A Tribute to Cy Stafford

Cy Stafford - My brother, my fellow worker, my fellow soldier, and my hero in the faith.

     In Philippians 2, Paul writes about a man named Epaphroditus.  He describes Epaphroditus as "my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier."  Paul admonishes the Philippians to "hold men like him [Epaphroditus] in high regard."  In other words, this is the type of man who is worthy of honor, admiration, and respect.  This type of man is a hero.

     Our modern world tells us to admire actors, singers, and athletes.  These are the people that children dream of being.  Our world admires those who make the most money, for these are the ones that society deems "successful."  Parents dream of this type of success for their children, so that they can have "better" lives than the parents did.  

     I suggest to you that the world needs more heroes like Epaphroditus.  We also need to identify men and women in our midst that are already like Epaphroditus, and honor them.  We need to point them out to our children as role models.  Friends, we have just lost one such man.  Cy Stafford has indeed been a modern-day brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier to the Apostle Paul and to our Lord Jesus Christ.  

     Cy has spent about 23 years as a missionary in Tanzania, Africa.  He loves Tanzania dearly.  I can't count the number of times that I heard him smile and say, "Ah, this is my favorite time of day in Africa!"  He would say this regardless of what time of day it was because he loves them all!  He would just take in stride the things that infuriated other missionaries about life in Africa with a shrug and a "T.I.A." ("this is Africa).  Cy often describes Tanzania as "the last, best place on Earth."  That's how he truly views it.  

     Along the way, he has impacted countless souls on both sides of the Atlantic.  His impact on the church in East Africa is immeasurable.  In addition to the evangelism that he directly participated in, he founded the Andrew Connally School of Preaching.  This school has graduated almost 150 preachers and church leaders that are making the Lord's church a strong force in the region.  He has provided such tremendous, irreplaceable leadership and vision to the churches there.

     However, his impact goes far beyond conversion numbers.  There is no modern man more beloved by the brethren in northern Tanzania than Cy Stafford.  The difference he has made in their personal lives is incalculable.  His loss will be felt passionately by the christians there.

     Though he is an African missionary, he has also made a great difference to so many people in America.  The outpouring of loving messages and prayer requests that have flooded social media over the past year+ is a testament to that.  I've rarely encountered someone who seemed to mean so much to so many.  When people spend time with him, they walk away from the encounter with their faith strengthened and their evangelistic zeal increased.  It seems everyone has a favorite Cy story or quote.  The Wizard of Oz told the Tin Man, "A heart is not judged by how much you love; but by how much you are loved by others."  By that standard, Cy Stafford had a very great heart indeed.  

     Cy Stafford has made a huge difference in my life.  He is the man responsible for making me a Tanzanian missionary, and for teaching me how to fill that role.  He very patiently worked on me over the course of a decade, but finally succeeded in getting us to Arusha.  Any good that I did as a missionary is in large part a result of Cy's influence.  By his gracious example, he taught me the value of hospitality.  He is my mentor and friend.  He is my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier.  I will miss him dearly.  

     Though Cy is uncomfortable with receiving honor, and he always seeks to deflect attention away from himself, he has been a man that we should hold "in high regard."  This is the type of person that parents should hope their children grow up to be.  

     We thought we'd lost him over a year ago, but this miracle man persevered despite all odds.  We praise and thank God for the additional time that he granted our brother Cy on this earth.  However, the time to be selfish with Cy is passed.  He has gone on to receive great rewards and to forever be free of pain and suffering.  Now join with me in prayer for his sweet wife, Stephanie, and the rest of the family and friends that he leaves behind.  

Short Report - Feb 7

Daniel addresses the Njiro Chini congregation while Elly translates

Tiffany teaches the children's Bible class

Anybody remember using a fan during church?  The practice is back on this sweltering Sunday!

Greetings fellow workers,

     The rains are falling here in Africa.  The grass is green and the flowers are blooming.  It is truly a beautiful time of year to be here in this portion of God's creation.

     The Gaines family is safely back in Tanzania, and back in the groove.  Furlough was great, but it feels good to be back in the field.  We've missed this place and its wonderful people.

