Brothers & Sisters around the world

At the end of the conference, Becky had the privilege of addressing the Unity Committee of the Dareda Valley Region. She explained to them that there have been people on the other side of the world who have been praying for them, not just during this conference, but also for several months in preparation for this conference. The entire group was very surprised and touched that brothers and sisters in Christ would love them and commit to praying for them.

Becky then presented the Chairman of the Unity Committee with a “zawadi” (Swahili for “gift”) from the Sunday Night Prayer and Bible Study Group of Ionia, Michigan. As he unfurled the banner, the crowd and other committee members clapped and praised the Lord. They came to understand that the passage written on the banner was John 3:16. And though it was not in their “mother tongue” language, they seemed quite happy and satisfied to have that very familiar passage in OUR language.

They felt very loved and cared for, and they agreed that this banner should accompany the Unity Committee at all future AIM conferences, both as a reminder of the love and care of their “distant brothers and sisters” but also as a reminder of the love of the Father Who sent His Son for our salvation. Praise God!

Becky's impressions

“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to prayer made in this place.” (2 Chronicles 7:14-15)

Becky’s impressions: “When God's people earnestly seek Him - the Spirit of God fills the room. What you can't see in the picture of this room is the 90+ pastors crying out to God, seeking God for forgiveness and restoration. . . . Those pastors touched God's heart that day, and I am waiting with excitement and anticipation to hear what happens next in that area. God is up to something good!”

How honored Becky felt to be able to share and pray with God's people. She sat ouside during one of the break times, praying with a woman who suffers from an ailment that causes her temporary blindness from time to time. The episodes have been getting stronger and more frequent; however, they do not stop her from sharing the love of God with those around her. As she shared her story, Becky’s heart tore in half. This woman’s pastor also talked with Bob about her circumstances, and together they were able to pray safety and healing into her life.

As we left the conference, the woman (named “Alyca”) asked us to continue to keep her in our prayers. Please join us in prayer for this wonderful evangelist from the city of Mbulu. God has plans for her, and she is willing.

Val has been one of our strong intercessors before and during the conferences. At times, the speakers could even see her walking around the church or pausing to pray outside in the shade of an acacia tree. AIM was, in fact, blessed to have the team of 3 intercessors for the second conference in Katesh.

Having heard for hours about God’s covenant love and faithfulness toward them, these pastors and leaders had tears streaming down their faces during prayer times. The beauty of this fervent prayer must touch God’s heart. It most certainly touched ours.

Val had the wonderful privilege of addressing the pastors as well, and with the help of our translator Bayo, she demonstrated how close and personal God desires for us to be in relationship with his people.

*Special note: The pastor pictured in the bottom left of this picture (in the thinking position, barely visible) is the leader of the church in which we spoke. This is particularly notable because he is a member of the Barabaig tribe, a tribe who as of yet are awaiting a translation of the Bible into their language. They currently have only the gospel of Mark in their native tongue. Please pray!

Praise and Worship. . .Tanzanian style

One of our participants in the Katesh conference was this lovely and vibrant woman, Mary, a teacher in the Catholic church. Gifted by the Holy Spirit as a teacher, she was so excited about learning about the Covenant that she faithfully attended every session, studiously taking notes and following along in the training material and in her Bible, even repeatedly volunteering to stand and read a passage to the group. (This is a bit of a contrast to many of the pastors with limited education)

We encouraged her to come forward and lead the praise and worship time near the close of the conference. With a little coaxing, she shyly came forward to comply with our request, but that shyness diminished quickly with the songs of praise, and was finally flung aside with abandon in the worship as the pastors enthusiastically proclaimed the greatness of our Covenant God! There is no lack of passion when these Tanzanian ministry leaders sing and praise!

The AIM team is always blessed in our times of singing with them because they are a people with real depth of heart. They sing, harmonize, sing in rounds, raise their hands, clap, sway, dance and sometimes stomp their feet. African praise time can be an aerobic experience! Mary was not just vibrant in the music time; she also left us with the passionate promise that she was going to begin teaching the materials in her church at her first opportunity. . .only 3 days away!

Teaching and a Special Gift

The rural pastors listened intently to Bob’s insights regarding God’s covenant promises, a teaching insufficiently taught in the US and in East Africa. Several commented that this teaching series was of such value for understanding the foundation of our faith!

It was exciting to watch the translators being impacted by the Word even as they were translating. At times, they had to make difficult choices between wanting to write down what they just heard (so that they could retain it in full) OR actually translating the words as they heard them. We encouraged Polycarp to just translate in full, and then made sure he had the complete notes when the conference was over.

We want to give a special note of thanks to Polycarp for assisting us with translation for this conference. as well as to Steve McFarland (Key Connection Ministries - Arusha, Tanzania) for "lending" us his great employee for 3 days. Polycarp was a huge asset to us. We couldn't have done it all without him.

In addition to the valuable teachings, this pastor (and the many others in attendance) received a special gift: a copy of the recently released Ki-Swahili version of An International Minister’s Manual, by Jim and Carolyn Murphy, which you can see next to his Bible and training material. The late Jim Murphy had begun the translation process of this book over five years ago. Now, having been translated, formed, and shaped by many hands, including our own, it is finally being distributed by our ministry for the first time! We have had a significant work investment in this book, and we are delighted that this important volume is now available in the Tanzanian pastors’ native language. Hundredfold provided this book as a free gift to these servants of God, and they were thrilled!

Feel free to read a chapter online at http://www.hundredfold.org/MinMan/mmtoc.htm