Lunch time!

Lunch and sodas for 100+ conference attendees arrives in a over-sized wheelbarrow that the locals call “kokoteni” carts. We joined the pastors for each of the 4 days of lunches, eating the very Traditional Tanzanian meal of rice, beans, and mchicha (greens).

We are thankful that it is a meal we all enjoy. . .because we ate this same meal for 4 lunches and 4 dinners while we were in Katesh. Food is food in Tanzania and variety is not a necessity on the menu. Upon leaving Katesh, we all decided to leave rice and beans out of our diet for perhaps at least a week.

Mmmm. Looks good, huh?

Karen's impressions

AIM was so privileged to welcome Karen to join us for 3 weeks. Her gifts as a teacher and an intercessor proved to be quite valuable. Both the AIM team and the pastors benefitted from her presence and involvement.

“As we [Karen and Val] led the pastors into a time of repentance, their close attention and openness, and their unity as a group in prayer were striking. God was molding the Body of Christ! I found it humbling to see His hand at work in so much power and beauty.” --Karen

The African women pastors in Katesh listened intently and prayed deeply. One "Mama Mchungaji" (Mama Pastor), who is pictured here in the back, was so excited about the teachings. She assured us she would begin to share the new teaching “right away this Sunday" - two days away. Her enthusiasm was contagious.

Sugar cane harvest time

October also sees the harvesting of sugar cane. Truckloads of stalks are being loaded to leave the area, but not all the cane departs on trucks.

Not sure what this man is going to do with his few canes. We have heard that some locals even make alcohol from fermenting cane.

Covenant with God teachings

We had a great conference in Katesh. Most of the attending pastors were new to our ministry, since this location moved a bit beyond the edge of the Dareda valley and expanded the territory a bit. You can see the eagerness in their eyes as they received the teaching and came to understand the concepts of Covenant with God.

They were so responsive! As they received a “new” perspective on the “old” story of David and Goliath, their enthusiasm was obvious. It has truly been a blessing to see them so hungry for this teaching and so eager to participate.

We put them to work a little bit, taking notes and filling out some information on their own sheets. While it was a challenge to some (not common in this culture), they worked hard at it. We were even asked to pause a few times, to allow pastors to “catch up,” not necessarily because they were so slow, but because they were writing down everything and didn’t want to miss even one concept! They were very thankful that we were able to provide them with such a thorough material packet, which they intended to take home and teach to their congregations. This was very much an equipping experience, and this conference really hit the mark! We are so thankful to the Holy Spirit for "leading them into all truth" and for helping to drive these truths home for all of us--teachers and "students" alike.

Susan really enjoyed working with our friend Polycarp. He stepped in to assist Bayo in the translating work and was very well received by this group of pastors. They loved the stories that Susan wove for them. As she shared insights from the Lord, at times Polycarp would exclaim “AHH!” (momentarily forgetting that he was supposed to be translating, and getting enveloped in the gripping teachings). He would pause slightly, quickly writing down his own notes before making the translations of what she had just said. He, too, was hanging on every word and eager to soak it all in. What wonderful gifts God gave us in Bayo and Polycarp. They each have influence among many pastors, and their passion for God and for the people of God are such an encouragement to all of us.

Dry season

The soil in this part of East Africa is surprisingly fertile, and as part of the preparations for the coming rains, many of the fields have been tilled (by hand or by ox and plough) and now await the soaking moisture.

This dry time is, however, not void of beautiful scenes. Lacy purple jacaranda trees dot the hillside, but will be gone soon after the rains begin.

The largest team that AIM has ever had!

Bob and Val (second row, far right; and first row, second from right) and I (front, far left) have been “staples” of the ministry since its beginning in 2008.

Susan (pictured in the front row, far right) has been a member of AIM’s Board of Directors since its incorporation in 2008; however, she was added to the traveling ministry team for one of the conferences in 2009, and gladly returned this year for all of the conferences.

Karen (front row, second from the left) joined us for the first time this year. Though she has been praying for us, it was time for her to come and see for herself what God is doing in East Africa.

Becky (second row, far left) is a member of AIM’s Board of Directors and has been a vital leader of our intercessory prayer team. She joined us “on the field” for the first time this year, as well.

Bayo (back row, middle) has been a faithful translator and member of our team since our initial visit to the Dareda Valley in 2007. He has accompanied us, translated written materials for us, and helped AIM as a translator and teacher during each of the conferences.

The church that hosted this month’s conference in Katesh was of the FPCT denomination (Free Pentecostal Church of Tanzania). The unfinished building was just a concrete shell. We had everything we needed. The pastor was welcoming toward his many guests from other denominations. The atmosphere was beautiful in the Holy Spirit.

Preparing for the coming rains

October finds the Dareda Valley preparing for the short rains.

Though the rains have not officially begun, the green hue over the valley attests to the sprinkles over the valley and over the grazing fields. We even spotted a few children playing while the flocks in their care grazed. We then watched them run to the stream with their brightly-colored buckets.