Complications of "bush travel"

Traveling in the bush has it’s challenges, 

one of which is lining up the needed elements to be able to upload a blog entry. 

With all the technology available at our fingertips in America, 

it may seem hard to imagine being in a place where the internet is 

either completely unavailable or the bandwidth is so low it cannot even send a simple email. 

Radio towers still need electricity, and we also need electricity 

to charge our computers and phones if they are to be of any use to us, 

not to mention the need for modems with enough power to connect to the internet.  

This week, several days in the more remote bush areas have rendered us incapable of blogging, 

so please bear with us as we work to catch up on the interim days 

when we travel back to more accessible areas to purchase supplies and prepare for more travel.

Home Sweet Home...kinda

We have enjoyed being back in Katesh. We had spent much of June in this house; so we knew well what to expect. Although we are not headquartered from this village, we have found a comfortable place where we can get work done during the day, utilize clear phone and internet signal (yes, even to update the blog!), and rest well at nights.

But one of the features we especially like is the gorgeous scenery and sunsets. Night after night, we witness the heavens declaring the glory of God!

. . .Thus, we seem to return here every time we have a break in our schedule for a day or two. 

Meet Philipo and Danford

Pastor Philipo and his head elder Danford both attended our Discipleship Class in June. They felt the training they received was a breath of fresh air, encouragement not to give up or lose heart. They have been called by God for a purpose. When they follow Jesus their Rabbi, He will make their pathway clear.

We sat over lunch with them, and though the language barrier was a bit difficult at the beginning, within just a few minutes we all got used to the rhythm of conversation and started to enjoy ourselves. The aim of our visit, however, was more than just small talk. As we began to talk about the struggles and the successes within the church, it became clear that our visit was very timely. Discouragement had begun to nag at them.

The ministry is very difficult. When Philipo was sent to Katesh to start a church years ago, God had given him a very strong ministry vision in a dream; however, as time has gone on, he was beginning to doubt because despite his efforts and his faithfulness, thing just weren't "panning out."

For the next hour and a half, we prayed together and coached them through some of the struggles.

• ·         The spirit of unity between Philipo and Danford bound them firmly together. Both of them are committed to working together and holding each other up.
• ·         God renewed His vision for this church, and refreshed them with more clarity.
• ·         Both leaders understand the next steps to take in the growth and development.

We were delighted to see the faithfulness of the Lord as he has led these men to make an impact in their community.  Clearly, the Lord has been leading them, both through His Word and through dreams and visions. He has a clear plan. And though He has been leading them and their church through a period of tearing down old foundations built on wood, hay and stubble, they are poised and ready to build something new, based instead on the unchanging foundational truth of the Covenant of God. 

As we left, they expressed their deep gratitude to us for coming, but more importantly their thanks to God for encouraging and building HIS church.

Blessing for the Harvest

Near the end of the service, a special prayer was arranged. All those who were preparing to plant their fields in the coming weeks brought some of their seed. Bob held up this bag of combined seed, presenting it to the Lord. They bowed their heads and asked for God's blessing and for a fruitful harvest.

Even in the back of the church, the women joined in prayer...blessing the Lord for His goodness and loving-kindness, and asking for His provision for the future. What a blessing it was for us to join with them and look together to the Lord of the harvest.

Yes, the rains are beginning, which soften the ground enough to plow and then plant.  These dear people recognize their partnership with God and ask for His blessing on the seed before it ever goes into the ground, looking forward into the time of harvest.

Elder Danford gave a short exhortation regarding evangelism. His heart as an evangelist becomes so clear when he speaks, and the congregation responds verbally with "Amen" and "Hallelujah" and an exuberant tongue-fluttering cheer to the Lord.

Then it was time for Pastor Philipo to proceed with his message. The atmosphere changed once again, as this strong shepherd addressed the flock with care and concern, teaching them the word of the Lord.

I couldn't help but notice Pastor Philipo's Bible. Though weathered and worn, it seemed to me to be strangely beautiful for the wear, bespeaking the years of prayer, years of use, years of relationship with his God.  

