COVID Relief for Tanzania

Grace and peace to you friends.  Some of you may have been wondering about the situation being created by COVID-19 in Tanzania.  You know it is creating hard times all over the globe.  Travel and gathering restrictions are causing people not to be able to work, as people in America have become well familiar.  However, some countries are not set up as well for telecommuting and government aid.   Tanzania has had to essentially close its boarders and has prohibited all gatherings of more than 10 people.  The exception to this restriction at this point is for church services.  Churches are still allowed a one-hour gathering for worship only.  Between the health care system of a developing nation, and the fragile economy that will suffer devastation from protective shutdowns, there are hard times coming for many of our Tanzanian brothers and sisters. Things are hard everywhere, so I won't request much from you today.  I'm asking you to consider a small additional gift of just $10 to buy food for some of the Tanzanian churches to distribute to needy individuals who have not been able to work due to COVID restrictions.  If 100 of you send $10, then we'll be able to buy $1,000 worth of basic foods to help keep meals on the table for these families.  Every penny collected in this drive will go towards relief for these congregations, whether we collect $100 or $10,000.    You can make your donation HERE. Thank you friend.  May God be with you. Till all have heard, Daniel Gaines Director Tanzania Missions

Short Report 4/7

Grace and Peace to you friends.       So much of our world is gripped in fear, and countless lives have been disrupted.  People are confused about where they can go for help, or at least for accurate information about what's going on.   At least one bible student in the Kioga area has been delaying the baptism that he needs because of his fear that COVID-19 might be waterborne.  Fear is a powerful thing, and this current climate presents a great many challenges for us all to face..  However, there are also wonderful opportunities for the gospel.  The evangelists that we work with in Tanzania have reported no less than 31 baptisms this month!      People need Jesus as much as ever, and the opportunities are there if our eyes are open to them.  For example, our brother Kashumba went to Mwanza to teach an agriculture program that he does to help various communities.  While there, the uncooperative weather extended his trip.  So, of course, he used the extra rain-delay time for evangelism, baptizing 3 people.  While he was at it, he helped establish a new congregation in the village of Kalebezo in the Sengerema district.  That congregation is up to 10 members now, and is meeting in a member's home.  You can see Kashumba and the new Christians in the picture below.      Sometimes I tell you about efforts that are being made to reach the children in various areas.  This week a story from brother Yusuph illustrates why that matters.  For the past year, a 5-year old little girl has been attending bible class at the Ushirombo church.  The little girl continually invited her mother to come along with her.  Finally, the mother acquiesced and has been attending worship for the past 3 months.  I received word just the other day that this mother has now been baptized!         We pray that the Lord of harvest will continue to send great fruit, along with the reapers needed to do the work.  Speaking of workers, let me close by sharing the spotlight with another one of our students at the Andrew Connally School of Preaching (BVBII-Arusha):   STUDENT SPOTLIGHT:  Luka Lubange        "I am Luka Lubange, student of ACSOP, second year. It is my prayers that God helps us to graduate at the end of this year. I was born in 1985 to a Christian family where both of my parents are members of the Lord’s church. My father’s name is Lusekelo Lubange,a Preacher at Chimala/Mbeya since 1986. I and my wife are members of Airport church of Christ in Mbeya Town. I have two children.      "The main reason for me to be trained to ACSOP is to get the knowledge of preaching and teaching the  Bible to other people, so to fulfill the great commission of Jesus Christ (Mk 16:15-16;Matt.28:18-20). And I think this school provides the knowledge I need that comes from God.      "My goal after graduating is to go back to the congregation where I came from to preach the Gospel and to help the Mbeya Bible school which is under our congregation. In the Mbeya Bible school we provide God’s knowledge to all kind of people whether Christians or not, and it has only two teachers. So I will join with them to teach. I will do my best to work in God’s field with all my strength as God will grant to me.      "Thanks a lot to all sponsors who donate in this school.  May God our Lord bless them so that they may continue contributing because in doing this they also fulfill the command of Jesus to spread the Gospel to every creature.   Thank you very much and it is my prayer to God to live according to His law so that one day we may meet to heaven." Let me join Luka in saying thank you for your support, your interest, and for your prayers.  May God be with us all as we serve Him together.  Till all have heard, Daniel Gaines Director Tanzania Missions

Short Report 3/4

Grace and Peace to you friends.

