Grace and Peace to you friends.
I thought I'd start this report by sharing some thoughts written by my sweet wife, Tiffany. These were her reflections after a Children's seminar that we did in Maasai country. She has a way with words, and I think you'll be blessed by her thoughts:
"Living in a culture completely different from the one you grew up in is both a blessing and a curse. But probably not in the way you’d think. I did nothing to “deserve” being born into a free country full of opportunity and into a loving home with Christian parents. I am worth no more than any other soul walking this planet.
"There are many eye opening days on the mission field. Especially when you are there for an extended period. Normal everyday life becomes just that… no matter where you are. People love their families, try to earn a living, and seek out the meaning of life. That’s where we come in. We try to fill that hole with a sustaining God who loves them no matter their sin or situation in life. But some days… some days you shift out of the normal you’ve made for yourself on that mission field. You leave the village you live in and venture to a place where there’s a difference within the difference you already navigated.
"We did that yesterday. We drove to the middle of the bush where there was no road and only a friend to guide us. We arrived to a very few mamas and children cooking beans and rice over a small fire beneath a tree. Cooking over fire is nothing new for us. It’s very common here. After word spread that visitors had indeed come, people poured in from everywhere. While I couldn’t see a Boma (mud hut) within my view, well over 150 people came to join us in studying the Bible.
"The day had been advertised as a children’s seminar, and that is what we had, but as men and women also came we rode loose in the saddle and Daniel studied with a group of men under a tree as I conducted the seminar. We were fortunate to find a translator that knew English, Kiswahili, AND Kimassai (the tribal language of the people we visited). They still happily sang all of the songs I usually sing that are all in Kiswahili.
"I taught for over 2 hours with breaks for coloring making it around 3. During this time Daniel taught the men while sitting on a cinderblock. The children were very attentive. Although, there were a few mamas with switches in case someone faltered. (Took me back to the 80s)The mamas and Older Bibis were just as interested as the kids. They had big smiles while doing silly VBS songs and listened intently to the lessons about Jesus. When I passed out coloring activities there was excited chatter and giggles from all and they colored for the longest time, mamas too.
"While I teach Tanzanians frequently here, this is different. The Massai culture is very different from typical Tanzanians. The men have many wives (polygamy) and the wives and children do the work. They rise early and herd cattle as well as normal cooking/washing/cleaning/children chores. They build their own hut in a village called a Boma (collection of huts belonging to the Massai leader who is the husband of the tribe). The man can choose what wife he will go into or bring her to his hut. The children begin working young and many do not get to go to school. Their average life expectancy is only 45 years.
"As I taught I realized the urgency of what was happening. So few will ever come in contact with them to give them the word. THIS is what we have all been commissioned with. Giving the word to all the world. How can we reach them all?
"Together.
"The ladies cooking had about 20ish bowls for 150+ people. (My brain immediately thought… if I’d known or thought ahead… I should have brought some) But I didn’t. And they didn’t mind because that’s their custom. Kids ate in groups of 4-8 from one bowl and using their fingers. They were thrilled to have beans and rice and bananas. Normally their diet is ugali (a cornmeal dish like thick grits that they pinch off to eat.) The food ran low with the abundance of people and they finally served the bowl of mostly burned rice/beans that they had scraped from the bottom of the pan where the fire heats it too much. Those babies descended on it hungrily and thankfully. I again wished we had brought more food.
"I see a lot of things here that I will never speak of online. I respect the culture and the people here and would never ever want to do or say something they would find disrespectful. Unless the cultural issue is sinful, we will gladly participate in it and never want to act as if it is below us. Had we been born into a different culture then those things would be our norm as well. (And our family norm is very blurred as missionaries anyway.)
"Many assume, “They don’t have anything but they are so much happier than we are.” Nope. That’s something we tell ourselves to feel better about our own wealth. They would live in your house with your running water and electricity in a heartbeat. They would trade in long walks and crowded public transportation for your car immediately. When you see moments of laughter and smiles in photos from missionaries, don’t let it fool you into thinking these people all have easy and happy lives. Some do, some don’t. Just like home.
