Engaged! -- Zinza and Ikoma peoples

"O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth! You have set Your glory above the heavens. When I look at Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have set in place, what is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You care for him?"  
Psalm 8:1, 3-4


A recent research trip to Tanzania was conducted to investigate the engagement status of two people groups living near Lake Victoria in and around the Serengeti.

As we look across Ngorongoro crater, the vastness of Tanzania is evident – the work of God’s fingers is made clear.

The purpose of our trip is to gather information on the Ikoma and the Zinza people.
Both groups live near the massive Serengeti National Park and Lake Victoria.

Because of the location of Ikoma villages, we are blessed to travel through the Serengeti -- the Great Wildebeest Migration occurs here every year between the Maasai Mara and the Serengeti National Parks.

The wildebeest migrate spontaneously  according to the rains, so the dates are flexible; however,   as we drive through the wildebeest are spread out and seem content where they are –they are not migrating very far today!



As we move about in Ikoma villages, God places people in our path who are knowledgeable about the engagement of the Ikoma with the Gospel of Christ. We discover the Mennonite church has been engaging the Ikoma since 1948. What a tremendous blessing!  Giving a clear gospel witness, the elder of one Mennonite church stated emphatically that salvation through faith in Jesus Christ is the only way to heaven.  We joyously received the witness.

Our time among the Zinza people was just as encouraging as we met with folks from the African Inland Church (AIC), an evangelical, interdenominational mission organization, who are actively engaging the Zinza people. There is a Bible school among the Zinza and Zinza believers are planting churches in villages and even on the islands near the southern shore of Lake Victoria.

We had thought that these two groups were engaged; yet, we needed to confirm these thoughts with feet on the ground, seeing for ourselves the work of the Lord among these two people groups.

*Pray for the efforts of the Mennonite and AIC church leaders as they live in some difficult circumstances, rough village conditions with little access to amenities.

*Ask God to embolden believers afresh with an urgency to reach those who are living in darkness.

*Praise God that He is mindful of mankind.  He cares about every aspect of our lives.

Merry Christmas

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."  Isaiah 9:6

"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." John 1:14

"Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel -- which means, God with us."

May God be with you this holiday season.  

Merry Christmas

Lottie Moon Christmas offering -- Thank you!

“Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver… You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God.”
 2 Corinthians 9:7, 11-12

The Lottie Moon Christmas Offering is a time to say a special “thank you” for supporting God’s work among the people of the world.

For us specifically, it is an opportunity to say thank you for praying, giving, and volunteering your time to help reach those pockets of people living without a witness to the gospel story – the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Christmas is the perfect time to say thank you for providing funds which allows us to do the work to which God has called us – telling the John 3:16 story, having it origins even before creation,  was brought to fruition during this season – God sent His Son -- as a babe -- that the world, through Him, might be saved.

As you give to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering, you are providing us with the essentials to do our work – even if the road is impassible!

You provide medical care for us – we really appreciate this, especially this year!

You provide funds for Bibles and teaching aids helping us to train others to share their faith with those who have never heard.


You help provide our housing, our salary, school fees for those who have children still at home, and innumerable other things.

We are humbled by your generosity and truly blessed by your sacrifice.  Our thanksgiving to God truly overflows as a result of your ministry to us.


Thank you – and may God add to you as you sacrificially give to further His Kingdom until we all declare His glory face to face.

Pockets of people

We were not able to post a story last week because of major electrical problems but we wanted to make sure we shared this story of the latest trip to the Luo people in Siaya county, the Seje area.

So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said; “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you.”              Acts 17: 22-23

While the Luo people group as a whole are seen as reached with the Gospel, our trip to Siaya county reminds us that even in groups that are reached statistically, there are pockets of people who don’t have access to true teachings of God’s word.

Building huts in family clusters, these Luo people live a great distance from things that we see as essential.  It is over nine miles to the nearest school and over six miles to the nearest clinic and church - a Catholic church.  As farming people, monkeys and hippos are big challenges for them as the animals raid their fields eating the young plants and the harvest.

