Short Report 12/10

Grace and Peace to you friends. Today, I would like to share with you some words about our recent graduation from our Logistics Director, Charles Mwanga:      " For many years, the Lord has been blessing His Kingdom through your generosity and prayers. We have been able to train men from Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Malawi, Congo, Zambia and even this time South Sudan. Countless souls will one day be in Heaven just because people like you cared for the lost souls. THANK YOU SO MUCH.      '“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 Timothy 2:2).      "This is the motto of our school. It has been a blessed year here at Andrew Connally School of Preaching as we have been celebrating the graduation of 26 graduates. This year we have had graduates from the Masters Class, the Bachelor Degree class and a Certificate of Biblical Studies from the Arusha Bible School. I would like to take this opportunity to ask you to pray for all our graduates as they are starting their new journey in the ministry.      "This year’s class was a Swahili Class, men from over twenty congregations were able to finish their studies. We thank God for both them and their families for supporting them in this journey. These are committed men and women who were ready to sacrifice their lives for two years of study. THANK YOU SO MUCH.      "Again, we thank you so much for your support and prayers. Please keep us in your prayers as we are beginning our youth camps this coming two weeks." I also wanted to share with you the heartwarming involvement of these two little boys.  What a wonderful example they are!  May they continue to have their hearts in the right place as they grow up.   Today's student spotlight is on this year's valedictorian, Yohana Mwanjile:      Yohana (41) has been married to his wife, Elizabeth, since 2014.  The are members of the Temeke congregation in Dar es Salaam.  They have two little girls, Upendo (5) and Marietta (3).  Having a Muslim father and a Lutheran mother, Yohanna was baptized into Christ in 1999.       After graduation, Yohana plans to begin planting churches in villages in rural Tanzania.      His message to you is:  "I would like to give back thanks to you for your heavily contributions which assist us to have this opportunities of studying for a Bachelor degree of Biblical studies. I and My family really appreciate your work of sponsorship. We have nothing to repay you but Almighty God will always fulfill your pocket .My prayer is for you to be prosperous both physically and spiritually forever. May God bless you all and your activities that enable you to sponsor Tanzania Mission."  Join with me in praying for the ministries of Yohana and his fellow graduates!  I also want to express appreciation for the outstanding faculty at ACSOP.  Their work is priceless! Until all have heard, Daniel Gaines Tanzania Missions

Happy Thanksgiving!

Grace and Peace to you friends.  I want to wish you and your loved ones a very Happy Thanksgiving!  As we think about the things for which we are thankful, people like you are high on my list.  Your interest in world evangelism is encouraging to me, and helps to make the world a better place.  We've had the blessing of meeting with many of you face to face this year.  Over the past few months, we've visited with 34 congregations and driven over 21,000 miles to raise funds for the great work that the Lord is doing in East Africa.  If we haven't been to your church yet, and you would like a visit, then let me know!  I would also like to introduce you to one of our graduating students with a tremendous story:  Student Spotlight:  Jacob Ajak Mathau      Jacob is a student from South Sudan.  He was raised in an Anglican home until he was converted in 2013.  He is the oldest of 8 children in a polygamous family.  Jacob's mom was shot and killed during tribal clashes in 2012.  Jacob now has a Christian wife and and two year old son.        Jacob was teaching bible correspondence courses when a student asked him a question that he struggled to answer.  It motivated him to want to seek a deeper biblical knowledge, so he began to look for a school of preaching.  One day on Facebook, he came across the Andrew Connally School of Preaching and began to make inquiries.  Eventually, he wound up at school with us and is slated to graduate this week.        After graduation, Jacob wants to go back home to evangelize South Sudan where the church is very weak.  Lord willing, he would one day like to help facilitate a school of preaching in his home country to serve his countrymen.       He wishes to express his thanks to you for making his training at ACSOP possible.  May God bless his ministry.    It is a thrill to be able to help in the training of such men.  However, this is a very large work and we're still several thousand dollars short of what we need for our monthly budget.  As you consider your budgets for next year, we would appreciate it if you would prayerfully think about helping Tanzania Missions.  Instructions for giving are at the bottom of this email.   Till all have heard, Daniel Gaines Director Tanzania Missions You can make a donation online HERE or send a check to the address below:

Donations Can Be Made Out To: "Bear Valley Bible Institute International" - be sure to mention TANZANIA MISSIONS in the Memo line and  Send To: Bear Valley Bible Institute International 2707 S. Lamar Street Denver, CO 80227

