July Short Report

 

Grace and Peace to you friends.  Last month was a big month for the work in Tanzania.  We were blessed to have quite a few visiting Americans working in the Arusha area.  Mike Benson taught a course at Andrew Connally School of Preaching.  Groups from Henderson, TN and Elk City, OK did seminars and Bible studies. There were at least 28 baptisms that resulted from the these efforts.  Several of the visitors have been kind enough to share their reactions to their time in Tanzania.  You can read them below:

Harold and Lana Pirtle: We went.  We saw. We’re in! Lana and I both had the opportunity to go to Tanzania over the past several weeks.  The purpose of the trip was for us to see, first hand, the need for Jesus and how responsive Tanzanians are to the preaching the Gospel.  So we went.  It took nearly 2 days to get there; from Jacks Creek to Nashville, from Nashville to JFK International Airport, from JFK to Amsterdam, Netherlands, from Amsterdam to Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, and from Kilimanjaro to Kisongo, Tanzania, a district on the outskirts of Arusha.  That’s a LOOONG trip but it has turned out to be one of the best experiences we have ever experienced.  Now to what we saw. We saw the hustle and bustle of a preaching school, Andrew Connally School of Preaching, with staff and students full of love and zeal for God and His word.  I actually had the opportunity to help my dear friend and brother, Mike Benson, teach a class in 1, 2 and 3 John.  The students are absolutely amazing and they captured our hearts.  You could see from their faces how anxious they were to listen and learn!   We saw a group of students and a faculty member from FHU so excited to go out and spread the good news of Jesus to perfect strangers.  Their excitement was contagious! We saw a grandfather bring his grandson to do mission work for a week and safari for a week as a graduation gift to his grandson.  Their zeal for the Lord was truly refreshing and encouraging. We saw staff members of ACSOP that went over and beyond to make us feel comfortable and loved. We saw our interpreter, a young man of 35 years, become so close to our hearts he now calls us mom and dad and we call him son. We saw the Tanzanian people anxious to learn the bible with over 24 obeying the Gospel. We saw a new convert cry simply by giving him a Bible. We saw the hearts of Muslims, Catholics, Pentecostals, Lutherans, and Seventh Day Adventists change when they learned the simple truth of Christ’s church. We saw an alcoholic obey the Gospel and persuade his alcoholic friend to do the same. We saw the hospitality of our Tanzanian brethren welcome us into their homes to eat with them. We saw little children in an orphanage being provided for by two brothers in Christ (who have very little themselves). It reminded us of the impoverished brethren in Macedonia giving much, even beyond their means, to support other brethren in need (II Cor. 8:1-5). How could we, who have so much, NOT give as well? And we heard some of the most beautiful singing, hearts full of the joy of Christ. And, as an added bonus, we saw some of the most beautiful country and animals one can only imagine while on safari during the closing 2 days of our trip.  Something we will never forget. Yes, we saw and we’re in!  You can expect to see more from God as He works through us to spread the Gospel and help with the needs of the people in Tanzania.   To God be the Glory!

Freed-Hardeman University Student Campaign Dr. Neil Richey It was a great pleasure to journey to Tanzania this summer with five Freed-Hardeman University (FHU) students and two members of the West Side church in Salem, VA. As a FHU sponsored trip our goal was to reinforce the importance of learning to serve God in a global community regardless of our students’ educational background and future professional aspirations. This group spent three weeks working in Kisongo and Arusha. The work involved leading two children seminars, two mental health seminars, and one on the Holy Spirit. Our students made more than 60 visits to community members to offer encouragement, prayers, and Bible studies. During their time there, more than 25 Africans were baptized into Christ, becoming Christians. In addition to their work with local churches of Christ, the students had the opportunity to engage the culture and witness some of the wonders of God's creation while participating in two safaris. They toured Arusha National Park and the beautiful landscape of Mount Meru, seeing several amazing animals roaming in their natural habitat. The group also traveled to the Ngorongoro Crater—the world's largest inactive volcano. There, they traveled over the volcano's rim, into the lush grass area that has become one of the homes to Africa's Big Five—leopard, lion, African buffalo, elephant, and rhinoceros. One final treat before leaving Tanzania was a beautiful view of the tallest free-standing mountain in the world—Mount Kilimanjaro. Among the many wonderful experiences of this trip the group fostered meaningful connections with church members and individuals within the community. It was a special treat to share meals in the homes of local brethren Charles and Ahimidiwe. This was a highlight for all. The impact of the trip was significant, with the students gaining valuable experiences and the local African community expressing their appreciation for the group's presence. The exchange was mutually enriching, with both parties eagerly anticipating future interactions and collaborations. In closing, three students provided brief testimonials of their trip: Aurora Tennant (photography major) stated, “This project expanded my knowledge of cultural and spiritual matters. At the beginning of the trip, I had limited experience with cultures in 3rd world countries and a spiritual foundation I was eager to build on. I have had the opportunity to grow tremendously spiritually. Our group of women was tasked with the responsibility to plan, prepare, and conduct two children’s seminars spread out over the course of our three-week visit.  Additionally, I participated in daily home Bible studies at two congregations. This is where I think I have grown the most in my confidence to lead and conduct personal studies. As the designated photographer, this project has provided me with ample portfolio and experience working in a different culture with a group, being responsible for documenting the journey.” Another student, Cy Warren (missions and music major) shared, “Finding words to describe such an incredible and rewarding trip is difficult. Spending three weeks in Africa evangelizing, teaching and fellowshipping has been a great blessing in my life. I was privileged to be able to work with a Christian team and build godly relationships with them. While working with the local churches in Kisongo and Arusha I was able to make an impact in the community and make new friends with the brethren. During this trip, I was reminded of how blessed we are in the US and how content I should be with my life. While studying the Bible with the locals I grew more confident in my ability to share the gospel. While on safari I was continually amazed by the beauty of God's creation. This trip was unforgettable and it would be almost impossible to share all the wonderful things that come out of this experience. If the Lord wills I will return at the earliest opportunity.” A third student, Daniel Guthrie said, “Tanzania is one of the most amazing countries I have ever visited to work with the Church. I encourage anyone who wants to work in a mission field to see what the Lord is doing in this place, it will be a life changing experience and you will always want to go back. The members of the Church are so hospitable. The people in Tanzania are so interested in Truth it warms my heart every time I think about the work there. I remember the studies we were able to conduct in houses, at places of work, and sometimes just sitting in the dirt. It doesn't matter what the place is, the Tanzanians truly are people who hunger and thirst for righteousness, and they shall be filled with the Word of God. Amen”

I had the opportunity to teach a course on Leadership in the Home and Community to the first class of students in the Cy Stafford School of Leadership. This school was Cy’s last vision for the work here, and it is incredibly exciting to see it finally coming to fruition as this first group approaches completion of their courses of study.

Harold and Lana Pirtle collected and brought 5 suitcases full of school supplies to give to the local children on behalf of the churches of Christ. Each child received a little backpack filled with school supplies and some biblical material. The kids were very grateful!

Some sweet girls from the South Green St. Church made a bunch of “pillowcase dresses” to send with me to Tanzania.  Some sweet girls in Tanzania happily received those dresses.  They were distributed to children who attended a children’s seminar at Kisongo.

There are so many wonderful things going on in the Lord’s work in Tanzania.  It is exciting to be associated with such a wonderful work.  Thank you for being partners through your prayers, encouragement, and financial support.  May God be with us and we work together for His cause! Till all have heard, Daniel Gaines Mission Coordinator Tanzania Missions