There is a woman famous for her prayers living in the Seje area.  People living in Siaya County and beyond visit her asking her to pray for their medical needs as well as their financial needs, crop failures, and any other life challenges they are experiencing. Unfortunately, she does not understand the power of God and prays to the ancestors as well as to God.

These Luo also pray to a prophet named Ondeto whom they believe is equal in divinity to Jesus Christ.
While they have a smattering of church knowledge, they do not understand that Christ is the Son of God; so they fill in the gaps with other beliefs.
The truth of Christ – the truth of John 3:16 needs to be taught to them.  They are not averse to knowing God, they are seeking, but there is no one to tell them the Gospel story.

Julius, one of the missionary trainees, hopes to start a much-needed school in the area, as well as a church and begin sharing that Christ is the Way, the Truth and the Life – that no one can come to the Father except through Him.

As Julius begins sorting out the details and logistics of living in the Seje area, pray for wisdom and discernment.  Ask God to prove His faithfulness to Julius and pray that Julius will be obedient to follow God’s calling and leadership in his life.

... mount up on eagle's wings - to the ends of the earth

“Have you not known?  Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.  He does not faint or grow weary; His understanding is unsearchable.  He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might He increases strength.  Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”                     Isaiah 40:28-31

God is at work in the hearts of these young national missionary trainees. This week we are going along with Millicent, Jane, and Millicent’s pastor to look at an area near the Kenyan shores of Lake Victoria where the Suba people live and near the border of Tanzania among the Kuria people.




We will talk about two places, Sindo and Isebania. Sindo is on the Eastern shore (Kenya side) of Lake Victoria.  As you can see from the lines on the map, Kenya doesn’t hold much ownership of this enormous lake in East Africa.
Jane is praying about the Suba people living in the Sindo area as well as the Kuria people. Millicent is praying about the Kuria people

There are a few Baptist churches among the Kuria people who live not only in this area, but also across into Tanzania around  the town of Tarime and beyond. Years ago, the IMB had a missionary presence in Tarime.  However, financial restraints have prohibited the appointment of other personnel to the area.

This is the perfect opportunity for young national missionaries, as God communicates His vision for reaching those who have never heard and training those who are babes in the faith.

Animistic in their beliefs, the Kuria people pray to their ancestors for favor and use traditional doctors in the face of trials and difficulties, hoping to get a charm or root to cure their ills or impart good fortune or curses.

They are farmers, raising small animals such as chickens and goats for meat and for income. Living in small-enclosed family compounds, the father and mother, grandparents and married children build small huts, which comprise the boundaries of the area. Kuria men marry more than one wife and each wife will have her own hut to house herself and her children.


Experiencing a call to the area around Isebania nearer the Tanzania border, Millicent will have the opportunity of working not only with the Kuria people of Kenya, but also those who live in Tanzania as the border here, for nationals, is quite open without a need for official documentation.

*Pray for Jane and Millicent who have a desire to reach the unreached. Ask God to make clear His calling – the people group and the place.

*Pray for the logistics and the financing that they will need to have in place in order to begin the work.

*Pray for peace once they are in their place of work as they leave family and friends behind.

*Pray that Jane and Millicent will soar on wings as eagles as they make God’s redemptive salvation known to the ends of the earth. 

Ripe for harvest

A whole course on witness training can be found in John chapter four.  It is the story of the woman at the well.  Jesus talks to her about her life and the life he can give her if she would only believe.  Subsequently she returns to her town and urges people to go out to see Jesus.  

Jesus, in verses 35-36 says to his disciples, “Do you not say, ‘there are yet four months, then comes the harvest’? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest. Already the one who reaps is receiving wages and gathering fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together.”

In other words, wake up! People are ready to believe – you just have to get out there and share with them.

This woman understood her responsibility to share her testimony with others immediately.  John 4:39 says, “Many Samaritans from that town believed in Him because of the woman’s testimony…”

On Friday, Alfred, one of the national missionary trainees, along with Jerry and two others went out to discover ways of reaching his community with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

God is giving Alfred a vision for the slum areas of Nairobi right where he lives – just like the Samaritan woman.