Our First Sunday in Tanzania

The Church of God in Katesh portrays a typical dilemma for the pastor.  The congregation that had been meeting in his home for 10 years had outgrown the severe limits of the four walls of his residence.  Building a church structure made sense. 

But today, the few benches inside give the hint that money isn't exactly pouring into the building fund.  Walls are relatively cheap to erect, but the roof is the big expense.  Meanwhile, rain erodes uncovered walls.

Pastor Amasi and Elder Danford are courageous and full of faith, building both the congregation and the building at the same time.  As the walls of the church go up, and a roof is stretched over the top, God is leading them and teaching them His ways. Hallelujah!  He is faithful to build His church!

We arrived early in order to have time to pray and walk through the church buildings and around the grounds.

As the congregation arrived for worship, they began to find their seats on the primitive benches. And though the conditions were quite basic, there was no lack in the spirits of the people. We were generously welcomed and urged to join them as they sang and danced in joyful worship before the Lord. The choir was fun and energetic, with joyful singing before, during and even ending the service. How delightful!

Meet Anastasia Makuya

(Unfortunately, though her husband attended the Discipleship Class with her, we were only able to meet with Anastasia this time)

This beautiful Tanzanian Pastor's wife is not only lovely on the outside, but her heart reflects the heart of her Father, God. And believe it or not, these are not her children pictured with her, but her GRANDchildren!

Anastasia has quite a testimony. As she shared with us, we watched a dramatic transformation in her demeanor from gracefully quiet to a joyful enthusiasm filled with deep conviction. Born to Muslim parents, she had a very strict upbringing. As a young teenager she attended a "gathering" with her friends, which turned out to be a church meeting.  For the first time she heard the powerful message of the Gospel, and she made the choice to accept Jesus as her Lord and Savior.  Immediately, she received the Holy Spirit in very obvious ways.  There was no question for her; she knew (from experience) this was real, and for her there was no turning back!

She was severely persecuted by her family with terrible beatings and public renunciation of her place in the family and community.  While she was permitted to sleep in her parents' house, she was relegated to the floor. She could not use anything (including furniture) that belonged to the family. But nothing could convince her to renounce her conversion to Christianity.

A few years later she met Yohana Makuya, who hoped to become a pastor (also, later becoming a member of the Unity Committee, partnering with us to organize conferences for ministry leaders across the Rift Valley). They met...and married...and now have many children. Today, she actively works in the church, teaching and leading Bible Studies. She joys in even having been given the opportunity to preach a few times!

She looks forward to having more preaching and teaching opportunities, and says the training from AIM regarding Bible Study methods has been most helpful and is easy to teach others, too! She is, however, still hoping for audio scriptures in the future, to assist in teaching those without reading skills.

Mystery Meat!

See Bob's excitement!  There is something rather...tubular on his spoon. (He's pretty sure it was an intestine. At least he had a spoon today!)  He ate it, but his ministry companions did not.  

What ironic food for someone with a digestive disorder! 

In Tanzania, the softer meats are considered the luxury food, best given to honored guests. Thank You, Jesus, for soft meat. Thank you, Tanzania, for your hospitality.  

Prayer boomerang???

We encouraged and prayed over them and blessed them, praising God for the Spiritual wisdom of their ways and actions. We rejoice together with them as the beliefs that they model within a hostile, pagan environment bring forth much fruit because they are accompanied with the Spirit who is drawing them.

By the time we walked back ‘home’, with LuLu as our night guard and guide, Susan noticed that the pain in her legs was fairly negligible, and the redness of the burn was nearly gone!  She slept peacefully, and while the evidence of broken blisters and discoloration remain as proof of the seriousness of the burn, this morning she was able to dress and feel comfortable again, as usual.

She says it reminds her of the lepers who were healed “as they went.”  (Luke 17:11-14)

She is ready for another full day. We have wonderful worship music playing through the speakers of my computer. God is so wonderful and so worthy of our praise and worship!

