Courtesy photos Above, locals in Tanzania are shown with one of the group’s bio-sand water filters.

Courtesy photos
Above, Todd and Ann Ziems, founders of Serving Our Neighbor International (SON), pose for a photo. The couple will be speaking about their ministry in Tanzania at Grace Church in Gladstone on Friday, Oct. 20.

GLADSTONE — The monthly “Tried and True” program at First Lutheran Church in Gladstone will welcome Todd and Ann Ziems, on Friday, Oct. 20, who will present a program on their mission in Tanzania. It will begin at noon in the fellowship hall.

The gathering will begin with a substantial luncheon featuring “A Taste of Tanzania,” with assorted food items provided by the Ziems. After the lunch, a program by Ann and Todd will highlight their work in Tanzania, which centers on providing clean water through simple and inexpensive filtering systems.

The public is invited to the luncheon, sponsored by Thrivent Financial, which is provided at no cost. Reservations are required by calling the First Lutheran Church office at 906-438-4565 before Wednesday, Oct. 18.

Todd is a 1979 graduate of Gladstone High School and a “son” of First Lutheran Church where he was confirmed. Ann graduated from Davison High School in 1978. Todd and Ann met at Michigan Tech and are the founders of Serving Our Neighbor International (SON). In February of 2024 it will have been 20 years since they moved to Tanzania.

Beginning with family short-term mission trips in 1997, Todd and Ann discovered that they had a heart for sharing with and reaching out to those in physical and spiritual need. Two of the greatest things people need in developing countries, including Tanzania, are the love of Jesus Christ and clean drinking water. To that end, SON aims to share the love of Jesus and advance God’s Kingdom by serving our neighbors with water and community development projects.

There will be an opportunity to help Todd and Ann with the financial expenses involved in operating SON International during the event on Oct. 20.

The bio-sand water filters installed by SON are made of locally available materials, simple to use and maintain, a proper working water filter will remove nearly all turbidity (haze caused by particulates in water), 100% of parasites and worms, 98.5% of bacteria, and 70% to 99% of viruses.

To learn more about the details of SON and its goals, visit www.son-international.org.