...the kingdom of God belongs to such as these

“…’Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.  I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.’  And He took the children in His arms, put His hands on them and blessed them.”
Mark 10:14-16.


Our church has a little mission; a small room made of metal roofing sheets, in a village about five miles from Mwimuto (Mm-wee-moo-toe), the village location of our church.
Currently the little mission church is comprised of only children, no adults.  Some would say it is not worth the effort, but not David.

Some years back, David a very determined young man, had a desire to play the piano, but had no one to teach him. Determined that God wants his service through music, David listens to worship songs and practices. He now leads our congregation in music, playing the piano by ear.

Today some of our congregation come along to help and
he happily allows us to teach and lead the children in a few songs

Faithfully teaching at this little mission church which meets a short time after our own service concludes, David takes a matatu (small van – public transportation) reaching the little metal building in the afternoon.

Encouraging others to participate, he continues on whether others join him or not.







Have you noticed the pictures hanging on the metal walls?  These are pictures of Bible stories, which David’s brother drew by hand and some of the children colored. We are amazed at the effort and commitment, the determination of this young man.  We are thankful for his desire to follow Christ and to step out to minister – even to the littlest, the least – for God’s glory.

Pray that this little mission, which is not more than a Sunday School class, would grow.

As their faith develops, pray that these children would decide to make Christ the Savior and Lord of their lives. 

Pray for the parents of these young ones; that as they see a difference in the lives of their children, they too would desire to know the God of salvation.

Go ye into all the world… casting God’s vision

He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation…”  Mark 16:15

Since returning from our recent research trip, Jerry has been busy with Nairobi area churches, casting God’s vision of filling the earth with the knowledge of the glory of God --- the glory of God in the face of Christ.



Understanding that God's command of reaching every people group with the gospel of Christ is given to each individual believer, no matter their circumstances, is not easy.  Indeed not everyone is sent -- but all are called -- some are called to pray, others are called to give, and still others are called to go.  


Looking at the harvest fields of East Africa in light of Matthew 9:37, we see the truth of Christ’s words, “the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.” Verse 38, “Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field.”

In reading and praying through these verses, God is showing us that we have workers right here in Nairobi who can partner with us and help with the harvest. 

Inspirational teaching, problem solving, and combining ideas on how
best to reach the lost with the gospel was met with enthusiasm.

 God’s vision, for filling every people group with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord is being shared with some Nairobi Baptist church pastors.

God's gift of food and fellowship is a blessing and an important
way of interacting with one another.

Now a plan is in motion to train 12 national missionaries, two from each association, with the prospect of sending two out.  

Helping the new national missionaries with logistical support from the national Baptist churches is a major concern and of great importance.






Pray for this new endeavor of casting God’s vision among Nairobi churches to reach the unreached and unengaged with the Gospel message.

Pray that each believer would see their responsibility and their calling in light of God’s vision of reaching and discipling this lost and dying world.

You are called.  Where do you see God calling you – to pray – to give – to go, or perhaps all three?

Coconuts!

"And God said, 'Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed and fruit trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind, on the earth.' And it was so.  The earth brought forth vegetation, plants yeilding seed according to their own kinds, and trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind. And God saw that it was good."                 Genesis 1:11-12



Coconuts are a big business in parts of Tanzania.


Coconut palm trees abound throughout our area of research, during this adventure. Some areas have more than others and in one area disease has infected them, which  really affects the people economically   --  Coconut palms are so useful  -- and not just for the coconut!  


The large fronds (green leaves) are used as roofing material; canoes, poles and rafters are made from the trunk and the large ribs of the fronds which attach to the tree can be used for arrows, spears or torches.



The fibrous part of the coconut husk is used to weave mats, make brushes, and even the fiber material that holds the dirt in a hanging planter.

Jerry looks dwarfed standing in front of this massive pile of coconuts in N’gapa village.

Amazing isn’t it.

This area is very coconut rich.

How do I know which coconut trees are mine?  That is a question we had.  Well the answer is very simple, I put my name on my trees.

