ongoing relationship with Emmanuel and our people. We are truly blessed with a wonderful opportunity not only to reach out to those in need, but to make new friends and build a stronger kingdom in Christ.