As they walk down the dirt paths of the community, he asks Jerry how to begin. Jerry shares the concept of “a person of peace”.  Someone, whether a believer or not, with whom you feel the Holy Spirit’s nudge to begin a conversation; they are interested and want to know more.

As soon as Jerry finishes sharing these thoughts, Alfred turned right around and walks back to a group of men standing at the side of the road talking together.  Alfred had felt the nudge of the Holy Spirit as they passed, but did not know what to do about it.


Beginning a conversation that lasts quite a while and even moving to a small-enclosed area outside the man’s rooms, Alfred is able to share with this one about Jesus Christ.  He shares his testimony and the calling on his life to reach his community with the gospel story.  Seeds are planted – the sower is at work – the harvest will soon follow.

Pray for Alfred as he continues to work out God’s plan for his life.

God's plan for all of us is to share with others our testimony just as the woman at the well did in her community.  How that looks in each of our lives is the individual calling and gifting God puts within each of us.

Lift up your eyes and see that the harvest is ripe!

Thank you

Speaking of Abraham – “No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what He had promised.”             Romans 4:20-21

Do I give glory to God, allowing my faith to grow?

These past few weeks have been a bit trying – yet God is good.

We have had a few medical issues that have grabbed our attention – yet God is good.

It isn’t quite time for the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering yet, but I want to say thank you for your gifts to the IMB and the Lottie Moon Offering.  You help us do the work to which God has called us via your gifts – and just now, we are thankful for the medical care provided for us and the medical staff that we have on the field.

As you read this, Debbie will be in the hospital recovering from lower back surgery.
We are grateful for the medical facilities God has made available to us in Johannesburg, South Africa. We are thankful to you for providing, via your monetary sacrifices, the opportunity to be in Johannesburg and be under the care of good surgeons.  We see this as God’s hand of provision, protection and blessing – it helps our faith to grow, and you are part of that.

Our wonderful nurses help us get appointments and go with us to doctors' offices, (when appropriate).  They are at the hospital to pray with us before surgery and stay to see us as we come out of the operating room.  God uses their witness and their timely words of testimony among doctors, nurses, and hospital staff – they truly bless us.

It is true – as you give glory to God for all He has done – beginning with the gift of salvation, through His care, His provision, His faithfulness, His leadership, His mercy, His protection, His love – the list goes on and on…  -- like Abraham, it causes your faith to grow.

Engagement!

“When He went ashore He saw a great crowd, and He had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd.  And He began to teach them many things.
Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.’”                                                          Mark 6:34 and John 14:6

Do you remember back in June, we went to visit the Vidunda of Tanzania?  That visit was in preparation for a vision trip planned for August.

The August vision trip went as planned and was a great success.

Pastors from churches in the Baltimore, Maryland area formed a team in order to seek out an unengaged people group in Tanzania.  They and their congregations have been praying about God working through them to help fulfill the great commission – sharing the love and sacrifice of Christ to a people walking in darkness.

While difficulties arose on the trip – God saw them through and blessed their obedience.

While these men witnessed first-hand the physical challenge and the sacrifice of comfort that must be endured to reach the Vidunda people, they also saw the great need for the Vidunda to know Christ as the way, the truth and the life. The Vidunda need to know and understand that God’s gift of salvation comes not from the works of man but out of God’s great love.

Now these churches are joining together in force to reach the Vidunda of Tanzania with the gospel.

*Pray for God to prepare Vidunda hearts for the first of many engagement trips.

*Pray for good preparation and orientation for the ones preparing to embark on this mission.


*Pray for each person in these churches to stand beside those going in prayer and giving to make this engagement possible.

*Pray for the power of God to infuse strength and wisdom to each one that they would see the mission of reaching the Vidunda for Christ accomplished.

Praise His Holy Name!

When persecution is endured...

“To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless, and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure …”   “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”                            
1 Corinthians 4:11-12 and Matthew 5:10

Ten years ago, a miracle began.  With a handful of believers, in a mud stick structure, Sezakofi Baptist Church was planted.  Pastor George, impressed by God to make an impact among the Zigua of Sezakofi village, began ministry.

