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Couple to discuss 18-month mission to Tanzania

Jon and Linda Knecht greet Nyarugusu refugees in Tanzania, where the Knechts spent 18 months as missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The couple will discuss their experience in a program on June 8.
Jon and Linda Knecht greet Nyarugusu refugees in Tanzania, where the Knechts spent 18 months as missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The couple will discuss their experience in a program on June 8. Photo provided.

Longtime Huntington residents Jon and Linda Knecht, who recently returned from an 18-month mission to Tanzania for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, will discuss their experience on June 8 at 5:30 p.m. at the Huntington Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, located at 1190W-500N.

The Knechts received two weeks of training in the Swahili language at the church's Missionary Training Center in Provo, UT, before embarking on the 8,000-mile trip to Tanzania.

While in Tanzania, the couple helped lay several miles of water pipes in Kitumbeine village to bring clean water to the ethnic Maasai group. Previously, villagers often had to walk more than two hours to obtain water.

They also taught at the remote Nyarugusu refugee camp in western Tanzania.

In addition, the Knechts were responsible for the administrative and financial aspects of the Latter-day Saints church in Tanzania, managing the physical facilities for six congregations and providing oversight of missionary efforts.