"While I couldn’t speak Massai, I greeted every person there and made sure to shake their hand or hug them and look them in the eye with a smile. Smiles are universal. Jesus is universal. I cannot change every aspect of their lives but I can teach them about Jesus.
"Sometimes these days are very uncomfortable for my own children. While people would love to believe that children do not see color, that’s not true at all. They definitely see it. They see differences in general. The language barrier is difficult for them just like it is for adults. The children in the villages will usually distance from my children until one is brave enough to go to them. Then a crowd will form and I have to watch for signs of overwhelm from my kids. I WANT them to see, to know, to understand the cultural differences. But I have to protect them as well. Many times kids will become too curious and comfortable and pull hair or stick their fingers in their mouths to see if they have teeth too. Some have been ugly in teasing them or throwing things at them. It’s more enjoyable to assume all kids are nice to each other regardless, but a myth nonetheless. Kids are kids no matter the culture. So, the kids who are taught not to be disrespectful and unkind aren’t and then those that aren’t taught… Sounds like home, huh? Those children that are taught are loving and my kids attach to them quickly and find ways to play. Gracie only sees friends and usually seeks out the Bibi’s first.
"My heart ached for hours after we left. I laid on my bed, sad and praying when I got home. Praying that seeds were planted. Praying that Jesus would be sought out. Praying that God would hear the pleas of the women and children in the Massai tribe and give them relief. It was a great day! Don’t misunderstand. But it was a day that reminded me sorely that there are so many in the world who do not know Jesus and His word and are willing to walk great distances to learn, sit on hard benches for hours, and eat from communal bowls of beans and rice.
"We are no better than they. God loves us just as He loves them. Lazarus looked down on the rich man from Abraham’s bosom, and the rich young ruler turned and walked away from Jesus. God blesses each in the way He sees fit, but how are we then using those blessings?
"I am basically pouring out stored up emotion. I am constantly in a state of guilt and shame for what I have, yet, enjoying my blessings as well. (Full transparency) If I didn’t have them I couldn’t share them. I know that if I miss Heaven, I miss everything. That goes for all of us, and I truly do want to take as many with me as I can." - Tiffany Gaines
I told you she had a way with words. Here are some pictures of that day for you to enjoy. The first one is my favorite. It shows my son, Josiah, leading singing in the background, while in the foreground a kind Maasai grandmother patiently lets my daughter play with her earrings.
We also did a children's seminar with the Kwa Morombo church shortly before we left. It was a great day with filled with children learning about Jesus! (below)
We traveled up to the northern boarder to worship with the Namanga church (below). They warmly received us and invited us to spend the afternoon meeting with their men about the church's business.
Then we spent our final Sunday of this trip with a new church plant in Meserani. The Kisongo church planted this congregation and has been working with them. This church is meeting in an unused school building, and is off to a good start. I look forward to seeing good things from them in the future.
I also wanted to share with you that the work in Tanzania was featured on a recent episode of the Soul Training Podcast. You can check it out On Apple Podcast or on your computer!
After a few wonderful months our family headed home. When we arrived in Nashville, the church van from the South Green Street Church of Christ was waiting to bring us home, where several of their members had stocked the house with a bill of groceries. This was especially appreciated as we developed a case of COVID while enroute and had to quarantine. We appreciate all of your prayers and support during all of this.
Right now the ACSOP students are back in session and Keith Kasarjin is there teaching a short course. Here's a picture of his class enjoying the new classroom:
Speaking of facilities, you can expect a future update to include the beautiful renovations to the library as well as progress on the water project at the school.
Also, let me introduce you to our brand new website: https://www.tanzaniamissions.com/ . Explore it a bit, and feel free to link it on your church websites under works you support.
My reporting schedule for the year is filling up, but I do have some dates available in October. Let me know if you'd like for me to visit your congregation, and we'll make it happen!
Till all have heard,
Daniel Gaines
Mission Coordinator
Tanzania Missions |
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