“At the beginning there was much stress. We prayed a lot because the rest of the village was ignoring us. We were cheated in the shops and life was very hard.”
The difficulties culminated in the burning of the church structure through arson.

However, today, through the providence of God and the enduring love shown through the pastor and believers present, Sezakofi Baptist Church is making an impact in the village which ten years ago was 99% Muslim.


“Today almost 20% of the people in the village are believers.”  

The church has begun a faith garden, selling the harvest and using the proceeds for a new brick church building.

Water is a major problem in the area of Tanzania where the Zigua live.  These 20 litre containers are trucked in full of water, unloaded in the village and sold for $0.30 each.  With an income of only $1.00 a day, $0.30 is a lot to pay for five gallons of water.  I know that my water usage habits would change drastically living in these conditions.

Ministry among the Zigua will take commitment; results are slow in coming and the earthly rewards are meager with persecution likely; but God calls us to the ends of the earth, engaging every tribe and tongue.


*Ask God to move among believers giving them a burden for the Zigua people.

*Pray against persecution for those believers presently living among the Zigua.

*Pray for the Holy Spirit to move over Zigua villages opening hearts and minds ready for the truth of salvation through Jesus Christ.

Renounce or Die

“Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed…”                              2 Timothy 3:12-14


A recent crusade resulted in several Zigua making decisions to follow Christ/the truth. A few days after the crusade, these new believers were visited by the local Imam threatening them, “return to the mosque or lose your life.”

Forced out of his family, one young believer moved to another village in order to live in peace.

Local evangelical churches face these spiritual and cultural battles as they reach out to the Zigua.

Living in northeast Tanzania, the Zigua practice folk Islam, mixing traditional religion along with Islamic religious practices.  With their population slightly over 600,000, the Zigua is one of the larger unreached groups in Tanzania. While there are evangelical churches among the Zigua, most Zigua have never entered a church.

Facing persecution and hardships, nevertheless stepping out in faith, the small Baptist churches have had limited success as they seek to reach the Zigua and surrounding tribes.

God’s gift of love and the only way to heaven through faith in Jesus Christ is shared through the book of John. Spiritual truths and living at peace with God through Christ is shared through the book of Mark. Both Gospels (Mark and John) are available in the Zigua language, but only a few are able to read.

*Pray for unique and creative ideas enabling believers to reach the Zigua people.

*Many Zigua are Muslims by day and traditional religionists by night. Ask God to send dreams and visions to the Zigua causing them to seek council for spiritual questions from knowledgeable Baptist pastors.

*Pray that Baptist pastors would be filled with knowledge and spiritual insight, that they would speak the words of God and live the life of Christ among the Zigua.

Uvinza salt

“Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, how will you make it salty again?  Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”  
                                 Mark 9:50


Historically, known for its salt flats and salt production, Uvinza, today, is just a medium-sized rural town.

While salt continues to be produced here, it is not the big enterprise of long ago.

Centuries ago, these salt and mineral deposits were very valuable resources, especially for the tribes living in the middle of Africa so far away from the salt and minerals that the oceans afford.

The road to Uvinza has been paved and it is a lovely drive from Kigoma east and south as we head out toward Nairobi.
We will stop in Uvinza as we travel today and look at the engagement status of the Vinza people.




As we reach Uvinza the nice tar road ends, leaving Uvinza town with rough dirt roads and tracks through town and the surrounding area.


The Vinza people are predominately a Muslim people group. 

While there is a church presence in Uvinza and some of the villages where the Vinza people live, because they are a Muslim group, evangelical Christians live beside the Vinza without ever testifying to them about the awesome grace of God’s salvation through His Son Jesus Christ.

The above is a section of the Injili.  This is the New Testament translated into Arabic. The left side is Swahili and the right portion is Arabic.  While most Muslims in Tanzania cannot read Arabic, if they can read at all, they can read Swahili.  This portion is John 3:16-17.  God’s promise of a Savior and Redeemer fulfilled.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.  For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him.”     John 3:16-17

An amazing statement of God’s love to us – a fact that the whole world needs to hear;
God loves us.
God made a plan for our salvation.
God does not condemn us.
God wants to save us.
Amazing isn’t it?

