November Short Report

 

Grace and Peace to you friends.  I hope that you are all enjoying this time of year.  I did want to take the opportunity to share with you an update about our recent graduation at the Andrew Connally School of Preaching.  Ahimidiwe Kimaro shares this description with us:    ACSOP GRADUATION REPORT          “ I would like to give thanks to God and every one that is reading this report. I would like to share with you a short blessing that God blessed us with through you. The eighteenth of this month was a great day after over five hundred people showed up for the graduation of our successful graduates. This year we had twenty one graduates students from the Andrew Connally School of Preaching. Apart from that we had seven graduates from sister school which  under the church also, Kisongo Bible school and Arusha Bible school. We thank brother Sid Aultman who came representing the Hoover church and all brothers and sisters who are dearly supporting this school. We thank brother Sid for His great speech as keynote speaker. Please read the small quote from the reception schedule which was spoken by school director.            ‘On behalf of the staff and faculty of the Andrew Connally School of Preaching, we would like to express our appreciation for your attendance at this year’s graduation ceremony. As this group of graduates makes the transition from the safety of the classroom to the battlefield for souls we ask that you join us in praying for their continued faithfulness and diligence in the Lord’s Kingdom. The task before them is the most noble and yet the most difficult.            ‘We also want to take the opportunity to offer our gratitude to the hundreds of brethren that have sacrificed their time and their money to fund every aspect of this school. We operate 100% by the contributions of brethren who love and care about the Kingdom. We thank God for their selflessness.’ “One of the graduates is an elder from Temeke church in Dar es Salaam. The church is benefited by her leaders seeking  more  knowledge from the respected school. The elder from Temeke is one of the elders that helped the church to go next level in Dar es Salaam. When I was interviewing him I realized there is a great growth in him and he testified that there are many good new things that he learned from school.    “Also we enjoyed having one of the graduates coming to us from the Bear Valley Bible Institute in Denver. We are honored that Bear Valley school in Denver has trusted us to continue and enhance the educational experiences of two of their students this semester.  In this case Naomi Racine gradated and was able to walk with our regular students.  Another BVBI student, Gabriel Nichols, also joined us for a portion of his education.  We love having these international partnerships. “Please in your daily prayers remember us and this work,  thank you very much for reading and supporting this work.” I appreciate these good words from Ahimidiwe.  As we wrap up another school year, I’d also like to take the opportunity to thank our directors of the school of preaching (Ahimidiwe and Charles), as well as our bible school directors (Desdery, Shadrack, and Josephat) for their work in leading our schools.  I am thankful for their service and efforts.  While I’m offering thanks, let me also mention gratitude for the Hoover church for their oversight and dedication to the work, and Bear Valley for their academic partnership.  We’re all thankful for YOU, the supporters and interested parties who offer prayers, financial support, and encouragement!  Most of all, we’re thankful for our Lord who gives us purpose and hope.  May all things be done for His glory! Till all have heard, Daniel Gaines Mission Coordinator Tanzania Missions

Donations Can Be Made Out To: "Hoover Church of Christ" - be sure to mention TANZANIA MISSIONS in the Memo line and  Send To: 3248 LORNA RD. HOOVER, AL 35216

October Short Report

 

