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