*Pray that the churches among the Vinza people of Western Tanzania would be salt and light to the Vinza people; sharing with them, the Gospel of truth.

*Pray for dreams and visions among the Vinza leading them to search for spiritual truth.

*Pray for an opening within Vinza communities enabling churches to reach out ministering in love and power.

…here in Your presence…

So you shall keep the commandments of the LORD your God by walking in His ways and by fearing Him. For the LORD your God is bringing you into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and springs, flowing out in valleys and hills…                         Deuteronomy 8:6-7

Recently a wonderful opportunity was presented to Debbie to join women from all over the continent for a three-day conference called Joy in the Journey.
This opportunity does not come often.  The last meeting like this was in 2007 – so you can understand the wonderful refreshment this affords.

The meeting was paid for through special gifts – especially from women and we want to thank each one for their sacrificial giving to make this meeting possible.


A few well-known Christian women were invited to lead the conference, but those plans fell through enabling some of our own ladies to lead out in the conference, adding a level of understanding that would not have been present otherwise.

Sisters from our Zimbabwe days.

While much learning is being obtained, joyful fellowship is also being experienced, and it is so good to catch up with friends and co-laborers from years back, as well as making new friends from those who have recently come to the field.



God is good – His love endures forever.  Providing us with times of fellowship and refreshment, He supplies our needs – my cup overflows.




Pray that missionaries across the globe, who, living in a culture not their own, and perhaps living in areas of danger and unrest will be refreshed today either through God’s word, a colleague or co-worker; a refreshing that will renew their strength and commitment to be obedient to God.

Will the Wagoma seek His face?

You have said, “Seek my face.” 
My heart says to You, “Your face, LORD, do I seek.”      Psalm 27:8

A mosque designated specifically for the Wagoma people

Living in and around Kigoma in the western part of Tanzania, the Wagoma people are not seeking the face of Christ.
They do not realize that Christ is the living God who came down to live on the earth so that humanity could know how to have relationship with God.






As we search for information on the various people groups in and around Kigoma, we are introduced to a believer who is also Wagoma.  We will call him “Paul”. (This is not his real name, but, as he is a Muslim background believer, we do not want to put him in any danger of persecution by revealing his true name.) I choose the name Paul because he is bold in his witness; however, he is careful as he witnesses within the Islamic community.

Paul leads us to several villages containing Wagoma people. There are no villages with only Wagoma people; they live intermingled with other people groups.  Therefore, while there may be churches in villages where the Wagoma live, the Wagoma do not attend.

As we travel together, he relates to us his understanding of the history of the Wagoma people.


 

Historically, coming from the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Zoba people crossed Lake Tanganyika and settled in and around the Kigoma area becoming known as the Wagoma people.

The Wagoma are a Muslim people group.

Today, those living in the urban areas surrounding Kigoma are businessmen, while the Wagoma living along the shores of Lake Tanganyika are fishermen.

While friendly, the Wagoma are not open to Christianity nor to the witness of truth.  It will take strong committed believers with the knowledge of Muslim evangelism to make inroads into the Wagoma community.




*Pray that God would visit the Wagoma people in dreams and visions sparking spiritual questions and discussions.

*Pray that God would orchestrate the coming of strong believers into the Wagoma community bringing answers to those spiritual questions.

*Pray that as individuals in the Wagoma community witness the love of Christ, they will open their ears to the truth of the Gospel message -- that they would SEEK HIS FACE.

Kigoma, Tanzania

Sitting on the eastern shore of Lake Tanganyika, Kigoma, the largest town in northwestern Tanzania, is the regional capital and the location for government offices of the region.

Kigoma is also steeped in the history of the colonization of East Africa.  Ujiji, a small town adjacent to Kigoma is where Stanley met Dr. Livingstone and the famous phrase, “Dr. Livingstone I presume” was uttered.
While in Kigoma, we have the opportunity of visiting the museum in Ujiji telling the story.











We can see that while standards are trying to be kept, let’s face it, this is still Africa, thus it is very basic. The exhibits are interesting but not special or unusual for a person familiar with African culture.
It is notable that they continue to plant a mango tree near the spot where this plaque is placed.

