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Sent from Parma, Ohio to Tanzania

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid."

John 14:27

Equipping the Church in Tanzania

Homeschooling missionary children and teaching writing at a Lutheran seminary, so the Gospel keeps taking root across East Africa.

Support Hannah Follow the journey
Hannah Potantus
with Hannah Potantus LCMS Academic Support Specialist
Preparing to serve, departing January 2027
The Journey ~ 7,900 miles
Parma, OhioUnited States
TanzaniaEast Africa

The Mission

Serving the Tanzanian church as it raises up its own deaconesses, evangelists, and pastors.

Homeschool missionary kids

Teaching the children of serving families so their parents can stay focused on ministry.

Teach writing at the seminary

Building a writing lab for future deaconesses, evangelists, and pastors at Bishop Makala.

Connect churches back home

Writing articles that keep U.S. congregations tied to God's work across Africa.

Tanzania

Where in the World

A long way from Parma

Hannah is heading to Tanzania, on the eastern side of Africa, where the Lutheran church is young and growing fast. She will serve at the Bishop Makala Training Center, a seminary forming the country's future deaconesses, evangelists, and pastors, and homeschool the children of missionary families nearby. It is a world away from Parma, Ohio, roughly 7,900 miles, but it is exactly where God has called her to teach, write, and serve.

  • Destination Tanzania, East Africa
  • Serving at Bishop Makala Training Center
  • Sent from Bethlehem Lutheran, Parma OH

The Road So Far

The journey, step by step

The milestones along the way, from the first call to the day Hannah departs. Sample entries shown for layout.

2021

A seed is planted

The idea of the mission field first took root, though God's answer at the time was "not yet."

Spring 2025

"Yes, now"

After years of waiting, the call became clear and the door to Tanzania opened.

2026

Preparing and partnering

Raising support, speaking at churches and schools, and getting ready to serve at the Bishop Makala Training Center.

January 2027

Departing for Tanzania

Lord willing, Hannah leaves for East Africa to begin teaching and serving on the field.

Notes from the Road

Latest reflections

Short posts and news as Hannah prepares to depart. New notes land here first.

July 2026

Yes, Now: How God Called Me to the Mission Field

The idea took root in 2021, but God's answer was "not yet" until the spring of 2025 turned it to "yes, now."

Read the post ->
June 2026

Why Tanzania? Meet the Bishop Makala Training Center

A look at the seminary where I will help build a bachelor's-level writing lab for future church leaders.

Read the post ->
June 2026

Support Update: Getting Ready to Go

Before I head overseas in January, I am traveling and speaking at churches and schools. Here is how you can partner with me.

Read the post ->

Newsletters

Read the newsletters

Longer-form letters from Hannah, published as they are written.

June 2026: Introduction Letter

Meet Hannah, hear the call to Tanzania, and learn how the mission began.

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Ways to Partner

Three ways to send Hannah

Give

Your gift funds training, travel, and daily needs on the field. Every amount sends the mission forward.

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Pray

"Lord, prepare Hannah's heart and hands. Raise up the students at Bishop Makala, and let your peace go before her to Tanzania."

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Say Hello

Send Hannah a private note

Not a public comment section. Just a private message that goes straight to Hannah, so friends and supporters can send an encouragement or a question.

Private. Only Hannah sees this.

Meet Hannah

The person behind the mission

Hannah Potantus
LCMS Missionary, Academic Support Specialist

Hannah Potantus

Hannah is from Cleveland, Ohio. She earned her M.A. in English from Case Western Reserve University, where she tutored in the writing center, and she has worked as an elementary school teacher and librarian in Lakewood, Ohio.

She enjoys reading, writing, and singing, gifts she now brings to the classroom and the seminary in Tanzania, teaching the next generation of church leaders to write clearly and well.

From Cleveland, Ohio M.A. English, Case Western Former teacher & librarian Sent by Bethlehem Lutheran, Parma