Short Report - 10/16

Grace and Peace to you friends. So much has happened since my last note to you!  I was able to be at the Tanzania Leadership Conference hosted at the Andrew Connally School of preaching.  There were speakers from Zambia, Kenya, Congo (DRC), Tanzania, America, and Uganda that came to speak on the theme, "All Christians are Leaders."  It was an uplifting and encouraging time.   Check out some pictures from TLC at the bottom of this message. One of the highlights each year is the alumni meeting when we get to spend some time catching up with some of our former students.  This year, I challenged them to find motivation in the example of the Macedonian church.  That church was the recipient of mission work in Acts 16, then became supporters of mission work (Phil 4:15-18) giving out of their poverty (2 Cor. 8:1-6).  We considered the goal of their congregations not only becoming self-supporting, but even supporting other church-plants themselves.  Here's a picture from the meeting: Additionally, this trip gave me the chance to visit with the congregations at Moshi, Namanga, and Kisongo and learn more about the challenges and opportunities that each church is facing.      I was also able to teach a short-course on 1 and 2 Peter and Jude in the English program at ACSOP.  We've got a great group of students with bright futures in the kingdom.  Here's a picture one of the students delivering a sermon to the class:   STUDENT SPOTLIGHT:  Duot   Speaking of students, our student spotlight for this report features Duot Akoon Garang.  Duot is a 26 year old student from South Sudan.  He is married with two young sons named Garang and Mabek. Before coming to ACSOP, Duot was a primary school teacher and a farmer.  In his family, only he and his wife are members of the church but he is trying to teach the others. He chose to come to ACSOP because of our reputation for producing good servants of God.  He hopes to pursue a Masters degree after graduation to enable him to begin a preacher training school back in South Sudan. Duot wanted to say to you: "I am really very grateful for what you have been doing for me to have this good opportunity to study in ACSOP.  Your love and care is more than expected because I never went to a school where you are supported and you study free of charge. Thank God for that and may God continue bless your efforts for the next works you are going to do for the kingdom of God. So I have no words to describe your love and care but for these few words may God reward you in Heaven." Till all have heard, Daniel Gaines Director Tanzania Missions

Short Report - 10/1

Grace and Peace to you friends. 

ANSWERED NEED

Last month I shared with you a building need that the Ibambula church had following the destruction of their building by heavy rains.  Thankfully the Huntington congregation has generously stepped in to provide for this need.  I share with you a note of thanks from Silvester Bahati, the preacher of the Ibambula congregation:

"We do thanks God together with you all who been touched to this need, and to decide to give out your money to help us to get permanent building of worship, may God bless you a lot.   I believe myself together with all Christians from Ibambula, we will make sure we are standing faithfully the building process of this building  be cause God has answered our long need prayers ."


STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

I want you to know a little bit about the men that you are helping to train for the ministry through your financial and spiritual support for this work.  So, I'm going to start including a "Student Spotlight" feature in the short reports to introduce a student to you. 

We'll start with CHOL DENG.  Chol is a bright 24 year old year old young man from South Sudan in our English-speaking program.  He was raised by a widowed mother in the Episcopal church, but converted in 2015.

In explaining why he wanted to study at the Andrew Connally School of Preaching, he said,  "I had a desire to know more about the Bible in order to improve my personal relationship with God and more importantly to be able to defend and answer any one that ask me for the reason of my faith. (1Peter 3:15-16) which I believed was possible in ACSOP.  The Andrew Connally School of Preaching (ACSOP) is a school well-spoken regarding their commitment to teach the sound doctrine of the biblical church hence the reason for choosing to study here."

After graduation, Chol plans to return to South Sudan to work with the congregation that entrusted him with the opportunity to seek this training.

Chol wants us to tell you that his "sincere gratitude goes to the donors for their tireless and unconditional support for the servants of the Lord and the school at large."

ON THE ROAD

At this time of year, many churches are working on their 2020 budgets.  We humbly request that you consider Tanzania Missions as a part of your missions budget planning.  In recent weeks I've been able to present the work to congregations in Texas, Oklahoma, Alabama, and Georgia.  Would you like for me to visit your congregation?  I have some openings available in November.  We do have a couple of stops in Virginia planned in November, so if you're in Virginia or West Virginia, then this would be a great time to get on the schedule!  


Till all have heard,

Daniel Gaines
Director
Tanzania Missions

Short Report 8/28

Grace and Peace to you friends. 