Another plaque reminds us of two other colonial explorers, Burton and Speke, who, attempting to find the source of the Nile River mapped Lake Tanganyika as well as the existence of Lake Victoria, naming it for the then current Queen of England.

The hub for much of western Tanzania, Kigoma is also a port town for vessels crossing Lake Tanganyika from D.R. Congo and cargo vessels that run from Zambia up and down the lake.

Kigoma is the arrival town for ministry among the UUPG’s in this part of Tanzania. Churches ministering to the Vinza, Holoholo, Wagoma, and Tongwe people groups would begin here.

Kigoma is also the town to get supplies while ministering in the outlying villages.

These young fellas ran up to get their picture taken!

As is the case in the south, the western side of Tanzania is less developed.  There are fewer services available – only Kigoma has somewhat reliable electric and water services. The roads are in a very poor condition with some villages totally inaccessible by car.  Medical facilities are very basic and sparsely spread throughout the area – you want to stay healthy if you live out here!

However, folks are happy and enjoy life here.  The weather is very nice, not too hot, never too cold – wonderful.

Pray for the UUPGs in and around Kigoma.  The people groups living here are blinded, mostly by Islam.  They need to understand the truth of Jesus Christ.  He is not just a prophet – He is the Son of God – the way to salvation – and believing in Him is eternal life.

To Him who is able!

"Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen"             Ephesians 3:20-21


God gives us opportunities of service and uses us in unusual ways if we are willing to be used and flexible, allowing Him to do it His way.


Asked to preach part of a crusade – two nights of a four-night crusade – just on the outskirts of Kibera, the largest slum in East Africa, Jerry agreed.


Currently we are in the dry season here in Nairobi.  The short rains come soon, October and November mostly, and as we start out for the crusade venue, the sun is shining.  It is 4 p.m.  The praise team, standing on a wooden stage-like structure set up toward the back of a crowded shopping area is singing, the volume cranked up – it is time to get out the cotton that we use to stuff our ears!

As we walk toward the crowd clouds roll in and it begins to sprinkle a bit – ahhh well – perhaps a sprinkle or two, maybe a light shower, soon to be over.  The rain increases and before long everyone is running for cover as the sky opens up with a cloudburst. Running into a small hoteli (café), we shake the water off our clothes and order a cup of hot chai (tea) determined to wait it out –of course, we brought along no rain coat or umbrella.

Two hours later the rain begins to subside. Asked if we are willing to keep going, “of course” is our reply and we wait another 30 minutes or so while the electronic equipment is dried off.


The meeting, while down in numbers as people fled the rain, is good – the preaching, excellent – of course I am a bit bias, and we count the night a success – however, for us, it wasn’t  the actual crusade that made an impact, but a conversation over chai during the deluge.






Sitting down across the table, an older pastor begins to share his life story – a God story, and as we listen, we see the life-tapestry that God is weaving in this servant’s life.



Encouraged in our knowledge that God is faithful, we see afresh that He will do abundantly more than we can possibly imagine as we walk in faith.
Usually we won’t see the whole road ahead, but He only requires the next step from us. Walking by faith, leaving whatever is around the corner to Him, He will do far more abundantly than we can ask or think – and He will give us a peace that surpasses all understanding – Philippians 4:7


Isn’t God good?
Who could possibly refuse the incredibly awesome gift of His love through Christ?

However, not all have heard – not all have been faced with the choice yet.

Will you do your part for the Kingdom?

Will you do your part of the mission, helping mankind understand the matchless grace of Jesus?

Encouraged!

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.   Matthew 28:19-20

Do you remember this picture from a couple of weeks ago?  This was the end of the week-long school of missions for nine participating nationals with a heart to reach those who have never heard the gospel of Jesus Christ.


Today we met again with seven of the students in attendance.
We wanted to meet to encourage them (as if they needed any encouragement!) and touch base to find out how to pray for them and to hear about the direction God is leading each one in their individual missions call.
Having already organized themselves, they have been meeting together regularly for prayer and planning since the end of the school.  They have also been going to churches as a team and sharing their burden to reach the unreached and unengaged people of East Africa.

