Tanzania missionary Robertson makes Western Washington sweep

ELCA Tanzania missionary Barbara Robertson is midway in a rare visit to congregations in Washington state, where she was raised and where many here remember her and pray for her work in AIDS prevention.

I caught up with her Saturday afternoon at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in Bremerton, where she talked to the women of the congregation about dismal but improving prospects for women in Tanzania. Robertson's been in Tanzania 12 years now, and is contemplating relocating back to the United States, sometime. That probably would not be back to Washington, because she's had it with the rain. There was nothing but sunshine after the presentation, when a few of us took Robertson for a walk on the redeveloped Bremerton waterfront. I took a ton of photos, but I had a camera meltdown. I lost every single photo from the entire day except for this one.

Look for my story here soon and in Moments for Mission, the synod newsletter.

Thank you the Rev. Paul and Lorie Meeker for your kind hospitality. Thank you women of Our Saviour's for the beautiful tea, and especially the flowers. Thank you Marilyn Moen of Our Saviour's for sharing. Thank you dear friends Gary and Lis Lusk for making it possible for me to spend some time with Ms. Robertson in your loving home.

Robertson's home congregation is The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd of Olympia.

Rachel Pritchett, synod communicator
Pictured: Barbara Robertson, left, and Rachel Pritchett