This week I'd like to give you an update on some building projects that have been undertaken by some of the congregations in Tanzania.  Construction loans are not really a thing in Tanzania, so building projects have to be done bit by bit as funding becomes available.  Just like Americans, Tanzanian churches desire to have a safe, dry place to worship that communicates permanence and legitimacy to their community.   A couple of our sister congregations have been able to take strides forward in their facilities thanks to help from some of you.

First, the Lulumbela congregation wishes to show appreciation for their new roof.



Meanwhile, the Kazibizyo congregation is thankful to have been able to put in a floor for their building, and a coat of paint on the outside.






Another congregation is in need of some help with their facility.  The Ibambula church's building was heavily damaged by rainstorms earlier this year (as pictured below).  They've made do for a few months like this, but now the local officials have ordered them to not use the building until it is repaired.  We're currently in the process of trying to determine how much it will cost to repair the facility



In other news, we had a productive week at Polishing the Pulpit.  One highlight of the week was the opportunity to participate in their missions fair.  We were able to talk to 16 groups of children about life and work in Tanzania.  Perhaps a seed of thought may have been planted in a few future missionaries and missions advocates.  







We do have a few dates open this fall if your congregation would like a visit.  Also, if you know of a another congregation that might be able to help with the work, then we would appreciate a reference.  

We hope that your day is very blessed!

Till all have heard,

Daniel Gaines
Director
Tanzania Missions

Short Report 8/12

Grace and Peace to you friends. 

I wanted to tell you about some of the things that have been taking place in Tanzania.  The church in Elk City, OK was unable to take their normal campaign trip this year so they decided to do something a little different.  They financially supported some of the churches on the east side of Arusha in conducting their own campaign.  So the Manyire, Maji ya Chai, Usa River, and Lerai congregations worked together to conduct 50 bible studies and 3 baptisms on their own.  

Also school has started back at the Andrew Connally School of Preaching.  We're thankful to Mark Phillips for recently teaching a course in our graduate program.  He had 6 students there working on their Masters degrees.

Meanwhile our brother, Yusuph, reports that the congregation at Ushirombo was able to turn tragedy into an opportunity for the gospel.  A death in the congregation led to the chance to distribute 500 tracts.  We pray those tracts find fertile soil.  The death was of a faithful widow who leaves behind 8 children.  The local congregation is trying their best to help with the needs of the children.  

In recent weeks I've had the opportunity to connect in person with churches in South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, and Kentucky.  I have a trip to Texas and Oklahoma planned for early September, and I would like to get to Virginia and West Virginia in early November.  If you would like for me to visit with your congregation, then I would love to make that happen!  Just reach out to me and we'll get you scheduled.

I'll also be at Polishing the Pulpit next week, so if you'd like to get together there to talk Tanzania, then that is also possible.  

Till all have heard,

Daniel Gaines
Director
Tanzania Missions

Short Report 7/25

Grace and Peace to you friends. 

I would like to begin by noting that they Maynard family's term in Tanzania has come to an end for now, and they have safely returned home.  Justin and Anna worked energetically over the past three years, and have made a significant impact on the work.  I want to express my appreciation for their efforts and sacrifices.  They are in the process of moving to south Alabama to work with the Spanish Fort congregation.  We wish them the very best in their ministry moving forward.  

Also the Duncan family has returned to the US for a well-earned furlough. We wish them safe travels, and look forward to their return to Tanzania later this year.  

Now I would like to share the following report from Charles Mwanga regarding this year's Safari for Souls campaigns:

 

"Safari for Souls (Journey for Souls)  the evangelistic effort done by the Churches of Christ in East Africa mainly hosted by The Church of Christ Tanzania Missions. This program brings people from all over East Africa and the United States of America for one goal, TO REACH THE LOST SOULS WITH THE TRUTH. Hundreds of Souls will one day be in heaven because of this program. This program has been in existence for over 19 years now.  The main purpose was to establish and grow the Arusha and Kilimanjaro congregations to become self- sustaining in their evangelistic efforts. As to what our late brother Cy used to say, “What God control, grows!” this effort has grown beyond measures. Hundreds of congregations has been established through this evangelistic effort.
 

"Through out years many groups have been coming from USA to help furthering the cause of Christ, for these past two years our focus have been the Kisongo Church of Christ. This year we have had groups from Central Church of Christ which is located in Augustus, Georgia, Hoover Church of Christ which is located at Birmingham, Alabama and Kensington Woods Church of Christ which is located in Hattiesburg, Mississippi (this group had two teams, the first one came early May and worked in Dodoma region and the second one came in the midst of June to the end of the month and worked at Kisongo area). Both these groups brought a total number of 32 workers who did a great job in the Kingdom.