Grace and Peace to you friends.  I hope this note finds you well.  It’s been a busy time in Tanzania, and I wanted to give you an update.  Let me begin with this message from Charles Mwanga, one of the directors of the Andrew Connally School of Preaching (see pictures below): “Every commandment which I command you today you must be careful to observe, that you many live and multiply, and go in and possess the land of which the Lord swore to your fathers. And you shall remember that the Lord your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not…….” (Deut. 8:1-3). The Lord God talking to His people whom He has brought from the bondage in Egypt, Is warning His people to REMEMBER HIM, since He is the source of their success. The book of Deuteronomy was the main text for our conference this year. ‘The theme of the conference was: Leading God’s People God’s Way in Preparation for the Promised Land.  The Main Point: ‘God’s people are being called to choose covenant faithfulness; the people’s ancestors had a history of choosing the world over God. Thus, Moses explains the Torah in an effort to convince the people to dedicate their lives to God as they prepare to enter the land of Canaan (Deuteronomy 1:1-5). In short, God’s people are to know there is a right and wrong way to live. ‘Twenty one topics were powerfully presented, We thank the Almighty God for His grace and mercy, nothing could have been accomplished if it was not through Him, We thank speakers from both, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and United States. They did a very great job on preparation and presentation of their topics, may the Lord continue to bless them beyond measure. ‘More that 200 participants from the above mentioned, countries without forgetting the body of our wonderful students from first and second year classes. For sure it has been a successful event of the year for the glory of God. ‘We would also like to take this opportunity to thank all those who have been supporting this work, either through prayers, finances or even sharing what is going on in the Lord’s Church here in Tanzania to other people with brotherhood so that much can be accomplish. THANK YOU SO MUCH. ‘Please continue to pray for the Lord’s work here in Tanzania so that much can continue to be done for His glory, both Glory and Honor belong to Him now and forever! Amen.” In addition to TLC, we’ve had several visitors working in Tanzania.  Denton Landon has been here working hard teaching in the Masters program and in the Cy Stafford School of Leadership.  Meanwhile, Brian Horner, Diane Richardson, and Mary Gingerich are here doing some evangelism and a series of children’s seminars at Ilkiurei, Arusha, and Moshi.   There’s also some visitors from Hattiesburg, including  Cy and Stephanie Stafford’s grown sons (Paul and Jeremiah) visiting in Moshi.  We love having American’s come and work in various areas of Tanzania.  They’re a real boost to what’s going on.  Why don’t you get a group to together from your congregation and form a campaign team?  I’d be happy to talk to you about that. Let me also offer a little reminder about the Tanzania Legacy Fund, our recently launched endowment fund to secure the long-term future of the school of preaching.  We’re off to a good start, but there is a long way to go.  Know anyone who would like to help? Till all have heard, Daniel Gaines Mission Coordinator Tanzania Missions

Donations Can Be Made Out To: "Hoover Church of Christ" - be sure to mention TANZANIA MISSIONS in the Memo line and  Send To: 3248 LORNA RD. HOOVER, AL 35216

September Short Report

 

Grace and Peace to you friends.  Today I want to share with you a couple of messages from some of our faculty at the Andrew Connally School of Preaching.  Let’s start with this 5 minute video from Ahimidiwe Kimaro, one of the directors of the school.  I hope that you’ll enjoy his tour of some of the updated facilities on our campus. Next, here’s an update from Michael Losotwa, our Dean of Academics: “I hope this message finds you in good health and high spirits. It is my privilege to present to you the latest report on the activities of the Andrew Connally School of Preaching (ACSOP) since it reopened on August 12, 2023. We have embarked on our journey of education and are adhering to our 2023 Teaching Schedule. “Commencing on Monday, August 14, 2023, we have entered the Third Quarter of our curriculum, which will extend until September 29, 2023. Following this, we are excited to announce the commencement of two short courses from September 18, 2023, to September 29, 2023. “For our first-year students, we have initiated the following long courses: 1 Corinthians The Gospel of Luke Old Testament 3: Study of the History: Joshua-Ruth Old Testament 3a: A Study of Wisdom Literature: Job Writing Skills II “Upon the completion of these courses, we will transition to two short courses: Prison Epistles: Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon World Religions and Cults “Moving on to our second-year students, we have initiated the following long courses: Mark Hebrews Greek III Minor Prophets I: Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, and Micah Major Prophets: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel “After the completion of these long courses, two short courses will follow: Foundation of Missions in the New Testament 1 and 2 Thessalonians “As we wrap up all these courses within this quarter, we will transition into the fourth and final quarter of this academic year. We are profoundly grateful to every one of you for your unwavering prayers and support, both spiritually and materially, for the success and growth of ACSOP. Our heartfelt thanks go to our generous sponsors, who contribute their resources to ensure that the institution's essential needs are met. “Through our dedication to education and spiritual development, we continue to equip young and old men with the tools they need to become strong spiritual servants. Our ultimate goal is to see them carry the gospel of Jesus Christ forward, nourishing and growing the church both spiritually and physically in every corner of the world. “Thank you for your continued commitment to the ACSOP.” In other areas of the work, the Meserani congregation is enjoying their new baptistry and wanted me to pass along their thanks for making it possible.   I also want to solicit your prayers for the upcoming Tanzania Leadership Conference, hosted at ACSOP.  This is a major annual event for us, and we expect to host church leaders from all over East Africa.  Pray that everyone will have safe travels and will be edified by our studies together. Till all have heard, Daniel Gaines Mission Coordinator Tanzania Missions Donations Can Be Made Out To: "Hoover Church of Christ" - be sure to mention TANZANIA MISSIONS in the Memo line and  Send To: 3248 LORNA RD. HOOVER, AL 35216

