In the summer of 2011, Megan Nuehring, a Wartburg College student, visited ELCA missionaries Steve and Bethany Friberg in Mto wa Mbu, Tanzania. To support the Fribergs or any of the other nearly 230 ELCA missionaries, go to www.elca.org/missionarysponsorship.

Megan Nuehring saw close-up the results of the women’s bead project in Tanzania.

This past summer I embarked on a journey of a lifetime. This journey led me to Tanzania, where I, along with members of my family and ELCA congregation, joined in to help and support the mission of ELCA missionaries Steve and Bethany Friberg. Being with them for a period of time allowed me to see how they are truly the hands and feet of Christ.

We were able to experience two parts of their ministry, women and medicine.

I was most impacted by the people of Tanzania — specifically the women’s bead project. Bethany started a program that empowers the women in Tanzania — bringing them together. The women make things like necklaces, bracelets, animals and more out of beads. This opportunity has helped the woman raise money and support each other. The community and the love for one another in this village were incredibly powerful and inspiring.

This love was, in part, because of the work of Steve and Bethany. Being able to join with and witness the amazing work of missionaries has offered me a time of reflection and cultural immersion. The work of the almost 230 ELCA missionaries around the world is possible because of the support from people like you. ELCA missionaries are truly the hands and feet of Christ.