Notches are cut into the trunk enabling easy access to the fruit – if you aren't afraid of heights!

“The truck comes to pick up the nazi (coconuts) once every two weeks.”  explained a man from the area.


We were fortunate in that we just happened upon one of the trucks loading the coconuts headed for Dar es Salaam.

Pray that as coconut tree owners harvest their coconuts, they would understand that God, the Creator of heaven and earth is the One who gives life to the tree; He gives the sun and rain -- it is He who is the Provider, it is He upon whom they must depend.

Pray that as believers come to share God's message of salvation this understanding of provision will be a bridge to understanding and accepting Christ as God's provision for their salvation.

Living life by the tides -- the Segeju of Tanzania

“’Come, follow me,’  Jesus said,  ‘and I will make you fishers of men.’  At once they left their nets and followed Him.”    Matt. 4:19

“We have only mosques, there are no churches,” one man told us as we turned off the road entering the Segeju (Seh-geh-jew) area.  He was quite pleased with this.

Living in fishing villages along the coast of northern Tanzania,  Segeju life centers around the tides of the Indian ocean.  At low tide the men mend nets, sleep and relax, waiting for high tide.

Each family has a hand-built fishing boat beached in the sand also waiting for high tide.

The district council fish market where the fish are auctioned is empty today and no transport is waiting to carry fish to market in Tanga.



A group of passing women greet us, but can only answer a question or two. Laughing and chatting as they rush past, they don’t mean to be rude, but the tide is out and they are hurrying to tidal pools with baskets to collect shell fish which will be cooked for a meal that day.

Life is not easy for the Segeju.  It is getting more difficult to make a living from the ocean because the waters are being over-fished.

Too salty for human or animal consumption, water from their local wells can only be used for washing clothes.  Drinking water must be carried into the villages from wells further inland.

Primary schools can be found in some of the villages, but the secondary school is five or more kilometers away. 

Bringing the gospel to the Segeju will be challenging.  There may be hostility toward those sharing and persecution to any believers.  But our mandate it to go and share even to those hard of heart that some may hear and be saved.

*Pray for the softening of Segeju hearts.

*Pray for wisdom in planning the best way to enter Segeju villages in order for the most receptivity.

*As God calls out followers to go to the Segeju, pray for obedient hearts and minds affording the Segeju the opportunity to hear about God’s gift of new life in Christ.

... on being Kutu

“As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth; it will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”        Isaiah 55: 10-11

Not totally inaccessible, but challenging to reach, the Kutu people live in the shadow of the beautiful Uluguru mountains in central-eastern Tanzania.

If you were with us when we visited the Vidunda people, you may realize that we are in the same general location.  At that time however, we were not able to reach any Kutu villages; this is our quest today.

Fortunately, it is dry; the road will be a greater challenge during the rains.

Driving down the dirt path, we are surprised at how dry this area is compared with other parts of Tanzania we have visited on this trip.

Stopping at a small cluster of huts, we ask about the Kutu people of the area and learn that this is indeed a Kutu family.  They are farmers, as are most other Kutu people, growing corn, rice, millet and sesame seed.

The sesame seed or ufuta ((uu-fuu-tah) the word for oil), is harvested and stored in large sacks; waiting to be sold and transported to oil processing companies.

This Kutu family is Catholic and we learn that there are Kutu who are Muslim as well as Catholic.



We are surprised to see an interspersing of Maasai people herding their cattle through the area. No one has mentioned Masaai living here.

While challenging, it is always fun to talk with folks whom God places in our path. We try to find out information on who lives in the area, what languages they speak, how money is made to survive, and what churches, if any are in the village as well as daily life activities.

More animistic than either Muslim or Catholic, the Kutu people layer their animistic practices on top of other religious beliefs.

*Pray for God’s Spirit to fall on Kutu hearts; that they would have a longing to know the God who causes all things to grow.

*Pray for an outpouring of God’s Spirit on non-Muslim Kutu exposing their need to believe and trust Christ as the only way to life everlasting; ask God to then put a burning in their hearts for their Kutu neighbors who are Muslim.