Short Report - August

 

Grace and Peace to you friends.  Recently one of the elders from the Hoover Church of Christ, who oversees the work in Tanzania, returned from participating in a campaign there.  I consider the work very blessed to have representation from the eldership actively involved in the work.  Brother Harold Rhodes has been to Tanzania several times now and has seen and experienced the work and the people firsthand.  I thought it would be good for you to hear his perspective, so I asked him to share some reflections from his recent visit.  He graciously complied.  Here’s what he had to say:      “This phase of the Safari for Souls Mission was focus on four areas of work. 1. Restocking the Library at ACSOP, 2. Organizing A Clothing Closet, 3. Widows Encouraging Program, 4. Teaching at the three Bible Schools (Kisongo, Arusha, and Kilimanjaro).      “The members representing Hoover Church of Christ were Harold Rhodes, Sid Aultman, Donna Rhodes, and Deebe Taylor. The first full day of the mission was dedicated to unloading the shipping container which was used to ship over new books for the library, clothing items for the clothes closet, tables and chairs for the library, new song books, computers with desks and chairs, and many other items for the library as well as items for families in Tanzania.     “The group, including several sisters and brothers from Tanzania, spent four full days rearranging the book shelves into Old Testament books and commentaries in alphabetical order while separating older books from the newer material. The same steps were taken to organize the New Testament commentaries as with the Old Testament. Careful consideration was given to organize research in locating the material, sitting area for study, and a computer workstation, with a check-outstation. The finished product will rival any library in Tanzania, and I am confident the students will be surprised, and proud of this improved facility.       “Before leaving Arusha and returning to the States, the ladies unpacked and organized a clothes closet for the families in Tanzania who have a need. The closet consists of clothes for men, women, and children of all ages, as well as shoes in all sizes. The shelves are also organized with toiletries and health items.There are sections for babies, men, and women.  If there is a need by any church member, the good will clothes closet will be a blessing from God for them.      “One of the most impactful works in Tanzania is the Encouragement Program in which our ladies visit the widows, and women who are freed from sex trafficking. The Encouragement Program consists of carrying food that will feed the family for a month, providing time for the widows to become self-sustaining. The message reveals God’s love for them and how God sometime uses people to answer their cry for help. The women, after delivering the food and Bible Study, sing songs and spend time in fellowship with each widow. Pictures are taken, phone numbers are exchanged and a Christian connection is made, and a reunion is experienced on Sunday at church.      “The women who have escaped the trap of being trafficked for sex, are now a part of the sewing machine program that provides a new way of supporting themselves financially. This encouragement is to give support and see the quality products being made for sale at the market. A Bible Study is shared, and the same loving friendship is developed as the women develop a Christian relationship. The point here again is to share the love of Christ, and encourage the women to continue to trust God, and know He answers prayers.      “I introduced the Book of Romans in two classes at the three bible schools. In the Kisongo School we had 11, and last week one of the students gave his life toChrist. The Kisongo School has baptized over 15 students the last two years, and their students are active in evangelism. At the Arusha Bible School we had4 students, and we took a detour from teaching The Book of Romans to explain to two of the students how it was unlikely that they were called to be Apostles.We had them to read scripture and explained what they just read from scripture, and the scriptural definition of an Apostle. They concluded they were called to the ministry and we encouraged them to complete the two years at Arusha BibleSchool, and continue to work towards a Bible degree.    “At the Kilimanjaro Bible School in Moshi, there were Pentecostal ministers in the class. These men had their own churches, but were not students of the Bible. Asa matter of fact, two graduate students from ACSOP, Tumaini and Evans, converted these two ministers to the gospel. These two men have gone back to their congregations and baptized several of their members and are now teaching the truth. I am proud of the work that Tumaini and Evans are doing in Moshi, and what a great Testament to ACSOP that their students are converting ministers of a different faith, to the Church of Christ.      “Overall this was the most rewarding mission of the five we have been on in Tanzania.The love shared with our sisters and brothers in Tanzania is amazing.” In Christ, Harold I very much appreciate brother Harold’s insights and involvement.  Exciting times continue in Tanzania as the students are expected to report back to school next week.  We look forward to their return to the classroom to continue their evangelistic training!  Join us in prayer for their safe return and effective studies. I’d also like to remind you of our ongoing effort to build an endowment fund to support the Andrew Connally School of Preaching.  Would you like to be a part of the Legacy Fund?   Till all have heard, Daniel Gaines Mission Coordinator Tanzania Missions

