Exciting Times

We are truly living in “Exciting Times” no matter where you are in the world. Out here in Tanzania, we are no exception! The past few weeks have had some ups and downs, open doors, and unexpected events. Through it all, the Lord has been working in many ways. Let’s consider the past few weeks together. First, let’s start with some unexpected events that have happened here in Kigoma, TZ.

Two weeks ago we had an earthquake out here just a few miles from Kigoma in Lake Tanganyika. I was in the car and did not notice it, but my kids all felt it and were a bit shaken (haha pun intended)! An elder at our small church in Kizenga is fortunate to have his small mud house. The earthquake cracked both corners of his house, but thankfully it still stands!

The water level in Lake Tanganyika has been steadily rising over the past few months, caused partly by a heavy rain season. The lake has not been this high since 1964! Here is a video of a road near us which is flooded, and the water is knee deep on the road.

On top of these challenges, the TZ government has closed Lake Tanganyika to fishing from May 15 - August 15 to replenish the fish population in the Lake!

So many earn their livelihood from the fishing business, whether fishing, selling, or transporting it, and fish is also a big part of their diet. People are already suffering, thefts are on the rise, and prices of other foods are steadily going up. Please pray for the people out here as they go through this trial, and for us to know how to respond during this time.

The Lord opened a door recently for an unexpected opportunity for the Gospel. A team of Baptist doctors, dentists, and workers came out to Kigoma to do a free clinic in a nearby village. Pagi and I were invited to come and give the Gospel to the crowds of people waiting for treatment. It was a joy to work together with this team and share the Good News in a simple and clear way to so many. Please pray for the many souls who heard the Gospel over that week.

One of the members of the team who gave out reading glasses, left us several left over boxes of glasses in various strengths and sizes (around 200 pair!) for our ministry in the maktaba! What a blessing :)

Pagi, a young evangelist who also helps us in Kizenga, and I have been doing open air meetings in various markets around Kigoma. A simple Gospel presentation with explanations and illustrations which clearly depicts the problem (sin) and presents the only solution (Jesus), is foreign to many here in Kigoma. Pagi introduces us to those present, hands it over to me for the painting and Gospel presentation, then I hand it back to him to review and give people an opportunity to respond.

We found a battery charged speaker that uses a wireless mic, and it works well for reaching the ears of many more that are afraid to come close to hear the message. My voice does not carry far! Many are Muslim in these areas and are hearing the Gospel for the first time. Please pray for the Seed sown through this ministry.

Gerald and I just recently taught our last session at the two schools before they begin exams and close for the month of June. I am teaching above at Karuta Primary School. So thankful to be able to continue on in this ministry, teaching so many young children the truths of the word of God! Wednesday is one of the highlights of my week! Below Gerald is teaching at Mbano Primary School.

We (Gerald and I) are busier than ever with Emmaus courses right now. This is a blessing! Out here, evangelism is easy, but discipleship is extremely hard work! Emmaus is such a good discipleship tool, and we are encouraged at the many ways the Lord is using this here.

Right now we are exploring ways to make these courses available in the villages within an hour drive from town. Please pray with us over this as many have asked for the courses who live in these villages :)

Restocking our courses!

The small village church in Kizenga is doing well and we are seeing a steady increase in growth. Our goal is to grow spiritually as we grow in numbers, and I believe we are seeing both right now! Just this past Sunday we had 79 children for the Sunday school, and close to 15 for the main meeting as seen below. We are currently going through the 7 Signs in the Gospel of John on Sundays.

And the Sunday School below led by our brother Pagi (Pagiel), who is especially gifted to work with children. He does an amazing job!

I go out to Kizenga on most Thursdays for visitation and evangelism. This past week it looked like rain was coming, but it actually missed us. As we walked to visit a brother at his home, we had to jump a creek on the way. After our visit, as we came back to the creek, it was MUCH higher from the rain up stream, and some in our group couldn’t jump across!

We are continuing to persevere in prayer for little Grace! We are waiting for another letter which grants permission for us to bring her home to foster, and then eventually adopt. Please pray with us over this little girl, that the Lord would open the way for her to come home to us :)

Camp Nuru is also in a bit of a waiting stage, but we are hearing some encouraging news that the land deed is coming. Things are in place so that when we get the clearance to start working on the property, we will be ready (truck, brick form, and sand are all ready). There is some talk of a team coming out to help with the building of the camp. We welcome anyone who would like to help! For those interested in supporting this camp financially, we have set up an account through CMML for Camp Nuru. You can give directly to the camp on the website, and those funds are tax deductible, and used solely for Camp Nuru - Thank you all so much!

https://www.cmml.us/ministry/camp-nuru

On Mother’s Day, Sam and Katie took advantage of the rare opportunity to pick flowers for Jennifer :) These wild flowers bloom right at the end of rainy season, and into the beginning of the dry season. We are all so thankful for Jennifer, and the amazing mother she is to our four children!

Jennifer continues to work 2 days a week in the labor/delivery ward of the hospital. She has assisted with dozens of births over the previous months, which has been amazing. There are occasionally some very difficult situations her and her fellow nurses find themselves in. We appreciate your prayers for her as she serves the Lord and the Tanzanians in this way :).

We are so thankful for your prayers and support during these Exiting Times! Below is a list of specific prayer requests from the various updates and ministries previously mentioned in the blog.

• Please pray for the Tanzanians during these 3 months the Lake is closed to fishing, and for wisdom for us to see ways to help during this difficult time.

• Please pray for the many who have heard the Gospel over the past month!

• Please pray for wisdom to know how to work out a plan to bring Emmaus courses to the surrounding villages.

• Please pray for the church in Kizenga, to grow according to God’s plan and for His protection.

• Please pray for little Grace, and for the Lord to move this mountain and grant us the permission to bring her home.

• Please pray for Camp Nuru, the building plans to be finished and approved, and for the deed to be released.

• Please pray for the Lord’s favor and protection for Jennifer as she works in the hospital each week.

~ The Kinlaws

Don’t like your job? Consider this picture below and it may change your perspective!

Imagine riding a bicycle, loaded down with 8 bags of charcoal (there are 2 more on the back!), for 15-20 miles in the African sun! Crazy, I don’t know how much it all weighs, but wowzers that would be hard! Guys do it all the time here and earn less than the cost of a cup of coffee at Starbucks!