Our Mission in a Nutshell

Simply put, we are seeking to fulfill the Great Commission of Mark 16:15 (NKJV) "And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature."  We will do this by focusing on four areas - all according to the biblical pattern

1.  Training Preachers 
This will be our primary focus, and it is absolutely key to self-propagation in mission work – training Africans to teach other Africans.  The biblical mandate for this tactic is found in 2 Timothy 2:2 (NKJV) "And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also."

2. Personal Evangelism 
Of course we’ll also be doing evangelism ourselves while we’re there, as we are commissioned in  Matthew 28:19-20 (NKJV) "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.' Amen."  One of the things that strongly drawn us to this mission field is the ease with which personal Bible studies can be set up.  There are plenty of people thirsting for the Word that simply need someone willing to teach.

3. Providing Benevolence 
When surrounded by the amount of absolute poverty that is observable in countries like Tanzania, the Christian thing to do is to seek to offer what relief you can.  In describing the Day of Judgement, Jesus says in Matthew 25:37-40 (NKJV) "Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?'And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me."  Apparently, one of the ways in which we will be judged is by the degree to which we sought to relieve the suffering of our fellow man.

4.  Edifying the Churches 
We will also be working to encourage the local churches, thus doing our part in the body of Christ.  Ephesians 4:12 (NKJV) "...equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ".

We hope that you will join with us in these efforts by your prayers, encouragement, and financial support.  Together we will make a difference in the name of our Lord.

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A Personal Note from Daniel

From the time that I was a child, Africa has had a very  special place in my heart.  My family lived in Cameroon for three years when I was very young, and I have fond memories of the people and the culture.  Then when I was 13 years old, my family had plans to become    involved with work in Tanzania.  Unfortunately, these plans fell through because of a health crisis in our family, and we were never able to return.    In our college years, a group from Freed-Hardeman went on a campaign to Tanzania to help with the fledgling TZ2000 mission effort.  Intrigued, Tiffany and I joined the campaign and were thrilled with the work taking place.  At the time, we were not ready to make the leap into long-term missions, but a seed of passion for missions was planted in my own soul, to grow quietly over the next ten years.  In 2010,     Tiffany and I had the opportunity to return to Tanzania for another campaign – this time with our daughter, Abby.  Still enthralled with the work, I knew that I wanted to live there one day.  After much prayer and thought, Tiffany and I agreed that it was the right choice for our family.  I talked with the elders at Lehman Avenue about the great things happening in Tanzania, and they received it eagerly.  They saw the great potential and opportunities that could come along with being involved in a venture like this.  So together we began to formulate a plan. Read all about that plan, and our journey on this blog.   

Questions and Answers

   ·         Where are they going?   Arusha, Tanzania

o   Geography and Population

§  Tanzania is located in the region of East Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean, between Kenya and Mozambique.  For comparison’s sake, Tanzania is slightly larger than twice the size of California. 

§  Tanzania has a population of about 40,000,000.  Nearly a quarter of that population is located in the North-Central Region of Tanzania where the Gaines family will be living.  This area is a major agricultural region located around the base of Mt. Kilimanjaro and Mt. Meru, only 4 hours south of Nairobi, Kenya.  It is convenient to the Kilimanjaro International Airport, making air travel into and out of the region feasible.

o   Language

§  The major languages are Swahili and English.  Swahili is the language of the common people while the more educated speak English.  Official government proceedings are conducted in English.

§  Classes at the Andrew Connally School of Preaching are taught in English, but translators are used when preaching to the local congregations or conducting personal Bible studies.

o   Religion

§  Tanzania's population has been estimated to consist of roughly of 62% “Christian”, 35% Muslim, and 3% followers of indigenous religious groups.  The Christian population is mostly composed of Roman Catholics, Orthodox, Protestants (especially Lutherans), Pentecostals, Seventh-day Adventists, Mormons, and Jehovah's Witnesses.

   ·         What will they be doing?

o   Training local evangelists at the Andrew Connally School of Preaching

§  The campus has a library, classrooms, kitchen, offices, dormitories (for up to 48 students), guest quarters, and a large covered patio area for group gatherings. Due to a partnership with the Bear Valley Bible Institute in Denver, CO, graduates of ACSOP receive a Bachelors degree in Bible.  A Masters program is also available.

§  Men come from all over East Africa to receive this education. So far, ACSOP has trained just over 100 evangelists.  These men return back to their home country or region to teach or preach what they have learned in this school. The graduates have been partly responsible for the planting of more than 150 new churches, not only in Tanzania, but also in the Congo, Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, and Kenya.  Because of this school the Gospel is not only being taken throughout Tanzania, but into all of East Africa.

o   Working to support and strengthen the local congregations through teaching, preaching, personal evangelism, event and program organization and participation, etc. (including Tanzania Christian Camp and Safari for Souls campaigns).

§  In 2012 alone, Safari for Souls campaigns were partially responsible for more than 90 souls being added to the Church. 

