Christus Victor’s three-year sponsorship of agricultural demonstration plots in Tanzania came to a close last year, but the seeds planted by the congregation’s generous gift will bear fruit for years to come.

Beginning in 2009, Christus Victor committed to sponsor two half-acre demonstration plots established by Mlowa, our companion congregation in Tanzania.

The people of Mlowa are subsistence farmers, relying on their crops to support their families and community. Drawing on expertise from Sokoine University and University of Minnesota researchers, demonstration plots teach improved farming practices to local Tanzanian farmers, empowering them to increase crop yields and quality of the food produced on their land.  During the three-year program, crop yields increased between 3 percent to 5 percent.

When our ambassadors from Christus Victor visited Mlowa in 2010, Pastor Lunogelo Mbwilo, who helped prepare and manage the plots, provided them with a tour of the plots.

“The people were bursting with pride to show off the work they had done,” said Barb Damlo, one of the CV ambassadors. “They shared stories of how they were using the techniques demonstrated on the plot on their own land. They were seeing the results and were very excited.”

The cost of sponsoring the Mlowa demonstration plots was $6,000 for three year and covered soil samples, seed, fertilizer, weed/insect control. It also covered the salary and transportation costs for an agricultural specialist to provide oversight for establishment and maintenance of the plots.  Funds from the annual Christus Victor garage sale made the sponsorship possible.

Given the overwhelming success of the project, Christus Victor has been asked to continue supporting the ag plot at Mlowa for another year at the cost of $1,500. Church leadership have pledged to meet the request.

For more information about supporting the Ag plot or anything about our relationship with Mlowa, Tanzania please contact one of the Missions Team:  Pastor Kent Claussen-Gubrud, Barb Damlo, Paula Nierengarten, Diana Buffie; Jody McDermott-Baty; KC Claussen-Gubrud, Dawn Youngner.

Maybe you don’t see yourself traveling to Africa, or maybe you do see yourself traveling to Africa, or maybe you just want to try the food of Africa.  Doesn’t matter why, we want you to join us on Sunday April 22^nd 1:00 at Safari Restaurant in Minneapolis.  Some of us that have traveled to Tanzania miss the great food we learned to love and have found it at the Safari Restaurant.   Everyone is invited to join us and enjoy some authentic African food and great fellowship with former Tanzania travelers, maybe future Tanzania travelers?

Please RSVP by April 15^th to the CV office.

Safari Restaurant is located at

3010 4th Avenue So. Minneapolis, MN 55408

Dear Friends in Christ at Christus Victor,

We may know how to say grace (“Come Lord Jesus, be our guest…”). But do we know when we have received God’s grace, or are experiencing God’s Grace? Do we know how to pay attention to what God is doing and how God is present with us in our daily lives? When we hear other people’s stories of how they have experienced God’s Grace in their lives, it can help us to notice where and how we have actually been experiencing God’s Grace ourselves.

As we journey together through these Wednesdays in Lent toward Holy Week and Easter, let us take time each day to reflect on when we feel alive and awake, blessed and loved, or simply at peace, then thank God for being present in our lives (“As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love.” – John 15:9).

And when we feel out of sorts, agitated or frustrated, alone or addicted, then turn toward God and be honest about what’s going on and ask for God’s loving and healing presence (“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words.” – Romans 8:26).

In the words of my spiritual director, “Christian spirituality is paying attention to God: listening and learning from the risen Christ through the Holy Spirit in us and among us. We respond to God by living out God’s love, call, will, desire, and passion in all areas of our life” (Listening to God, by John Ackerman).

May we all pay attention to God this Lent in preparation to celebrate Holy Week and Easter.

In Christ,
Pastor Kent Claussen Gubrud

Yes it’s true! We will be going back to Constanza, Dominican Republic on July 28th-Aug 5th, 2012. Will we be painting, mixing concrete, organizing the plaza or playing with the kids? Actually, we will probably be doing all of these things and more. There will be a short information meeting at Christus Victor on Sunday night Nov 6th at 6:00. Please join us if you have any curiosity about it. If you are interested, but aren’t able to make the meeting, please talk to Jody McDermott-Baty for information or any of the past team members for their experiences. Is God calling you to make a difference?

