FROM Pastor Susan Stone
Estherville Lutheran Church
December 29, 2007

We are so pleased to be able to tell you about the gift which is being sent from our congregation to yours!  5000US$ is being sent from Estherville Lutheran Church through the Western Iowa Synod to be used for the gift of water in the Mbarali Parish.  The money is to be used at the discretion of the (Companion Congregation) Partnership Committee at Mbarali together with Gabriel Nduye.  We understand that there is a need for clean water throughout the area served by the Mbarali Parish and its preaching stations, and we are suggesting several alternatives for the use of this gift to help with this goal:

1. It was our original intention that with this gift, two new wells in the area served by Mbarali parish could be drilled, and would be an abundant source of clean water for many!  We understand that the cost of each well would be 2500$US. 

The (Companion Congregation) Partnership Committee at Mbarali together with Gabriel Nduye will need to determine if that this is the best use of the 5000US$ gift.

2. (Because we were aware that there was a need for money to provide for a reservoir or holding tank of some kind for the well in Mbarali, our congregation sent a gift of 500US$ through the Western Iowa Synod for this purpose several weeks ago, asking that the Well Project consider matching this so that the project could be completed. A plea was also made that the Southern Diocese consider helping with this unexpected need. We have not heard whether or not this project has been completed.  If it is finished, then please disregard #2!)

But if there is still a need for money to accomplish the Reservoir project, up to 2500US$ of this 5000US$ gift could be used for that purpose, still allowing for one new well to be drilled within the area served by the Mbarali Parish, with the remaining 2500US$.

Again, we are trusting that the (Companion Congregation) Partnership Committee at Mbarali together with Gabriel Nduye will determine if this alternative is the best use of the 5000US$ gift.

3. If #2 is considered to be the best use of this gift, and there are funds remaining after the one well has been drilled and the Reservoir Project has been accomplished, the remainder of the funds could be used to further other water/well projects within the area served by Mbarali Parish.

Whichever of the three options are decided, it is our intention that the (Companion Congregation) Partnership Committee at Mbarali together with Gabriel Nduye will determine the best use of the 5000US$ gift.

It is such a blessing to be able to send you this gift, and it is our hope that many will be blessed to the glory of God!
In Christ, your friend,  Pastor Susan Stone, and Estherville Lutheran Church