Homeward Bound

After a full week of ministry here in Kigoma, Tanzania we are happy to begin the long journey back home to our families and friends. The week was full of opportunities for the Gospel, great experiences, new friends, and of course there are always challenges to overcome. In Africa you must learn to be an overcomer!

We have a ways to go before we actually set foot on US soil, but we trust the Lord will bring us home safely. Just before boarding our flight to Dar from Kigoma, all three of us received our negative Covid results! PTL :) We have a very tight itinerary with short layovers in both Doha and JFK that will have us running between flights! We appreciate your prayers so much! Here is a summary of our time here in Ujiji & Kigoma.

Our week began the same way it ended, by spending the Lord’s Day at the Kigoma Chapel. We would normally call this meeting our family Bible hour, but it goes much longer than one hour! They certainly worship the Lord with lots of singing, a little dancing, and everyone ends up at least clapping hands as we praise the Lord, who is so worthy of any & all praise for what HE has done for us! Below is a picture of some of our youth doing what they love to do, dance and sing praise to the Lord :)

On Monday, we ventured out to Ujiji where we spent some time in the Maktaba catching up with Gerald. We brought with us a large bag full of reading glasses which we use to help many to be able to see well and read. It was great to catch up with many of my friends who have stores next-door and across the street from the Maktaba. Maktaba is a hub of activity most days, as people trickle in throughout the day to talk, check out a book, or return an Emmaus course.

Doug is enjoying hanging out with Pagi and Saidi who are active in Muslim evangelism in Ujiji.

One of our students is returning a book he checked out, and is receiving his recently graded Emmaus courses. We even had a few Muslims come in to receive New Testament’s which were provided by VOM (Voice of the Martyrs).

In the afternoon we were able to replace a bad power cord for the TV and show “The King of Glory” to a group of local children.

On Tuesday, we met with Harry Johnson and drove one hour down the village lake road to look at a property being offered for the youth camp we would like to build. The property is situated between the main road and Lake Tanganyika. The positive side to this property is that it is free and being offered by one of the village assemblies. The negative side to it is that it is situated on a hill, and very rocky which could be a logistical nightmare when trying to make a soccer field or build buildings. We are continuing to pray that the Lord would show us HIS will in the location of this camp.

Below is a picture of the property, the building in the center is the local assembly in this village. Most of the property surrounding it in this picture belongs to this assembly.

After we walked the boundaries of the property together with the two elders of this chapel, they led us into the chapel where they had prepared a nice brunch for us Tanzania style. Boiling hot sweet tea and kuhe (a local fish from Lake Tanganyika) .

Wednesday was an extremely busy day for us as this is the day that Gerald and I normally teach in the schools. We learned that Gerald had added a third school and now teaches a Bible lesson in three schools on Wednesday. Dan and Doug both got an opportunity to teach a Bible lesson in one of the schools. We also gifted each school a soccer ball which we brought from the US. They were all so thankful and so happy to have visitors. I was so excited to see them again since we have been gone for six months now!

Here are several pictures of our time visiting the schools and sharing God’s love with them.

Gerald was asked to pray over several students (below) who were about to take their exams. It was such a great opportunity to share the Gospel with so many children. It was also just as encouraging to see how excited they were to hear what we had to share with them.

Our Wednesday wasn’t over yet as we still had the midweek meeting at the Local chapel at 4 PM, and then following that meeting the missionary fellowship at 7 PM where both Dan and Doug shared the teaching time and both brought devotions which were a real encouragement for the local missionaries.

Thursday we had the opportunity to come down to the soccer field in Ujiji and play some soccer with a large group of Muslim youth. Doug shared his testimony to this group and Gerald translated for him. I also shared with them how to be saved and know your sins are forgiven. They are eager to listen to what we have to say, and thankful for our visit. We were also able to gift these guys a soccer ball for the older guys and one for the younger as well.

Friday was a day to catch up on many repairs in and around my house. It was great to have Doug and dan‘s help to get some of these jobs done. I was able to accomplish all on my list of things to and feel good about how I left things.

Saturday we ventured out to the lake for a brief swim and some cliff jumping/diving. it was so nice to be able to unwind after a busy week of ministry! Here is Dan showing us how it’s done!

Our week and it just like it began, at the local Chapel in Kigoma.

I was asked to preach on this last Sunday together. I gave a message on the different types of fear and encouraged us to bring our fears to the Lord who gives us the courage we need to overcome and live in victory. Jesus has defeated death and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel! What an awesome Savior we have!!

Overall, it was an amazing trip full of many opportunities to share God’s love with so many precious souls. I am so thankful Doug and Dan came along and contributed so much on this trip. We Are all a bit tired and ready to get home to our families, wives and children that we miss so much. We thank all of you for praying for us throughout this journey, and look forward to being home and seeing many of you soon.

Below is a picture of a mango tree in our yard in Kigoma. As we left Kigoma this morning, I noticed the fruit hanging all over this tree. My prayer is that we are leaving behind a tremendous amount of fruit, much fruit, fruit that remains.

JOHN 15:5

I am the Vine, you are the branches. Whoever abides in ME, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from ME you can do nothing.