…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.