Virginia Episcopalian Magazine Winter 2012 Issue | Page 22

HENRY AND PRISCILLA ZIEGLER Church of the Holy Cross, Dunn Loring Henry and Priscilla are formerly appointed missionaries continuing their ministry with the Anglican Diocese of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, where they lived for three and a half years to help support diocesan programs, including a hospital for women and children. Today, they live in Virginia but travel to Tanzania and continue to work with the Tanzanian health ministry and the diocese to support the hospital with the support of churches in Virginia, Washington and Arizona. What drew you to involvement in mission work? Henry: My father was a doctor and my mother encouraged my interest in helping the very poor, so I have wanted to be a medical missionary since I was quite young. With my home church’s support I volunteered at mission hospital settings in North Carolina, Puerto Rico, Mexico and the Philippines during college and medical school. In the Philippines I met my wife who was in the Peace Corps. Although not working directly for the Church, I have always felt that I was working as a medical missionary. Priscilla: In 2005, both my husband and I had reached a point in our lives where we wondered “now what?” Prior to having children we had worked and studied together in Nepal, Afghanistan and Nigeria and so were very interested in resuming work in such countries. So the challenge was how to work overseas again. We explored the Web site of the Episcopal Church and found what we were seeking: a mission that emphasized service to others. Thus began our involvement as missionaries with the Episcopal Church. What advice would you give to someone interested in pursuing international mission work? Henry: I would advise anyone thinking about international mission work to talk with people who have done it, and go for a short time to see if it is for you. Reality is often very different. You need to be extremely flexible, patient and at the same time assertive. While the need can be overwhelming and the living conditions can be draining, the sense of following your (Left) Priscilla Ziegler and nursing matron Agnes Mhada in Tanzania. (Right) Henry Ziegler teaches clinical officers in Tanzania. What has been the biggest reward in your work? Henry: I am most proud of the fact that, together with our Tanzanian team, we have developed Tanzanian medical and community programs which are decreasing the death and suffering of thousands of people in poor urban and isolated rural areas of Tanzania. Partnering with Episcopal Relief and Development, our team has distributed over 90,000 treated long-lasting mosquito nets. We took over a dying health center with no community health component. The health center is rapidly becoming a full hospital and seeing over 160 patients a day and our strong community health team has trained over 300 village health workers. 20 What has been the biggest challenge or obstacle? Priscilla: My biggest challenge has been and remains changing the perspective of the nurses. As a nurse, I view nursing as a profession with its commitment to the health and well-being of patients I encounter. Unfortunately, nursing in Tanzania is often viewed as a job that does not have a great salary. This is understandable in a developing country where economic survival for the family is precarious. By example, I continue to show that the needs of the patients are a priority for both the nurses and doctors at the health center. VIRGINIA EPISCOPALIAN / Winter 2012 calling and making a difference is also there. Avoid paternalism and trying to save people. You need to be companions in Christ showing your love and caring. God does any saving and certainly any judging. Your mission partners may well have stronger faith than you do and certainly have harder lives. Avoid looking at things only from your cultural perspective. Do not be afraid to let your companions guide and direct you. Do not get discouraged and do a lot of praying. Priscilla: My biggest advice is: patience. As an American, I want change to occur right away and that does not happen in mission work. As in other cultures, in Tanzania change occurs gradually. I must remember how much has happened in our mission work in Tanzania and how far we have come.