Meet Lulu and Margareta, Fellow-Disciples of Jesus Christ

LuLu is a Barabaig "missionary" to his own tribe in the remote bush; Margareta, his wife, is a quiet and timid woman from the Iraqw tribe.

They attended the Discipleship Class in June (see them in the class picture below), and we were happy to meet them again.

We listened for hours to the wonderful stories of God’s grace and power in this lovely ministry couple. Lulu, his mother, and his siblings suffered greatly when they became Christians. His father is a wealthy landowner and powerful witchdoctor who beat them in an attempt to get them to renounce their new faith in God. When he refused, his father went to the courts to legally disown him, his mother, and his 5 younger brothers. He no longer had a home, no longer had access to the field on his father's land (therefore, no food), and no money for anything.

Though Lulu has been a Christian now for a number of years and now has a beautiful family and a stable home in Katesh village, he continues to face persecution as a church-planter and disciple-maker among his tribe, the "unreached" Barabaig people. Lulu and Margareta go together as a couple to the extremely remote Barabaig villages. Though the tribe is very resistant to Christianity's message (viewing it as a religion of the "foreigners"), they become very curious as this Christian couple display a life of love and respect for one another. As their curiosity rises, the people become hungry for the kind of life that is built on love, peace, and joy. The Gospel then may slowly be introduced, and they listen...not because someone came with a direct word, but with a word spoken rather by actions.

Lulu reports that when just five Barabaig become believers, they start a church. These new converts pay a significant price to claim the name of Jesus because their tribe is hostile to new ideas and practices. However, once they have counted the costs and decided to accept Christianity, they are steadfast and will not be dissuaded!  

A Bit of an Accident

Last night we had an odd occurrence, but God proved Himself mighty again. Prior to leaving the house for an evening of fellowship in the home of one couple from our first Discipleship Class, Susan was cooking some chicken to make broth for a meal today.  It was done and needed to cool so we could put it away before leaving. She poured the boiling hot broth into a heavy glass pitcher that would fit in the small refrigerator. As she was just turning away the pitcher burst, its glass pieces falling to the floor and shattering throughout the kitchen.  The hot broth splashed all over her thighs, instantly burning them through her pant legs, with no ability to peel the cloth away to relieve the heat.

I was just walking into the kitchen and jumped into action. Bob also stepped in from outside, and together we began to pray and claim healing over Susan's burns, even as she hurried to her room to remove the hot clothing. We began to treat the burns while continuing to pray. Swelling and blisters began to form, and I went to check our first aid kit for any help we could find. 

Over the next hour we did everything we knew to do and the pain began to reduce.  Susan called upon the Lord to rebuke the enemy who was trying to keep her from the very thing the Lord called us here to do; she declared her allegiance and intention to follow Christ despite the obstacles that would rise up against her.

After resting and treating her burns with medicine for about a half hour, she put on a dress that she could gently hold away from her thigh; we headed out the door, walking down the now-muddy path to the home of our dear fellow-disciples for dinner. 

Throughout the evening the pain continued to reduce! Praise God!

In Tanzania, But Still Traveling

On our travels from Arusha to Katesh, Bayo told us that the rains should be starting within a week or two, and the fields could not be planted until it rains.  As we crossed the plains on our way we saw very few green shrubs, and literally NO living grass, only dried stubble and most places the ground was completely bare, devoid of all life. 

However, just as we arrived in Katesh, literally as we crossed the last mountain before coming to the village, it began to rain. Within 2 weeks it will all be green again!

Farmers are out with their plows now and planting the first of the summer crops!  God is Provider! 

Of course the rains cause electrical power outages, and the first 24 hours we had very intermittent electricity.  But God is gracious, we had power long enough to cool the refrigerator and small freezer to ensure the food we brought from Arusha is preserved and safe. The resident that live nearby are kind enough to bring us water for washing and flushing toilets (yes, we have toilets in this house!), so we are blessed to have all we need for our comfort.