   ·         How long will they be there?

o   3 years

§  The local missionaries recommend a 3 year commitment.

§  Due to the transition and adjustments of the first year, the best work tends to happen in the 2^nd and 3^rd years.

§  A significant time commitment offers more “bang for the buck” relative to the initial investment in the work.

o   Continued involvement: 

§  Upon returning to the U.S., Daniel hopes to take annual trips back to Tanzania to teach short courses at ACSOP or to lead Safari for Souls campaigns that would involve other Christians from the area. 

   ·         What is Lehman’s involvement? 

o   Lehman Avenue will be the Sponsoring Congregation for this effort.  This means Lehman will:

§  Oversee the work of the Gaines family

§  Support the work with prayers and encouragement

§  Make financial contributions to the work

§  Serve as the collection point for funds raised for the work

§  Commit to bring the Gaines family back to the U.S. in the event that the mission had to be prematurely terminated. 

   ·         How much will it cost?

o   Monthly:

§  Work Fund - $3,800-4,300

§  Personal Salary - $3,550

o   One-Time Expenses: (vehicle, 20 ft. shipping container, appliances, travel) $49,000-71,000

   ·         Why Tanzania?

o   The ground is very fertile.

§  In 1998, there were 36 Christians in northern Tanzania.  By 2009, there were 3,000 Christians meeting regularly.  The locals are hungry for the Gospel and receptive to its teachings.  They just need more people willing and able to teach them.

o   There is already a structured work in place.

§  We do not have to start from scratch here.  There are good facilities in place, and long-term missionaries already in country to provide expertise and support.  Everything is in place for the Gaines family to be able to get started with effective work immediately. 

o   There is comfort in familiarity.

§  Daniel and Tiffany have already visited the area twice during campaigns.  Their daughter, Abby, accompanied them on the second trip.  Additionally, Daniel lived in Cameroon, Africa for three years as a child.  This has given the family some level of familiarity with the area, culture, and the work that can be done there.

   ·         What will it take to get set up and started?

o   A house will have to be found and rented.  Rent is usually paid a year in advance.  The Gaines family will stay with the Staffords until they can find a suitable house.  Utilities will have to be activated.  Security personnel and house help will have to be hired.

o   Some furniture and personal items will be shipped.  The process of shipping and clearing customs can take several weeks.

o   Appliances will need to be purchased in country because of differences in electrical systems.

o   A car will need to be purchased in country. 

   ·         What is their exit plan?

o   Monthly contributors are asked to be willing to continue their contributions for 90 days after the Gaines family returns to the U.S., or until a new job has been secured, whichever comes first.

o   Some money will be set aside each month for a repatriation fund to help with transitioning back to the U.S.  

o   Remaining repatriation needs will be provided by selling the vehicle.

   ·         What will they do when they get back?

o   While no hard commitments have been made, it is the mutual hope of the Lehman Avenue elders and the Gaines family that they will be able to continue to work together in some capacity after this mission trip. 

   ·         What will happen to the Bible School Program at Lehman?

o   Daniel will provide suitable information to whomever the elders appoint to facilitate the seamless continuation of the Bible School Program.  The current curriculum plan is expected to remain intact going forward.

   ·         Family Issues

o   What will everyday life be like for the family?

§  Everyday life will be more difficult in many ways. Tiffany will have do more things “the hard way”, such as boiling water before use for cooking and washing dishes, cooking foods mostly from scratch, and of course everyday chores of laundry and cleaning.  Tiffany will also be homeschooling Abby for the 6^th through 8^th grades. There are several other missionary families in Arusha that will provide a social atmosphere for Abby while in TZ. Abby also hopes to continue her piano lessons at a local music academy.  Additionally, Tiffany will be caring for Levi and Josiah during the day and providing preschool instruction for them as well as playing and naps.

§  Daniel will be teaching at the ACSOP, engaging in regular study and lesson preparation in his office, conducting home Bible studies with others, and attending to other daily missions’ duties.

o   What are the pros and cons for having children in the mission field?

§  Some cons include:

-           Lack of “easy” foods

-          Missing american customs and holidays

-           Inability to see extended family on a regular basis

-          Readjusting to a new lifestyle and culture

§  Some pros include:

-          Avoiding the negatives of American culture during a formative age in Abby’s life (modesty, drinking, drugs, etc.)

-          Teaching the children the difference in needs and wants through an everyday life that includes seeing true poverty

-          Showing the children that God comes first in life wherever they are and that they should want to teach everyone about His word

-          The children will also have the advantage of living in a beautiful part of the world in which God created amazing landscapes and animals.

-          Learning a new language, Swahili

-          Being exposed to different world views and cultures, and understanding what it is like to be a minority

o   What will they do about healthcare?

§  There is a clinic in northern Tanzania that is run by an American doctor from Florence, AL who is a member of the church.

§  For serious problems, quality healthcare can be found by making the 4 hour drive to Nairobi, Kenya.

   ·         How can I help?

o   One-time contributions to help with initial costs

o   Monthly contributions to supply for the on-going work