     The new school year begins tomorrow.  Students are shaking off the cobwebs of from their break and preparing to resume their studies.  We look forward to welcoming in a fresh class of Swahili students who are eagerly beginning the journey that their predecessors just completed.  One of the great joys of this work is knowing that it is never finished.  We have yet to run out of willing men who are seeking to strengthen their service to God, and the kingdom here is blessed for it.

     On a more somber note, our beloved brother, Cy Stafford, continues to have serious health problems.  It seems that one day brings bad news, but the next brings rays of hope.  During this turbulent time, a schedule for fasting and prayers of intervention has been organized.  We invite you to participate in this to whatever degree you would like.

Fasting Schedule:
-Bear Valley: February 1-10
- Churches of East Africa: February 11-21
- U.S. churches: February 22 - March 1

     Thank you brothers for your prayers and support.  This work wouldn't be possible without the participation of good people like you.

Till all have heard...

Daniel Gaines

Short Report - Jan 30

Greetings Fellow Servants,

We praise God continually from whom all blessings flow.  God's laborers continue to work the vineyards and fruit is being yielded.

Justin and Anna Maynard share this report about our growing farm project:

This month the farm has really grown. We extended our cow house to make room for new babies.  We were able to get it finished just in time and it was ready the day our first calf, Ruby, was born.  We should have two more calves due in the coming months.  Personally, we added two goats (male and female) to our project.  We raised dairy goats in the States and we want to see how successful they are here.  We will add this element to what we teach the preaching students.  If successful, dairy goats would be great for those needing to provide milk for themselves and their families but don’t have enough room or finances available for a cow. Also we have been in the process of adding 10 new beds to our already existing 20 small beds and 1 acre worth of double dig raised beds. Finally we are thankful that we were able to harvest beans this week.  The short rains here have still not stopped. Many of our surrounding farms lost all they had to excess rain. The Lord blessed us with a good crop of beans that we were able to harvest right before the rains destroyed most of the bean crops in the Kisango area.  

The Maynards have been doing a tremendous work with us and have been a Godsend during this chaotic time.  

Gary Fallis is currently in Arusha teaching a short course at ACSOP.  Anita Davidson will be coming soon to do some work also.  Also my family and I (Daniel and Tiffany Gaines and children) will be returning to Tanzania on Monday.  Please keep these travels and efforts in your prayers.

As you know, we've been requesting prayers on behalf of our brother, Cy Stafford.  As of writing, he is still in very serious condition and fighting for his life.  Please be relentless in your prayers on his behalf. 

Your partnership in the work in Tanzania is very greatly appreciated.  It is amazing what can be accomplished when God's people work together for His glory around the globe.  

Till all have heard...

Daniel Gaines

Short Report - Jan 20, 2016

Greetings Fellow Servants,

As you might know, Cy Stafford has been undergoing treatments for aggressive leukemia.  His situation became very serious, very quickly.  At one point he actually coded, and was resuscitated.  The doctors gave him a 10% chance of surviving, and serious end-of-life decisions were being discussed by those close to him.  However, prayer-warriors all around the globe began crowding the throne of God with fasting and prayer.   Our mighty and gracious God heard those prayers and Cy has shown startling progress.  His white cell counts have risen, he's off of dialysis, and free from the ventilator. It has been so faith-affirming to follow his situation.  As we say in Tanzania, Mungu ni mwema! (God is good!)

While we praise God for His good response to our prayers, we recognize that Cy still has a long way to go.  Don't let up in your efforts to petition our heavenly Father to intervene for our beloved brother.  Cy has a rich reward waiting for him later, but there is still so much good work for him to do here :-) 

Now some news from the field:

One of our alumni, Geoffrey Nyaboga, reports that he has been a part of a new church plant that has seen 24 souls added to the body of Christ already.  More and more are coming all of the time.  In fact, others have charged these workers as being evangelism machines because of their tireless efforts for the cause of Christ.

Our brother, David Bayi, of the Kioga congregation reports: "This year we have two baptism,my daughter as non as Sarah obeyed the gospel,and also there is one guy his is Emanuel obeyed the gospel  it was January 3 the last Sunday .
The attendance on Sunday was 107 including kids,the middle week the attendance are 35-38."

The Gaines family will conclude furlough and head back to Tanzania in less than two weeks.  Please offer a prayer for their safe and smooth travel.  

Until all have heard,

 

Daniel Gaines