BWANA JESU ASIFIWE Praise the Lord Jesus!  Have you ever thought about sponsoring a student in Tanzania? If you have, now is  the time to act!  The students are gearing up for another school year and our sister parish in Mlowa is currently reviewing  how many students will receive scholarships for the next school year, which begins in January.  Now is the time to let our sister parish know how much we value education and give a child an opportunity to make a difference in this world. No gift is too small! A full scholarship is $360.00 for the year; half scholarship is $180.00 and some of our sponsors use this as a gift idea for Christmas, birthdays or just to reflect the love God has put on their heart. Maybe get a few families together and sponsor a student together.  Envelopes for donations are in the Missions Committee mail slot, or contact Paula Nierengarten from the Missions Committee for more information (651) 683-9012. Asante Sana Thank You!

During the month of September, the Social Ministries Committee will be collecting care package items that will be sent to military personnel who are currently serving our country overseas.

Monetary donations are also needed to pay for the mailing fees. Personal letters are very welcomed – never underestimate the value of a handwritten note. And, of course, prayers are always needed.

Last year, one of the soldiers wrote in her thank you note: “I wanted to say thank you to all the members of your congregation… for the box of goodies, the pictures and, of course, the prayers. It’s a good feeling to know that people are thinking about us. It’s people like yourselves that help keep us strong and stay positive. This package not only brought a smile to my face, but also others in my unit.”

This project is not just about collecting and sending ‘things’ to our troops, it’s about raising morale and letting the soldiers know we care about them.

Here’s how YOU can be a vital part of this service project:
 WRITE a personal note/letter/card (this is the number one request!)
 PRAY for their safety and speedy return home
 kids can DRAW OR COLOR PICTURES OR MAKE A SMALL GIFT
 DONATE money for shipping expenses (flat rate fee = approx $13/box)
 CONTRIBUTE one or more suggested items listed below:
* Peanut butter
* Kids drawings
* Hand-held games
* Energy bars
* Tuna pouches
* Hard candy/mints
* Chewing gum
* Canned fruit (single serving cans only)
* Dice
* Microwave popcorn
* Batteries (assorted sizes)
* Disposable razors
* Beef jerky
* White ankle socks
* DVD’s (movies, TV series)
* Playing cards Magazines (current)
* Energy drinks
* Foot powder
* Earbuds (for stereo/I-pod)
* Baby wipes (small packages)
* Flip-flops (for shower)
* Crossword/Sudoko/Word find puzzles
* Powdered drinks (eg. Crystal Light)
* Playing Cards

**Please – no home-made treats or anything that will melt

LOOK FOR THE FOOT LOCKER IN THE NARTHAX AREA DURING THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER

Please direct questions and comments to Michele Iaria (952-891-1303 or miaria@charter.net) OR anyone on the Social Ministries Committee: Cindy Baubie, Nancy Colin, Barb Damlo (council rep), Alice McCammon, Brenda Kroeten, Lorna Peterson, Tina Reu, Audrey Smith, Peggy Sunwall, Alana Thureen
THANK YOU!

Thursday, July 7
6:00pm Potluck and 7:30pm Concert
Christus Victor Lutheran Church

Awesome! This is what people all over the United States say when they see the Ugandan Orphans Choir perform. Ugandan children are known for their outstanding musical talents, and these 10 children are delighting audiences with songs and tribal dances from their homeland. The Ugandan Orphans Choir is a ministry of Childcare Worldwide and this is the 7th Choir that has toured in the U.S. Childcare Worldwide has ministered in East Africa and around the globe for 30 years and has made a difference in the lives of thousands of boys and girls, helping them to survive and succeed. Plan to come and see this great encounter of “mission in action!”