Fall 2025 Newsletter

Tales of Tanzania 

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.”

Ecclesiastes 3:1

A New Chapter: From Shinyanga to Fort Worth and Beyond

Occasionally, I ponder the cycles of life and God's appointed time for every activity. I am now turning the page to an exciting new chapter in my mission field and life. After two years living and serving in Shinyanga, Tanzania, I am transitioning back to my homeland in Fort Worth, Texas. While I will once again say "Goodbye for a time" to these beautiful people—greetings and farewells are bittersweet gifts—my work with the SELVD Diocese will not stop. I will simply be serving from afar.

Mission Accomplished: KKKT Dispensary

I am thrilled to report that the initial mission is complete. Since October 2023, I have focused on resurrecting the KKKT Dispensary primary care clinic. Today, I can proudly share that the dispensary is financially self-sustaining and has seen great improvements to its facility and customer service.

Our incredible pharmacist, Thomas, has trained alongside me for eight months as assistant manager and is now fully prepared to take on management duties. I will continue to provide oversight and mentorship from the U.S.

Pictured above: Thomas, me, and Joan, cashier, receptionist

The New Focus: Building the Polyclinic

My primary work will now pivot to a critical new objective: fundraising for the new Polyclinic—a specialty hospital for the Diocese. This specialty hospital will significantly expand our capacity to serve the people of Tanzania, and I am eager to take on this additional duty from Fort Worth.

Thank you for your continued support as I begin this vital new phase of service!

Mission Project in Health Care: Building the Polyclinic

Fundraising for the new Polyclinic in Shinyanga is now our top priority.

The goal is the transformation of the KKKT Lutheran Dispensary into a specialty hospital where we can serve a broader base with increased services and highly qualified medical professionals. We hope to give the community and surrounding areas access to life-saving remedies, dental and optical professional services, emergency care, and surgical procedures in a safe environment by medical professionals who empathize and offer spiritual encouragement.

This specialty hospital is a massive undertaking, and it's a challenge too great to tackle alone. Therefore, I'm inviting a small, dedicated team to join this vital mission. I am actively seeking 3 to 5 partners who will accept the invitation to work alongside me. 

Seeking Funding Partners

I am returning to the U.S. to seek funding partners from LCMS churches and others, as well as friends, family, charitable organizations, grant opportunities, and medical organizations.

Your support would focus on seeking grants and securing large-scale support from charitable organizations, healthcare foundations, and religious affiliations. If you have experience in large-scale fundraising, grant writing, or networking and feel called to contribute your skills, please contact me immediately. Let's build this hospital together!

The duration of this effort largely depends on generosity and shared vision, and how quickly the donors respond. It will take a minimum of six months and likely one year before building can happen. Once the funds are available, the facility can be built, equipped, staffed, and ready for operation within 12 months, and possibly much sooner. The specialty hospital will be established through grants and gifts, thereby debt-free.

Many groups, individuals, and churches already support this ministry as it relates to the KKKT Lutheran Dispensary, Tree of Life Lutheran Church, educational support, and budgetary expenses for my work. All efforts to seek additional funding are extensions of this two-year-old mission.

Tree of Life Lutheran Church was blessed with a message from theologian Jackson and evangelist.

Total Project Budget

For purposes of this newsletter, the budgeted items fall within a broad range, although a detailed project plan and budget is available and can be emailed on request.

PHASE

DESCRIPTION

COST

Phase One

Phase Two

Phase Three

Equipment

Total Estimated Cost

Substructure, frames, stairs, and walling

Roofing, doors, windows, plumbing, & engineering

Plumbing/engineering installation, electrical installation, finishing/painting

Medical equipment & medicine

$344,474.00

$164,276.00

$251,341.00

$228,667.76

$988,667.76

Project Timeline

Fundraising will actually begin in November 2025 when I return to the U.S. to travel and meet with prospective donors. Below is a best effort prediction of what we hope to accomplish:

YEAR

2026

2027

GOAL

Secure 60% of funds for Phases One-Three

Secure 40% of funds for Phases One-Three and medicine/medical equipment

FUNDING TARGET

$456,054.60

$532,613.16

Left: Levocatus & Emmanuel making friends with Moxi. Middle/Right: Visiting Emmanuel & Levocatus at their homes. 

Anticipated Project Completion: Final quarter of 2027 or First quarter 2028

Our hope and prayer is that all monies needed can actually be accounted for through cash donations, awarded grants, promises, etc., in 2026. My expectation is based on the help and guidance from my Lord, as He has been with me every step of the way in this mission.

Are you ready to help me? If so, please email me at ckruck1974@gmail.com or call me after Thanksgiving at 817.266.7224. This is also my WhatsApp number if you want to call sooner.

Your Partnership in Evangelism: Securing Tree of Life's Future

The family at Tree of Life Lutheran Church remains deeply rooted in my heart and soul. As I continue to serve this congregation from Fort Worth, your partnership is vital to advancing the Gospel and securing the future of their mission.

We have identified several essential needs that, due to lack of funding, we have been unable to address. Your donation will not just meet a financial goal—it will strengthen the physical and spiritual foundations of the church:

Protecting the Flock: Security Fence ($6,000) A security fence is urgently needed to fully surround the church property, the pastor’s home, and the open-air facility used for children’s Bible study. Safety is paramount for sustaining community outreach.

Building the Future: Land for Primary School ($4,500) Acquire one additional acre of land now to secure the space for the future construction of a primary school, laying the groundwork for generational change through education.

Caring for the Community: Family Assistance ($2,000) This fund provides critical, one-time assistance to congregational families facing emergencies related to medical and educational needs.

We also rely on consistent monthly tithes to cover ongoing operational needs such as compensating the choir leader, purchasing gasoline to run the generator, and securing necessary altar items.

Educational Support

Fifteen youth that are continuing their education in secondary schools, advanced

classes, college, or universities are receiving assistance from us and Linda and Erick

Funke. Some of these students are orphans, but all have no financial resources for

affording advanced education. Most are graduates of Mwadui Lutheran Secondary

School, and all are making good grades and scoring well on the national exams.

The Funke’s now provide many students with scholarships and grants via their nonprofit

organization, NextStep Tanzania. If you are interested in knowing more, you can

contact them at NextStepTanzania@gmail.com.

Lamentations 3:22-23. “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never

come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness”.

And so is the assurance that with each new day comes fresh mercy from God, providing

a renewed sense of hope and a chance for a fresh start.

Thanks for your generosity and participation in furthering education in Tanzania.

Praise and Prayer Requests

Let us give thanks and praise!

• Emmanuel and Levocatus are both healing well and attending school!

• KKKT Dispensary has overcome many challenges and continues to serve this

  
  

  community.

• Pastor George, Tree of Life, marries his lovely wife on the 30th of October.

Let us pray together for:

• Continued successful operations at KKKT Dispensary and provision of

  
  

  sufficient funding for the Polyclinic will be soon.

• Prayers for newlyweds, for God’s blessings on their marriage.

• Safe travel and continued good health as I return home.

• As Moses prayed, pray with me for wisdom to live life with purpose and

  
  

  intentionality, reminding ourselves that our time on earth is finite and we should

  
  

  daily invest it wisely.

Psalm 90:12 “So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.”

How to contribute

If you are so moved and able to support this ministry, here is how you can contribute: