Mennonite Weekly Review

MOUNT JOY, Pa. — Some things have changed, while others stay the same in 75 years of mission and service workers going to Shirati, Tanzania.

Friends of Shirati, a nonprofit organization raising money to support projects primarily in Tanzania, hosted a banquet March 13 to commemorate the work of Dr. Lillie Shenk and nurse Elma Hershberger, who went to Shirati in July 1935.

The women started a clinic in this fishing-farming community. It later became Shirati Hospital, now owned by the Tanzania Mennonite Church.

About 130 people attended the banquet and donated a total of $25,000 to Friends of Shirati.

The organization donates $32,000 per year for medicine and medical supplies, and $500 for care for children. This year, Friends of Shirati hopes to purchase a new X-ray machine.

Dr. Stan Godshall saw few changes in between his times of service in Shirati with Eastern Mennonite Missions, first in 1978, then 1982-85 and 1995-96. The hospital still lacked basic equipment, medicine and even water. Godshall took on the role of surgeon each time he returned.

“In the states, I am a family physician, but over there, I did everything I don’t do over here,” he said. “I would do surgeries, and there were a lot of situations where I was in way over my head and needed a lot of grace.”

Feeling discouraged, Godshall sent a letter to the CEO of Lancaster General Hospital in Lancaster. Upon receiving the letter, Paul Wedel made 300 copies and distributed them to his employees. Six months later, Wedel gave Godshall donations from 220 employees totaling more than $28,000. This was the beginning of Friends of Shirati. In 2004, Friends of Shirati became an independent nonprofit.

Dale Ressler, executive director, runs the nonprofit from his home office as a volunteer, and Ken Stauffer chairs the board.

Because Friends of Shirati is run by such volunteers, there is little overhead cost. All but three percent of funds go directly toward projects at Shirati Hospital.