Vastness

Both Matthew 14 and 15 have stories of Jesus feeding people.  First He feeds five thousand then four thousand people with very little resources, in very desolate places.  Matthew 15:32-33 says, “And Jesus summoned his disciples and said, ‘I have compassion on the crowd, because they have remained with me three days already and do not have anything to eat, and I do not want to send them away hungry lest they give out on the way.’ And the disciples said to him, ‘Where in this desolate place can we get so much bread that such a great crowd could  be satisfied?’”  Little did they know -- God was about to provide!

We are on a research trip into Tanzania.  As we drive through this vast country on our way to Dar es Salaam we understand the meaning of the word desolate.  We are passing through empty areas, yet we know that out there, off the road, in hard to reach areas, are villages filled with people who need to hear about Jesus.

We have several people groups to examine; most are isolated, some are Muslim.  We want to find out if anyone is sharing the gospel with them. We are also looking for national Tanzanian associations, churches or individual Christians who can catch a vision for reaching their fellow Tanzanians.

Then we want to find U.S. churches willing to pray for and partner with the effort.
Sometimes we look out and in our weakness want to say, “This is a vast area --- it is a enormous task --- where can we get so much bread to feed all these people?” Yet just as the disciples, we know that as God provided for the thousands then, He will also provide now.

Pray for wisdom as we seek out groups of people of need to hear the Gospel story.
Pray for safety in our travels.
Pray for divine appointments with like-minded individuals who want to see God’s kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.