I hope that this note finds you well. Things are going well for the Lord's work in Tanzania. Churches that work with us reported 21 baptisms and 6 restorations in the short month of February. The picture with this note shows one of those baptisms at the Lerai congregation.

Also, a fresh crop of 24 preaching students have reported to the Andrew Connally School of Preaching (BVBII-Arusha) to replace the 20 that graduated at the end of last year. Providing for the training of these local men for a life of evangelism and service to the Lord is a tremendous thrill. It is exciting to think about how God will use each of them in the future!

In my last short report, I mentioned my daughter's Lads to Leaders project that she did to help a number of congregations in Tanzania. You can read the report that she submitted HERE if you would like more information about that project. As a proud Dad, I thought I would share it with you!

Now as I often do, I'll close with a student spotlight to help you get to know one of our fine students:



Student Spotlight: Justine Rwaha

Justine is a second year student who comes to us from a non-religious, polygamous family. He is the first-born child of his father's second wife. Justine and his wife, Happiness, have 6 children of their own.

In his own words, "I joined the ACSOP because I felt that it was the perfect school for me as I wanted to learn more about God, His word, His work and His ministry; in order to gain more knowledge and increase in some points my understanding of the word, for the purpose of helping myself, my house hold, my congregation, and wherever God will sent me to help the community."

When he graduates, Justine hopes to start a bible school and to plant new congregations. He wishes to pass along the message that, "I am very thankful to God for this institution, the way He is using His faithful men and women who are endlessly giving for us have this opportunity of getting the knowledge we need in this school."

We are thankful for students like Justine, and for supporters who make this work possible!

Till all have heard,

Daniel Gaines
Director
Tanzania Missions

Short Report 2/8

Grace and Peace to you friends.     The past few weeks have been extremely eventful in our lives.  My daughter, Abby, accompanied me on a road trip across Tanzania.  Along with Phillip, Isaac, and Selena, we were able to visit 13 church meeting places and meet with representatives of 22 congregations.  Even though it required about 56 exhausting hours in the truck, it was a great blessing to visit with these brethren.  I had never been to most of these locations, so it was good for me to see their environments and hear about their needs and challenges.  It also gave us the chance to discuss some important plans and strategies for the future of these congregations.  These brethren received us enthusiastically.  One even described it as his "dream come true" that we had visited.  This speaks to their desire to feel like they are connected to the larger body of Christ rather than being isolated and unnoticed.        Abby had prepared children's bible school kits with a binder of material and some school supplies donated by the South Green Street Church of Christ.  At each stop, she gave the kits to the local teachers and provided training in how to use the material.  On several occasions, she was also able to demonstrate with the children of the congregation assembled for a special class.  One teacher remarked, "I have been desperately searching for aids for bible class, and God has answered my prayers."        We got back to the USA just in time to head to Henderson, TN to represent Tanzania Missions at the Freed-Hardeman Lectures.  It was a great week of networking and Bible study.  It is encouraging to know that even in this wicked world, there are so many wonderful works going on!   Speaking of wonderful works, take a minute to look at this summary of what happened among all of Bear Valley's international schools last year.  God is good every day.   Before I close, I do want to remind you that we have a tremendous need for more monthly supporters.  Could you help?  Could you refer us with a recommendation to someone else that might be in a position to help?  I would love to come and visit with you in person about the amazing things that God is doing in East Africa! Till all have heard, Daniel Gaines Director Tanzania Missions