Instead of us encouraging them – they were so encouraging to us.

Lawrence, at the far right, is praying about four unengaged people groups, three in Tanzania and one in D.R. Congo.

Julius, in the middle, is praying about a specific place in Kenya – Sege village in Nyanza province.  He made a research trip to this area and returned saying there are no churches at all in the area.

Alfred, pictured on the left, is praying about three things; a village in Kenya called Dalani and two people groups one in Tanzania and one in Rwanda.  He has also made a trip to Dalani to see for himself that there is no evangelical work in the area.




Jane, on the right, feels that God is calling her to work in the slums.  She has already begun work in Githogoro slum and has organized a group of non-believers who want to meet together to hear stories from the Bible. She is also interested in working with the Samburu of Kenya.


Millicent, seated in the middle, is interested in working with either the Suba people in Tanzania, or the Samburu in Kenya.  She also has heard of the need for workers in the North Park area of South Africa and is praying about that door of evangelism.

Fleming is seated on the left of the picture.  He is praying about God’s direction in ministry among the Taabwa people of D.R. Congo and the Tongwe people of Tanzania.  He also is praying for people groups in Burundi.

Unfortunately, George did not get into a picture.  He has been going door-to-door in Dagoretti, a slum area of Nairobi. He has had six people pray to receive Christ already and is forming a Bible study with them.  This area is notorious for crime and violence; a place where criminals stay and are recruited.  He is also praying about ministry among the Samburu of Kenya.


Are you not encouraged as well?
These young Kenyans have taken their training and are putting it to use where they are while they continue to pray for direction and the leadership of the Holy Spirit for the next steps.

Would you pray along with them?  You can use this post as a guide, praying specifically for each one and the area or people groups God is laying upon each heart.  You can refresh your memory about the School of Missions by clicking these links.  School of Missions pt. 1       School of Missions pt. 2

Light to the Tongwe

“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”      Matthew 5:14-16


Due partly to the slave trade in Tanzania’s history, Islam is fairly well ingrained in the western part of Tanzania. Some of the people groups migrating from the Congo (Democratic Republic of Congo)  crossing Lake Tanganyika, settled on what was then the Arab slave routes; becoming involved in the capturing of other tribes, they worked with the Arabs to transport slaves to Bagamoyo, Tanzania for shipment out to Europe.  Back in the day, this was a big enterprise and many different people groups were involved.  This explains why, today, there are so many Islamic people groups in Tanzania, even in the interior.

Rural Mosque among the Tongwe people.

Living along the eastern shore of Lake Tanganyika in Western Tanzania, while not specifically part of the slave trade, the Tongwe are an Islamic people group.

Our plan, as we set out today, is to travel along the eastern lakeshore road, hoping to meet some Tongwe people.


As with most people groups in Tanzania, the Tongwe live alongside other people groups. So the villages we visit will not be exclusively Tongwe people – there will be a mixture of people groups within them.

The drive is beautiful along the lake, even though the road is rough – poor Jerry, he does not get to see much as the driver must keep all of his attention on the road so we do not break an axle.

How would you like to wake up to this picture every morning?
Beautiful, isn't it?

While the Tongwe grow the food they eat, those living along the lakeshore are fishermen as well. As we pull into the village of Lubengela (Loo-ben-ghe-lah) and look out across the lake, we see them at work in their hand-dug canoes.

Evangelical congregation.

There is an evangelical church in this small village but the Tongwe do not attend. To be Tongwe is to be Muslim.

Living in relative harmony, the members of this small congregation do not understand the importance of witnessing to their Tongwe neighbors, not even just a little bit.




*Ask God to burden the hearts of believing villagers for their Tongwe neighbors, that they would let their light shine forth.

*Pray that God would visit the Tongwe with dreams and visions, that they then would seek council among believers, asking questions about the God of the universe.

*Pray for God’s appointed messengers to gird themselves with the armor of God, the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the helmet of salvation, the shield of faith and the sword of the Spirit/Word of God to minister to the Tongwe.