Donations Can Be Made Out To: "Hoover Church of Christ" - be sure to mention TANZANIA MISSIONS in the Memo line and  Send To: 3248 LORNA RD. HOOVER, AL 35216 Copyright (C) 2023 Bear Valley Bible Institute International. All rights reserved. Your are receiving this email because you were part of CY STAFFORD'S TANZANIA SHORT REPORT list of email contacts OR because you have requested to receive e-mail updates.

Short Report 6/22

 

Grace and Peace to you friends.  School is out for the summer, but that just means that things get even busier in Tanzania.  A break for our students signals the beginning of a busy campaign season full of overlapping visitors.  A group from Kensington Woods traveled to Tanzania to do some work in Namanga and with our teammates, the Staffords, over in Moshi.  Right after that, ACSOP hosted a group of students from Faulkner that came to campaign in the Kisongo area.  Before they left, Brad Whinery from Oklahoma and his grandson, Kyron, came to assist in a campaign with the Lerai congregation.  Just before they returned home, a large group from Northport came to do work with the Mtu wa Mbu congregation.  These campaigns have resulted in well more than 20 baptisms just in the past three weeks.  Why don’t you organize a group from your congregation to campaign in Tanzania too?  We’d love to have you! Meanwhile, Tiffany and I were there to assist with some of the campaigning, but also to do some of the annual good will tour.  Faculty from ACSOP attempt to visit the  home congregations of each of our students at least once during their two years of training.  This gives us the chance to improve relationships between the school and the local brotherhood, better understand our students’ circumstances, recruit more students, and identify other needs that the congregations may have.  Additionally, these trips allow us to check up on some building projects that have we have undertaken across the country.   On this particular trip, we had the opportunity to do a seminar for the Mwanza Mwankiaga congregation.  This church has been meeting under a tree for the past two years.  They arranged to use a school house for our two-day seminar, which was well attended.  I spoke to the church about having the strength to be different from the world around us.  Meanwhile, Tiffany coached the women on techniques for teaching the Bible to children.  Having become better aware of their situation, we made a Facebook appeal, and you responded.  We look forward to being able to purchase land and build them a permanent building soon. Ahimidiwe and I also did a seminar at the Mahhahhaa congregation.  They were so thankful that they rewarded us with Maasai shukas and a live chicken.  It was a great time of fellowship and spiritual growth. Thank you so much for your prayers, support, and encouragement.  It takes a lot of good people working together to keep these good things going.  Thank you for being a part of it! Till all have heard, Daniel Gaines Mission Coordinator Tanzania Missions

Sid Aultman briefs the Faulkner group before they go out campaigning

The group from Northport gather for a meal at Ahimidiwe’s house

Tiffany and Happy teach the women in Mwanza

Sunday Morning in Mwanza Kids Class in Mwanza

Seminar at Mahhahhaa

The new buildings at Meserani and Mirerani

Brad and Kyron

Donations Can Be Made Out To: "Hoover Church of Christ" - be sure to mention TANZANIA MISSIONS in the Memo line and  Send To: 3248 LORNA RD. HOOVER, AL 35216