"Through God’s help, we were able to conduct 105 bible studies, 35 Souls were added in His Kingdom, the local team is doing a great job on follow up, making sure that those who have obeyed the gospel remain faithful and also following up on those who are still interested on learning more. We have 30 active bible studies which are carefully followed.  The church here has classes for new converts to make sure that they are grounded in the Truth.

"We would like to that all those who makes these efforts possible, we know it requires money to run this program but furthermore it requires manpower. Thank you so much to brethren from both America and the Churches of Christ all over East Africa especially Tanzania for being part of this year. May the Lord of peace be with you all as you continue to serve Him. Glory be to His Name both now and forever."



Till all have heard,

Daniel Gaines
Director
Tanzania Missions

Short Report 7/8

Grace and Peace to you friends. We hope that you had a wonderful holiday weekend!  The intensity of campaign season is winding down, and some of the team will get a well deserved chance to catch their breath a little.  To read a good review of some of the campaign efforts, make sure to check out the Duncan family's recent blogpost: https://havegodwillgo.com/2019/06/30/summer-campaigns-in-the-winter/  Also, be sure to pray for them as they go on furlough.  In addition to the campaigns, I'm very proud of the effort and initiative that the local churches in the Ushirombo area gave to conducting their own area-wide seminar.  Yusuph, the local evangelist, described it this way: "In these seminar four souls has been added into the Church at Ushirombo. The number of attendees was 166 christians. Many thanks to the women who cooked the food for five days.  Also there was huge group of children the number was 58 and they had their studies. Some congregations contributed food rice and beans.” Let's continue to pray for these brethren and their efforts. Till all have heard, Daniel Gaines Director Tanzania Missions

Short Report 6/13

Grace and Peace to you friends. 

     In our May 5 short report we told you of the wonderful news of an entire wayward congregation at Imalamagigo that had been restored.  I'd like to follow up on that good news by reporting that this month that congregation continues to thrive with 10 new baptisms!  

     Meanwhile the campaigns are at full speed.  The Central church of Christ enjoyed a campaign with a focus on reaching "back-sliders" with the result of 30 wayward members returning to services and 8 baptisms.  

      Currently, groups from Kensington Woods and Hoover are working in Tanzania.  That includes Stephanie Stafford, Jeremiah Stafford and his daughter, Lennah,  Renee Galloway, Merri Bradford, Jenna Davenport, Sid and Lori Aultman with their family, April Winningham, Kyle Wadley, Tiffany Roberts, Harold and Donna Rhodes, Leah Covington, Eddie Sankey, and Merve Prince.  The groups are working together this week in Kisongo before some head over to Moshi this weekend.

    Let's be praying for the safety and effectiveness of all of these workers.  

     My recent fund-raising efforts have given me the chance to visit with good brethren at the Three Forks, Tyree Chapel, and Bridgeport churches of Christ.  Do you know of a congregation that would like a visit?  Let me know!

Till all have heard,

Daniel Gaines
Director
Tanzania Missions

Short Report 5/28

Grace and Peace to you friends. 

Campaign season is heating up and the work in Tanzania is set to enjoy a lot of guests in the coming weeks.  Tom Watkins from Hattiesburg, MS is there now, leading a group of four college students.  They have been doing some good work in Dodoma, the captial city of Tanzania. 

Meanwhile the group from the Central Church of Christ in Augusta, GA have arrived safely and will be focused in the Kisongo area, near the Andrew Connally School of Preaching. Join with me in praying for the safety and effectiveness of all of these workers.

Josephat brings us good news from the Kilimanjaro Bible School in Moshi.  A Muslim girl named Latifah, who has been taking classes at the school, was baptized last week, along with Rose, whose husband is already a member there.  We rejoice with the angels of this!

My reporting and fundraising efforts in the past couple of weeks have taken me to meet with wonderful brethren in:

• South Pittsburg, TN,
• Alvaton, KY
• Crittenden Drive in Russellville, KY
• Midway in Moulton, AL
• Hartsville, TN
• Beech Grove, TN

Please continue to pray with me about the fundraising efforts. Things are progressing well, but the mission is still about $6,450 per month away from meeting budget so we have a long way to go!  Jehovah jireh! 

Till all have heard,

Daniel Gaines
Director
Tanzania Missions